Train Travel - Should we think this is a setback
 

I have tried to be very vigilant about what is going on with my hubby as he recovers. He has really seemed to be almost 100% the last couple of weeks. He is back to work full time and was having no symptoms. Actually feeling better than before, likely due to the added rest. He wasn't really 100% because he did have some restrictions on activity but it was just a matter of slowly returning to those activities so he did not bring on symptoms.

So, his doctor told him not to drive long distances yet. We had to get a new car and chose to get one through a friend that lives 15 hours away but, it is back home for us so coming to visit was a great idea. Instead of driving our car and then driving both cars back (because he wasn't allowed) we took a train. I didn't realize how rocky it would be. 17 hour trip.

Here is what I have seen this week and he isn't really sure it was concussion related or not so I thought I would ask for input here:
After getting off the train at 1 pm he felt like he was still moving for the rest of the day. Kind of like sea legs, which he has had before after a being on a boat. The sea legs just lasted for minutes after the boat thought and this feeling was until he went to sleep.
His whiplash neck pain returned almost to like the week after the accident over the next 2 days.
He did not experience any headaches or dizziness, just the off balance feeling for that one day.
He is more tired than last week and seems like he needs a nap after having a long conversation with a friend. Normally, as an extrovert, he is energized by those conversations. Because he did not sleep well on the train Sunday night, he isn't sure if it is concussion tired though. It doesn't seem quite the same but, the fatigue does seem a bit much for him.

We were hoping this trip would give him a brain break after Easter (he is a worship pastor) as he had only been back at work full time for 2 weeks but, it seems to be tiring him out instead.

Any thoughts or input.

Thanks

Oh and the car accident was on February 2nd.

It is not uncommon for symptoms to return at only 9 weeks post injury. The vibrations on a train, the long car ride home, the sounds, the duration and other stresses and fatiguing issues all can contribute to causing a relapse of symptoms. In time, he most likely will return to his pre-trip condition.

btw, It appears he must not have any sound sensitivities. I have not been able to tolerate a music service with amplification in over a decade. I tried to use ear plugs but would go mentally fatigued.

Thank you for your response. I read through many of the posts here to see your input as we navigate my husbands recovery.

My husband is a musician and we are so fortunate that he has not had a problem with sound sensitivity. I am so sorry that you have not been able to tolerate a music service in so long. My son has autism and some sound sensitivity...it comes and goes for him. We use headphones that reduce the sound. Ear plugs never worked well for him either. I would try using something like that instead of ear plugs. I wonder though, if that doesn't work, if it is the sound waves that are bothering you and not the actual noise. They come together of course but, reducing the amount of volume that hits your eardrums does not reduce the vibration of the sound waves that hit your body.

I have a very good understanding of my struggles. Sounds waves and noise are the same. The problem is multi-faceted. Very few auditoriums are acoustically correct. Speaker placement, wall construction and placement and other things all combine to cause a chaotic sound. My brain hears all of the echos. I have found the best spots to minimize the echos but still would be exhausted for the rest of the day.

btw, I have a friend who has been designing sound systems for churches for 30 years. He has helped me understand what those sound waves are doing. He has a difficult time designing good sound systems in buildings that are focused on maximum occupancy and visibility and not sound/acoustics. There are too many large flat walls reflecting the sound. Worse yet are to concrete walls that act like giant reflecting speakers. Even when he does his job well, the sound board people will mess it up with total disregard to his expertise and recommended settings.

Add to that the obscenely repetitive lyrics commonly used in CCM and my brain gets fried as those repetitions continue.

I use the foam ear plugs because they reduce the volume by the same decibel level as headphones, about 28 to 30 dB. With the foam plugs, I can still hear conversations because they mostly reduce the peak levels. Headphones reduce the whole spectrum. Plus, head phones create an echo within the headphone cups sort of like holding a sea shell up to your ear that competes with the sound. When I fly, I use both.

Your husband is so fortunate.

Great Info
 

I figured you had a lot of info but, I figured I would just check since we have the unique situation in our home of having a child with autism. Before having him, I would have never thought that headphones would work while ear plugs would not. I am glad that you wrote all you did because I will show it to my husband. I think it will be helpful with some plans he has for improvements in our church sanctuary. Thanks again for all your great info!