Dale Earnhart interview...
 

I don't follow car racing at all, but about 10 days ago I was listening to a sports talk show, and they were interviewing him. It sounds like he too has had multiple concussions and is currently dealing with PCS.

My guess is he has some of the best doctors available advising him, and I heard something that I thought was interesting - different than what I have read to be common belief. His doctors told him (of course I am paraphrasing) that he needed to expose his brain to situations that were now uncomfortable. This, in order to have his brain start adapting to the current circumstances.

Earnhart went on to detail that specific interview as an example to the reporters in the room who wouldn't understand PCS. With all the movements, lights, flood of questions...etc being difficult for him to handle. Yet his Doctor wanted him to gradually be exposed to that sort of thing.

I guess I have been under the impression that I should typically try to avoid those situations (take naps instead) or something along those lines. And in doing so, that my brain would likely heal in time - and perhaps it would on it's own.

Perhaps I am misinterpreting what was said or what I should do as having a concussion is a bit like parenting....there is no book to tell you what to do! Thus, it seems like you have to gather information yourself and act accordingly.

That closed the deal for me on vision therapy (along with a few helpful comments from you folks). I've started doing it and yes it is hard, makes me feel funky, etc, but I'm gonna give it my best shot.

There are varying levels of thought about challenging the brain like Dale Earnhardt mentioned. Most specialists suggest a slow return to these challenges. A few push for stronger challenges. A consensus is to not nap during recovery. Breaks from stimulation with mild activity to keep the brain engaged to stimulate continued blood flow is the latest protocol. Sleep should be at night.

One way to challenge the brain is to try short periods of increased stimulation/challenge then take a break or change activities. You push the brain to find a threshold then back off for a break then push again. Pushing to a fatigue level that lasts into the next day is not helpful for most.

There are two objectives. We need to get back to life but often have anxiety about over-stimulation that these small pushes can help us overcome. Anxiety can be a memorized negative response. A small trigger can cause an anxious bigger response. We need to use these small pushes to develop into a new pattern of response. " Wow, I was able to go to the mall and stay there for 15 minutes. I'll try 30 minutes next time" Second, the brain needs to be challenged so it can relearn the functions that allow the greater stimulation levels.

We all need to find our own specific levels/rate of return to normal.

My best to you as you take on this effort.

Thank you Mark. Very well explained.

Would listening to podcasts be considered a mild activity to keep the brain engaged and stimulate blood flow? What about reading (if one can tolerate it)?
Do you have any examples of mild activities?

This is a great observation Mark. And this is where I struggle and need to re channel my mind to thinking about the positive instead the negative. I always look at what I can't do rather than what I can do and appreciate it.