Relapse after singing
 

I was doing better lately. One week ago I decided to try singing (~30 minutes) to see whether I am recovered enough to join a choir. I was an avid singer before PCS and I though my brain would like the reminiscence of these good old times. Since then I am having an absurd relapse, not a small setback but something similar to my prior concussions. I can't even concentrate enough to listen to an audiobook or have a 10 minute conversation. I don't understand why. Is it the physical effort from singing?

My hobbies before PCS were playing music / singing / exercising, and now I cannot tolerate any of this. Doctors told me to try to reintroduce these activities in my daily life to avoid depression and get my brain used to it again but every attempt leads to a setback or full relapse. My last attempt to exercise involved 4 minutes on a stationary bike at 75 bpm and I had to stay home / in bed for a week after that. Should I keep trying or just give it up? Did any of you manage to find and enjoy new hobbies compatible with our condition? I am 2 years into PCS and my last concussion was 9 months ago. Thank you.

Also, every relapse regardless of the reason triggers some intense pain (say 7 on a 1-10 scale) at the point of impact of my latest concussion 9 months ago (side of the forehand). Is it normal with PCS or is it a sign of something more serious, like bruising in the brain? (I did not have any image done after this hit). If is as if I could feel some swollen region behind my forehead.

Your not crazy! I feel like if I yell super loud it can rattle me and create some setback like symptoms. Wow I can't believe riding a stationary bike gave you that much of a setback!? Hope your feeling better from the singing.
What age are you and what country are you from if you don't mind me asking?

Thank you Mitchell, yes I also have a hard time understanding why small things like this cause dramatic setbacks. I am in my thirties and I am from Germany. How about you?

Vania, I read that you live in Germany. So do I, if you want you can send me a private message.
Thank you

singing again
 

Hi,
I was a competitive cyclist and also involved in playing guitar and singing pre concussion. Singing after was also hard for me. It created tension in base of skull and triggered a migraine a couple times. 20 months after though, I started practising again - both playing guitar and singing. It was tough at first, but 8 months later and I'm good to go with singing. I still have other symptoms, but feel about 90% recovered overall.

As for exercise, it's supposed to help, but for me it was a choice of cashing my available energy chips on earning a living, or exercise - doing both is still very tough to manage as I burn out, even 2.5 years after the concussion.

I've heard playing music is very stimulating for the brain, so maybe good "exercise" for it?

Hi Vanya,
Just checking whether you feel better?
When you get these bad setbacks do you eventually recover to pre-setback stat (baseline PCS state)?

best wishes

Hi Bachissimo,
Sorry for the late reply. Yes I get back to my baseline after these setbacks but it takes time, about 3 weeks on average I would say, and for a few days I am barely able to leave my house.

This happened again in a restaurant yesterday, I was wearing earplugs and only stayed 1 hour but now I am paying the price for it, and I guess it will take some time to recover from it.

How about you? Are you suffering from the same issue?

Best wishes.
Vania

Hello,Ivan.