4 months since my injury and I still feel like crap. I need to talk(pcs)
 

I can't do the things I want to do. I can't go to the gym:(:(. I can't go out. I can't read. I'm running out of things to keep me entertained. I have a headache and neck pain that just won't go away. my memory is messed up. I can't look at screens for too long. I get horribly fatigued and overloaded, so easily. I get lost in conversations. I need to wear earplugs 24/7 thanks to the sound sensitivity. The fog/dizzines is ridiculous. I feel like crap. my wife and my 4yo daughter have both been amazing, but i just feel alone.... I've talked to some people wo've suffered from pcs and none of them had it as bad as i have it. can anyone relate?

There are many past threads with related topics.
Have you have any down time, resting quiet time after the accident?
Any quality PT for the neck & to check spinal alignment?
Even upper cervical adjusting might be needed , it doesn't take much to misalign the c 1,c2.

You can use our search tool with specific key words to find past info & we have a lot of info in the sticky threads section -above on the pcs,tbi page.
https://www.neurotalk.org/search.php

If you can tell more about the injury , side hit , top of head, car accident, fall & hit on ground etc..might give clues for best suggestions..

I think a lot of us here can relate. All I can say is that four months isn’t a lot of recovery time following a significant concussion. I’m at 11 months, and I still have a bunch of issues, but I’m way better and way more functional than I was at four months.

Are you doing any kind of physio? Have you been evaluated for vestibular or optical issues? Are you doing light exercise daily, per the Buffalo protocol?

Above all else, don’t work yourself up with worry about the future, as stress is counterproductive. This injury has taught me to live life one day at a time. If any given day is awful, I just tell myself that tomorrow might be better...

I do also recommend an anti-depressant like zoloft, because there’s evidence suggesting it might help with neurogenesis and neuroplasticty, and because it’s awfuly tough not to fall into depression when suffering through PCS.

I can only echo the advice given so far, you need to slow down. Forget multi-tasking just do one thing at a time your brain isn't working at full capacity and will get overloaded resulting in fatigue. It will slowly get better but don't try to push it, the brain can't be pushed like the body. Take regular time outs where you can be quiet and alone to wind down. It will get better!

You need more time as others have mentioned.. I am at 13 months and had similar symptoms as you. At four months I was very discouraged and thought I was stuck with this horrible affliction for the rest of my life. Had 9 symptoms and now down to three. Ran from doctor to doctor and finally found one that said what I didn't want to hear but was the truth..this can take some time. Once I relaxed about it and just did what I could, I saw progress.

Take care of yourself, take supplements, try to go for walks if you can't workout and manage your sleep. Do what you can. I had ear plugs for 6 months now I can be in my loud plant and tolerate ok. Ears still ring but that is manageable.

Keep anxiety as low as you can is important. My symptoms skyrocket if I get stressed out. What my wife noticed was everything about my personality and sensitivities I had before the injury was heightened afterwards. I had sensitive hearing before and it was horrible after. Same for anxiety.

No two TBI's are the same but you can heal and while it is slow, it's amazing how your spirits will lift as you see some progress. Hang in there!

OP,
I am 4 months in as well.

Negatives:
Still not going to the gym or going out. My neck and shoulder are in pain and light is still much brighter than it should be. I still feel a bit “off” and kind of dizzy sometimes. When I have “relations” I get numbness down my right leg and mainly in my right foot. Also causes headaches. My vision changed in my right eye. I’m very anxious during any stressful situation and jumpy. Some residual ringing in my right ear.

Positives:
I have overcome brain fog and my balance issues. I can look at most light and it not trigger a headache. I’ve been getting 30 minutes of cardio exercise in 4-5 days a week; doesn’t seem to trigger symptoms.

I’m going to start from scratch this week and visit my PCP. Going to request to be put on anxiety meds and ask for an MRI on my neck and shoulder (only previously had an X-ray).

Overall, I’m pretty discouraged and thought I’d be fully recovered by now. That said, there comes a point where you lose track of time and just fight every day. Take the positives in the day and focus on them. Take the negatives and do your best to do what you can to improve them.

I’ll be praying for you.