I have noticed a problem with the good advice to take loads of rest (thanks for that, Tangje). The problem that I have is how to make a living when I am taking rest. I don't have any savings to fall back on so I basically have to work to pay the rent and feed myself.

I expect some of the rest of you can relate to this. I wonder how much having to work for a living is slowing our recovery. I don't feel that I can just take a year off and relax and stay out of debt.

I am trying to think of jobs that aren't too taxing on the brain but then you get to do minimum wage jobs that could be even more of a hassle. Has anyone solved this problem?

CS

Concussed Scientist,

I wish I could give you a success story in this area. I had to return to work 4 days after my accident because my family could not afford to have me off of work. The 4 days was only possible because it fell over Christmas break. I didn't have the time to rest. During the days following, I would find a dark place at work to sleep for my half hour lunch and then finish the day. I have 2 children so even when I got home, it was hard to rest. I also felt guilty because I didn't seem to be spending time enough time with them because I was always tired. I would really like to know if I would have taken the time to rest if I would be better 16 months out, but I guess I will never know. So, we seem to trudge right along and live each day as it comes.

Hey Sheds,
I can sure appreciate to dilemma that you are in with children. You want to do the best for them but so you try to struggle on when it might not be the best thing for you. I bet this is a common problem. People just do not take the time off to rest and recover that they really need. And doctors don't tell you how important this is. They really should give better advice on this.

Looking back, I wish that I had taken more rest, but the trouble is even now I don't know how I could have arranged it. The truth is that unless you are in the enviable position of having savings to fall back on or a familty that step in and do everything for you then you pretty much have to carry on as best you can and take whatever rest is avaible to you.

Perhaps if you explain the situation clearly to your family then things might be a bit easier.

CS

Concussed Scientist,

My family knows what this all means, but as a mom I feel like I have to do everything like before. I know that I should relinquish some of the duties, but I just can't seem to do that. That is my own fault. It is one of those cases where I want to make sure that my family is taken care of first and then comes me. I am no "super mom", but I always want to be there for my husband and kids. It's just hard to set limits for myself since I am not used to having to do so.

Hi CS,

This is a very difficult issue to address. I think that working can be okay depending on the task. The problem is that with an MTBI/PCS, as I'm sure you already know, is that your tolerance for stress is much lower and unfortunately stress can really hinder recovery. In my case I tried to continue working in the lab for 3 months after my injury, dialed it back to working on the computer at home for 5 months, and then finally realized that trying to work was doing more harm than good, which led to a 5 month leave of absence.

As far as finances are concerned, I would certainly look into government disability benefits/insurance that might be available to you. Depending what you were doing for work prior to your injury you might be eligible for some support (granted it might not be a lot). I appreciate that this can be quite a serious problem as you have to delicately balance your health and finances. I would try to recruit help from a family member or friend to figure out what your options are as the stress involved in trying to do it all yourself would certainly be a negative impact on your recovery.

Thanks, Tangje.

I suppose each of our situations is different. Now that I am over two years post-injury, I think that I can manage to work without doing myself too much harm. In fact, the extra income means that I can have some therapy which I couldn't afford before.

I was mentioning the financial side because I think that that is a real issue, especially in the first year after an injury, when you are at your worst and haven't adapted your life to the new situation yet.

CS

hi CS
no easy answer I had to give up work, be it by the gentle mans way out

we have a 9 yr old still with us, at home my injury,s were self evident, so getting disability living allowance and incapacity benefit saved our home . it was tough, but debt we live with, a big come down from a 45k project manager, it pains me greatly that all our kids even the older one,s have lost so much

you guys with no skull fractures. must have a real hard time getting docs ect to take you seriously, my last neurophysiology report says I will not be able to do any full time challenging job for the foreseeable future , my head aches stop me from doing many things, cant say when they will strike, at home, I can work round them posting on forums bits an pieces around the house , but not 9 to 5 just between bouts
employers , can,t be expected to work round my condition

best wishes