More good tips here - thank you. I especially like the idea of blocking out text below.

Aireyden, I just wanted to mention that I too often don't know exactly what has caused me to have a bad day. But I have found that sometimes, I don't have that bad day until 2-3 days after a stressful or overloading event.

It's like this: I overdo it on Saturday (shopping, visiting, whatever), Sunday comes and I watch some TV with my hubby, then I start to feel a little more out of it on Monday, so I only do a little more TV or computer. Then, I start feeling a bit worse on Tuesday so I do very little that day maybe 10 minutes of reading. Then, wham Wednesday comes and hits me hard and I'm basically sleeping or staring at a wall with soft music.

It quite often takes me several days to recover from this type of episode (lots of staring at the wall and sleeping). GRRRRRR... so frustrating! But, I'm starting to recognize this pattern. It wasn't the little reading I did on Tuesday, it was the Saturday followed by the rest of the little stuff. It's good to know this - next time I have to catch it much earlier and quit while I'm ahead. Hope this helps.

Soccergal

I think you're right because Fri was the day I overdid it...and Sunday I felt the worst!

I did very little on sat....

so how do we overcome it...if I didn't do much on Saturday anyway??

My symptoms do not seem to correlate on a day-to-day basis. Some days they're better, some days they're worse. Try not to overanlayze things and compare on a day-to-day basis. Recovery happens over a long period of time, and it's best that you rest as much as possible.

I am trying to figure out what brings on the symptoms to the point of a blasted headache. I keep a log of what I did for the day -- I just don't want to overdo it and have to lay around like I did all weekend.

This is a brilliant idea. I did this in an attempt to pin point my triggers and was somewhat successful.

well today I went out with a friend...to Target and then back here for lunch. I didn't feel right in Target but not as bad as other times. We had lunch and I tried ignoring the weird feelings in my head...we laughed and had fun. So far..hour and half later..still ok. I didn't sack out exhausted on the couch either. My head doesn't feel normal...but sort of how it would feel if I didnt go out at all....(different than other times).

So...hoping I don't get the blasted headache...staying positive.

That's the key. Appreciate the times you don't feel at your worst.

aireyden,

When you review your log, don't focus on each day. Try to look at a bigger picture. Look for trends, not individual circumstances. What causes problems one day may not the next and vice versa. Over time, you will notice that after doing such and such, you tend to have struggles, but only if you also did something else. You are intelligent. Don't over-analyze. Look for the big picture and take your time.

My best to you.

Mark...thanks. I think that just living gives me a headache. Its everything that brings on the symptoms...and I need to start getting out of the house and doing a tiny bit more each week. Even just talking with my friends brings on weird feelings in my head...dinner with the family..same thing. I have to just start knowing how much is too much.

You're a great help to lots of people here...kuddos for adding so much input and advice to everyone.

Set some guidelines that allow you some interaction but not too much.

If you are going to talk with friends, make it just one friend. Try to stay focused on looking at the person you are talking with. The brain likes to combine the vision of the lips moving with the ears hearing the words.

Discuss with that friend some of the limitations of PCS. I can't talk with someone who uses overly complex sentences. They overwhelm my brain with too many balls in the air at once. I have to stop people and break down their sentences to simpler phrases, etc.

I can talk ten times better that I can process incoming information. I need to explain this to others. They think my speaking ability means I can follow/listen to a conversation.

Let them know about your need for slow changes of stimulation. No quick scanning of a store shelf. No quick conversation. No driving through congested traffic with talking and the radio at the same time.

Try talking with your friends on the phone laying down in a dark room or with your eyes closed. It will free up more sensory processing ability.

Have you tried any manual crafts or manipulative projects? Hand sewing, knitting, cross stitch, crochet, painting, etc. Anything that takes slow repetitive tasks with your hands slows the flow of information to and from your brain. The slow tempo can do wonders for your brains attempt at getting stronger.

My TBI friend still does leather craft projects as therapy. The kind where you sew the leather pieces together with a vinyl strand.

My OT had me try my hand at assembling wooden model-puzzles.

I used to spend hours sorting out a huge bin of miscellaneous screws, nuts and bolts. I found it was very good therapy for my mind. It could occupy a lot of time with a productive result.

If you try to read, be disciplined to stay away from reading that causes overload. be ready to stop and try something else at the first sign of visual or mental struggle.

Is it warm enough to work in the yard, preparing a garden or pruning back plants or pulling weeds?

Think small and simple. Lots of little short tasks will fill a day. Make lists of things to do and do the ones that feel right. No need to be perfect or even complete the task. Just try.

Do you have access to a preschool or kindergarten where you can volunteer to sit with a single child (in a quiet location) and read to/with them? The shyest in the class need this time and will be eager for some quiet time with an adult.

Lots of ideas for you to consider. Find on that works for you and have some good quiet time with others or a paint brush or needle.

The personal growth that comes from learning to slow down and work with less pressure is amazing.

My best to you.