Each of us is affected differently by our injury - though there are many similarities. We can't expect our recoveries to happen exactly the same way.

There are basic guidelines which seem to be true for just about everyone, but a lot of it seems to boil down to - what can my own body handle?

I have found this site to be wonderful for increasing my awareness about my own symptoms. I lived in a fog for many months and really had no idea what was happening or why.

The more I learn about others, the better I'm able to figure out what's going on in my own life - and thus figure out ways to deal with it.

The important thing is to figure out what does or does not work for your own recovery.

I know, I know - easier said than done!!

Freezer,

Just curious: are you still feeling 100%? Is there anything you think was particularly helpful in getting you back to a functional state, or was it just a matter of resting / carrying on and waiting? Did you build up to the physical activity, or were you just able to do it all of a sudden?

Not only am I happy for you, but am naturally curious if the same will happen to me. Prayers going out for many more posts like this.

Very interesting to read about healing here.

I'm definitely better and i do think it was the graduated exercise program. I am hugely better and moving towards that 100% mark all the time. For now, most people would consider this 100%. I"ll feel 100% when i can do a triathlon again but yes, for all intents and purposes i'm 100% now and ready to begin slow training.

I think it was the exercise program because my biggest issue was not being able to join the physical world around me. Once I got to walking about 20 minutes in the program, i felt I could fit in with any regular activity. I'm moving on now to about 30 mins and will start increasing my heart rate soon.

does that help to answer your questions? i'll reread in a minute.

I do sure hope and pray that it does happen to you. That was a very difficult thing for me to go through and I don't wish it on anyone. Instead I wish a speedy recovery for you all. I know my injury seemed minor compared to the rest but nonetheless I was in the same boat and now better so I assume there is hope for all who are truely only concussed. You should by all means get better.

happy to hear you're better freezer. just be sure to take extra caution as you go forth. eg. if ur shoveling snow, wear boots that have have good traction so you don't fall. when you're walking down the stairs, use the rails. eliminate excessive alcohol consumption. usually when pcs resolves (according to the literature) they shouldn't come back unless do something to bring them back on

freezer,

Did you keep up the graduated exercise program (I remember your description of it) even when you had some symptoms?

The thing I wrestle with is whether to go for a short walk (in the pool or outside) even when I have a slight headache or ringing in my ears (my two main symptoms). The classic advice is to wait until I'm symptom-free before doing this, but part of me thinks that some very light physical movement may help the healing process along.

I for one always, always feel better after exercise. The morning after days I exercise pretty hard, my headaches seem to be milder than if I go a couple days without getting my heartrate up. I don't know why/how, but everything is better after a 30 min run, a soccer game, or a 2 hr bicycle ride. Your mileage may vary, but I don't think a completely sedentary lifestyle is healthy, even with a concussion/PCS.

My neuro said it was better to medicate lightly to reduce symptoms and stay lightly active than to rest completely. Easy walking is mostly what I've been doing.

Greenfrog - i always started the exercise while symptom free. If I did not feel well, I would postpone the exercise. I was at a point in healing however, that the postponement did not last long.

I would sometimes feel symptoms by the time I was done with the exercise but not always. I would always rest after that however. Rest at that point for me did not mean laying down in a quiet room. I was beyond that. It meant doing something not incredibly tasking.

Hope that helps. Don't think about it too much. just do what works at any given moment. Feeling great? do your exercise. Feeling poorly, wait.