Hello everyone,

I have browsed this website for several weeks and have learned so much from everyone's posts. Thank you so much. Especially helpful is the link for Surviving Traumatic Brain Injury, by Dr. Glen.

I thought I would share my story. I was injured playing golf on July 2 of this year when an errant tee shot (golf ball) struck the side of my head. After stitches and a Cat Scan and diagnosing a concussion, the hospital released me. Two weeks after the accident nausea set in and I didnt seem to be getting any better so my doctor ordered an MRI, which was negative. It is two months since the accident and I am still having issues with nausea, ,headache, being tired all the time (even after 10 hours of sleep), lack of appetite, and having a general uneasy feeling most of the time. I have been to my primary doctor, an ENT, neurologist, and more recently a sports concussion specialist. They administered an IMPact test and I will be reevaluated in two weeks. My biggest frustration besides being tired most of the time is how little it takes to set me back. I am a very active person by nature and this is killing me! For instance I mowed just my very small front lawn on Friday and paid for it feeling headachy, fatigued and cold on Sat. and Sun. Is this normal? I've read some posters saying that they have gone to neuropsychologists. Would this help? I am going back to work after being off for two weeks and am very nervous of over doing it.

Again, I'd like to thank everyone for your previous posts. This website has been extremely valuable to me. I hope everyone finds the path to peace and wellness!

Sorry we all have to meet under these circumstances but welcome aboard. I'm 9 months out from a car accident and from my own experience and what I've read from others, fatigue is very common. The mental toll takes a physical toll and your body and mind both need rest - likely more than you would suspect.

There are several opinions on whether exercise is beneficial following MTBI, and every case is different. I believe it to be beneficial, however, the positive effects won't be felt if you're still not "up to it".

I'm sure that you'll hear from many others on here who have more insight and experience - just listen to your body (and mind) - if you're tired you may feel better if you take it easy or rest for a bit.

Very best to you!

Crystal

Welcome! This is a great board for info and support, glad you found us!

I am 10 months pcs and overall fatigue level has improved quite a bit but I still have times when I just feel as though I have no energy. Like you, I have always had a high energy level, so dealing with the fatigue has been very challenging. I am trying to appreciate and take advantage of my "good" days when I can

I also have times when only little things can set me back.....slowly I am learning what they are and working on keeping my chin up even when all I want to do is sleep!

Hope things will begin to improve for you!

Welcome to NT. I feel for you. My mother took a Tee shot square between the eye brows. She looked like a raccoon for quite some time. She looked out from behind a tree to see if the other golfer had teed off. Bammmmmm

Even the biggest proponent of exercise at the Buffalo Concussion Clinic suggests waiting six weeks before even getting evaluated for exercise therapy.

I am surprised the sports concussion clinic didn't tell you how your scores compared to the normative data. ImPACT has very little use in prognosticating a recovery.

For the time being, you need good sleep, good nutrition, no toxins (caffeine, MSG, processed soy products, and drugs and alcohol) A single serving of alcohol per day can be tolerated and may help you relax. Lower your stress by limiting the environmental stressors, including visual, auditory, and tactile. Limit stressful cognitive efforts.

Then, let time help your brain heal. Learn to use work-arounds to do ADLs (Activities of Daily Living) to reduce the stress or simply make the task doable. Notes and lists help with memory and anxiety.

Tell us more about your difficulties and we can suggest work-around techniques and other accommodations.

My best to you.

I am 2.5 years in and still hitting my head...ugh
Anyways, important things are do not get hit a second time!!!!!! I cannot say this enough!
If you think you want to push yourself then do the athletics, nothing where you will jostle or hit your head again, but anything else is fine. Just take it slow and give yourself the breaks you need. Some will say this is wrong, but I think going stir crazy is worse.

Good Luck!
God Bless!
Margarite

How about returning to work part-time to begin with and see how you get on? You are right to be concerned that you might overdo it. Best to avoid that if you can. Have you informed your employers about your injury? Then may be sympathetic about returning to work gradually. Surely they would rather this than have you overdo it and have to take sick leave!

Thanks everyone for the very practical advice. As everyone on this forum can attest, a head injury is one of the most difficult things a person can go through. I have learned a lot from everyone, particularly that there is no easy way around getting enough rest and recovering. The brain is such a complicated organ and is on its own schedule for healing. Hope everyone is on road to peace and recovery.