[frzrdoor2]

I have been lurking for over a week reading various posts and feeling so much more calm by the day because I've found others with my same issues.

Three weeks ago today, I hit my left temple hard after dropping something out of the freezer, bending down to pick it up and then connecting with the #^@$ freezer door that didnt' close. Now I kick the thing everytime I go by and get such a good feeling In fact, it's the only good thing that happens most days.

I actually thought I might die, the pain in my temple was so great. I didn't pass out, however immediately started shaking uncontrollably and crying. I got a CT scan the following day which came back negative. My doctor told me to rest..which is very subjective isn't it? I didn't realize until I came on here that meant no visual stimulation, lay in bed and do nothing.

I feel blessed that the only symptoms I have is the persistent tingling in top of my head along with a feeling of pressure..not really a pain and a slight headache around my eyes. When I overdo it, the tingling and headache become worse and the sense of pressure in my head becomes greater. I have only driven twice, both times a short distance and I don't feel comfortable driving any longer, both for myself and others. I can read, watch TV and be on the computer for about an hour before these symptoms worsen..so I choose carefully what I need to do.

I am a chef/owner of a boutique catering business, so this enforced rest is difficult for me as I am a control freak about my business. So far, I have my employees doing most of the work, it's the office/client work that I can't delegate. I went to an event Saturday and on Sunday I still felt great..to the point that I now know I did too much office work.

Today is not a good day...I didn't even get out of bed until 3pm and the phone ringing drives me nuts. I am craving quiet. So now I know what to not do and I feel I've set myself back. I'm not getting any advice from dr other than rest, rest, rest. Which I will do as much as possible now.

I just want to thank everyone for sharing..it is such a relief to read your stories. I wish we could all go back to our "normal" lives and while I know that's not possible, at least there is a place where I can feel I'm understood.

[musiclover]

Welcome! I joined about a month ago and too have great comfort in reading other's posts. This is a tough "club" to be in....some days are okay, others are extremely difficult to get through, but knowing we are not alone is huge!!

Keep us posted on how you are doing!

[crgravitt]

I wish we had all met under different circumstances but welcome to the boards and I agree, it's a relief to find that you're not alone in this. I've read it on here many times that you shouldn't measure your progress on a day by day basis, or even a week by week basis because that's just not how how it works and slowly, ever so slowly, I'm becoming convinced.

Give that freezer door a good kick for me and all the best to you!

Crystal

[Jeffrey]

I'll help anyone on this board how I can.

Three weeks in was not a fun time for me.

Hope you're young. I've heard age affects healing. If not, I pray the Lord heals you quickly. Well, I'll pray that even if you are young.

[Mark in Idaho]

frzrdoor2,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. Now I can tell my wife of the benefit of having the freezer on the bottom. LOL.

Be careful kicking the freezer. You don't want to slip and fall and bang your head again. It is a Murphy thing. You don't want Murphy lashing out at you.

Murphy's First Law: If something can go wrong, it will.
Murphy's Second Law: It wiull go wrong at the worst possible time.

The worst possible time to slip and fall and bonk your head while kicking the refrigerator is while you are still recovering from your previous bonk to the head.

Post your struggles. There is lots of experience here.

Regarding rest, I can watch TV and rest as long at the TV program is not too stimulating. Old movies that you have seen before work since you know the gist of the plot.

Music that has a simple beat and flow, especially he music that your brain is familiar with, may also work for you.

We need to avoid the stress of boredom. Some form of connection to life is important.

My best to you.

[frzrdoor2]

Thank you all for the warm welcome. I am gradually learning to live with constant head pressure and trying not to do anything to make the symptoms worse.

I did go out yesterday for the first day with my sister; she drove to lunch. That was a mistake. Living by myself, I'm not exposed to constant chatter and it about drove me nuts. I sat there with my fingers in my ears to deaden all the noise. I actually wanted to scream "shut up".

Thanks to Mark, I copied a list of my "chatter threshhold" and distributed them to employees and family so everyone tries their best to tiptoe around me when I am around, which is not often.

So now add can't tolerate noise, flashing lights to my growing list of symptoms. I spent all day today listening to yoga relaxation tapes and about an hour on the computer working.

@Jeffrey...I am by no means young..in my 50's..so I expect this to take awhile to heal.
@Mark...I put off purchasing a bottom freezer/frig when I moved...bad move..in more ways than one
@ Crystal....I kick it everyday...thankfully I don't have vertigo issues. I seriously would not do something to compromise myself again. UGH.

Hoping something positive, however little, has brightened your days today.

[Mark in Idaho]

frzrdoor2,

Get some foam ear plugs and try them. They can help almost anytime. I can wear them and participate in conversations. They reduce the background chatter very well. They can also be a good signal to others that you need some peace.

I find the yellow foam cylinders do the best. Twist them tight and insert them so they barely stick out, just enough to grab them to remove them. I bet you can wear them all day and still converse with others successfully.

Have you downloaded Dr Glen Johnson's TBI Survival Guide? It is at www.tbiguide.com Print it out so you can highlight the important points so others can read it.

My best to you.

[frzrdoor2]

Thank you Mark for the link to the Guide. I'll definately have to read it in bits and pieces.

[wtrpk]

i actually have musicians earplugs that I like a lot better. I use the foam ones to drown out my husbands snorning so I can get some sleep, but the musicians earplugs are so much better. I'll try to find the name of them.

I know what you mean about being around people. That does get better over time. I have 3 kids...one now off in college again and it was AWFUL in the beginning, but getting better.

[freezerdoor]

The same thing happened to me. : ) The head pressure went away at around 4 months.

I know we are all different and you have a different head, chemical makeup, and medical history form me but maybe you will be better in as much time as I was or sooner!!

I still have lingering issues but they are not at all a problem like the first 4 months were. I'm going through multiple days now where I don't even think about it or notice anything wrong with me.

Good luck!