Cody-You aren't alone in that you haven't heard from friends/family. It still hurts (a lot) but I have tried to stop and remember that 1. Just because I'm stuck at home doesn't mean anyone else is. 2. Just because I'm not working doesn't mean that everyone else isn't working. 3. Everybody still has families, school, events, etc that they have to attend. 4. This was the biggie...Because I didn't have bandages (for long), a cast, a wheelchair or walker, people don't realize that there is anything wrong. You can't see that my neurons and brain cells are wondering around like zombies. If you don't know me you don't realize that I don't sound like this all the time. I'm usually very quick witted, I can pronounce the words I use, I'm not tired at 3:00 in the afternoon.

I think that people just don't understand because they can't see what hurts. Maybe that is a little oversimplified, but it made me feel a little better...but I still have hurt feelings.

Very true. The last part is the biggest thing for me. People "see" that I'm ok on the outside but inside I'm a mess. I know that I shouldn't have any ill will towards anybody b/c of this. It's just one of those things that are in the back of my head along with other horrible thoughts.

The best way to help family and friends understand is the YouTube TBI (You look great) videos and the TBI Survival Guide.

I have to agree with Mark. I've sent some family and close friends the tbi guide and a link to the youtube videos. One person has already remarked to me that they didn't realize all of the stuff a tbi involves-and still don't.

I know that what I'm about to say is à politically sensitive issue in the US, but I do wish you had à humane medical system. When I read about the trouble w hearings, lawyers, compensation, cost of medical care and so on, it makes me sad. I live in Europe and we have the same system as in Canada, we simply go to the hospital and are treated for free, paid through taxes. I would get the same treatment as the president. It takes away all the stress when you are ill.
Hope all goes well:-)

One thing I should not to do is get my stress really high. I had gotten into an argument this afternoon and my head felt like it was about to explode. My head has never felt like it did today. It sucked, I was literally screaming in pain it hurt so bad. I almost thought I was going to pass/blackout from it. It took about an hour for the pressure to come down.

I've been dealing with a lot of bizarre/depressing thoughts lately. I hate it when I have these thoughts......Btw, these thoughts sometimes make me want to end it all.....I have enough will power to never do that though.

Also, today makes it 8 months since my accident.

I may have missed it somewhere in your text, but I had a visit with my PC today-who rocks btw. I have been taking celexa for several years for hellish PMS (sorry for tmi) but since my accident I've been much more sensitive and ANGRY. Like I want to bounce people off of brick walls, spit in their face, punch to the throat angry. So, I asked him to up my dosage for a while to see if it would help. Might check with your Dr to see if they can give you something to help bring you back from the dark side.

tamisue,

Wow, Celexa sounds like an extreme way to handle PMS. Has your doc suggested any specialized hormone analysis? A lot of PMS is due to diet and environmental stresses messing up the hormone cycles. There are specialists for just such conditions. My wife's RNP who specializes in women's 'issues' rocks big time.

We know lots of women whose lives have been radically changed for the better by her help. Lots of docs use too broad of a brush to paint over women's issues. Not saying yours does.

Hormones get even worse after a concussion. There is an online referral system if you are interested.

Inquisit,
We have had plenty of PCS sufferers on NT who have the Canadian health system and had just as much trouble. The British system is not much better.

I had a very good health plan system in California that left me out in the cold too. The issue is not access to health care. It is access to health care providers who understand concussions and are willing to take the time to listen and explain. They are few and far between. New Zealand, Australia, Canada, UK and the US all have the same problem with a lack of concussion experts.

Worker's Compensation is a system that takes precedent in any injuries that happen while at work in the US. It is government mandated and designed to protect employers from law suits while providing the injured worker with free medical treatment.

The lawyers are to get compensated for lost wages and such in accidents, such as auto accidents. They sometimes are needed for Work Comp due to employers insurance companies being non-responsive to the injured workers needs. In many situations, the health care costs are minor compared to the lost wages and even potential long term or permanent disability.

Cody, arguments are always a losing situation for us. Try to turn and walk away and try to explain your behavior later. It is not worth the battle. It is tough to turn and walk away but well worth the effort.

Mark-the low dosage really works(ed) for me until the accident. I did talk to my PC about bumping it up for a while and he was good with that. I've been trying to keep my calm for the last four months and haven't throat punched anybody yet-but it isn't because I didn't want to...I just walk away and mutter bad things to myself.

I've been taking the 20 mg dosage for years. It just took the edge off so I didn't want to kill anyone. I have no doubt environmental stresses increase (and diet too!) the PMS. I would be interested in the link if you don't mind. Truthfully-the PC I was seeing at the time was an awesome guy-about my age and really cared-wasn't one of those 5 minutes gotta go docs. He asked lots of questions. At the time I had an extremely stressful job related to law enforcement, was a single parent, and going to school.

New PC is a good guy. I've been lucky with these two. Not afraid to take more than five minutes with you...doesn't happen much these days anymore.