Hey Tamisue - have you tried amitriptyline? It relieved all my pcs symptoms and helped me sleep really well.

So the current topic is brain farts? I often forget the names for objects and call them thingys! My fiancee (somehow) always knows what I mean! As a former cowboy, he's had several concussions, so he isn't surprised by any of my verbal farts!!!!

Ok now I'm starting to freak out! So many people are talking about symptoms returning after a good amount of pain-free time. I don't know if I could handle it!!

I think its just the way this condition goes. Its a rollercoaster ride. The minute you think you are healed and start increasing activities or expending too much energy, there comes the setbacks. If you are feeling well....i would say continue to go slow like you would when you still had symptoms, better to play it on the safe side so you dont slide down the slippery slope of a setback.

I think nightnurse is right, although I would love to be proved wrong (I'm still waiting for the University at Buffalo authors to come out with a large-scale, definitive study showing that controlled exercise, say for 20 mins a day, can help improve symptoms - for now I'm skeptical).

I believe my most significant setback came from overexerting myself about two weeks after my concussion. Over the course of a single day, I went for two walks outside, had a long phone conversation (about an hour), socialized with family for an hour and a half, and hoisted and carried my 45-lb nephew several times. The next night and day I felt really bad, and that was when my tinnitus started. I think the lifting was the main culprit - although I didn't feel the effects immediately, I think it really overtaxed my recovering brain at the time.

My advice would be to start with a baseline of as close to complete rest (mental and physical) as possible, and incrementally add activities as you progress. Think long term, not today or this week or next week. Be patient, and take good care of yourself (rest, nutrition, relaxation techniques, social support, etc).

those of you who use amitriptyline -- are you tired all day? I understand it helps with sleep...but not sure are you exhausted all day too? I tried it in the beginning and couldn't tolerate it,..now looking back...couldn't tolerate anything and not sure it was the amitriptyline. I also think the trip to/from the dr was sooo much for me that I blamed it on the new meds after each visit.

Today has been much better! Thanks everybody. Some chocolate ice cream and some new shoes sure make a gal a bit more fun to be around.

Seriously, I have tried amitriptyline in the past and it kept me up ALL night. It was horrible. I have taken Ambien-and those I broke in half and only took half. I just need to get to sleep, once I'm there I'm ok.

I don't know how much of symptoms returning I can stand. I'm already foggy sometimes and that is very uncomfortable. It's like standing somewhere you've been 1000 times and not recognizing one thing. If the vertigo came back like in the beginning, I'm afraid I'd have to stick my head in the oven...yeah, it was that bad. But, no, I wouldn't. I have cute new shoes to wear!

I'm trying my best to be positive. I have always been a Pollyanna, but this adventure has been trying, even for me. It is just so dang hard to accept limitations and try to cope. I have been so stinking independent for my entire life. I raised two beautiful daughters as a single parent, and I've accomplished everything I've ever really set my mind to...but now I can't remember the word horn...instead I told my daughter to "beep!!!!!" today at someone trying to come into her lane. Very bitter medicine my friends, very bitter indeed.

Im on Nortriptyline and when i was back at work for those 2 months, i would take it at 11pm and finish my night shift with no sleepiness from it. It doesnt make me sleepy at all. At bedtime i take the nortriptyline and temazepam or ambien to sleep. Ive had insomnia forever though.

i know where you are at with your frustration and being bummed out. I've been crying for the past 2 weeks and cant get out of my funk if i tried. My family lives on the opposite coast and really doesnt care all that much about whats going on with me, my friends all walked away because i cant party with them or im too depressing to be around, my roommate is definetly sick of me, my girlfriends from work are all busy working nights and im missing that social aspect, and the few friends that are long distance call here and there. Its so lonely and sometimes i wonder how much longer i can hold on and wait to get better when im just being swallowed up inside by this PCS. Depressing...i know. sorry!

I was tired for the first couple hours after waking, but that's because the effects last for about 12 hours. I gained tolerance to the lowest dose (about 10 mg) within 4 days. It relieved my pain but didn't make me as drowsy. The unfortunate thing is that after a while I had to up my dose and repeat the process all over again.

I have been the SAME way! I have been so down and so bummed. My youngest daughter lives with me (she's 22) and just moved back to NC from CA. We were in the car yesterday and I changed the radio station. I love Adele, but if I had to hear her sing one more sad song yesterday I was going to jump out of the car. My family lives near, but they don't understand what I am going thru and my friends don't either. I've had to remind myself, repeatedly, that while I might be stuck at home due to my circumstances, everyone else isn't. They are still working, still going to school, still taking care of families and doing all the things they have to do-that has helped a little. I have been so isolated and alone. It is horrible. I'm so sorry. I hope that knowing other people are going thru the same thing helps-in a weird way.

yup...understand that isolated and alone. I have a few great friends who really understand and let me cry on their shoulders. I'm fortunate to have a husband who is practically a saint! He puts up with so much - and does so much. He's really understanding....even more so that I understand! He tries so hard to keep me sane with this and not break down!

But...glad I have you guys to rant and rave to--- and hear that you guys are going thru the same thing (unfortunately for all of us).