3 1/2 months into TBI/PCS I thought I'd be having better days. Some of them are, but today just blew chunks. I've felt like I have been in a fog all day, and had vertigo numerous times.

After the accident (rear-ended by big commercial truck) I was having vertigo 20/30 times a day that lasted from 10 seconds and more, usually 30-45 seconds. I'm down to about 5-6 times a day usually only 3-5 seconds, and the occasional 10 seconder.

I just want to throw stuff!!!!!!! I want to scream in frustration (and not scare the dogs and the grandson). I don't know what to do. It's just been a sucky day all around-and there's no reason. I'm FRUSTRATED!!! I'm tired of correcting all the stupid mistakes I made now when I type. I'm just mad and can't do anything about it.

No matter how many times we read everyones posts about how long into their recovery they are, its always hardest to accept where you are and how frustrating it is to have such a debilitating injury. I understand where you are....everyone here understands where you are. Its scary, lonely, frustrating, humiliating, inconvenient, annoying, painful, sad, depressing and every other word you can think of.

Have you tried talking to a therapist yet. This is a very traumatic experience that has happened to you and sometimes having a safe place to explode and get out all of your anger and frustration out helps. Its safe on here to do that, cuz we are all here to listen.

Im 5 months out, and have had days where i am good and others that suck! At my 3 month mark, i had a full week with no headaches or fogginess, but still dizzy a lot at that time. I felt like queen of the world! Havent had a week like that since. Rest rest and more rest they say. So hard to sit back and be patient. God knows im not! But thats what this injury needs is time. Hoping tomorrow is a better day for you with less symptoms!!

No to talking with a therapist yet. I've considered, but haven't followed thru.
The thing that sent me over the edge today was not being able to find the butter in the grocery store... I'm 44 years old. I've been cooking since I was 16. Butter=cold. Butter=dairy. Butter=refrigerated section. I looked past it five times until my daughter walked up and asked me what I was looking for.
At the risk of offending anyone, how hard is it to find the damn butter?

I'm reviewing new neurologists. The one I saw post-hospital wasn't a lot of help. I just feel like there is more she could be doing-but what, I don't know. I go back to see her in a week. If she isn't any more on top of it than the first time, I'm finding someone new.

But thanks for listening. I am so sick and tired of being sick and tired. It really does help that you know AND understand what I'm going thru. Thank you.

There is very little the doctor you saw at the hospital can do, much less any other doctor. When you have those "Where's the butter?" episodes, think of this. It is your brain farting. The whole brain fart scenario is: It stinks. You know it came from your brain. But, you have no idea how it got out.

We have to get a sense of humor and learn to let go and laugh at the situation. The stress of getting frustrated only makes it worse.

I have to stop to think sometimes, just to remember my wife's name. We've been married 31 years.

My most common brain fart is saying "ouch" when I am straining to do a task that requires physical strength, like opening a new jar of spaghetti sauce. There was no pain involved. The groan comes out as ouch.

I have lots of other such brain farts.

Ya just gotta laugh.

Like putting the milk in the cupboard or picking up a toothbrush to brush my hair.

We should start a thread about the various brain farts. It would be a laugh riot.

great post Mark! Made me think of a few things i could laugh at instead of sulk about. Not always easy to stay positive and laugh....but getting a reminder to do so helps!!

Mark-I can't tell you how many times I've "brain-farted" over the past couple of months. It is ridiculous. And you are right-and I honestly usually do have a pretty good sense of humor about the whole thing. Fact of the matter is-I'm really lucky. There was an ambulance sitting stationary that saw the accident, my best guy friends were a couple of minutes behind me-and they are firefighters/emts/paramedics and I got the absolute best care possible from the minute the accident happened as far as "personal" care.

I've blamed everything from forgetting to shower to buying ice cream to dain bramage. Today was just a really bad day. I try not to have many of those.
I have lots of other such brain farts.

I agree about the post for brain farts-matter of fact, I'll give a freebie. Yesterday, not only did I call my grandson the dog's name, I followed up with the second dog's name before I finally got to him!!!

Btw,

I'm having a lot of trouble going to sleep. Once I get to sleep, I usually sleep pretty well. I did talk to the Neuro about the problem-her suggestion was meditation. I've done that. I've had hot tea, hot chocolate, reading, warm bath, etc etc etc. Anything that I'm missing that you can think of or am I going to have to rattle her cage a little?

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).