The computer games will effect your recovery and symptoms. The increase in symptoms may not be immediate. The brain gets stressed and reacts when it finally hits critical mass.

The anxiety from PCS has very little to do with thoughts. It is based on the way the brain processes or tries to process the stimulation from your environment. The computer can be a huge source of stimulation, even when you think the stimulation is not problematic.

The roller coaster of PCS is normal. Expect it to continue, especially if you do not find a way to reduce stress. The goal should be to minimize stress and the symptoms that follow because the best healing happens when there are no or minimal symptoms.

The acetaminophen is fine for the head aches. Brand does not matter. If it does not work well enough for some head aches, take some aspirin at the same time. Aspirin and acetaminophen can be combines safely.

What do you do on a computer 12+ hours per day? There are some computer activities that should be limited.

When you are struggling to focus, stop and note your environment. Are there lots of sound or visual stimuli? Many of us have to develop new skills to help us focus. PCS often causes us to be easily distracted.

It would help if you had a home blood pressure kit. If you take your blood pressure when a head ache hits or you get the strange roller coaster feeling in your stomach, you may notice an increase. This rise in BP is a common problem and cause of symptoms.

More later.

Yeah i normally have the tv going while im on the computer and then i'll get distracted and focus on the tv then go back to the game. Sometimes i lose focus just because i start thinking of something else that has nothing to do with what i was doing on the computer. All day while im on the computer im either chatting with friends or playing games.

Do you think maybe it would be okay to watch movies instead of staying on the computer all day? Or can you recommend an activity that'll keep me from boredom that wont harm my healing process?

Hey there buddy...Welcome to NeuroTalk.

I just got a visual of you stepping on a rake and getting smacked in the face....OUCH...I thought that only happened in cartoons.

I just wanted to second the advice Mark gave you about playing video games. I played video games non-stop at the beginning of my recovery. I didn't think it was doing me any harm because, well, it wasn't causing any symptoms. Then, in November...I spent all day playing Modern Warfare 3 and I was a complete space cadet for a week. Ever since then, I have not been able to play games OR watch TV. It really does a number on my cognitive symptoms, so, its just not worth it to me.

I suggest taking a break from playing...Give your brain a chance to heal. If you don't want to hang the controller/keyboard up completely...at least play in increments.
I suggest 5-10 minute sessions and then an hour of total rest (no stimulation at all).

Good luck and I'm sorry about your injury.

Nick

I guess i can hang up the keyboard on games till im healed, not a big deal. You think it would be okay if i sat around on youtube and watched videos for awhile or watched movies? and if it is okay how long would it be safe to do those things?

The YouTube videos should be OK.

The signs you should be looking for are simple.

Anytime that you think you missed something , you brain is finished for the time being.

Anytime you need to reread a line your brain is fatigued.

Any time you sense a need to refocus visually, your brain is fatigued.

Any time you sense you zoned out, your brain is fatigued.

And so on.

Sometimes, like at work, all you need to do is close you eyes for a few minutes, sometimes, just a few seconds, to get your brain back on track.

It is a skill that you will need to develop by trial and error. In the beginning, it will take longer to recover. Once you learn to recognize the fuzzy brain, you can stop sooner and recover quicker.

Taking a eyes closed break at work during coffee breaks will go a long way to helping you make it through the day. Even better if the eyes closed break is where there is minimal talking. Shorter but more frequent breaks is better than longer and less frequent breaks.

Hope this helps.

My best to you.

i took your advice and havent been on games pretty much at all today, i've been on the computer here and there but i took a 3 hour nap earlier today which feels like it helped A LOT. I was also resting a couple hours ago after getting up and cooking a bit, while cooking i started feeling a bit more dizzy than usual, so after cooking i rested and couldnt help but notice that my eyes felt as if they were bouncing around while they were closed..Is that normal?

I have taken the dizziness to be a warning to myself that I'm trying to do too much... so I will rest and try to take it easy (if I can) after I feel dizzy. The dizziness I experienced right after the injury I sustained was MUCH worse than it is now, but it's still a warning to me.

I try to watch light-hearted movies - horror movies and suspense thrillers are going to increase my stress levels - even if they didn't really "stress me out" before the injury - the feelings they bring up in me give off signals and chemicals in my brain that aren't good for my recovery.

I try to color to keep busy and I've been sewing felt christmas stockings for my niece and nephew.

Try to find some low stimulation activities for yourself like coloring, sewing, knitting or something so you don't get too bored.

Worrying and stress are not supposed to be good for the healing brain - so try to relax. You'll notice what you can and can't do because you'll get symptoms. Almost anything is worth trying - but we don't know whether you'll experience symptoms from doing something - you're going to make better guesses than we do about that - but pay attention to what your body and brain are telling you and if you see signs of fatigue then stop doing that activity for a while.

I try to think about how my body reacts to being terribly ill...like a bad upper resp. infection or stomach flu...basically, whenever you are trying to heal, and you do stuff that your body would rather you didn't because it is busy trying to heal, it gives you signals. For me, it tends to be chills/cold sweats, headaches or just random pains in my forehead and temples, and weakness/exhaustion. When I go too far and I get a bad headache, it feels like a wound opening up in my brain...sounds dramatic, but I think that's basically accurate; I'm essentially re injuring myself.

I can't tell you if that's normal...but I can tell you I experience the same thing. I don't know exactly what causes it. However, I noticed it happens when I feel that I've had enough and need to rest. When I close my eyes, they do exactly like you described...bounce around.

I think Mark said once that usually means you've gone beyond your threshold and should try to stop whatever your doing sooner.