Hi soccergal
 

You can come back anytime to post, and express your fear. Life can be really hard sometimes, and we do need support from each other. I will be here to listen any time you need. ginnie

Very good point about trying not to think of not getting well. For me, my fear is that my work won't/can't wait or disability insurance will not support me long enough to go through the majority of healing. But, I must remind myself that I have to live in the present moment, not in the possible scary future nor the "good ol' days".

However, I try to be pratical and plan for the future, try and reduce our debt load, etc. It is then, that I get swept away by the fear. But, through practice (and anti-depresants), I'm learning to bring myself into the "now" and just do what I can in this moment, this day.

You are absolutely correct about the "2 year mark". Man, that was my target. I had my most difficult emotional times at 1-6 months, 1 year and 2 years. But I know for a fact that I am still improving. It's just very very small amounts over months. But too much worry certainly does make things worse - it puts too much of a load on the brain and is not where I want to spend my limited brain energy!

Still, my mind slips into the thoughts of guilt... that because of me, my husband and my hopes for retirement and travel are shot down and now I just hope we don't lose our house, etc. It's a wild rolercoaster ride I guess.. just gotta hang on and not lose my lunch - ha ha!

Thanks Ginnie, there is a certain relief to sharing one's fears - especially here where everyone "gets it". I'm actually a very positive person, but I slip into this often. As time moves on with the potential of my disability insurance ending next month - well, yikes. C'est la vie though.

So, thanks folks - I appreciate being able to share my fear here. Because we are all in the same boat, it feels like less of a load to carry when you can share it with NT friends!!! One day at a time - right!!! Things could always be worse. You just never know what may be around the next corner, so try and settle in and appreciate what we do have right now.

Thanks Esthersdoll for the name of the Buddah program. I just finished watching it. Loved it!

Hugs all!

XSoccergal

I'm on the same boat I had numerous concussion from boxing etc then in jan fell on some ice then kinda recovered but not fully cause I got into a school that trained me for security for the health region pays $44,000 a year and I pass everything and got hired but dying self defense training got a concussion again and had to turn down the position which I can reapply again I sept but they get into fights a lot in the profession and I may have to find a new career :( I have a fiancé and 6 kids in 29 years old an still recovering from my concuasion 3 weeks ago and I got my last student check last week and I tired working 2 days at my commissionaire job in a parkaide but couldn't do my tals due to the concussion symtomps they gave me 2 months off. So basically I have 3 months to recover and do my career but there's a risk of being Hurt again or choose a different job but in the mean time in not finciancly ready for this recovery at all and I don't qualify for EI sick benefits or anything :(

I worry about the future as well. I had a concussion and TBI the end on Nov. I am in cognitive therapy but my disability claim is exhausted. I am a 49 year old electrician and the executive function of the brain seems to be the main problem. After working in group or functional therapy on tasks designed to work the organizational skills I am just wiped out for the rest of the day. I can't imagine going back to work. I have applied for ssdi and if approved I can get a disability pension. Not at all what I was looking forward to by 50.

Joeyy,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. Sorry to hear of your injury. I read your post from the other forum.

It appears to me like you may be pushing too hard. Cognitive therapy is not always helpful. Many of us do good learning coping and other skills and strategies.

Have you had a chance to just rest your brain and try to find your bearings?

You don't need to recover all of your lost functions to be able to get back to a full life. Besides, at your age, some skills may be difficult to recover.

What are your worst symptoms? Maybe we can help you learn ways to work-around those limitations.

Some professionals push clients for the financial gain rather than the benefit of the client.

Many of us would be wasted from a long day like you have each week. Then, we need a week or two just to recover.

Some researchers believe there is a need to rest and combine many days of symptom free or reduced symptom days to achieve the best recovery. The constant roller-coaster of effort/fatigue then rest is thought to be of no benefit for the long term.

Has anybody suggested getting a nutritional regimen going? Many of us use nutrition as our foundational effort.

B-12 (500 to 1000 mcgs daily), a B-50 complex, Omega's, magnesium, calcium, all of the anti-oxidants, good protein for the amino acids (pork is the best source of the Broken Chain Amino Acids needed, some try to use vegetarian sources), a good multi-vitamin, and avoid caffeine, alcohol, MSG, artificial sweeteners ( aspartame/Equal is the worst) and high sugar foods.

Nutrition is a slow process. It can take weeks for the brain to detoxify and start to heal.

There are lots of other tips and aids to dealing with PCS. Keep us informed and we will try to help any way we can.

My best to you.

Thanks Mark. I have read alot of your posts and you seem to have a good handle on things. To be honest prior to the neuropsych. evaluation I thought I was recovering great and was mentally getting myself ready to go back to work. I guess my normal day did not call on my organizational skills much. Most of it was routine things like getting the kids ready for school, grocery shop, cook dinner. The evaluation exposed the weak area a I could not believe how much I struggled in specific areas. Now my worst symtem would be bing both physically and mentally exhausted after a few hours using those skills. People I know tell me they would never know I was injured if I didn't tell them. It is not beaing able to do the functional skills using that part ofthe brain that gives me pause. I worked in a bit of a fast paced enviroment whare if you do not produce you are laid off.
I do like the idea of treating it naturaly. I will give the vitamins a try and the pork as well.
The only other real symtems I have are I really have to focus to spell corectly and divided attention tasks are extreamly dificult.
Joe

I am really struggling with all these issues at the moment and I'm only 3 months in. Work is so much a part of my identity and prior to my tbi I have had periods of sad and
depression when unable to work. I am awaiting support from the mental health team to keep me safe in this pcs half life since my head injury while I wait for my inevitably clear MRI scan. Work are very sceptical about pcs anyway and have been quite beligerant about why I am stuck at home. It was an accident at work with an ongoing claim which does not help.

what doesnt kill me makes me stronger
 

these are words of wisdom. have taken them on board afetr recently developing tinnitus as a result of scuba diving. i am going to let those words get me through this, for sure. thankyou

Hi Mark In Idaho
 

Although I do not have your issues, I am fast learning about the benefits of nutrition and all the suppliments you mentioned. I am 60 disabled, and not in great shape. Just started after finding a doctor who specializes in this kind of holistic approach. I never knew it was so important, and I now wonder why doctors before did not mention this kind of therapy. Take care all of you. ginnie:hug: