It has been 6 months since my injury (blunt trauma to the head...frontal). I can count on one hand the number of times I have left the house other than for a doctor appt/procedure. Litterally 4 times in 6 months.

Anyway, this past weekend, we went out of town to visit family and my mother was flying in too (she lives out of state). Due to the headaches and fatigue, noise sensitivites..etc, we weren't sure we were going to be able to go.

Part of me was really looking forward to seeing my family (esp. my mom) and the other part was scared how I would feel.

I'm not sure how to explain it other than I had a difficult time being able to control my emotions. I was so darn sensitive to everything! We ended up leaving early because I just couldn't deal with it.

My emotions seem hypersensitive right now. I take everything personally and I'd like to find a way around that. Fatigue and pain are contributing to it i'm sure, but the only meds I am currently on is a Beta Blocker for the Headaches.My doc did double my dose almost 2 weeks ago. Do you think that has anything to do with it?

I always enjoyed being around people and had no issues carrying on a conversation or controlling my emotions prior to my injury.....this is really frustrating me!!!!

Fatigue is a common side effect of beta blockers. Here is a couple of links that might be worth checking FYI. They show a new BB that has less side effect and just as effective for headache.
http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00999102
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18184294
Hope this helps!

It took me well over 18 months before I felt like I wasn't taking things personally that weren't meant to be. The oversensitivity had to be overridden by rational thought and my brain needed to heal enough to be able to have rational thought and then I had to have enough energy to maintain that rational thought. I'm sorry to tell you this, but it might just take some more time before you notice a difference in being overly sensitive. The good thing is that you realize it's happening and that you can hopefully talk about it with people when you're able to. The people who love you and understand what's going on with you (you're recovering from a brain injury!) will forgive you and let it go.

EsthersDoll, you are right...at least I am noticing I'm reacting differently. That has to be a step in the right direction. Thanks for pointing that out!

Can I vent too?
I had gone 8 months without a concussion and I was beginning to feel better and beginning to be able to work out etc... but then I went to watch a soccer game and someone accidentally kicked a ball into my head and I got another concussion. This time I am not recovering or dealing with it as well as I was. I have to attend 10 classes a week, I also have 2 papers due in the next 2 weeks and I have to give a 30 minute oration on my senior thesis topic and then defend it for 30 minutes this coming Saturday. But I can barely remember how to write a coherent sentence and when I am talking to people I keep stopping half-way through my conversation and have to be reminded of what I have been saying. The pain isn't that bad, but the nausea is worse than ever and the dizziness and lack of concentration are worse than ever before. Also, I never cry, but every few days I just break down an ball now. I am 3 weeks away from graduating with a Bachelors having taken 150 credit hours over the past 4 years. And I got my first concussion (of at least 10) half way through the second semester of my freshman year.
I am trying to stay motivated, but it is so hard.
Thanks for listening, I just needed to get this off my chest.

Margarite,

You need to check with your Disabilities Department. They may be able to arrange a more favorable situation for your thesis. You need the confrontational nature of your defense limited. You also need some time to Stop and Think. You may need to live like a cloistered nun during your last few weeks. An environment of total peace and quiet will help you prepare.

Have you talked with your instructors about your current symptoms? Maybe they can come up with some accommodations for your last few weeks and assignments.

I wish I had more to offer. I went through the same struggle and ended up not finishing a degree.

My best to you.