[rochbo]

This is my first post. I slipped on ice and hit my head on 1-27-12 and have been suffering from PCS ever since. It is been one of the most difficult journeys of my life. The most frustrating thing is dealing with doctors that make you feel like it's been long enough at 4 months and you should be able to return to a "normal" life and work full time. I have improved a lot but still suffer from extreme fatigue, confusion at times and headaches.

Last Friday I was driving and came to a red traffic light needing to turn right and I got so confused I didn't know what I was supposed to do. I tried to think and I thought well the traffic across from me is stopped so it's ok to turn right. I couldn't think about the oncoming traffic coming from the other direction and luckily slammed on my brakes as I saw the cars coming. That was one of my most scary moments.

I feel some mornings that my body feels like lead and I just can't get up and go to work. Please help.....is this normal for PCS? My doctor keeps trying to say it's depression but I wasn't feeling like this until after my accident.

[Mark in Idaho]

rochbo,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. Hearing about someone falling on ice gives me the willies.

I bet you drive a stick shift car. You likely had too many tasks to do at the same time. Multi-tasking is not a skill we have. I have had the same freeze at an intersection. I was trying to make a right turn and there were too many different things I needed to pay attention to. Working the clutch and shifting was a bit too much.

Now, I only drive on my good days.

Those morning when you feel like lead may be due to poor sleep or even poor breathing while sleeping. Do you have stressful dreams some nights?

Do you wake up with a stiff neck?

There can be upper neck inflammation that can mess up blood flow during sleep and mess up your day.

Have you had time to rest quietly to help your brain heal? If you have not rested, it is hard to recover.

Tell us more about your struggles and we'll try to help.

My best to you.

[mollymum]

Originally Posted by rochbo

This is my first post. I slipped on ice and hit my head on 1-27-12 and have been suffering from PCS ever since. It is been one of the most difficult journeys of my life. The most frustrating thing is dealing with doctors that make you feel like it's been long enough at 4 months and you should be able to return to a "normal" life and work full time. I have improved a lot but still suffer from extreme fatigue, confusion at times and headaches.

Last Friday I was driving and came to a red traffic light needing to turn right and I got so confused I didn't know what I was supposed to do. I tried to think and I thought well the traffic across from me is stopped so it's ok to turn right. I couldn't think about the oncoming traffic coming from the other direction and luckily slammed on my brakes as I saw the cars coming. That was one of my most scary moments.

I feel some mornings that my body feels like lead and I just can't get up and go to work. Please help.....is this normal for PCS? My doctor keeps trying to say it's depression but I wasn't feeling like this until after my accident.

So sorry to hear that. I gave in 2 weeks ago and sold my beloved car. Dfiving more than a mile scrambled me completely and I went through similar confusion at junctions. I decided to remove the temptation to overdo things and put myself or others at risk so the car has now gone.

[Jomar]

Driving while impaired in any way can be very dangerous and legally complicating if an accident happens.

Please speak with your doctor and tell him of this incident, or seek out another dr that has a better understanding of head injuries.

[EsthersDoll]

I wasn't able to drive at all for a year after I got a concussion in an auto accident due to not being able to function cognitively well enough to do so. I'm still not able to drive on the freeway because the cars go too fast for me to process all the information well enough to be a safe driver. I only drive short distances on surface streets.

[rochbo]

No Mark...I was not driving a stick shift. I have an automatic. I took 3 days off after the accident and then tried to go back to work. Big mistake. After a month I took 2 weeks off that started back half time and tried to gradually build up hours. My doctor has been pushing me to not take any full days off but sometimes I feel like I just can't do it. I'm now into unpaid time off. I have improved greatly but not fully. Some days I want to cry and other days I want to scream. It is so frustrating. How do you make doctors understand?

[jinga]

Originally Posted by rochbo

No Mark...I was not driving a stick shift. I have an automatic. I took 3 days off after the accident and then tried to go back to work. Big mistake. After a month I took 2 weeks off that started back half time and tried to gradually build up hours. My doctor has been pushing me to not take any full days off but sometimes I feel like I just can't do it. I'm now into unpaid time off. I have improved greatly but not fully. Some days I want to cry and other days I want to scream. It is so frustrating. How do you make doctors understand?

i was wondering if you underwent any neuropsyc testing to show any deficits. Was this slip on your property or someone elses. I have been having on-going issues with short term memory, confusion at times and persitant headaches - The docs dont really seem to know anymore than one can find on-line - suprising for a specialist who spends at least 10 years in school and probably is extrememly well paid. Just stick to the main issues you are having, seems when you tell them about every little nuance they think you are just a hypochondiac

[rochbo]

Thanks Jinga....I'm sorry for your accident and the troubles you are having as well. I went to a neurologist and he did some simple tests. He said he felt I should start returning to my normal life and should be symptom free within the next 3 months. I have tried but last Saturday I rode 90 miles with my husband to rescue his car, listened to music while waiting and played with our dog then followed him back home. I felt great and happy.

The next morning I couldn't move and was down for 3 days. That was so frustrating. The thought that kept going through my head was....."I can't even live my life?"

At work they said they might need a revised note from my doctor because I was out so many days but I know she won't support me.

[Mark in Idaho]

rochbo,

Read the TBI Survival Guide at www.tbiguide.com. It may help you better understand your symptoms so you can tell your doctor. Sounds like she uses 'rule of thumb' time lines for recovery. The Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation guidelines may also have helpful information http://onf.org/documents/Guidelines%...20Symptoms.pdf

What diagnostics and treatment have you had with your upper neck? This is often a contributor to prolonged symptoms.

Your difficulties after the road trip suggest upper neck issues.

My best to you.

[rochbo]

I never considered anything about upper neck. It's something to mention to my doctor. I just so want to be my old self again. I'm willing to try anything that might help.