[eponagirl]

Hello all! I'm just dropping in after not posting since last September. My mTBI was on March 16, 2010 from a random accident involving my horse's hind foot, the ground and my head. (not a kick or I wouldn't be here still)

Overall, it was a VERY rough time for me because I didn't get in to see a Dr with any clue of how to help me until a year after the accident. Even they ended up referring me to the CT Brain Injury Assoc.

I did the neurocognitive testing which verified (according the neuropsychologist) that my results were consistent with a head injury.

A sports Medicine Dr told me to cut WAY back on my activity and rest more.

Went to a Speech/Cognitive Therapist who was very helpful in advising me in ways to organize, remember things, I think things that Mark here would call "work arounds". Insurance wouldn't help me pay for the sessions, so I was only able to go to a few appts.

I went from sitting in a room staring off into space everyday, slowly moving through every activity, being depressed (who wouldn't be after such a life change?), losing friends, jobs, making poor decisions (like driving and over committing myself to various things and then disappointing people when I finally realized that I couldn't do those things, not sleeping at night, etc etc) to...

Today, I can drive, work, have made new friends, don't have that foggy haze most days, memory is improving, thinking speed is improving, etc. Basically I've noticed something improved every 3-4 months.

I wish I could say I was fully recovered fully, I am not.

My advice to anyone who is interested (now that I am over the 2yr mark):

REST, REST, REST!!! This is the number one, most important thing! This can even mean NO activity, just resting in bed, move to the couch or comfy chair for the day and SLOWLY progressing from there. My brain rewarded me the more I rested and is key to avoiding my setbacks (that I still have, but only after doing too much!)

Drink plenty of water, get good vitamin support, fish oil capsules, clean diet.

Rest and asking for help with things you think only you can do. Really this resting thing is very important!! That means cutting back at work if you are not progressing, cutting back from taking care of the family (ask around for help) This was really hard for me, but once I listened to my body and asked for help and cut back at work, things started to improve and still do.

Once I cross some line of overdoing it, it all begins to come back (the foggy thinking, memory loss, slow processing, annoyed at sounds, tinnitus worse, etc.)

Right now I am back to needing a few days of "down time": limited activity, limited interactions with multiple people, brain rest and probably more water.

My life is so much better, but I have to always be aware of how much I am doing and though I'm feeling better, know the PCS is not "gone".

Bottom line: Rest and management are keys to some success with this.

Sorry if I rambled!!