So, this week (actually today) I had an interview appointment schedule and was pretty excited about it.

I had been trying to strengthen my calves as I wanted to begin race walking (about the only exercise I can do is walking) and wanted to test my strength, so I did 7 little toe jumps, similiar to jumping rope.

1 hour later I had huge cognitive dysfunction, basically my brain stopped thinking. This happened Wednesday evening. Yesterday was hell. Today I'm now canceling my appointment and trying to stay calm thinking "it took 3 years to get barely this much healing and I threw it away".

I'm having a seriously hard couple of days. Trying to convince docs that the facts I have must indicate something is wrong in my upper neck/spine.

I really really hate being back at zero.


Mike

I am so sorry to hear that happened to you. I send hugs your way, and hope that healing happens for you and is around to stay this time.

Oh no! I'm sorry to hear about your trouble, especially when you had the interview to look forward to!

I've had a bad week too and feel like I've taken several steps backward but what's helping me is remembering the things that I *can* do (type out this reply, handle a short trip to the market) and tell myself that this is just a bad week, next week will be better...starting with this weekend!!

Feel better, Mike!

Sorry to hear the news. I commend you for not giving up and trying to get stronger. I think it is important to keep trying. Set backs are frustrating--especially when you think you can do something. I wish you well.

PCS Mikey,

I am sorry to hear about your regression. I have been through this many times.

With your history of diverticulitis, you know the need to moderate your diet. You know the risks of eating strawberries or other seedy fruit. You can eat a strawberry but know the risk is not worth the enjoyment.

Now, you have a new set of standards. Toe jumps are no different than the pounding from running.

I have learned to plan ahead for events that will require high functioning. I just got back from a week in Pittsburgh at a trade show. I rested up the week before. I have done this many times. Or, I don't plan to rest up ahead but plan to need time to recover. Either one works.

The important issue is learning how to work with and tolerate our condition. Many if not most of us will always have to be aware of the risks of a return of symptoms. At minimum, we all need to be aware of the risk of another head impact whether it is direct to our head or indirect from some other jarring action.

The important thing is to learn from our mistakes and take risks knowlingly.

My best to you.

Thanks everyone for your understanding and concern. There is one great thing about being able to come here and vent is that all of us know what it's like to have PCS.

Friday I went to the E.R. to insure I didn't do any damage. They contacted my neurologist's office (he wasn't there Friday) and spoke to the on call doc who updated them on my status. E.R. opted no to do any more MRI or CT as I wasn't presenting visible damage to my head.

My brain is now just dealing again with additional headache up and above what the current prescription of Nortriptyline was managing. I'm icing my neck, trying to stay out of the Arizona heat, and trying to take as minimal amount of Naratriptan to combat the worst headache.

Thinking is coming back around. That was the worst part, when cognitive dyfunction set in.

Mark, as far as my diverticulitis, I'm golden. The surgery mentioned in my signature was a sigmoid removal and resection. Afterwards, the doc said the one diverticula was attached to my bladder and due to the cycles of filling and emptying, pulling on the diverticula just weakened it further till it burst (stupid colon !). They said also that western diet (lack of fiber) causes this and that they are seeing more younger folks coming in with this.

The surgery won't protect me from the development of future diverticula, as least this "one" won't be any more of a problem. Plus, I've changed my diet significantly, to a cleaner more healthy one.

Again, thanks everyone.



Mike