[rosebower]

I'm on month 8 of PCS and I've noted along the way things that have helped alleviate my symptoms and things that have made them worse, so I just wanted to share in case they help anyone else. I have a brain that wants to figure things out (including cures) and altho I've (slowly) had to accept the fact that there is no silver bullet, I've taken note of things that get me through.

Warm showers. I seem to have tension in my neck and the warmth and moving my head around gently under the stream relaxes my muscles and makes me feel better, especially if I can hold on to that relaxed feeling through the day.

Looking at one point in the distance, especially something pretty like a landscape or beautiful tree, for the dizziness. Focusing on things close up for a long time almost always gives me a headache and makes the dizziness worse, but sometimes when it come for no reason too this can give my eyes and mental processes a rest. I also try to relax my muscles as much as I can at the same time.

WATER! Hydrating the full recommended amount every day helped tremendously to make managing with the symptoms easier. It didn't "cure" my PCS but it did seem to lessen symptoms. Realizing that was a turning point in my journey.

Music. Gentle, soothing music, especially if it's something that you already love, seems to be able to refocus my brain away from the stress of recovery and feels like gentle exercise or stimulation to my mind. Classical perhaps. Or harp. I also like this one- http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...JQ-UYqbgw&NR=1

Something smooth and egg shaped that's just the right size to hold in my fist helped and it surprised me how desperately I'd been wanting to hold on to something.

I have to walk slowly and let go of things around me. I'm a worrier. And almost without fail worrying about things around me or starting to hurry to do things or get things done will ruin what might have started as a "good" day.

Which brings me to things I don't do. Don't rush. Don't worry. It sounds impossible if you have a busy life where you feel responsible for others but I've had to learn to defend my recovery against life's distractions. That comes first. If I need to rest, I need to rest. If something later on that supposed to be happening is too much for me and I'm getting stressed, I have to let it go. People around you, especially if they're informed, should understand that altho brain injuries are invisible they are a real healing process that takes time.

Strenuous exercise. I just can't handle it. I was feeling pretty good for a while and then I decided to do some power walking with some jogging. It set me back for almost two months. Whether I didn't hydrate before hand well enough or what I don't know, but my body can't handle that yet. I try to explore light walking and my boyfriend and I are gong to explore ballroom dancing (the slower dances) to see if I can get some exercise that way.

I seem to have trouble brewing when something is happening that has expectations attached to it. Meeting my boyfriend's parents- that was a big obvious example. An extended family picnic where I was worried that everyone would enjoy the food that was chosen. Anytime I have a reason to worry about whether things will go well, I start to go downhill. Learn to let things go.

And believe it or not, laying flat for a rest makes me feel worse afterward. I get very dizzy. I'd rather rest in a semi-upright position.

[Mark in Idaho]

This is a very good list of do's and don't's.

This may have been implied but the music comment could be supplemented by "music that is common to you." This means your mind does not need to try to understand or anticipate what is coming. The familiarity allows the mind to relax and just "let the music flow through."

The egg shaped item to grip may be enhanced by it being very soft. I use a plush stuffed animal to hold lightly. It gives my hand a soothing sensation. Tactile comfort by using soft clothes can be helpful. No itchy tags or such helps the body to feel comfortable and cozy.

The anticipation anxiety/worry is definitely counter to recovery. It takes a lot of discipline to stop worry thoughts. Many put such high demands on themselves, especially moms, that this is almost carved into their minds.

The need to perform for others needs to be reconsidered in light of our limits. Another tough issue to resolve.

Good post.

[rosebower]

Thanks.
Two more do and two more don'ts....these are two things that I've tried that don't have quite the impact as above but are still nice- tea with jasmine (DECAF!). Jasmine is supposed to have something in it that behaves like a gentle natural valium. I don't know about that, but it is nice. Also birdwatching- setting up a simple feeder you can fill without much trouble and which you can see from a comfortable spot. Birds can cheer you up and it's nice to take a moment and just watch them.

I've totally given up alcohol and caffeine until this is over. At first I could sort of handle small amounts but it occurred to me- my brain is trying to heal. Why make its job harder? This is especially hard when I'm with friends and someone wants to buy me a drink and I get coke (or a ginger ale if the nausea is acting up) instead of a beer and sometimes people even wonder if I'm pregnant. LOL And sometimes people do a "Starbucks run" and get something for me. I love Starbucks and I'm sorry not to drink it but I resist. Right now I think not having uppers or downers acting on my brain is important.

[wakey]

I would add a few.

Dos:

Activities that involve hands but not much work. E.g., playing an instrument or cleaning a surface.

Rest. Sleep has been regenerative for me. Take a rest when you need to.

Audiobooks. Listen to books to occupy time but not cause strain.

Meditation/relaxation. Seems like a good idea to me.

Exercise. When able, small amounts of exercise (increased gradually) can be very helpful.

Nutrition. Healthier food means a healthier brain.

Dont's:

Push yourself. If you feel sick, stop and rest. If you want your brain to heal, give it some time.

Be patient. This is almost impossible, but it will require doing as many dos as you can.

Freak out. Almost unavoidable, but try to remain calm.

[Dolfinwolf]

great list! Thank you.

[kayley]

I found a slight difference in giving up caffeine and all those diet drinks! glutamate, aspartame (in almost all powders or liquids to put in drinks and splenda). Less chocolate, pop limited to pretty much gingerale and an occasional sparkling lemonade. Coke, rootbeer, dr. pepper, etc. Pretty much all of em' have caffeine and loads of sugar.

It's certainly worth a try! I haven't noticed a huge difference, however any little differences to not make it worse is great!

[greenfrog]

Very good thread - I have found most if not all of these things helpful too.

Getting out of the city and staying with my significant other in the suburbs has helped a lot: quieter environment, more green space, more wildlife, no stairs, more stable routine, daily support from my girlfriend (it's mutual!).

Also: I have been gradually building up both my physical ability (through incrementally longer walks and various chores) and mental ability (doing Rosetta Stone and other language exercises in my second language (proceeding step by step starting with level 1, even though I'm already quite fluent), doing crosswords and playing Scrabble, writing short posts to my favourite websites/blogs.

I'm talking about a painstaking progression over the course of many months, but these things have really helped with my recovery.