Ha ha.... Is there any special kind for people with PCS - .... or should one ask neurologist...

I mean - I wouldn't be doing anything that has your head shaking around, that should be obvious.

Personally I am not planning on telling my future Mr. Andromeda. He will just assume that I am a cranky, irritable and short-tempered woman who sleeps a lot, prefers the company of animals and needs to have complete quiet for at least 95% of the day.

Brain injury? What brain injury.

Whoa- this has a lot of responses after a short time.

Yeah, I researched support groups soon after finding the forum 2 years ago or so, but never found one.

The one in San Francisco meets during the workday, and I'm way out in Walnut Creek. My housemate/bosss was gone two weeks ago, so that was my chance.

Oops- forgot that would've been the perfect chance.

eHarmony has a lot of search criteria. It might be the route I go when ready again. I got a new injury two weeks ago in an unusual area- especially for a guy. Of all things to injure... Better wait at least a few more weeks.

HI Jeffrey,

I'm a 36 year survivor and agree that it's challenging. I suggest that you follow the NIke quote "Just Do It!" b/c the more you do it, the more you'll enjoy, the better you'll become, and the more fun you'll experience!
*edit*

Carolyn Dolen

Regarding getting a concussion from sex, it sounds like one needs to move away from the head board or wall. LOL

andromeda,

Based on my experience, when my family finally understood my post concussion symptoms, they became much better at tolerating and supporting me in stressful times. My wife can look back and with PCS eyes, recognize many of my behaviors that otherwise were considered choices on my part but were more my PCS response. I did not have traditional PCS at all until 11 years ago. But, PCS did rear its miserable head and bite from time to time since my youth.

That makes sense - I was really only half serious with my previous comment. But when is the right time to tell someone? I mean, if I meet a guy tomorrow, do I tell him right away? Or will that scare him off? Or will my stammering scare him off? I mean, if he's into me he's into me I guess, TBI aside...right?

Oooh la la!!

Well, I was finishing a divorce of five years and had started to date a man for a year plus when I was concusssed.

Thankfully we are both mature and I can take really direct feedback; but also he knew me and how I was before I was injured (kicked in the head by a patient at work.)

I didn't know I had PCS until he kept giving me feedback that I had used a lot of profanity over a whole week which was very unlike me, and that I was angry and frustrated far more than I used to be.....I was able to stop and reflect upon myself and acknowledge that yes, something was greatly amiss by how irritable I was and easily angered and frustrated. Thank goodness I didn't take it personally.

It continues to be a challenge, and at times I have to remind him I can't do things (hiking into caves) or let him know when I am getting too exhausted and I have to stop and rest. This just happened yesterday at a parade we were watching - the noise from the crowd got overwhelming. I put in my earplugs and let him know he had to tap me in order to get my attention since I wouldn't be able to hear well.

I have also made the decision that while I am recovering I am not going to make any major life-changing decisions about future plans. I want to be fully recovered, or at least further along the road so that I know I am able to think through alternatives, possibilities, choices, and ramifications of getting married, etc.

I think it is similar to suggesting to people not to make any major changes in your life for about a year after a spouse has died, and so on.

I don't know if this helps - be confident - there are lots of loving caring people out there and everyone needs companionship.

Laura

I myself understand your need for companionship...but seriously, the stress and unknown results of a relationship, I mean emotional stress involving Hormones...may cause an extremely tough experience for you! Let me tell you something..."You" are some too! YOU have to learn who you are! Do you understand yourself completely, now with TBI? I don't! I had to change my views on my relationship requirements in life....I don't need anybody! I need "myself" now, in this new life! Cause without that..then what else is there? "Love yourself" Your a good person in this life, just like I am.....You don't need to be accepted by someone else, in order to fully-accept and love yourself. As far as survival, working, etc...well, you have to get every form of Disability assistance...and fight for it...TBI is often hard to prove...cause look at the facts....the brain is complex, how do you prove the inability to support yourself? Find a lawyer...fight for your rights as a Disabled American. This is what you need to concentrate on. I used to not like myself after my accident causing my TBI...I felt I could not make it in life without someone else....It's just damn "Fear." Fight for Yourself!!!!Goodluck and Fight!

Some humorous responses!!

I just continued to date on and off again, giving myself breaks especially when I got fatigued. I spaced my dates out enough so that I can actually remember what the girl is saying! I had a soft talker once which didn't help in a room with a loud HVAC unit.

It's tough listening and remembering everything, but I still do it for the company.