[Chris4329]

How important is it to take time off work? My only serious symptoms that still haunt me are constant headaches. My other symptoms seem to be less noticeable. Will my symptoms just stay with me and drag on the healing process or am I seriously affecting my chances of healing at all?

MY HISTORY:
I've had PCS for almost 2 moths now. For the first month I carried on life as normal (drinking, working, no rest. etc.) and my doctor just told me to take it easy and it will go away in a few weeks.

After a strenuous run a few weeks ago (after I thought I was better) I relapsed to a state that is worse than the original symptoms. My new doctors told me to take a week off work and advised thereafter to take more time off work. I returned to work after the one week off. I work with computers.

[Mark in Idaho]

Chris,

Your situation is very common. The injured brain needs quiet rest. Quiet means brain quiet. You want minimal brain stimulation. Try to lessen the cognitive load and also the background load. Visual and auditory stimulation combine to fatigue the brain.

Mild stimulation that does not cause a cognitive load is OK to maintain blood flow to the brain. Simple soft music that has a melodic flow with understandable words without angst or stress can help the brain keep a light focus. The goal is just enough stimulation to avoid boredom and keep some blood flow going.

You need to get good quality sleep. REM sleep is when healing happens. The run likely just caused some jarring and maybe some metabolic toxins. Neither is good from brain recovery.

So, some time off work managing your days for low stress should be helpful. Then, when you return to work, you need to find ways to keep stress low. Too many voices and conflict in communication will be counterproductive.

I hope this helps you understand how to get some good recovery time.

My best to you.

[Chris4329]

the problem is I have already returned to work. I'm just wondering if I can continue to slowly heal while working or if this course of action is seriously detrimental.

I forgot to mention that I think my most serious issue is that when I am in a meeting or someone is trying to explain something new to me I have a hard to concentrating/understanding and a serious headache ensues.

[Mwiseman]

Hi mate,

The first thing i would do, assuming you havent already is to talk to your boss. Explain the problems you are having and be totally frank with them.

Thats what i did, work is fine about it.....so far. My manager is excellent.

I have been back at work full time for 4 weeks, but today i had to come home because i felt unwell. Dizzy and very very tired.

Like i was literally going to go into sudden sleep at the desk, weak legs etc, so i bailed. I had a terrible nights sleep Courtesy of our 2 year old !

I think thats what made my symptoms worse.

So, my advise to you would be to level with your work, and actually take some more time off. I wish i did.

Take it easy mate.

[Chris4329]

Thanks for the help.

I think I screwed up the first week that I took off work. I watched quite a bit of TV...

Would you guys recommend that I take the family camping and try to relax there? Or is the only true method of relaxation in a dark, secluded place?

[greenfrog]

Originally Posted by Chris4329

Thanks for the help.

I think I screwed up the first week that I took off work. I watched quite a bit of TV...

Would you guys recommend that I take the family camping and try to relax there? Or is the only true method of relaxation in a dark, secluded place?

I'm not sure there is any one formula for getting the rest your brain needs. Low stimulation, low exertion (physical and mental), low stress, minimizing screen time (TV, computer, smartphone), and a slow pace are key, as is getting ample sleep and good nutrition. A regular daily routine can also help (going to bed, getting up, and having meals at the same time every day).

[ll44]

I'm also unsure about taking time off work. I took a week after my initial concussion two years ago, but just half days and such since. I had a reinjury 7 months or so ago and haven't really missed time, but the symptoms have flared back up as badly as ever in the last month as my stress and work levels on the job increased.

Would it be a good time to take a week or two off to help keep that fog from hitting me? Or is there no point and is this just something I have to deal with? The good news, with all of my symptoms, is that I don't have the same cognition issues I had two years ago during the initial injury when I felt like I had lost 40 points on my IQ.

[nightnurse30]

I made the mistake of going back to work 3 weeks after my TBI and was a complete mess. The neurosurgeon at work couldnt believe a nurse would be that stupid to return to work with some pretty noticable cognitive deficits. So I took 2 months off per his recommendation. I didnt really rest during that time...i spent it trying to do things i couldnt do before or testing myself or trying little vacations to see if i could handle a bigger vacation, etc. I never achieved headache free days when i went back, i had just minor headaches.

I went back to work 3 months after my injury and lasted about 7 weeks where my headaches got progressively worse to the point of incapacitation, my speech got worse, my vision got worse, the dizziness was constant, and it got to the point where i couldnt even get out of bed anymore. My manager actually refused to allow me to work after calling in sick 3 days in a row and wanted a neurologist to approve me for work. My neurologist put me out for 3 MORE months!!! I was beside myself, depressed beyond belief, almost to the point of suicidal.

I finally had someone ask me "why are you sabotaging your recovery". I finally realized that i was not doing what they said...I was not truly resting. So I stopped going out, I stopped doing things that exacerbated my headaches, and i stopped putting myself in situations where i knew my symptoms would get worse. I rested and stopped stressing and ditched the anxiety. I accepted my injury, my potential financial troubles, and realized if i didnt take this time now to get better....i may not get better. I started waking up everyday with positive thoughts, ate healthy, used alternative therapies like acupuncture and healing touch, spoke weekly to a therapist to work through my traumatic injury and resultant disability and RESTED some more.

I am doing amazing today. back to work full time since February, healthy as i could ever have imagined, and thankful that my doctor forced me out of work for those 3 months, otherwise, i may not be where i am today. If you are having headaches....your brain needs rest. Give yourself the best chance you can with taking the best care of yourself and help yourself heal. Wishing you the best and a similar successful recovery!

[Theta Z]

Most of us never got adequate, genuine "Care Instructions" upon release from ER, dr visit, neurologist, etc, etc.
This thread is a must-read by all new-to-tbi/pcs.

Sincerely,
Theta

Originally Posted by nightnurse30

I made the mistake of going back to work 3 weeks after my TBI and was a complete mess. The neurosurgeon at work couldnt believe a nurse would be that stupid to return to work with some pretty noticable cognitive deficits. So I took 2 months off per his recommendation. I didnt really rest during that time...i spent it trying to do things i couldnt do before or testing myself or trying little vacations to see if i could handle a bigger vacation, etc. I never achieved headache free days when i went back, i had just minor headaches.

I went back to work 3 months after my injury and lasted about 7 weeks where my headaches got progressively worse to the point of incapacitation, my speech got worse, my vision got worse, the dizziness was constant, and it got to the point where i couldnt even get out of bed anymore. My manager actually refused to allow me to work after calling in sick 3 days in a row and wanted a neurologist to approve me for work. My neurologist put me out for 3 MORE months!!! I was beside myself, depressed beyond belief, almost to the point of suicidal.

I finally had someone ask me "why are you sabotaging your recovery". I finally realized that i was not doing what they said...I was not truly resting. So I stopped going out, I stopped doing things that exacerbated my headaches, and i stopped putting myself in situations where i knew my symptoms would get worse. I rested and stopped stressing and ditched the anxiety. I accepted my injury, my potential financial troubles, and realized if i didnt take this time now to get better....i may not get better. I started waking up everyday with positive thoughts, ate healthy, used alternative therapies like acupuncture and healing touch, spoke weekly to a therapist to work through my traumatic injury and resultant disability and RESTED some more.

I am doing amazing today. back to work full time since February, healthy as i could ever have imagined, and thankful that my doctor forced me out of work for those 3 months, otherwise, i may not be where i am today. If you are having headaches....your brain needs rest. Give yourself the best chance you can with taking the best care of yourself and help yourself heal. Wishing you the best and a similar successful recovery!