Hi, everyone! I'm fairly new here, I have been lurking for a while trying to find some answers on what I can do and what I should expect, but never previously felt the need to ask anything. I have, however found some great advice, and also some great comfort from reading in this forum, and I thank you for that! Please excuse my bad english, it's not my first language, but I hope you can get through my post/question anyway.

I got my concussion on november 30th last year, after fainting in class and hitting my head on a radiator. I was on full sickleave for about 6 months, since I was in too much pain and had too much cognitive difficulties to keep studying, but after that I've been trying to get back to my studies. I've still been in pain, I've had to stay home from school at least 2 days/week, and I've been constantly exhausted, but I've managed.

The last three weeks, however, have been a nightmare. I'm worse than I can remember EVER being, pain to the point of crying from simple things like socializing with my family for an evening or taking the subway to the doctor. I've had no energy at all, it's taken several hours to even get out bed in the morning, or to do menial things like cooking or washing the dishes. During this time I haven't been able to get myself to school at all.

I saw my doctor yesterday, hoping that he would put me on sickleave again, but he simply gave me a stronger painkiller. This new pill takes the pain away completely (though also making me so high I cannot be trusted to do anything outside the house), but I worry that I might make things even worse if I go back to the pace I had before the relapse. My doctor isn't a specialist (and he's previously refused to refer me to a specialist since "they wouldn't take me in anyway, since my injury is so minor"), so I trust your word more than his in this instance. Is it ok for me to just take painkillers and try to power through with my studies? I feel like I'm breaking down, but I can't afford to take time off if it's not absolutely necessary. Could I make things even worse if I just keep going? Or should I just push myself to go back to school even though it feels impossible?

I'm also unsure about this new drug. It's active substance is tramadol, and I feel like it's really risky to take this addictive drug several times a day, every day, especially if I can avoid it (dealing with the pain isn't half as bad when I'm at home - as long as I can keep relatively isolated it doesn't escalate as much). At the same time, it's absolute bliss actually getting rid of the pain instead of having to deal with it 24/7. But then again, I actually get high on it, nausea, dizzyness, giddyness and fascination over the world all included, and I can't really say how much I would learn in class if I've taken the drug. Do any of you have any experience with taking tramadol or other opiates? Is it worth it?

I'm thankful for any advice you can give me!

I'm 23 years old and female, if that makes a difference.

Best wishes
/Sigoria