I don't want to go into specifics here, but rested in chunks for about 3 weeks, but then I tried to ignore my injury (Neuro said things would just get better) for several months--as much as this is possible. Eventually brought my activity level down quite low but have experienced very little improvement. I am 1+ year out and feel like I am just not improving, no matter what I do (or don't do). Is it possible for me to remain like this the rest of my life? (I am relatively young.) I don't have many cognitive issues, just headache/fatigue/stim issues.

I don't want to be this way forever. I want to return to my normal life, which has been totally ruined by this wretched injury.

im in the same boat as you, im only 22 and this has turned my life upside down, Id like to know the same thing, your not alone, I know that dosen't make it any easier

I can't imagine going on like this for a year, im barely at the 2 month period and it has become too much already

Nobody can predict whether you will continue to recover, and if you do, how long it will take. Nobody.

I recommend working on accepting your uncertain situation and looking for ways to work around your problems. If you're having anxiety, then perhaps it would help to see a therapist who specializes in anxiety. But it sounds like you're clinging way too hard to your "normal" life and trying to get it back. This is making you worse off both physically and psychologically. It is time to start letting go and accepting your limitations--whether they're only temporary or not. You need to adapt yourself to a new set of circumstances.

I'm almost two years out and I'm nowhere near recovery. I have no idea whether I will ever "fully" recover, or even if I will ever improve beyond the point I'm at now. But I know that there is very little chance that I will ever get my "normal" life back. I have to live with that and do the best I can with what I still have.

Many people with PCS fail to try to grasp that their previous 'normal' life lead to their PCS. I have learned to look at life with the perspective that:
The glass is not half empty.
It is not half full.
The glass is TOO BIG.

There is plenty in life to enjoy without needing to try to over-fill our lives.

Hello Wakey,

I would not worry too much. The truth is that it is very difficult to focus only on recovery all the time. If we don't do anything else the it is easy to get discouraged.

I did get hurt again, around the 2 year point. It was not as bad as the first accident but I think I lost around a year of recovery. Pushing it is not the best idea, but it is OK. Whenever I overdo it I can tell by the severity of my symptoms. Probably if you were causing a major setback you would know. We do not have to stress to much because our bodies will tell us.

Just be nice to yourself! I would like to encourage you about your length of recovery. I was seeing huge improvements after 1 year, just wish I didn't get hurt again. I think a lot of PCS is encouragement, basically the difference between a good and bad doctor!

P.S. I have the same symptoms as you, mainly the headaches.

wakey,

When you say you rested in 'chunks,' does that mean you rested for a few days then went out and did an activity? What kind of chunks do you mean? What kind of activities did you participate in between the chunks?