[Peter11]

Another week down.

I did a ton of relaxing over the weekend. And don’t feel all that much better for it.
Today I have immense pressure in my head and tinnitus.
I am showing some signs of improvement, however it is a very slow process and it feels like it has now affected me mentally and socially. I want to get rid of the symptoms before it affects me any further.
I guess today I’m asking for any tips to help me get over the final hurdle, exercise, etc….????

Almost 4 months pcs, symptoms started a month after injury, 22 year old male.

[Mark in Idaho]

Peter,

A few weekend days are seriously inadequate to cause improvement. Improvement is measured over weeks and months. An improvement after a single or couple days of quiet rest is often fleeting. This roller coaster will likely continue. Recovery is a marathon, not a sprint or even a middle distance run.

You said, "mentally and socially. I want to get rid of the symptoms before it affects me any further." You have little or no control over your recovery. The only control you have is over the activity levels and other stimulations that will either work toward recovery or delay it.

For many of us, recovery started when we finally let go and gave up trying to hold on to our pre-concussion life. Imaging breaking your back at the waist and losing use of your legs. Fretting about needing to walk and play soccer will be counter to developing skills for over-coming the disability.

In time, you will be able to work at rebuilding your social life. In the mean time, your social life will likely work against your recovery. Your daily activity and work schedule needs to be modified to reduce all stimulations and stresses. Most stimulations and stressors will not be recognized as counter-productive at the moment. It will be the cumulative effect that will hold you back.

You may be able to endure going to the mall for Christmas shopping and think you did well. BUT, the next day, you may feel like a total zombie. That is normal PCS. Expect it to happen rather than wonder what happened.

What was "a ton of relaxing" like? Did you rest between activities or was your whole weekend low key?

Recovery is a system. Any system is no better than its weakest parts. 23 hours of quiet rest with 1 hour of excitement can negate the 23 hours of rest. As with most of us, we live and learn the truths of trying to recover.

My best to you.

[Theta Z]

All so true, Mark.
So very true.

[Peter11]

Originally Posted by Mark in Idaho

Peter,

A few weekend days are seriously inadequate to cause improvement. Improvement is measured over weeks and months. An improvement after a single or couple days of quiet rest is often fleeting. This roller coaster will likely continue. Recovery is a marathon, not a sprint or even a middle distance run.

You said, "mentally and socially. I want to get rid of the symptoms before it affects me any further." You have little or no control over your recovery. The only control you have is over the activity levels and other stimulations that will either work toward recovery or delay it.

For many of us, recovery started when we finally let go and gave up trying to hold on to our pre-concussion life. Imaging breaking your back at the waist and losing use of your legs. Fretting about needing to walk and play soccer will be counter to developing skills for over-coming the disability.

In time, you will be able to work at rebuilding your social life. In the mean time, your social life will likely work against your recovery. Your daily activity and work schedule needs to be modified to reduce all stimulations and stresses. Most stimulations and stressors will not be recognized as counter-productive at the moment. It will be the cumulative effect that will hold you back.

You may be able to endure going to the mall for Christmas shopping and think you did well. BUT, the next day, you may feel like a total zombie. That is normal PCS. Expect it to happen rather than wonder what happened.

What was "a ton of relaxing" like? Did you rest between activities or was your whole weekend low key?

Recovery is a system. Any system is no better than its weakest parts. 23 hours of quiet rest with 1 hour of excitement can negate the 23 hours of rest. As with most of us, we live and learn the truths of trying to recover.

My best to you.

Hey guys,
Thanks, I know I’m in this for the long haul. It has been affecting me socially, but this is because I’m focusing on my recovery. By this I mean I’m not able to see my friends as much as I used to, I have to say no to going out and drinking, partying, etc., etc.. I have only recently told my friends what I’m going through and they have been very supportive (agreed to not ask me to go out as much)!! ha-ha
But the real reason behind my post was to ask what I can do to keep myself sane in times like these? The hardest thing is that I enjoy seeing my friends and going out and ‘letting off steam and releasing stresses’ (we all want to wind down after a hard week and have a laugh with friends) and now I know this is something I can’t do for a while. Where can I find ‘a release’ or something to stimulate me that won’t affect my recovery??? I’m looking for some tips and advice. Thanks guys!!

[cyclecrash]

Hi Peter

You're probably not going to like my answer but...stimulation is probably not what you need!

I can totally sympathize though because my stress relievers are all no nos right now too. No running, cycling, chatting with friends, weight lifting or even going for a nice walk. So I'm finding the best help from mindful meditation.

I know a lot of people find it hokey but its really helping with symptoms and emotions. I also do puzzles. Not big, intricate puzzles though and make sure you take breaks. Epsom salt baths are great too.

Sorry but that's about all I can offer. We are just going to have to wait it out and let it get better on its own time.

CC

[Peter11]

Originally Posted by cyclecrash

Hi Peter

You're probably not going to like my answer but...stimulation is probably not what you need!

I can totally sympathize though because my stress relievers are all no nos right now too. No running, cycling, chatting with friends, weight lifting or even going for a nice walk. So I'm finding the best help from mindful meditation.

I know a lot of people find it hokey but its really helping with symptoms and emotions. I also do puzzles. Not big, intricate puzzles though and make sure you take breaks. Epsom salt baths are great too.

Sorry but that's about all I can offer. We are just going to have to wait it out and let it get better on its own time.

CC

Thanks Cycle.

Im at the point where I can hold a relaxed conversation, so im going to try and find my release through this. Im also able to read and watch TV, so ill try and limit to these things.

I agree baths are great! im taking salt baths and magnesium baths, which I think is helping. I have looked into yoga and meditation, but i havent delved into in. Can I ask what you do? and are you abel to do it at home? also cycle,m how are your symptoms, I hope you are having a good day.

Im having a better day so far.. touch wood!

Thanks!

[Mark in Idaho]

peter,

Try to limit your conversations to a single person. With multiple people talking, the auditory processing load is great. You should not be going out with friends at all. Just because you are feeling good, it does not mean you can tolerate the environment much less the beverages.

If you need so much stress relief for a work week, your work week needs to change. Work stress is just as detrimental to your recovery as a wild night out.

You may be looking forward to a life of needing to be a bit less stressed in your life. Learning to make some changes now may pay long term dividends.

My best to you.

[cyclecrash]

The meditating I do is mindful meditation. I am, very slowly, reading Full Catastrophe Living by Jon Kabat-Zinn and I have some of his guided meditations.

Basically I just sit quietly for 20 minutes and focus on my breathing. When my mind wanders I gently bring it back to focus on breathing again. Some days my mind is going like crazy and I have to bring it back a lot but that's ok.

My neuro psyc says its both rest and also focus training for the brain so its double good. I do it at home only. Can't do my yoga tapes yet but I am trying some 20 minute stretch ones I have.

Today was a horrible day where I couldn't even have a brief phone conversation. I overdid it yesterday by going to a competition my son was in, for a couple hours. I considered it something I could not miss no matter what.

Had my ear plugs in and sunglasses on and felt ok yesterday but woke up feeling almost like the first day of my concussion all over again. Hoping to feel better tomorrow.

I find conversations to be one of my most difficult things, after walking, and its probably what I miss the most. I can read fluff for a little while but don't retain much and tv is a couple hours a day tops, with breaks and only calm quiet shows.

Wow gotta get off here!

Hope tomorrow is a good day for everyone!

CC

[Peter11]

Originally Posted by Mark in Idaho

peter,

Try to limit your conversations to a single person. With multiple people talking, the auditory processing load is great. You should not be going out with friends at all. Just because you are feeling good, it does not mean you can tolerate the environment much less the beverages.

If you need so much stress relief for a work week, your work week needs to change. Work stress is just as detrimental to your recovery as a wild night out.

You may be looking forward to a life of needing to be a bit less stressed in your life. Learning to make some changes now may pay long term dividends.

My best to you.

Thanks Mark,
I appreciate all the advice! With my conversations I can have a ‘relaxed’ conversation but as soon as it speeds up/ more people are involved I will get a headache. But quiet conversations actually help me I think. I am certainly limiting my alcohol intake. I’ll have 1 or 2 mid strength beers a week if I am feeling up to it.
My main symptom today is a dull headache and tinnitus. I am having a good day and hopefully it is a sign of things to come 