I'm also wondering this. I plan to get back to my normal life (heavy school workload, working, hopefully exercising) by the end of january, as I, too, am at that final hurdle.

Hi stupid rugger!!!!!!! Its good to know that someone is in the same mind set as me.... how long have you had pcs and what are your symptoms????? how has your recovery been thus far>?>>>>

Hi Peter. I've had PCS since mid-October. I started off with headaches, nausea, severe sensitivity to light and noise, short-term memory problems, and fatigue. I felt like I was constantly drunk for the

The headaches went away after I got a glasses prescription. Turns out I've been far-sighted this entire time. Now I'm just dealing with tinnitus,and an inability to exercise intensely or be around "loud" situations. No partying for me. I don't think I'll drink for a long time. I had a few sips of sake at Thanksgiving and it made me have that same "out of it" feeling. Likewise I went to a party (sober) on Nov. 30th and felt nauseated and dizzy during. Big headache after.

That said, I can now read, do school work, and watch TV/movies without problem.

Hi again stupid rugger!
Ive had pcs since September. My concussion was a month before that. Ive had a prescription test, I wish my headaches were due to my eyesight! Turns out I have great vision! Is it possible I still need glasses for computer use etc>?? I have shown huge improvement in the last few weeks. I am able to do most tasks, work, exercise, watch tv. However I tend to get a headacxhe when im over stimulated eg with lots of people, but they are getting better. I am at the point where I feel like I will be symptom free in a matter of wweeks / months if I keep going at this rate.

Are you hoping for a full recovery? How far off do you think you are>>

Great, Peter! It's nice to know someone is getting better. Yet, I still can't understand why I can't get over any hurdles after nearly 1.5 years despite my resting. Most of my symptoms just seem to linger and never get substantially better. My best to you.

For me part of getting over that 'final hurdle' was a gradual return to activity.

Having learned so much about the need for cognitive rest, I was very reluctant to stop resting even when I started to improve. But my neuropsychologist suggested I start trying things slowly, without pressure, and this worked really well.

Neuroscience suggests that there is a 'use it or lose it' aspect to neurological functioning, and that as well as being impaired by an injury, neurological function can be impaired by 'learned non-use' (think of it as being 'out of practice'). So I think it is important to challenge your brain and start to go back into cognitively challenging activities gradually and only in a way that does not worsen your symptoms - if your symptoms get worse, then you've done too much.

Basically, do what you can, and as you get better start to gradually do more. This will be good for your mood and stress/anxiety levels too.

I certainly feel that my recovery came in two main stages: a stage of as total a rest as I could manage given life circumstances (including no TV, reading etc) followed by a stage of deliberately but gradually challenging my brain to start functioning normally again. I believe that it was this second stage that got me over that final hurdle.

Be prepared that it does take quite a while for those last few symptoms to disappear though.

I can only speak about my own reality. After forty years (40) I still have symptoms, and, I notice improvements in concentration and memory from time to time, still. Do as Mark suggests, that is the best advice.

Very much so! I went from scoring a 72 on the symptom test to a 5 two weeks ago. I don't know how far off I am. I am returning to school and hopefully the rest of my life by the end of January. I was able to write a paper and attend classes at the end of November. The main hurdle now is exercise....