My mTBI occurred when I hit the back of my head on the ice while playing hockey in late October of this year [2012].

2.5 months after the incident, the headaches are beginning to subside, but I'm still suffering from significant cognitive deficits, and an inability to concentrate, and I just feel different (this is perhaps the most disturbing symptom). My anxiety and depression have been severe. At times I feel so detached from my normal self. I'm having a hard time coping with this.

Sometimes, actually, I've felt almost 100%, but the littlest things will aggrivate symptoms. Minor disturbances, like walking, for example, are apt to bring on a headache or dazed feeling, or make me nauseous. Is this normal? I've taken to walking on my toes to prevent this.

It seems that everything I do aggravates my symptoms. I've confined myself to a very narrow range of activity, and it's killing me. I've stopped most reading and computer use. No T.V. But it's been 2 months and I'm getting restless. I don't want to resign myself to this limited lifestyle. No more hockey--ok, fine. But man, I've got to go for a run, read a book, something... but I don't want to hurt myself, or make my condition worse. That's what seems to happen when I do any of these things. Really struggling, and I'd appreciate any support or guidance.

I'm taking supps (fish oil, Bcomplex, multi) and started meds (SSRI) for the anxiety. Books on tape have been a helpful, tolerable activity. There's a great version of David Copperfield at *** for those who are interested (book club, anyone?). Met with a Neurologist--wasn't particularly helpful. He actually told me that if I get a headache or other symptoms while performing an activity I should just ignore it and keep doing what I was doing. Is that wise advice?

This is one of the most difficult experiences I've endured. Any tips, advice, or encouragement will be readily received and much appreciated.

Physical and mental rest, good nutrition, stay optimistic and patient (clichéd but true). It really does take time. I went from feeling about 25-30% after the injury to 65-70% (lasted about a year) to 70-75% (the next six months or so) to probably 80-85% (my current state). I am doing way better than I was.

My doctor has been great - no BS. His advice: "stay sub-threshold of symptoms as much as possible." If you're triggering symptoms, you need to back off.

In my case, this progression has taken over a year and a half, and I am continuing to make gains.

Most people tend to recover more quickly, but there is a lot of variability in recovery time from MTBI. IMO there isn't a lot you can do to accelerate the recovery process, although you can slow it down by overdoing it. That said, setbacks go with the territory and you shouldn't get down on yourself when they happen. Try to use them as data points to help you be smarter in the future and keep aiming to stay sub-threshold of symptoms.

Last advice: exercise caution during your recovery (and beyond). No more head hits (this might be the most important advice of all). No jarring. Be aware that your judgment may be impaired at times (especially in stressful situations) and learn some coping strategies to ensure you stay safe.

I can relate to the feeling different and agree it is the most disturbing symptom, I could almost deal with all the other problems if I didn't feel like it changed me as a person

people here tend to say that you won't ever be the same after this injury but then I see where people make recovery's and feel normal again so im not sure whats gonna happen

I guess all we can do is wait and see what the future holds for us

Hi there!


I don't have magic advice. I just thought I'd tell you that our injuries have a very close timeline to the other and I've been told I'm early in my recovery... And I recognize my own anxiety and impatience within your post, which people have admonished me for, but I feel for you.


The despair of anxiety crushes my hope sometimes too, but I've made a commitment to myself to work through it, because essentially, what else can one do?


My best friend is an ice pack. My enemy is unrealistic expectation. I make an effort to spend the most time with the best friend, especially after a sighting of my enemy.


I hope you have some relief of symptoms soon. There's great advice in the forums, worth browsing. I don't know if it helps, but I also hope you feel less alone and frightened. There is hope and healing in store for us!

That is how I was injured too...got My skates pulled out from under me by someone and my head bounced a few times (with helmet). 15 months ago....it can be a long road back but there is progress. It sounds as you are still in the acute phase. Rest, rest, rest. Dark rooms, no running, etc.

Lots of advice here on good tips.....neuro opthamology is very important. Vestibular therapist?

It does get better slowly but it is a difficult road. Hang in there. You will make it.

Ps. Santa brought my kids an air hockey table and I can play a few games. This is great progress!

Do I really have to rest in a dark room? Frankly, I can't limit my lifestyle to that extent. I work at a restaurant, which requires me to be on my feet several hours a day. In the meantime, when I can rest, I find it difficult to just lie there without doing anything. I can only sleep at night, for the most part, and I find it very difficult to just not do anything. I'd like to at least read a book or be on the computer a bit. How much do you guys think I'm delaying my recovering by not granting myself total rest? I've really toned down my activity level, but I still get on the computer for an hour or two a day, and I find it hard to resist picking up a book.

MsRriO,

Thanks so much for the support. You sound so sincere, and I really do feel less alone. I'm not looking for magic advice, as much as I wish it existed...hang in there, and I will too.

I guess one of the things that would help me is for someone to shoot straight with me: how much am I impeding my recovery by not giving myself complete, and total rest? Am I actually hurting myself more? Is there a point at which recovery is less likely/less likely to be as complete? For example, if I were to give myself a good week's rest a month from now, would it be as helpful to my brain's recovery as if I were to do that now? As I mentioned, I work at a restaurant where I have to be on my feet and moving for up to 8 hours a night. I'm certainly not in the financial position to quit my job, but I might be able to take a week off at some point in the next few weeks... Will I ever get better if I don't rest completely? Or can I still make progress even under my current routine?

Working in a busy restaurant setting is almost certainly hurting you. For many people, going to a restaurant is one of the last things we are able to do successfully again, and it often causes relapses.

Taking a week off would help. Even if you can't take more time off than that, is it possible for you to be reassigned to a less stressful assignment within the restaurant? For example, could you host instead of waiting tables (having to remember orders, etc?)? Or could you bus tables? I don't know the pay differential, but the stress differential could make a big difference for your brain.

Basically, what has happened to your brain is that the things your brain used to be able to do automatically it now has to focus on to be able to do. You are essentially having to re-learn or re-build those pathways in your brain, so it takes lots of mental and physical energy to do your ordinary things.

You do need to have activity, but you need to have a lot less of it than you normally do.

Does this make sense?

I will make a separate post showing natural lifestyle things I learned to optimize my brain health.

Here are some natural things you can do to strengthen the brain:

- Eat a whole foods (clean eating) diet high in omega-3s and tryptophan. Take 3 tbsp of ground flax seed in juice every morning for a complete daily dose of both and then whatever you eat during the day is bonus. I also switched to a vegan diet, which is optimal for getting the nutrients you need across the blood-brain barrier.

- Be sure to stay well hydrated. Drink half your body weight in ounces of water daily (i.e. if you weigh 100lbs, drink 50 oz. of water).

- There are also hot and cold water treatments you can do to increase circulation to the brain. In the shower, alternate 3 minutes of hot water with 1 minute of cold for at least 3 cycles. The greater the temperature contrast, the greater the benefit (just be sure not to scald yourself). Don't get the very hot water on your head, but do get it on your shoulders. Cold water is okay to get on your head. Always end on cold.

- Sunlight through the skin is good for vitamin D and through the eyes is good for melatonin (sleeping at night).

- Listening to baroque music (such as Bach) can help strengthen frontal lobe function (provided it does not increase symptoms).

- Exercise (even light exercise such as walking) can reduce harmful biochemicals and release endorphins. Again, be sure you are keeping it gentle enough to avoid symptoms.

- Avoid caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, and other non-prescribed drugs.

- Avoid or strictly limit television, video games, smart phone, and computer usage.

- Get fresh air daily and take 10-20 minutes specifically to do deep diaphragmatic breathing.

- Try to have regular times for sleeping and waking.

- Connect with spiritual practice, even something as small as making a list of 3-5 things you are grateful for.

These things will strengthen the brain naturally and shouldn't interfere with any medications or treatments your doctors want to use.

Medically speaking, the two things that helped me the most were having my vision evaluated for vision therapy and seeing a physiatrist. These links may help you find practitioners in your area.

http://www.braininjuries.org
http://www.nora.cc
http://www.aapmr.org/patients/findph...s/default.aspx