You can call me CC for short and I'll just call you Swifty ;)

We've given up so much in our lives right now that anything we can do that we enjoy we do not want to stop even if deep down we know it's probably slowing healing in some way. I am able to watch some tv now with no symptoms while I'm doing it but if I watch a little too long the symptoms start up. Makes sense then that even the small amount I'm watching is causing a buildup of issues so in all reality I probably shouldn't watch any until I'm better.

So on days, or weeks, when I'm having a harder time with symptoms, I know tv is one of the things I should knock out for a while. I love video games and my son and I would have a blast playing the wii, wii U, xbox or any of the numerous computer games but I know there's no way I could handle them right now. Plus my cognitive speed is so pathetic I would suck at them!

3D tv is out right now too. My husband got a new 3D movie for Christmas (Avengers?) and I would have loved to watch it but knowing how I felt watching 3D movies before the accident and with my current dizziness and eye symptoms, I just know 3D is not a good idea! I think anything that has warnings for nausea or seizure risks is probably a good rule for PCS people to avoid!

Got to go do my Lumosity session for the day and then off the computer....

CC

3D movies are the worst. Before any of this, I had problems watching them. Now I can't even imagine.

Plus, let's be serious, even if you were up to full speed your son would probably beat you at Wii! My little nephew (9) beats me all the time!

Oh god, 3D movies were the worst for me. I remember seeing the Hobbit in 3D, thought my stomach would fly out onto the screen! It's weird how my recovery has been, lately all I get are the rare headache and anxiety from out of nowhere. Idk, it's all been so weird. The Neurontin only does so much, I feel it's more of a temp relief of anxiety then I go back to taking another one like my doctor says. He ALWAYS tells me to tell him what feels right, like if this AD doesn't feel right, wean off with his help. Or if the mall doesn't feel right, don't go. "Only you know, what is best for you, but along the way, I can help you with your treatment." He wants to throw me on Prozac, if I still don't feel the Neurontin is the best thing in the world. I mean, I like it a bit, it has few side effects but in the end, I want something that will help me. Not just a temp fix every few hours.

And also, for video games, I follow the instructions on the box for people with seizures, "Take a break 15 mins every hour." Translation, I nap for 15 minutes every hour and if I can't nap, I lay in my bed looking out the window. Earlier, I did this and I saw the nice snowstorm outside. Yay snow!

The visual processing load of 3D and simulated 3D and High Definition Video can cause problems. The brain has to work very hard to stitch the right eye's image with the left eye's image. Add the brightness, sharpness, and movement and you challenge the visual processing to the limit.

The injured brain does not have near the ability to process the images of a normal or young brain. The warnings on the package need to be multiplied to account for the concussed brain.

The audio processing load contributes to this whole struggle. I have lived with both audio and visual processing sensitivities since a concussion in 1994. They got much worse after a concussion on Jan 16, 2001. An overload can cause a delayed mental crash with head aches and all the PCS symptoms raging for a week or two, if not more.

Sounds good to me! 30 mins every hour is definitely reasonable for the brain. I am always looking for tips on how to not cause a return of symptoms, especially since I got so far in 3 months! I am happier than ever, and am proud I made it this far. I also want to thank you guys for the support! :grouphug:

Consider,

If you are going to spend 30 minutes of each hour playing video games, you should not be complaining about your PCS symptoms. I can't even imagine how messed up I would be after that kind of mental load.

Sorry, I made a mistake in my last post. What I meant to say was, that I play 2 hours at max with 15 min nap breaks in between. I don't play every hour. I wish I did. Sorry for the mistake in the last post!

I just wanted to thank you all
 

Your video game sessions are still way to much for your brain. I can understand why you are also being treated for PTSD and anxiety. The industry standard for concussion recovery is No Video Games until all symptoms recover. Then, a slow introduction of video games as long as they do not cause a return of symptoms. This is the standard for sports related concussions in all of the different concussion recovery protocols.

They also include Zero Caffeine, Zero Alcohol, Zero Cognitive Load, Zero Screen Time, Zero Texting, I think you should get the message.

Those with college classes may need to stretch the limits to maintain their academic necessities.

We have had many on NT who have tried to maintain their busy lives until they finally give in after 6 months to a year and focus on quiet rest.

I wish the best to those of you who are determined to buck the experts recommendations.