Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Concussion Syndrome For traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post concussion syndrome (PCS).


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Old 03-24-2013, 12:04 PM #1
DFayesMom DFayesMom is offline
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Confused Getting creativity back

I am a writer, poetry mostly, published and all, and I want to start writing childrens' books. I've written one and am about to start submitting it to agents, but I'm really struggling to get back on track creatively. Part of the problem is that I can't read as much as I'd like, mostly because my eyes hurt too much. I have a nook and can blow up the text, which really helps, but it just still hurts! I have barely written anything since my first concussion 2 1/2 years ago. I've got back my cognitive function, so what's the hold up? It's frustrating. I just feel totally out of practice! Anyone else dealing with this?
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Old 03-24-2013, 01:37 PM #2
Mark in Idaho Mark in Idaho is offline
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Have you had a full vision exam including checking for Prizm needs ? Your eyes may be struggling with convergence. That is when the eyes move to make both images overlap properly.

You can try a test.

Look at the text then cover one eye. Does the text improve or does you eye feel relaxed ? Cover the other eye. A similar situation should exist. If you can read comfortably with one eye closed or covered, it would appear to be a convergence issue.

The visual processing workload on the brain can be intense. Any problems with the eyes make it much worse.

I get eye head aches. When I close my eyes, the head ache is relieved withing a few minutes.

PCS and eyes can be a struggle.

My best to you.
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Old 03-24-2013, 04:24 PM #3
DFayesMom DFayesMom is offline
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Default I should have mentioned . . .

Sorry, I should have saId that my eyes are my only remaining PCS problem. I have nine different things wrong with my eyes. I've been meaning to make a signature saying what they are, but I've been trying not to spend too much time on the computer, for obvious reasons! Anyway, yes, convergence issues are one of my problems!
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Old 03-24-2013, 05:16 PM #4
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I suspect you could benefit greatly from prisms. I did one year after...I am also a writer and was unable to write for a year. It is slowly coming back. Read the other posts on vision and prisms. Good luck!!!!
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What happened: Legs pulled forward by a parent's hockey stick while resting at the side of the rink at a family skate....sent me straight back. I hit the back of my head (with helmet) on the ice, bounced a few times, unconscious for a few minutes. September 11, 2011. Off work since then…I work part-time at home when I can. It has been hell but slowly feeling better (when I am alone☺).

Current symptoms: Vision problems (but 20/20 in each eye alone!) – convergence insufficiency – horizontal and vertical (heterophoria), problems with tracking and saccades, peripheral vision problems, eyes see different colour tints; tinnitus 24/7 both ears; hyperacusis (noise filter gone!), labyrinthian (inner ear) concussion, vestibular dysfunction (dizzy, bedspins, need to look down when walking); partial loss of sense of smell; electric shocks through head when doing too much; headaches; emotional lability; memory blanks; difficulty concentrating. I still can’t go into busy, noisy places. Fatigue. Executive functioning was affected – multi-tasking, planning, motivation. Slight aphasia. Shooting pain up neck and limited mobility at neck. Otherwise lucky!

Current treatments: Vestibular therapy, Vision therapy, amantadine (100 mg a day), acupuncture and physiotherapy for neck, slow return to exercise, magnesium, resveratrol, omega 3 fish oils, vitamins D, B and multi. Optimism and perserverance.
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Old 03-24-2013, 07:10 PM #5
DFayesMom DFayesMom is offline
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Default Signature, Prisms

Okay, I finally made a siggy. I tested out a prism lens at the neuro-optometrist and it didn't seem to help me much. There was something else that helped though--a binasal occlusion patch--but that isn't a very appealing option. Soooo I've been doing sensory integration/vision therapy. So far, I have seen an increase in my depth perception and some improvement with my dizziness. My light sensitivity is just awful though! I had a setback right before starting vision therapy. Too many hours on the computer!
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I have recovered my cognitive function, and I've overcome severe vertigo through sensory integration therapy. Wellbutrin has helped me escape depression. I have recently had a few stress-related migraines, as well as headaches stemming from eye strain. I'm also dealing with tinnitus, lack of stamina, extreme light sensitivity, and eye pain. Diagnosed with 9 different vision issues: convergence insufficiency, pursuit eye movement deficit, egocentric visual midline shift, photophobia, visual information processing delays, accommodative insufficiency, saccadic eye movement deficit, lack of coordination, and central peripheral visual integration deficit.

*First concussion: October 2010. I was pregnant and got rear ended. I associated my mild PCS symptoms with baby brain and blamed my light sensitivity on allergies and dry eyes.
*Second concussion: December 2011. I hit my head on a wooden beam, saw stars but did not lose consciousness, and I had very disturbing PCS symptoms but didn't go to the doctor.
*Third concussion: August 2012. I caused a car accident as a result of PCS symptoms. Thankfully no one was injured but me. My husband confronted me, and I finally sought help and took medical leave from work. My symptoms worsened, and I developed severe vertigo.
*Fourth concussion: November 2012. I was riding in a car with a friend and we were hit head on by a driver who lost control of her car. I didn't have a big increase in PCS symptoms.
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Old 03-24-2013, 08:07 PM #6
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This was mentioned on another thread but...... have you tried vestibular therapy? I have noticed a decrease in my dizziness (not gone yet though) and also a decrease in my light and sound sensitivities. Maybe it would help you also. I still have cognitive issues and if you have any secrets to how you cleared those up I'd love to hear them!

I can't help with the creativity because I have none!

CC
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I'm a 39 year old, female, accountant. On July 2, 2012 I crashed my bike at the end of a 65KM road ride. I was fine that day but woke up the next morning to my current world.

Ongoing symptoms include: dizziness, blurred vision, light and noise sensitivities, cognitive problems, uncontrollable emotions/depression/anxiety, headaches (but they're getting better), mental and physical fatigue, difficulty communicating and sleep disturbances.

Currently seeing a fabulous Neuro Psychologist and vestibular physiotherapist and hoping to soon see a neuro ophthalmologist. I am currently doing 20 minute stationary bike rides daily, 20 minutes of meditating, 15 minutes of Lumosity and lots of resting. I have not been able to work or drive since the accident.

The things that have helped me the most since the accident are vestibular therapy, gel eye drops (for blurred vision, sensitivity and dryness), amitriptyline (10mg), and meditating. I am finally starting to see some slight improvements and am hopeful!

My brain WANTS to heal itself... I just have to let it and stop trying to get better!
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