[Tpont21]

Hello everybody

I need to vent today because I am having a serious setback in my recovery from my concussion. I have been feeling much better the past week or so. But today I feel I am back to square one. I woke up fine and got ready for work. Felt fine. On my way to work I felt a little off. Then when I got to work I started having all sorts of symptoms.. anxiety, foggy thinking, dizziness, loss of concentration, light and noise sensitivity, etc.

There were talks at work of sending me to work a refueling outage at another power plant for a short duration of time.. a week or two. This would include traveling and working 12 hour shifts, as well as lifting and moving test equipment around. I spoke with my manager and told him I didn't think it would be a good idea for me to travel since I am making great progress in my recovery and I felt it would hinder it. He told me to talk to the doctor on site. After I discussed everything with the doctor on site, he ultimately decided to put me on restricted duty.. lifting no more than 30 lbs (even though I am not lifting anything right now), no working longer than 8 hours, no climbing ladders. This document keeps me from traveling to the other plant.

Now I am feeling very down because not only do I feel like I am back to square one with my recovery, but I feel like it almost looks like I was trying to get out of traveling to the other plant to help with their refueling outage. Even though if I was healthy and 100% I would love to help out. This is so very frustrating for me. I just feel like co-workers don't know what it feels like to have a concussion so they don't understand what I'm going through.

I have an appointment on May 1st to visit a concussion clinic downtown and begin working with a neuro-psychologist. My doctor here at work thought it would be in my best interest to be on restricted duty at work until I meet with this specialist.

Any encouraging words would be much appreciated as I feel I am in a hole right now.

[poetrymom]

Oh my, you are doing a lot though and hope you realize how far you have come.

I know I tire more easily than before, and you probably do too.

I hope you go easy on yourself and don't get into a huge stress hole because those are good for nothing.

As for your symptoms, can you get some rest, see about your vitamin and supplement regimin -- check the sticky at the top, and hang in there.

Here's wsing you better times to come, and healing and health on the ay.

Poetrmom

[mouse1]

Don't feel bad, you are doing the right thing - you have to protect yourself in order to get better, this is very sensible. You are not alone either, I am doing a 3 day week and am not working at the same pace as prior to concussion, but I am getting better and doing more gradually as a result. This is the way to go with PCS, slow and gradual.

[Tpont21]

Thank you for the encouragement. I feel as though I should cut my hours down at work.. maybe even take some time off. Work is really stressing me out and I'm sure that isn't helping me heal. I'm making an appointment with my primary care physician prior to my May 1st neuropsychologist appointment to see his recommendations.

[poetrymom]

Yes, work is very stressful and you have to use your brain there all the time. See about some reduced hours -- do what you can to get the rest you need. Your brain is still healing so go gently and easy on yourself.

I wish you peace and healing.

Sincerely,

Poetrymom

[Tpont21]

Originally Posted by poetrymom

Yes, work is very stressful and you have to use your brain there all the time. See about some reduced hours -- do what you can to get the rest you need. Your brain is still healing so go gently and easy on yourself.

I wish you peace and healing.

Sincerely,

Poetrymom

I actually had to leave work halfway through the day today. I got an appointment with my primary care physician tomorrow. I'm thinking he is going to recommend taking some time off of work. It's so frustrating because I am a hard worker and I usually never call off unless it's absolutely needed. I'm having more than normal dizziness, extreme fatigue, and pretty bad brain fog today. I cannot focus on anything. I've completely relapsed from all the progress I've made. Ugh...

[Mark in Idaho]

It sounds like your job may just be too stressful for you right now. Continuing to be a habitual hard worker is not possible right now. Unfortunately, a PCP is not going to be much help unless you can get him to write to a restricted work order. Doing remote work with the stress of not sleeping at home will not help you either.

You need quiet rest.

[poetrymom]

You need quiet rest.

I, too, am a hard worker, and am off from my job as a result of PCS.

I don't get the uncharted water I am in, but the people here are good guides.

Like you, I hardly ever took off a day of work. Now, I feel better, but am forgettiing sometimes how tired I was even just 2 weeks ago. I still need to take it easy, be gentle

So sorry about your relapse. Stress can do that and PCS will not heal with stress....as far as I know

Let us know how you are

Poetrymom

[mouse1]

Mark is right, I took two weeks off after my injury, I went back to work and only lasted 9 days. I needed over 3 months off after this, and am now back working part time. Saying that, I am much better now but wasn't functioning properly from November right through to last week if I am honest. PCS can take a long time to get over unfortunately.

[Tpont21]

Thanks for the advice everyone. My accident happened over 3 months ago, so I feel like everyone at work is going to wonder why I'm just now taking time off work for my injury. But I just keep going in these cycles. I start to feel better then something stresses me out and all my symptoms come back. Usually it's from work. My mom says I worry too much about work and what people think, and I think she is right. Luckily, I do have a good job and I have benefits, and she says that those benefits are in place for times like this.

Ideally I'd like to take off work for at least a week or two until I go to see a neuropsychologist who specializes in concussions. I'm blessed to live in Pittsburgh and have access to a clinic that specializes in concussions. My appointment is May 1st, so I'm going to talk to my PCP tomorrow about the possibility of taking off work for at least a week or possibly until I can see that specialist on May 1st and go from there.

Thanks again for all of the encouragement.