Hi, everyone as u all know I hit my head on the ice 3 months ago and I have been dealing with PCS. Today I feel a disconnect and unsure of myself, not sure of reality. I am really afraid as to what is happening. The whole feeling of being slowed down. I think of my kids and wife a lot as to what the future will bring because I'm not my self at all. Can anyone suggest anything?

ED

Patience and then some more patience.

What have you done to learn or develop work-arounds for your limitations ? There are plenty of ways to go on with a full life despite severe limitations.

Getting stuck in anxiety ridden pity parties about the future is extremely counter-productive.

My best to you.

This may not necessarily be a helpful comment, but I've taken to telling non - PCS folks that I feel like I'm living in the twilight zone. I know that disconnected feeling you're talking about quite well!

Keep your head up and keep believing it will get better. Positive thinking can only help!

My best to you

Hi Ed. I don't want to sound hash or that I don't understand, but I agree with Mark, and as I mentioned on one of your other posts, self-blame and self-pity are not productive responses to trauma. So in a direct answer to your question above, here are some suggestions based on things that have worked for me.

You didn’t say what kind of medical care or therapies you are receiving, other than you were looking for a new neurologist. Also consider a Neuropsychological Assessment from a clinical neuropsychologist. NPA testing can help identify specific deficit areas, and recommend appropriate therapies. For me this included speech, occupational and physical therapies. If depression is one of these deficits perhaps therapy such as Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and/or medication may be helpful.

Look for a brain injury support group. Check http://www.biausa.org/ for resources in your state.

Other things that have helped me include:

Yoga. I joined a studio that incorporates meditative practice along with gentle stretching postures.

Mindfulness meditation. I found a continuing education class in meditation at a local community college.

Massage therapy. Helped with my muscle spasms and assists in relaxation and alleviating anxiety.

Essentially, we need to be accountable for driving our own recovery. The support groups can help with this. Wishing you well in your recovery journey.

You have a lot to offer your wife and kids "You". Try more positive thoughts, it can get discouraging, but keep looking at what progress you make and take the time to get better.

At this time you need all of your energy and resources to get better, it is important not to waist these resources on stress and anxiety. Respect you bodies healing although I know it feel like it takes forever.

You will get there, but you will get there faster with less stress and anxiety. Try something that will make you relax and try to stay in a tranquility bubble.

I stayed in my room for almost 12 weeks and told my kids that this is my happy bubble. I really could not deal with stress and problems and just focus on getting better.

The reason I stayed in my room is because with 3 teenagers in the house and no adult I assumed the house was a disaster. I could not do anything about the mess of the house so I took it out of my sphere. I could not do anything about their problems so I referred them on to another relative.

Sometimes food would be sent up to me on a paper plate, I did not ask if there were no more clean dishes, I just ate what was given to me and went back to resting.

I realize not everyone can do what I did, but try to set boundaries and respect them until you get better.

Best wishes

It is only natural to worry about the future if you have PCS, especially if you have a wife and children. You just need to take it easy and get quiet rest, avoid stimulation and exercise and if need be take medication. It will all come together again, it just takes time and a lot of patience.

One thing that was helpful to me around that point was to quit waiting to return to the person I used to be. I needed to accept this situation and move forward. It was a huge turning point for me. I also needed to learn more about what was going on with this illness and its symptoms rather than just waiting for them to go away.

I am a type a person that can push through anything. Pushing through the symptoms was only making matters worse. I remember reading about Marks work a rounds and thinking, I don't want work a rounds, I want this to go away.

Who knows what life is ahead of us? Try to accept what we are given.
Su Seb

Thanks everyone for ur support, i have been keeping with in my limitations
such as resting more often because of fatigue, dizziness. Have been going
only half days to work. Been taking meds for my emotions and symptoms
prescribed by my GP, which has helped me sleep better. Have been going to
physio for neck and back also vestibular. I try to do certain things when i can with my kids. I have been trying to cope, nevertheless i seem to stop and think this cant go
go on forever if it does what to i do? So the negative thoughts star up
again. I have seen progress in my recovery, just i want it to
be all gone now! All if u make great points and great ideas, and i thank
all of u.

ED

I no the feeling, I worry that I can't be the same dad I was to my kids. Ultimately u just have to have faith that its only temporary and nothing stays the same. Good luck, chin up!

I am terrified most of the time. I am seeig psychologist today. I try not to self pity but the symptoms overwhelm me. now when I just walk a few yards I cant breathe.