I am having just an awful week, migraines, nausea, dizziness, and extreme fatigue and confusion.

I was plotting along and thought things were going well, I notice I have been struggling for the last 3 weeks and this week has been awful.

I was trying to increase my outing and I have also been wearing my prism glasses for the last month. I was really getting excited about going out but the last couple of times I was on the bus I was confused as to where I was going, I just lost track of what I was doing.

I have found since I started wearing the glasses I am able to read and watch t.v. even less than I did before. Does anyone know if this is normal? I know the glasses are a therapy and I am wearing them about 4 hours a day. (maybe this is putting things over).

The worst part is that with feeling worse it seems to stress me out and increase my anxiety which of course increases my symptoms. I just feel that getting back to work seems so far off if I don't make enough improvements.

I am approaching my fiscal cliff in terms of finances as the disability benefit I receive will be terminating in a few months and I am quickly running out of resources.

I am still the sole support for 3 teenagers and really find it hard to make decision based on a lot of I don't knows. Should I sell my house? Should I apply for permanent disability? O.T. wants to try and see if he can have me reclassified as catastrophic instead of severe?

I am probably at my lowest point in terms of depression/stress and anxiety. I am considering maybe starting some medication (maybe Cymbalta), although what I think is that I am distressed because of this whole mess and that it is situational, but I suppose it all boils down to the same thing STRESS no matter what the cause is.

As you see from the above I also cant make decisions.

I am re establishing my quite zone in my room although I hate the thought of barricading myself in my room again but there are not too many alternatives since I have to limit my stress and EVERYTHING irritates me.

Thanks for listening.

Normaw

Norma I can totally relate.I was in your place 7month's ago. The best thing for me at that time was to isolate myself from my family and everybody.Less stimulation is the best and more meditation.I highly am a believer in the antidepressant's with a moderate to severe TBI.

I am also on a SNRI Pristiq and it really saved my life and put me in a place that most of the complex symptoms of a TBI could be managed. I think you should apply for disability if you can handle all the paperwork or has someone to help you with it, but it will take a unknown amount of time to get because every case is different. I know it is a horrible condition to deal with.There will be better days ahead.Keep your head upMia

NormaW,

If you are struggling with anxiety this will exacerbate the other symptoms. Like MiaVita has said, an SNRI really helped me get back to normality, in my case Cymbalta.

Chemical imbalances may be present following injury and you may need the helping hand of an SNRI which increases the levels of serotonin and norpinephrine neurotransmitters in the brain.

Normally there are unpleasant side effects in the first two weeks, and the medication also feels very strong, but this goes away eventually.

I still have problems with fatigue, but the medication helps with mood and anxiety and this in turn will hopefully help reduce the other symptoms also.

I hope things improve for you.

NormaW,

Why are you hesitant about applying for Permanent Disability ? Are you afraid of the term, permanent. Your condition is what it is. If the testers say you are permanent, take their diagnosis. If they say you qualify but they will reanalyze you in a year or two, That is good too.

If your OT wants to change you from serious to catastrophic, that's OK too. Being anxious about diagnostic terms is counterproductive. You can accept a diagnosis then, over time, prove them wrong. I am on permanent Social Security Disability. Sometimes, I get the idea to try to get back in the game and try to make a living. Then, I have a roller coaster down week and realize I need to stay where I am.

Getting over as many 'What if's" as you can allows you to start planning.

How old are your teenagers ? Can your disability change how they receive support ? Dependents of disabled parents each receive about $200 per month. With three teens at $200 each plus if you can get the maximum disability CPP of about $1200, things will be tight but liveable.

Knowing what one's income will be allows one to make better financial decisions.

Teens can earn some money for their discretionary expenses. In my belief, they should. My kids all had jobs at 14 years old. Real paycheck jobs, not babysitting and mowing lawns. They learned great life skills by spending time in their day working with and for adults rather than focused on their teen peers. Those life skills will enhance your home situation.

And, if you have a son or sons who like to play hockey, your family cannot afford another concussion.

I have been dealing with the facts of my brain health for decades. Life does go on. You can put together a plan for your future that is full of opportunities. You just need a starting point.

Getting an OT diagnosis and permanent disability can give you that starting point. Then, you have an opportunity to prove them wrong sometime in the future. Not next week or next month but off at some unknown future time.

My best to you.

Thanks for the suggestions. I think I will try the Cymbalta and Mark I will start the process for the permanent disability. I am not worried about the permanent designation but it is the other professionals who keep thinking I will get better and we will just concentrate on that.

The 3 children all have jobs and provide money on a monthly basis for the household needs. I think it is a good life lesson for them. I know they will all probably over insure themselves after watching the pit falls of having just adequate insurance coverage.

One of my greatest frustrations right now is how long it takes to get services. I finally got in to see a psychologist after waiting almost 6 months and she has to submit an assessment before she can start to treat me (more waiting).

I am also very fortunately to have several professionals treating me, but at the same time I get conflicting advise.

I am going to Toronto next week to see the Neuro opthamologist, maybe I will get some good directions.

Thanks for the support, it is nice to know that you are all there with advice.

What do you expect the psychologist to help you with ?

Have you considered a try with L-Tryptophan ? The risks are much less that those from taking Cymbalta. A week or two would be worth a try.

I am going to the psychologist to work on anxiety, depression and guilt. I at least like the women I met and it may help put some of this mess in prespective and go forward to make decisions.

I will give the other medication a try before I try the cymbalta. I must admit I was not looking forward to anymore side effects. When I tried the amitriptolene I sleeped forever.

I will let you know how it goes.

Thanks

Mark,

Where do I buy L-Tryphophan and what would the dosage be?

Norma,

Good luck with this.

On a side note L Tryptophan will not have the same effect as an SNRI, so they cannot be compared.

The main reason I take Cymbalta is for pain rather than mood, although it may be the case that my mood is so stable because I am taking it.

Cymbalta influences three neurotransmitters Serotonin, Norpinephrine and to a lesser extent Dopamine.

It has subsequently erradicated my migraines, helped fatigue, sleep and mood.

I suggest you speak to a medical professional about your needs.

Norma,
I have two teenagers, a boy (16) and a girl (13). I have to say my biggest stress is my 16 year old. He's good at heart but man oh man this is a tough period. So I really get how this can by extraordinarily stressful. There are times I just need a big break from him. And summer is the worst time with all the free time....

I've got some advicebut remember, free advice is worth what you pay for it! It really seems like you need help from friends and other sources. This is the rainy day! It took me a while to figure out that this is the rainy day I have been "saving" for. I've called in all my chits- I've asked friends and family to help, we've used much of our savings to pay for health care not covered by insurance. At first I felt guilty but people really do want to help. I think we need to be specific. So I asked one of my friends to take my daughter shopping for school clothes; I asked my sister to have my son to visit for two weeks this summer, when i have trouble making decisions I talk it out with friends or family, etc. At the beginning I saw a psychologist which was helpful with decision making. I'm glad you are using the board because it can be a good source of support.
Good luck.