I hope everybody on the board has been having a good Holiday Season.


Though I have to work this week, I had a very good Christmas, and I am quite thankful for the past year, even though it has been very challenging.


For me, the Christmas Season involves a LOT of traveling, and a fair amount of parties. At one of them, I got emotionally upset over some trifling matter, and, since then (three days ago), I have been having a minor relapse.


The usual (for me, at least)--it feels like my brain is inflamed and my spine hurts..


It probably didn't help that I had a few drinks and was not properly hydrated that night. (There have been other nights I've had a few drinks, but made sure to drink water constantly. On those nights, I had no ill effects.)


A good thing is that my "relapses" are becoming less and less bad; I still am able to remember things, even though my brain hurts to think too much.


I have have had two exceptionally good months (even so much that I had considered myself healed).


Why do I write, then? To vent maybe, but also to let the board know that, despite the above, I am still confident of ultimate healing or at the very least, long stretches of fairly good function where I have to manage PCS as a somewhat chronic condition.


I am also respecting my brain more and more, as I did not really feel that I was abusing it too too much, yet it is demanding to rest again…

You just demonstrate that the concussed brain is always a concussed brain. It will be sensitive to stress, whether it is emotional stress, physical stress or chemical stress.

I would not call this a relapse. I call it life after a concussion. Expect this to happen from time to time. I plan on it happening after a stressful event. The stressful event may just be an exciting and busy event with no negative stress involved.

Welcome to the club of those who recognize their long term limitations.

Hi Tom
I am with you on that. 17 months in and things are just as you say.
Mark is right in that we Now listen and respect our brains.
I am really happy with that It means we can continue to enjoy life.

Well done to you, you have done amazing, it's a long way this journey but the scenic route is the best, rather thN the fast lane. !!
Good luck to you xx