Just came back from the neurologist. Got in early. Seemed very knowledgeable. He seems to think that the lack of sleep is my major concern right now. Made it sound like that without all the rest I would normally be getting from my normal sleep schedule, im cutting down on my brain recovery. He prescribed me amitriptyline for sleep. He seems to think that if I can get at least 5 hours of sleep a day, then my recovery is going to go a lot smoother. He wants to see me in a few weeks to see how its going so thats a plus. He said he doesnt think any scans are needed, since I passed some of the tests that he did today. Also told me normally its a 3-6 month recovery process, but not everyone is the same.

After telling him everything, and reading the other doctors weekly reports, he thinks ill be good within a month, 2 tops. Just told me do not do anything stupid, but keep up with the minor physical activity ive been doing.

Hopefully this can help me sleep, if it works that will be great. Im so over feeling like this. He also told me to not get to excited though, because I could possibly end up being one of those people that do not fall into that 3-6 months area. He really really emphasized the dont do anything dumb, or else it could end up permanent.

The "Don't do anything dumb" advice is a sign he has an understanding of concussions. He knows how easily they accumulate into persistent, even life long problems. Once you have recovered, that advice is still important. Your next concussion will be worse in every way.

Did he list out what actions would be classified as dumb?? Just wondering how many i have broken..

He basically just did it for my line of work. Which was everything, hence why hes keeping me out at least until May 1st. He said at home, nothing like yard work or heavy lifting. No running or jogging. Nothing that will put my neck nor my head in a compromising position. He said at most, for weightlifting which im big into, is very light weights, 10lbs or less. Kind of useless for me, but I guess its still better than nothing.

He highly recommends going for walks, but no hills. He seemed very good, and I really didnt have to explain much to him. Lucky for me the two dr's ive been dealing with are very knowledgeable on concussions and know the severity of them.

Just a quick story, last year I fell of a 10 foot high concrete block that was slippery from rain. It was not fun, and I got a concussion, no blackout though. At the time, the work dr was not good. Actually, he has since lost his license. He told me there was no way I had anything but a mild concussion because A, I didnt black out, and B, my head was not lacerated. He sent me back to work the next day. Really really makes me wonder if that was the reason I was having some issues for the past year, because I wasnt fully recovered. I like to think of myself as a tough sob, and most family and friends will agree that not much bothers me as far as pain goes. But man, I would not wish this on my worse enemy.

Now the fun part for me.I will be having a lot of family and friends visiting come Monday when the baby comes. That scares me, because I know I cannot handle all that stimulation. I also know that my friends and family are not going to be understanding of not wanting them around or for long periods of time. They all know the severity of my injury, but for her side of the family, this is the first grandkid. 2nd on my side. How should I go about this? Maybe just excuse myself and hide for a little bit. Any tips or tricks to avoid the cluster of all the family and friends? Thanks!

at about 6 weeks out I had to go to a cycling function for my husband... i knew that there would be a LOT of people there and it would be loud... I started with earplugs and tried to stay in one place therefore only talking to people who came to me and normally one person at a time. Helped a little... still only lasted about 1.5 hrs..

I wonder if you could claim the baby... as the baby sleeps people around you will have to be quiet so they do not wake the baby... and if you need a nap, nothing makes a better picture than a dad and baby napping together... I know I have pictures of my dad and all us kids as well as all my cousins.. he likes his naps!

Kev,

This is time for you to stand up and be your wife's protector. She will need the same peace and quiet as you. Set a hard rule of No visits without prior notice. Your wife will be recovering from "Major Surgery". Been there, done that, Three times. Neither of you will be getting enough sleep because of the baby. You will become cognitively challenged by the stress. She will just be exhausted.

btw, She should stay in the hospital as long as allowed by insurance. That way, visiting hours and rules will be easier to enforce.

This is a valuable and special time for you and your wife to spend with just your baby. Friends and family will have plenty of time when the baby is older and more interactive with others. Cameo visits should be the rule.

Grandmothers can be used so Mom can get some sleep. That should be the priority.

Rehearse saying "It is time for 'mommy' to take a nap. Everybody needs to leave except grandmother if she wants to sit quietly with the baby." Or something like that.

If friends and family want to stay around, cue up the "You Look Great" video series on YouTube and require that they watch all 6 segments. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9Xso...ature=youtu.be

Also, show them the web page at http://www.brainline.org/content/201...u-to-know.html

This can be an exciting and enjoyable time if you take control. If you lose control, you will both end up exhausted beyond reason.

So, enjoy it.

Kevbo, just wanted you to know that sleep does make a huge difference. Like you, I went almost a week without adequate sleep (about 45 minutes at a stretch, never more than 2-3 hours a night). The first night I finally got 8 hours of sleep, I was surprised to feel merely "whatever" the next day. But once I got three nights of good sleep in a row, I finally began feeling like myself again. It's made a tremendous difference.

some of the "DUMB" things I have done....
 

Just to start off.........I have been off work for 14 months and just got another 12 weeks from the doctor today. Maybe back to Vestibular therapy, more eye therapy, maybe neck therapy.....I see the neck guy Monday but have a RX already. Good thing my boss was not there when I dropped off my work excuse. So far they are still holding my job open.

I have a very hard time sitting still. I have a very hard time looking at all the things that need done around me that I have no one to help with and can NOT expect my husband to try and do it all,

Weeding the flower beds, scrubbing the patio, cooking more than a simple meal. I hated freezer to oven crap. playing with my four beautiful grand daughters, laundry...it is not on the same floor.
Doing more than just simple cleaning and no more than one room a day with a whole lot of breaks. Grocery shopping at Walmart......ack......stick to a small store. Spending too much time here, or reading or watching TV I just hate being bored. It is not hard to dumb stuff. It it makes you feel worse, or makes you stay in bed the next day........you did something you should not have done and do not do it again or do much less of it.

good luck with the baby tomorrow I hope all goes well for both of you

Thank you all so much. The nerves for tomorrow are destroying my head. Im going to just lay down in a dark room until tomorrow! Thanks again for the kind advice and well wishes!