To make a long story short, I received a concussion in March of 2013. I still experience symptoms of PCS. I know I'll improve, but it is just hard for me right now to see other people have "normal." I am not saying that others cannot have normal. I am just saying that I feel like I'm in a bike race and my tire is flat. Other kids my age are going to college, while I'm basically at home all day. I am not physically able to have a job or go to college. Whenever I am bored I overindulge in an activity because it has been such a long recovery. For example, I have been playing basketball with other kids. The other day the ball hit my head. Although the ball hit my head gently, it scared me because I don't want to get worse. Whenever I am on the computer, I'll be on for a long time. Sometimes I don't care if something will make my head feel like crap because I have felt sidelined for a long time. I am taking off this first semester of college to rest. I am hoping and praying to go to school in the spring. Even as I type this, my head feels terrible. I just feel tired of resting, tired of not taking control of my life. I know God will bring me through this, but it is hard to keep experiencing the effects of an injury I received a year and an half ago. Does anyone else feel this way?

It is frustrating to not be able to do all the things one used to do. Some have found that they do not recover until they have accepted their condition and symptoms and learned how to work-round them without making them worse. It takes strength and discipline to endure the time it takes to recover. Learning how to recognize the very early signs of overload can allow us to do many things. We must be willing to stop the activity and take a break at that first sign.

Rather than overindulging in an activity out of boredom or frustration, you can plan these activities so they are moderated so you do not over-indulge. A quiet game of horse rather than full contact basketball. Setting a time limit on the computer with a break before returning to it. I'm sure you can figure out more moderated activities than you can plan.

My best to you.

Sorry to hear about your troubles. Can I ask what symptoms you have right now ? And have you had any improvements in any symptom or it went away eventually in this year and a half?

YES, I feel this way. I see my classmates have moved on with their lives with careers and families. I used to feel like a loser as I have not accomplished anything that this world deems as big milestones. Now, I know that this battle IS a milestone. Everyday that I choose to live and fight, I am victorious. It will be so much easier to work a job I love and do things I enjoy. This experience has humbled me and instilled in me respect for every single human being. Everyone is fighting, whether the battle is visible or not. We are all victors.

Remember that you ARE learning through this experience. More importantly, you are learning lessons that you could not possibly gain in classrooms or textbooks. When you see an injured person now, your reaction will be different than those who have lived in a bubble of privilege and comfort. You have grown and matured because of the pain and suffering.

PCS is the silent enemy. You point it out and everyone stares at you like youre weird because they cannot see it. Sometimes you feel like youre healing than there is a setback. Just keep battling. The more you think about it the more it will torment you. I know its like how do you ignore something that will not leave you alone. I too struggle with this but you just have to be positive somehow

I experience headaches, stiff neck and shoulders due to whiplash, dizziness, feeling faint, floaters, blinking lights, weird feelings with my head, and other symptoms. I have had improvements, but it has been a really slow go.

Thanks guys for the advice. I am glad that their are other people I can talk to about PCS. Thanks for the support!

A stiff neck needs to be addressed. It can cause concussion symptoms to be worse. Therapy (chiro, NUCCA, PT, etc) helps but you also must develop good posture discipline so you do not undo the treatments. Your most important issue is posture when resting or asleep. Poor neck and head position during sleep stress the injury preventing it from healing. Good healing can take months of disciplined posture and therapy.

Think of this semester as your health college semester. Focus on learning to help your body heal. It is not just rest. It is proper rest and any needed therapy.

My best to you.

I hear you, my concussion was also in March 2013 and have the same symptoms as you.

My neck is also stiff and I have disc problems.

Take good care of yourself, you're not alone, hugs..