As I close in on 1 year, well 2 ish months from now, I begin to get the sense I will likely have some symptoms remaining as I reach that mark.

I have "heard" that after 1 year you likely will have some form of impairment, I don't know where or how I heard it, but is there any truth to this??

Also, I guess if there is a recovery, is it a forgone conclusion that returning to high risk activities, sports, my job, is it more lilkely that the next concussion will be more long term than even this one or is it possible that I could have a "regular" concussion again.

I know the smart money is to avoid it all together but I work a high risk job, and if I return to that I am almost thinking well then why wouldn't I play hockey again?

A little bit confused and anxious as of late so hopefully you guys can help me sort it out. I begin at the local brain injury clinic this week and am really looking foraward to a new perspective with possibly a better way to focus my recovery. Hope everyone is well and enjoying the good days, even if they are less

The one year comment is not a hard and fast concept. There is no validity to the idea that one is stuck with their level of recovery at one year. We have had many here who took a year to finally stop pushing and give the brain rest so it can heal. Once they finally took the time to give the brain some rest, their recovery improved.

There is no direct science but experience shows that each consecutive concussion usually causes more disabling symptoms with a greater chance of prolonged or permanent symptoms.

Having lived with permanent PCS for 15 years, I can tell you that you should seriously consider avoiding anything that can add to your concussion. I had to make changes to career direction since I was in college and sustained my 4th or 5th concussion. Nobody can say what your future tolerance will be but your long struggle with the current concussion is telling.

What kind of risk does your job include ?

Thanks for the advice!

I am really on the fence about changes I may or may not make, its hard to decide while still in the throws of pcs. Its actually a little bit stressful, which doesn't help.

Currently I (did) work as a Firefighter, so risk of hitting my head is quite high, especially doing blacked out searches and other activities at training, let alone the real thing. I kind of put it all on the line to get this career, and while they're very accommodating with injuries and illness, because they have to be. By the same token, I am maybe blinded by liking my career. I always told myself I would never allow myself to have to go through this again, and if I had to I am sure I would have a much harder time. Big decisions to be made. I will see how its going at the year mark I guess

I am not toleratin working even reduced hours at an office all that well, I thought the recovery was going to be much steadier once I got back to working and that has not been the case. I appreciate the talk, this is life altering to be sure and hearing people on here discuss their cases gives me an opportunity to make a more informed decision.

MV,

I am experiencing the same thing at work...I am able to get around now but it is tough, dang anxiety and lack of confidence. Not at all like I was a year ago.

I was a volunteer chief, I dropped it and haven't flown in a year now....I have a crop dusting business and don't know when I will again. As you say it hasn't been easy nor would I have ever predicted this!

I can only trust God knows what he is up to!

Bud

Have you considered maybe becoming an instructor at a fire fighting school or something like that? Maybe you could find a temporary job doing something like that while you wait to see how long things will last for then maybe you will see if you are ready to go back or maybe you'll try a different path?

I am just returning to school myself. I took one class this semester and it went well so I am going to try two come september. I am 29 months into my recovery and man I am much better than I was at 1 year! Still have a long way to go but I am getting really good at planning my life so I can be the most efficient and limit making my symptoms worse. I was doing search and rescue before my accident and miss it a lot. I am not sure if I will ever return to it but I have considered doing talks to kids so that I can still have some part of that life with me (Thats why I suggested the teaching)

Thanks guys for all the response,

My Work is very accommodating with injuries and the like, I have considered returning as a training officer of sorts, but I am still stuggling witht he low amount of hours I am doing currently, good to know it does improve post one year, I just have that little thing in the back of my head saying that some of this isn't getting better. I am hopeful but tired! of appointments of rehab etc etc, I will keep plugging along and try not to think to much about work.....

No Bad Days