Reduce or change your workload. You should try to plan for a month or two of lower impact work load. Can you do that over the summer ?

And, a relaxing vacation would be best. There are plenty of activities that do not have spikes in stimulation.

I try to think of it this way - I will get better.

If you are able, please do check out some of the posts in the Sticky thread at the top of the forum called

posts on hope and healing

Yes . . . I've actually just started a 10 day vacation. I'm really hoping this will help a great deal. We aren't going anywhere, just trying to relax as much as possible. :)

One last question--I have some skeptics in my family it seems, about the validity of PCS as a condition. I don't know what to tell them in that my symptoms are truly real. Can this last as long as 5 months or so? Feeling frustrated today.

Also, I've been wondering today if there is possibly something else wrong with me, as the fatigue can just be unreal from this at times.

PCS can last 2 years for some people. The You Tube video series, 'You Look Great' can help with this understanding. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9Xso4qGdlI

Seth8a

It is real. Invisible injuries are hard for some people to understand. ive seen the video Mark recommended and it helped. My mom and husband also came to some of my appointments and that helped - both me and them.

I hope your vacation helps, take it easy, i know how demanding young kids are!

I wonder still if I caused this by going to hard initially esp. since I only took a few days off work. Is this a false thought? Would it have made a difference if I had been easier on myself? I still don't understand why it has lingered so.

You did not make your injury worse by not resting right away. The anxiety of such thinking is counter to your recovery. You just delayed your recovery.

But, you also need to accept that there is no rhyme or reason as to how long recovery will take. Your recovery can take weeks, months or even a year or longer. Reducing stimulation and nourishing your brain as best as you can will help your recovery but does not guaranty a short recovery.

I've been told everyone heals differently. Study shows that the most improvements are made within the first year, but I've heard of cases where people recovered in their 2nd-3rd year. Even my neuropsych said that there should be signs of improvements by 8 months. Anyhow, my daughter still has PCS at this point and its been 9 months. I'm hoping for the best, but in the meantime, I find rest/coping strategies for her during this summer prior to school in the fall. The HRV biofeedback sounds promising, along with breathing exercises and good nutrition.

You might want to go to some support groups. I found the information and feedback very valuable. Don't give up! Try to rest or relax more.

That does really make me feel a lot better! Thank you. I have found that a progressive exercise program (which for me involves lots of cycling, with increasing intensity) is helping hugely right now. It even seems to be reducing my light sensitivity. I also really am comforted by the fact that the only way this can truly get worse is if I get another concussion, which I'm being extremely careful about (and no racing at the moment!). I have often wondered if the severity of the impact is why this is lingering so. I mentioned my unconsciousness was brief, but it was actually more like 5 to 6 minutes.