Hello everybody,

Long story short - I've gotten a lot better, almost working fulltime and doing my obligations privately too (moore or less). However, there is still much I can not.

Since last Friday, I have been pretty busy with a lot of things (fx cleaning car - I will posty another thread about parfume/chemicals and PCS another time). Yesterday I thought I was a little worse because the busy days but decided to take a 4 hour express train travel to pick up my car (which was being fixed in another part of the country).

The train was delayed and was driving fast and there were many bumps and jerks along the way - I felt it was not good, but continued anyway. At my destination I picked up my car and then drove a few hours on a dark highway. But because I was feeling pretty bad and tired I decided to sleep at some relatives.

This morning I drove back home but had many stops along the way because I was tired and foggy. After a long stop, however, I felt that I was better and continued driving for 2 hours. Just before arriving home, there was some road work at the highway and a hard bump that I drove across. I could immediately tell that this was not good.

I drove home but since then I have been dizzy/sailing feeling, groggy and can not concentrate. I think it's minimum seven months since I have been feeling so bad.

I can clearly see how dumb I have been - I got all those warning signs that I overheard, and the bump probably tipped the load.

I am pretty stressed now, because I remeber that I read somewhere on here that rough roads are worse than sub-concusssive hits. And the train ride was definetively not nice. I have droven over the bump before without problems, so I think most of my problems must be because I was tired and exhausted because of the high activity the days before and the train ride. But I normally dont get this bad when I have relapses.

Is this a new injury?Am I back at square one or will this pass in some days if I rest (I know nobody can tell for sure, but I am freaking and thinking the worst)?

Also, how would you handle this? I am trying to use my CBT strategies, but should I also take some additional supplements, propranolol or something else? I am resting in a dark room, but have to go to work tomorrow or I will probably risk beeing fired but will try to avoid to much stimulation.

Thanks for reading and any thoughts will be welcome.

A single bump is not a problem. It was uncomfortable and stressful but not an injury. The comment about bumpy roads was related to continuous bumps for an extended period of time. As I said, a single bump is not an issue unless it caused you to whip your neck, then it could be a neck strain. I doubt it.

A 10 minute tooth rattling ride would be an issue but most would slow down to a comfortable speed to reduce the shaking.

So, relax, use your CBT concepts and move forward.

My best to you.

Thanks Mark. I am a little more relaxed now.

I didnt whiplash myself when I drove over the bump, because I saw it and tightened my neck (at least I think I didnt).

But what about the express-train ride - it was driving fast and there was a lot of jolts and vibrations fx when another train passed from the opposite direction in high speed. And it lasted 4 hours. It was very uncomfortable. Couldnt that be compared to a rough ride? Or are the travel length combined with the jolts etc. still to small to be compared to subconcussive impacts?

My best back to you.

If you had your head leaning against the frame of the train, the vibrations might be problematic. But, with your head suspended in space by your neck and shoulders, there is plenty of resilience to absorb the vibrations. Yes, those vibrations can be exhausting, even for healthy brains. But, not an injury or sub-concussive impact.

Find something to occupy your mind with. You need to get it off this train of anxious thought. It is not good enough to just try to stop the anxious thought. The brain needs that thought to be replaced with a different, productive thought. An idle mind is fertile ground for growing anxiety.

So, find something to do.

I actually think the 'resting in a dark room' idea is counter-productive except for momentary times to escape excessive visual and auditory stimulation.

Get busy with your hands so you mind has something to do.

My best to you.

Thanks Mark. Actually I was a little better this morning.

I drove to work in my car (40 minutes), but I got pretty bad again. So frustrating. I am thinking - can it be because I have gotten new tyres and rims on my car? The rims are very big with only a small profile of tyre. Should I have them changed back (alternatively put on the winter tyres) - would that help?

And how do I get rid of this problem with vibrations and jolts/bumps. I am trying to eat antiinflammatory and sleep on a ergonomic pillow with cushions on each side as I see you have recommended.

My PT thinks that it is because my deep flexor muscles have been strained, and that I have to make small exercises. And perhaps trying to learn to type on the computer keyboard without looking at the keyboard will also help with the posture. I know that you have suffered a long time with this - have you tried any of this and what have worked?

Do you have a neck pillow?

When I travel by train I find mine keeps me more comfortable and prevents me from doing something that could be problematic, like resting my head against the window or adopting poor posture.

Hmmm... That sounds like a good idea.

Is it the same that are used when driving car - the one which have a C shape?

Yes. If nothing else, it makes me feel my neck is supported and reduces my anxiety.