bacchisimo,

<I always enjoy the challenging points of views you bring Mark. I was an avid runner and now I can't run for 5 mins without getting dizzy for a week.

The day I can run a marathon without having TBI side effects I would definitely feel that the TBI is mostly behind me.>

This is not a common part of PCS. What diagnostics and upper neck and vestibular care have you received ? Have you tried to develop a softer gait and foot plant to see if you can use it to allow some running ?

<You meant to say this is an unrealistic expectation? Some people cope better with lowering their expectations for the rest of their lives, others like me, who are currently dealing with other medical issues, feel that "I can't take all this, I can take the concussion alone, or I can take the other thing alone, but not both"....>

The point is to accept the current condition with no expectation of returning to pre-injury state. This is not denying the hope of improvement but rather a way to respond to current struggles. The focus changes to the NOW. The anxiety of what was the past is counter to moving forward. We are no longer who we were prior to our injury. That is a fact. Can we become someone similar to who we were pre-injury ? Very likely so. But our starting point is our current condition.

What other medical issues are you struggling with ? Could they be complicating your recovery ?

<In that respect the success stories are my only hope. By the way, it would be GREAT to have a success/recovery subsection to inspire people.>

There is in the stickies up top.

<I think for some of the us the road to recovery is more manageable with a combination of hope and lowered expectations for the medium term.

Thoughts appreciated. Sorry Seth if I am trolling your post, that was not my intention. I am just curious about why you say: "Fully recovering to what I was before the accident seems like an unrealistic goal at this time", I hope you only meant near future and not forever.>

This is the key point. We cannot afford the anxiety of expecting to return to our pre-injury state, whether near future or forever.

Research shows that for many with persistent PCS, moving forward with work-arounds, accommodations and a moderated life allows one to establish a full and productive life. It may not be the same as pre-injury but it is still a full and productive life.

It helps if we put this in perspective. Thousands suffer life changing events that mean they will never again run a marathon or climb a mountain or do many other high achievement activities. There is a need to mourn that loss and move past it. I was headed toward a goal of the '80 Olympics as a distance runner (5000 meters) but chronic bursitis in my shoulders and a medial meniscus tear ended that. I have a friend who was a 4:03 miler at Oregon and a champion in extreme half-marathons who suffered a head injury (hit by a teen age driver while on a training run) and now he's glad to be alive and able to participate as a para-athlete.

Seth is moving forward with his new life in a productive way. I know many in my brain injury support group who have done the same.

I am glad for him.

Thanks Mark. Well, if not for this message board and you, I certainly wouldn't be where I'm at right now.

Life is good. I wouldn't have been saying this four weeks ago, but I've definitely gotten my life back. We also have a nice brain injury support group here that I am going to, and that makes a big difference, too.

Way to go Seth!

Chris

Thanks Chris! Let's chat soon.

Even on bad days--stay positive folks. Think positive thoughts about your recovery and the future. It makes all the difference!