I guess this is me reaching out and unfortunately there aren't really any specialists here. I saw both the neurologist and neurosurgeon separately and they both cleared me as healthy and suggested antidepressants.

That was back in year one.

I'd have to travel abroad and thats costly.

One last suggestion from me, get on an antidepressant, at least try one, Zoloft or Lexapro, and you will know if it helps fairly soon, they aren't expensive and sometimes very useful for a period of time.

I'm considering it. As mentioned above I tried amitriptyline for about 3 weeks.

By "tried" I mean for I fought wave upon wave of sweating, tachyhardia and not being able to pee (or do anything with that department while we are "down there")

After one particualy bad case of tachyhardia which resulted in a panic attack (I talked my self down off the other ones I had from taking amitriptyline)

I decided to stop with the antidepressents.

They did make me feel minorly happier but I literally had just about every side effect listed. The costs far outweighed the benifits.

So I'm really scared of SSRI's Thats why I chose the valdoxan. Less side effect, lower addiction profile. No weaning or withdrawal.

It was "an expensive way to wake up in the morning"

It wouldn't "put me to sleep" but I did wake up with the sun constiantaly the entire time I took it. It did little for my moods though. It didn't make things worse but it didn't help much either. Its rather expensive (new drug - zero generic available) so I neglected to go pick up my 1 month refill ($280 usd)

But to loop back to the start of my reply. I am considering it.

Fears: An antidepressant will make my brain chemistry worse.
: Side effects
: Addiction
: I wanna say stigma but I have no social life anyways. lol, can't get any worse. (managed a smile that time)

Windseeker,

Antidepressants do not cause addiction. There is not a 'I need to take my antidepressant xyz' effect. Many need to establish a routine to make sure they take their dose on time. They do have withdrawal side-effects for some than can be minimized by a slow taper off.

SheWhoMovesSlowly,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. How are you doing ?

Are you suffering PCS symptoms that would like help understanding ?

btw, If you use the Post Reply button at the lower left, it will not quote the whole previous post. It makes it easier to scroll through the posts without the long quoted posts.

Feel free to start your own thread so you can introduce yourself and tell us about your struggles. Use the New Thread button at the top left of the TBI/PCS Index page to get started.

My best to you.

For one thing, your immediate problem is psychiatric. I have that situation as well and so do many PCS people. So focus on that as has already been suggested. Zoloft has worked very well on a lot of people and there are others as well. I think you need to get this incredibly negative krap going on--another problem shared by many PCS people--down so you can think and plan things better. Right now you seemed trapped in a self-destructive cycle.

I would guess you really need to be on disability at least for a while. PCS people need to shut down considerably. Working a job like that, if it doesn't fulfill you in some way, can just be counterproductive.

Friends and family are more important than ever. Sounds like you're cut off from that, similar to me. Try building a few on this forum, and elsewhere.

God be with us all.

You can try exercising instead of antidepressants:
http://www.lifehack.org/366661/natur...and-depression
I'm going to try to exercise some more. Been feeling very much like you lately.

I wish I had some great words of wisdom; what I have is what I experienced for me and everyone is different. I hit my head Thanksgiving weekend. I thought I'd be better in a few days, then weeks and then I realized I had to let go of what I thought and just be with whatever. I am just at the point where I really feel I am close to 100% recovery. I still get concussion fog brain or tired if I am overly stimulated. I know it is not anything like what you are going through but I had horrible symptoms and I reached out here like you are doing and I followed the protocols. Unlike you I was able to stay home and sleep when I needed. I stayed home much of the time. I really just started going out. I followed the vitamin regime and the Buffalo protocol. I wear a heart monitor to work out or go for a walk. I work on machines not free weights too much still. I sort of babied myself - but that sounds negative. If I gave myself a hard time it would show up in my symptoms. I realize it is a vicious cycle. I listened to lots of healing meditation tapes. I wear a mask to sleep so I can sleep. I have not been to a movie. I started watching TV and if it was too loud I lowered the sound or found something else. Give yourself a break and don't blame yourself or anyone else. Try meditation -I was fortunate I didn't have to take meds. There must be some places that can help. Comb through the emails here I did it was a life line. I am not judging or saying I have the answers; I am trying to be supportive so I hope it is coming off that way. I guess I am trying to say you are not alone. Maybe you can get a leave of absence or some medical subsidy. Tell the people you are around that you have this concussion; I tended to be quiet about it but when I opened up people understood. Get the MACK (found them on Amazon) earplugs I wear them in noisy places. I truly hope this has helped in some way. G-d Bless