Today is my 1 year head trauma anniversary. I dont want to complain, because i know there are people who frequent the boards that have had it much longer. But i dont know how long I can do this for. The vision and concentration are a problem, but a headache for the rest of my life? how am i supposed react to that? constant pain until I die?

im sorry. i dont mean to complain.

Hi Owen, don't apologize for complaining and please do celebrate your life! There are a lot of excellent new posts here about possible treatments, so don't give up.

Hey Ownen Don't give up. Theres alot of people here who have been working on this healing issue TBI /PCS for 4-5-6 years or more so there a lot of new information coming on line from people who suffer from TBI/PCS

There is hope Jeffn

No need to apologize, I'd imagine everyone on this board has those same feelings towards their situations.

I think it's good you're being honest with yourself regarding your injury. For me, from day one (or at least from the point that it became obvious I wasn't healing like I was "supposed to") I've always known that I would either defeat this PCS or this PCS would defeat me. I'm not going to make any compromises with it.

Has my life been worth living for the past 4 and 1/2 years? Absolutely not. But was my life worth living before this injury took place? Without question, yes. Can I get back to where I was before... or is it even possible that I can heal from this entirely, considering all the time that's passed? If I didn't believe so, I would have been dead years ago.

My mantra through this has always been that I will do everything in my power to defeat this one moment in time, to get myself back, and to get my arms back around a life that's unquestionably good. If I actually get to a point where I'm still sick, and where there's nothing left to try, and all hope has truly been lost... well, then I'll have a very difficult decision to make, but I don't think that day will come anytime soon.

For the record, I have healed more in the past 10 months than I did in the first 42 months following my injury COMBINED, so please don't listen to any defeatest doctors who may tell you that what you're experiencing is permanent. It's only permanent if you believe it is... something tells me that if you truly believed what you have is permanent, you wouldn't still be here today either.

A word of advice: You don't have to live with a headache, vision problems, and pain for the rest of your life, you only have to live with them TODAY. For all you know, they'll be gone tomorrow.

HI Owen, look at it this way - at least you have the energy to complain - surely that is a good sign!!! Everyday there are new discoveries and ideas about PCS - just listen to all that goes on in this site. Jeffn, PS McGee, Nancy and co keep up all the god work!

I can remember my first anniversary - I went out and bought a big cake - I thought that if I didn't make it a mini celebration with friends that I had survived a year that I would sit down and cry. Might sound silly to you - but I can also remember being at your stage and I found that if I kept my head chilled it helped the headaches - I know it sounds lame ! Age is on your side - I think that you are young. I have the feeling that I am old enough to be your mother so I am wishing you a hug! Lynlee

Owen, if it makes you feel any better, I had headaches basically every day for a year or 2 (maybe even longer), then they gradually went away all together. I know it sounds like a ludicrously long recovery period, but, as others have said, I wouldn't give up all together.

On another note, there is more and more evidence that the brain is much more elastic and flexible than previously thought. It could be that it just takes a really long time for the brain to re-adapt, explaining my long recovery period.

http://www.livescience.com/health/07...rain-flex.html

Not that long ago scientists were convinced the brain didn't change much once you reached adulthood. Now it seems the model is more like that of a muscle, to a certain degree... at least as far as it's ability to adapt.

Owen,
So many kind words from people who have walked down your sometimes dark and lonely path! I hope they helped! Living your headaches one moment at a time is good advice and staying hopeful is what keeps the dream of no headaches and a better quality of life alive. Do not be too hard on yourself, it is O.K to feel low and down, give your self that much. I believe that you have alot of healing possibilities, something will work, perhaps just time and less stress. You matter and have alot to give to others who will also suffer as you did. Hang in there, I hope you get some relief!
Nancy