Lori, thanks so much for starting this thread and sharing your experience. I had to send my husband off by himself to his company Christmas party yesterday, because I wasn't feeling good. I think it's my latest medication. Anyway, I wanted to tell you that I lived in Olympia, WA, for four years back in the 80's. My husband was stationed at Ft. Lewis at the time and my son was born there - love Washington and miss the view of Mt. Rainier. Have you noticed any improvement in your PCS at all?

Thanks for asking- actually, yes the last week or so have been actually pretty darned good. The myoclonic jerking has subsided quite a bit, as has the tremors and balance issues.

My typing is back to almost where it used to be before this last setback, but I'm still having problems with verbalizing things.

I'd REALLY like to hope that this is a permanent improvement, but I've been in this place twice since hitting my head and then I've reverted back. I'd rather be cautiously optimistic.

If I could only figure out just what makes me go backward, I think I'd have this thing licked- or at least better controlled.

I'm paying close attention and writing everything down so I can pinpoint what triggers regression.

I also have problems with forming words, and with choosing the correct words to say something, or with saying things that I don't want to say or don't mean to say. I don't even think them, but they come out. And sometimes my brain will just grind to a halt, and I'll sit there stuttering. It's just a lack of control of when you talk and what about. You'll just say something that doesn't fit into the coversation. It causes so many social problems, and problems with customers and coworkers, at work. At least we're not alone. There's got to be a way to beat this stuff. Again prayers and best wishes. I believe that there is One Doctor who can fix any one of us, to the point of perfect health, in this area, if He so chooses. But it would be nice to get some help from the doctors down here, as well. Would love to hear any success stories!

Yup, I think we all have that problem too. I would rather have the blank head and not say anything than say some of the things I blurt out!

Welcome to the group!

To Lori Thank you for starting this post. The information posted here on how to manage saying stupid stuff is going to be very helpful to others who suffer from TBI/PCS.

I'M an Irishman so telling people exactly what I think is just apart of my DNA, but sometimes it's way smarter for me to keep my mouth shut and let it go.

Another tool I use in managing this TBI/PCS is to do absolutely nothing and play the role of being aloof.

unfortunately I've had to deal with some very mean spirited people during this recovery/healing process. I'm quick learner when someone is trying to walk me around the block.

My thinking processes my be slow 3-5 minutes at times, but my long term memory is still working and was not affected by the TBI.

Another tool I use is I go to a safe place to talk about what's really going on inside of me.

This has been very helpful for me and has been a very important part of the healing process.

Looks like your making some progress Lori you're a quick learner.

Take Care Jeffn

Well, I'm half Scot 1/4 Irish and 1/4 Italian. I'm sure that's a lethal combo!

"My thinking processes my be slow 3-5 minutes at times, but my long term memory is still working and was not affected by the TBI."

Yup- I'm right there with you, and this is exactly why I appreciate that most of my job revolves around writing. It may take a while, but eventually I can pull that stuff stored behind the cobwebs.

I have one mean spirited person at work (I guess I should count myself lucky!) and I've learned that ignoring him is my best line of defense. Mostly because I'm not good at the quick and snappy retorts like I used to be. (ha ha)

My sister is my safe place. We have a very special bond and I'm fortunate in that she also works downtown Seattle so if it gets really bad, I can call her and we can go for a walk.

Nobody knows me like my sister, and I feel very safe with her because of that.

I completely agree with PCS McGee. To accept the fact that we will never be what we were is a surrender. Most of us have many dreams to fulfill, and surrendering to this stuff means that they won't happen. As I said in another post, we all probably have something to learn from dealing with this, but its permanancy is unacceptable. We've all got too much to do. As a man(or woman) thinketh, so is he.

Sorry I disagree that accepting we have to learn to live with this is something
that will make us something less than whole.

I've learned to live with the things I'm dealing with. And I'm learning to make the most of PCS and the other things that I'm getting diagnosed with.

I am probably a acception though, because I have to deal with these for
life. I am not just a PCS survivor but I have learned my abnormalities of
the brain have been there for my whole life and learning to live with
them are helping me to be whole for the first time.

Its a awesome feeling truely.

Donna

I wasn't saying give up and accept - but there is a "now" - if you don't accept the now you are missing out on a lot of life.

I have learnt that the constant fighting against it makes you worse. It is like trying to run a marathon on a broken leg.- you have to make allowances for yourself and be kind to yourself.

Of course I have not given up.

I also know that I can never be the same person even if I recover all my missing "brain functions/cells whatever" as I have learnt so much from this already! I will never take myself and my abilities for granted again, I will be able to accept help gracefully - I now realise that people like to be able to help - people actually enjoy helping - I never let anybody help me before because "I could do everything and I knew everything" I was always the person that helped. I will also be less sarcastic than I was and will never be as critical - does it really matter if it takes a little longer to think of something?? I don't beat myself up if sometimes I can't think as quickly as I could in the past. I have seen signs that I am slowly getting quicker and it has been since I stopped beating myself up trying so hard.

Quite frankly PCS McGee - give yourself a break. I have been where you are maybe in not such much physical pain, but when my husband left and my best friend died of cancer, and my brother got cancer you can probably imagine that I was not in a good place. Personally I can now see that I have done amazingly well - it has been slow and for a person like me has always been impatient with myself and other I have surprised myself. I have somehow managed to keep my sense of humour - when I lose things, do strange things etc I have to laugh - it is funny finding things that you don't expect to find in the freezer or fridge - back tracking through the house to find where you put something down before picking something because you are so easily distracted.

I know I still have my talents - sometimes they hide from me - but they are there.

I know PCS McGee when you recover you will be a different person, how could you not be after going through all of this and for so long??

Lynlee

To Lynlee, How was your road trip I hope well. Did you get some wind in your hair, sounds like it.

Right on Lynlee it look like your learning.

Making progess

Take Care Jeffn