Dear NMC,

I can hear your despair and frustration. The fact that there are people worse off than you doesn't mean that you have no right to be upset by your situation. It's REALLY HARD to live with PCS. And no-one understands it unless they or a loved one has been through it.

I'm writing to give you hope and suggestions. My daughter was slightly younger than you when she developed PCS at the age of 14 as the result of a series of sports and school injuries. Now, a little more than 2 years later, she is fully recovered. While I don't know if she's back to the way she was, she's regained her energy and vitality and is living a normal life.

What worked for her were: (1) Effexor (switched from amitriptyline because fewer side effects and lower dose) to help re-establish nerve pathways in the brain; (2) acupuncture to help with neck muscle tightness impeding blood flow to brain; (3) chiropractic also for neck tightness; (4) homeopathy; (5) osteopathy. Except for the medication, she didn't do these concurrently. Some things worked for a while and then didn't, so she moved on to the next treatment.

My point is, you don't have to just sit and wait for this to go away. There are things you can do to help the situation. While a lot of this is out of your hands, doing anything to help gives you some degree of control.

Also, regarding college testing and applications, you may have to delay these for a year while you recover. I know, I know -- it sucks, but you have to do what's best for your health. And just think of what a great college essay this will make

That your friends haven't been there for you is unfortunate. The only thing I can think of is that they're wrapped up in their own lives and can't relate to your situation. Even if you can't go out with them (my daughter had problems with this because she couldn't keep up energy-wise and was ultra sensitive to noise and light), can you connect via im'ing and Facebook? At least this will maintain some contact.

Hopefully, your family is there for you and watching out for your interests.

I wish you all the best and can't stress enough that this is not the way it has to be for years upon years. Good luck and let us know how you progress.

XOXO

Thanks for your response! It is really nice to hear.

Not much has changed lately . . . I went off all drugs for a few days and then started Neurontin-- but had a very bad reaction to it so just stopped that. I am doing physical therapy and just started something called dry needling to work on some pressure points. anyone used that?

I will go on some different meds soon after the neurontin gets out of my system.

And friends . . . Things are better with some of them.

That's really good to hear that your daughter recovered! Very encouraging

Happy 4Th!

-Elsa

Hi there. I believe dry needling is a form of accupuncture. It should help your pressure points around the neck/shoulder. So will physio. Over the last 8 months, your neck has likely tightened up quite a bit.

I am about 8 months after concussion as well, and what's working for me is understanding what sets off symptoms, and NOT doing those things. Always resting BEFORE I'm tired and pacing my activites. Because of my personality, I have to plan for breaks.

I worked with an agency to figure out my baseline for how much I can work, and how much exercise I can do (which was almost nothing to start with) and then am gradually adding a little bit at a time. I had to cut back initally. Also, the Effexor is a big help to me and physical therapy, especially neck stretching exercises. I'm doing desensitizing exercises too, to retrain my brain to motion. These are really helping me deal with travelling in cars, buses, etc and dizziness. Lastly, I'm working on relaxation exercises (deep breathing, etc.) to keep myself calm. I do believe I will get better now, but I sure can relate to your feelings.

Hang in there.