People do recover from PCS. The statistics I have seen tell me that 99% are recovered in a year....what does that mean? I'm coming up to a year after my injury now. I have a life again but it's not quite what it was. I still get tinnitus in my right ear and I still experience depersonalisation and depression and I'm pretty much constantly struggling to just try to feel ok. I guess I have a lot to be thankful for though. I was ready to end it after my injury and those 6 months were utter hell. I was petrified I may never recover but I am getting a lot better. I just wish someone would post on here and tell us all about their complete recovery!!!

Hi there......My son, 17, is about 95% recovered. He had
severe memory loss, headaches, dizziness and alot of just
not feeling right. He had his last neuropsych test come
back normal...a year ago he still had alot of deficits so this
is great. His only loss is the sports he loves, football
and lacrosse. So at 17 he needs to sort of reinvent himself..
and that is what we are dealing with now.

I wish you a full recovery.

Hi Benjamin - yes people do recover. I recovered from my hockey injury when I was 16 and then my car accident when I was 21. I was 45 when I knocked my head twice in a matter of only 6 weeks. I thought I had recovered from my first concussion but it seems that when I reinjured myself only 6 weeks later I had not. I have read that it is harder to recover when you are over 45 years old and have been a high achiever. I think I have always expected too much of myself and that personality type does not help with recovery.

Age is on your side! Had I known what I know now I would have been alot more careful and still enjoyed life.

I believe that I am perfectly ok until I get tired -tiredness is my biggest problem as that is when I get all the symptons back.

You just need to be patient and kind to yourself - a lesson I learnt too late. So if it helps I do have some hours of the day when I feel good!!!!!

You are young - you will get better JUST DON'T BANG YOUR HEAD AGAIN!!!

Lynlee

Hi benjamin,

Recovery is a long road. Depending upon both the severity and the area/s of brain injury, the effects can be temporary or permanent.

I had a mild TBI 3/07, the results are permanent. My TBI compounded the effects of my brain surgery 3/06. It's therefore tough for doctors to say what caused X issue for me. It just is. Most people I've spoken with (on tbi chat and in support groups) have permanent effects caused by their TBI. So, I'm curious who your source is for that statistic. That's a very high percentage of recovery!

Those with mild TBI's often have the largest problem dealing with the issue emotionally. Severe TBI sufferers thank God for every day of life and feel renewed joy & appreciation for everything they do have. Medium TBI sufferers adjust pretty well, as they have more obvious limits. Mild TBI is a blessing on one hand (we should truly be grateful!) and an incredible emotional burden (to accept that we are not the same). We have limits. We cannot do everything we did before - although a couple days per month we may feel pretty normal. Accepting that we are not the same, and we never will be, is not easy at all. Many with mild TBI struggle for *many years* trying to come to terms with who they are and the often overwhelming challenges they face. My occupational therapist told me that she's seen many with "mild" TBI for a good 20 years, and said that this type often had the most difficult time after injury.

My point is, work towards accepting your limits now. I'm sure that you are eager to get better - but the fastest way to do so is to accept those limits. I have to write everything down. Carry daily calendars, with specific info on what's happening when (and why!). Write in my journal daily, about what's happened that day & how I felt about it. If I don't write it, I forget it. My past is a blur. I take migraine medication as soon as I feel one coming on. I see a psychiatrist and psychologist regularly, and I bring my journal w/me to read about the past week or month. Otherwise, I only know how I feel right then. Sharing my journal really helps them understand how I have truly been. I also take anti-depressants and AED. Also try to control background noise whenever possible, to prevent distraction & memory lapse. I try very hard to be the best I can be. Sometimes, I try too hard - and that's when my life feels completely chaotic and miserable. Accepting my limits is very challenging, but necessary.

Hope that this helps you in some way. I have been in that very grim spot you find yourself in. It is miserable! ((hugs)) I understand. Best wishes benjamin!

Shez

so mild ''TBI'' can last 20 years???is that what your saying???god i hope not,maybe not mild TBI but can ''PCS'' last 20 years for a person who had little damage???mines been 14 months and is getting better but please clarify???

Hi Shezbut, I was really interested in your last post on this thread.

How do you know that your situation is permanent? I am still being hasselled by my insurer about recovery and being told things like " You should have recovered after such a minor injury" The only physical evidence I have is my QEEG.

I agree with you about trying too hard. It is very hard not to try too hard as it seems to go against everything that you have learnt in the past. I still have trouble with this.

Often when I continue with something my husband tells me that I am being selfish as he knows that I will be unbearably tired and unable to do anything until I have caught up my minor energy levels a few days later. That really makes me think and it has now sunk in that how I am feeling effects others.

Do you conisder PCS is part of mild TBI? I haven't been able to get any of my specialists to answer that. I believe that the PCS is the brain's reaction to TBI. Do you agree?

Thanks for you last post.

Lynlee

People do recover, but I guess it's the same as everything else, and by that I mean that everyone is different.

I was one of the lucky ones and recovered from PCS in around 6 months. I hope your's eases soon.

Hi tommywrestler,

Yes, a "mild" tbi often produces permanent changes in the way we perceive events, migraine headaches, difficulty keeping on task, memory. While it's referred to as mild, it is nevertheless a traumatic brain injury.

I hadn't heard the term PCS before coming to this site. So, perhaps post concussive syndrome isn't the same as mild tbi?? I don't know.

Shez

Hi Lynlee,

Now, I'm wondering too. I hadn't ever heard of PCS (before coming to this site). I presumed that PCS was another way of saying traumatic brain injury. So I guess that I don't know if PCS is part of mild TBI. Sorry

My personal health is complicated. I don't know if I'm typical. The cause of my mild TBI was sliping on the ice 3/07 and falling on my head. This caused the plate in my head to shift on impact on bleed a little. The plate in my head is from surgery to remove seizure focus (for epilepsy) 3/06. Anyway, that's how we know that my symptoms are permanent. Many of those I've talked with about their TBI have also experienced permanent changes to many aspects of their lives.

http://www.tbiguide.com

The author gives lots of great information. Hopefully, it will answer your Q's better than I did!

Shez

Hi Shez,

Very well said. I'm printing your reply to Tommy so that I can re-read it....a reminder.

This forum has been a life saver for me.

Melek