I wanted to post here because this thread gave me hope.

I had a concussion in 2009 from a tree branch falling on my head while walking on campus. Had fatigue, vision issues, headaches, anxiety/depression and sleep troubles for about 6 months. After 7-8 months, I fully recovered. I want to underline "fully". I went back to my normal life and the bad times with PCS had become just a bunch of bad memories.

Earlier this year in February, I slammed my head on my dining table light. I was in a crouched position and sprung up into it and hit it with the side of my head. I'm past 5 months now and still suffering from fatigue, headaches, neck pain, anxiety/depression and sleep disturbances. I feel like I'm recovering slower this time and it's been really hard to accept, especially because I'm going through PCS for the 2nd time now. I'm really hoping I can make a full recovery again.

A point to consider when discussing 'full recovery' is that most will experience an increased sensitivity to future concussions or a increased level of symptoms from subsequent concussions. So, feel great about recovering but take reasonable steps to avoid future concussions like avoiding contact sports, etc. We can't control those accidental bumps but we can avoid known risks of head impacts.

Enjoy your recovery but be wise.

Yeah, I've stopped any sort of contact sports and I am extra careful with my movement around any sort of object. I do think this is adding to my anxiety and stress though, I think about stuff I never would've normally. I miss playing soccer a lot, but I can't imagine when the next time I'll feel comfortable to head a ball again will be. Just the thought of it right now terrifies me, and I used to be a hardcore player, slide tackling even in pickup games and all..

My story
 

I was born ten days late. The doctor who delivered me was very rough. (He later caused the death of another infant and lost his license).

Upon being born, I was rushed to ICU After a stroke paralyzed one half of my body. My first days were riddled with seizures and panic. Eventually I evened out.

Since then I have suffered at least two concussions, and I am starting my freshman year of college today.

1.5 years later. I'm glad I hung on
 

I've been meaning to get back on and post for the last 6 months and for whatever reason have avoided it. I felt many of the things others felt during my recovery--despair, depression, anxiety, hopelessness. If ending my life was as easy as flipping a switch and if I could do it without causing pain to my loved ones, I would have been sorely, sorely tempted.

I thought that drugs weren't for me, but I ended up seeing a therapist who referred me to a psychiatrist who gently coaxed me into trying Lexapro. I went on a small dose and i think it helped. Very notably, I got my appetite back in about a week.

What really helped was just telling myself, "you don't have to like this, you just need to endure." And telling myself, even though I couldn't believe it at the time, that someday I would be glad that I'd endured. The counseling I got from the therapist and the psychiatrist on depression, anxiety, and TBI's was invaluable as was what felt like an intimate friendship (ok, and a bit of a crush) with each of them.

Now, I'm back to work full time, traveling frequently for work and kicking butt in my job. My social life is thriving again, and, while PCS might have caused my relationship that I had at the time to end, the perspective I've gained with time is that there are better fish out there for me. And, I'm kiteboarding again! Jumping, surfing, crashing into the waves, giving myself minor whiplash and, thank goodness, my brain is holding up just fine.

I have my life back, and I'm so grateful to my friends (including the ones on this site) and my health care professionals and therapists (none of whom could offer the silver bullet I sought, but all of whom helped in their own way and encouraged me to hang on while TIME, the great healer, did its work).

IT WAS WORTH ENDURING. THERE IS JOY ON THE OTHER SIDE, BUT IT'S JUST HIDDEN FROM YOUR VIEW FOR NOW. BELIEVE IT'S THERE, ASK FOR HELP, DABBLE WITH SOME SSRI'S, IMMERSE YOURSELF IN GOOD THERAPY + A MINDFULNESS PRACTICE LIKE MEDITATION, TAKE MARK IN IDAHO'S RECOMMENDED SUPPLEMENTS, BE KIND TO YOURSELF, AND YOU'LL GET THERE BEFORE LONG.

You won't be exactly the same as you were before, as my psychiatrist/neurologist told me when I sobbed, "Will I ever be the same?" He said that I'd find ways to compensate (that's what the brain does), would barely notice the differences, and I'd probably end up with a kinder heart towards myself and others.

Keep hanging on. It will be worth it.

pcs
 

A Mom going thru the same horrible ordeal. What helped the most?
Karen

Hi Mike
saw post on neurofeedback. What do they do and can it help dizziness? Thanks ekhfs

Encouraged
 

I am 28 years old and was in a MVA October 2014 with my 3 kids. I didn't know at the time, but I had smoked my face off the steering wheel when hit at 90km/hr while stopped. I deteriorated at home for another 2 days before returning to the doctor and being diagnosed with a concussion.

That last 10 months have been extremely challenging for me and I still wonder if I am ever going to feel like me again. I have a hard time being around my kids due to their energy levels, being around people who are stressing as it gives me headaches and I feel like I can't ask for help.

I was always such a strong person who could handle everything thrown my way but now I can't. I have met with a neuropsychologist and a physiatrist who have both said that because of my hectic life(even though things have slowed down) that I will continue to suffer delays. The depression that I feel is probably the hardest thing to deal with and there isn't anyone around me who can understand what I am going through.

It is great to hear so many stories of people getting better and it makes me feel a little less alone.

Am new to this forum, after reading your thread i feel little happier. I banged my head in Feb this year, cannot remember much about it . Was told had concussio at the time. Thought i was better as headache and fogginess went, but am plagued with balance problems, memory loss and tiredness all comes about around t time or sooner if been busy. Drs told me (this morning) was PCS and to rest! Glad you are better now ,nice to know it will go. :)

Thank you for sharing your words of encouragement, I hope that you're alright now and not experiencing PCS. Perhaps we should all start wearing helmets since we seem to be the unlucky ones. If anyone makes fun, at least we know our fellow NeuroTalk members might be wearing their helmets too.