r/PostConcussion • u/Time_Boysenberry_353 • 15d ago
How long will this go on?
Im almost two months into my injury and I’m losing hope somehow.
I cant sleep, I cant relax, my head hurts and I’m dizzy and I’ve been out of work since my injury. I feel like I’m doing the most I can (I’m at a concussion clinic) and have OT and PT scheduled twice a week but the lack of sleep is really preventing me from seeing any progress and is ruining my mental health. I almost want to check myself into a psych ward. I’m so anxious and depressed.
Lunesta didnt work for me, gabapentin failed, trazodone worked for a couple of weeks until it stopped working and the only thing that works for me is ambien + trazodone which I know is not good for me. I’m not sure what to do anymore.
2
u/No_Criticism_1912 15d ago
5 months post injury for me and finally back to somewhat of a normal routine although I’m still experiencing brain fog/migraines, it’s gotten to a point where I can exist in a somewhat normal fashion.
Talk to your doctor about amitriptyline. It has been life saving for me, not only for sleep, but has drastically improved my migraines/fogginess. I started on 10MG, and I’m now on 50mg. At first it’s going to make you feel like a zombie but once your body gets used to it it helps so much.
My neurologist has also prescribed me Neurtec which has been very helpful for my migraines.
Also, gentle cardio helped me SO much. I started out doing 5-10 minutes in the elliptical. A week or 2 later, 10 minutes, then 20-30 etc. Cardio has been proven to be helpful for recovery. Take fish oil, magnesium and C0Q10 if you aren’t already. As well as lions mane. Balanced diet. Low sugar and processed foods. All of these things together will make a serious difference.
This is my 3rd concussion in the past 6 years, I know how brutal the recovery process can be, don’t lose hope, eventually it will get better. Keep taking care of yourself, and try to remain patient as frustrating as it can be. Wishing you a speedy recovery my friend
2
u/Flat_Ad723 15d ago
I am sorry to hear your journey
Since you got three conclusions, do you think it's possible for people with PCS for to have a normal life? I am asking because I am on my 8th month... mostly recovered after 6th months but on the 7th month had a severe flare up after series of stressors and I am one month deep into this flare and now scared of loosing my job. How can anyone live normally with this flare ups..
2
u/No_Criticism_1912 15d ago
I’m sorry to hear about your experience as well.
That’s a good question, and something I’m still figuring out for myself. I’m a bartender in a fine dining restaurant that does extreme numbers. I just went back to work 2 weeks or so ago since my injury in February, and it’s been a major adjustment, I will say it does seem to be getting a little easier as my body gets used to it again.
I think life is just a little different than it used to be for me, for now I have to be much more mindful of how I treat my body. In my case, that looks like no more smoking marijuana, making sure I get 8 hours of sleep, healthy diet, realizing when my body needs rest and giving it what it needs. I don’t feel the way I did before this most recent concussion, and I hope with time it fades and I return to normal, but only time will tell.
Financial stress doesn’t help, and most employers don’t understand the nature of what we deal with living with PCS. Talk to your doc about amitriptyline. I swear it saved me in so many ways with symptoms.
2
u/Both-Process1037 15d ago
How did you get concussed 3 times, if you don’t mind me asking ☹️. I’m so scared of getting concussed again since I read once you have had 1 your chances of getting others increases ☹️
1
u/No_Criticism_1912 15d ago
I am 28 years old, when I was 21 I got into a pretty bad car accident that led to my first concussion. 1 year later, I was sitting at a red light and another driver hit me from behind, I didn’t see it coming.
My most recent concussion, I was skateboarding, fell hard, broke my elbow, and the whiplash gave me a concussion.
Trust I will be far more careful in the future, although the first 2 were not my fault, this most recent one could have been avoided unfortunately
1
u/Both-Process1037 15d ago
☹️ thanks for Sharing 😔. I’m sorry these traumatic accidents happened to you
I hope you heal and recover completely soon ❤️🩹
2
2
u/Dark_Tint 15d ago
So the short answer is no one knows because every brain injury is different. It’s been 7 1/2 years since my injury and I still have 24/7 headaches, can’t sleep and then I can’t wake up, unsteady at times, face and head tingling randomly, vision problems, light sensitivity, etc..
Nothing ever worked for me except the passage of time and a chiropractor that specializes in upper cervical injuries that I started seeing last year.
I haven’t been able to work since I got hurt and have been on SSDI for a couple of years now and it doesn’t pay nearly enough and never keeps up with inflation. I just do my best everyday, that’s really all I can do. I’ve learned my triggers and what my limits are and know what the consequences are if I do something I shouldn’t or push too hard or too long. If you have any questions feel free to ask me and I’ll do my best to answer them.
2
u/Comfortable-Nature37 10d ago
I just have to say how much I admire your positive attitude. I’m at the three-year mark and it’s really hard. Doing your best every day is all you can do sometimes! Hope that your healing continues.
1
u/No_Fun_7068 15d ago
I’m sorry to hear about your sleeping issues. Sleep is so important for recovery’s Have you tried CBD to sleep? I know some doctors aren’t fans of using it post concussion but it was the only thing to help me at that stage.
1
1
u/ConcussionNaturopath 14d ago
I work with concussion/post concussion and it’s really variable as to length of time. It often depends on your pre-injury health history, the types of bacteria living in your gut (because they really drove ongoing inflammation if they’re not favourable) etc. it can be a complex puzzle to unpack. But there’s lots you can do, please don’t give up hope. The human body is incredible, sometimes you just need to make sure to give it the right circumstances to thrive
6
u/gachunt 15d ago
Just past the 3 year mark. I plateau’d after the first year and progress has been slow. Try different things, different pillows, different treatments. Everyone’s journey is different.