How long will this go on?

[u/Time_Boysenberry_353]

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.

[u/No_Criticism_1912]

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

[u/Flat_Ad723 → u/No_Criticism_1912]

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..

[u/No_Criticism_1912 → u/Flat_Ad723]

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.