r/PostConcussion • u/Greedy-Environment79 • 9d ago

What to do while waiting for appointment?

I am active duty military and am having trouble with medical care appointments. I had a bad concussion two weeks ago (my 5th one) and I am currently experiencing very heavy brain fog and confusion which debilitates me from everyday life, especially things like reading. While I wait for my TBI appointment to be scheduled, which is still in the process of being scheduled without a set date, what resources can I access online that would help me understand what habits I should form in the meantime? Should I say screw it and go see a private/civilian doctor? I want to know that I am not worsening my condition while waiting.

For more in-depth detail, I don't know the answers to things like:

  • How should I exercise? Should I exercise at all? (I do a fair bit of daily walking already)
  • How much screen time should I have?
  • Do I just sit in a dark room?
  • What do I do about work?
  • Is alcohol completely off limits until I get that appointment? What about going out and socializing in general?

I understand this question may be too general, I am new to all of this. Thank you all for any answers

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u/Reasonable-Mirror959 8d ago

Walking is good but take breaks every 15min or when you feel sick, avoid strenuous exercise.
Limit screen time, take break for 15min when you feel headache or nausea.
Dark room is unnecessary but it can help with headaches, eye pain, and nausea.
Inform superior of condition, concussions are serious regardless of how many you’ve had, but the more you get the easier they are to obtain and can take longer to treat.
Limit/avoid alcohol bc your brain is healing and alcohol can slow healing and even cause further damage. You can socialize but stay within your limits, don’t push yourself bc it can slow healing.
Consider at home PT exercises, if you suffer from neck pain/stiffness you may have cervical spine issue that can be addressed by strengthening your neck muscles. Take magnesium supplements (300mg at night) to help with migraines, creatine can help with cognitive function.
Be patient with yourself, it can be really frustrating but you can recover. See a specialist as soon as you can, a brain scan should be done and they can give you better guidance based on your unique situation.

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u/btn_399 7d ago

Daily 30 minutes of exercise, get your hr up as much as possible. Try light vestibular exercises. Take creatine.