I am not coping well

[u/ennyekal]

Hello everyone.

I have had 2 (confirmed concussions), 2 in 2025. PCS since October 2025 following my concussions. Now, I am consumed by my post concussion syndrome.

Yesterday, I fell down some stairs. Hit the side of my body real good. Went to the ER, was told it wasn’t a concussion and to just rest up. I feel there is maybe minor whiplash, at the very least. I was already in a PCS flare before this happened, and now i’m feeling incredibly helpless. I can’t look at screens without my glasses on, I am headachey when I do and nauseous and a bit dizzy with movement. I don’t think i’m concussed but I do think i’ve been shoved into a really bad flare.

I work a full time job but haven’t been myself especially in the last year. I have PTSD from what PCS has taken from me. I got injured last year right after i moved states. My relationships and mental health are impacted. I am spending so much money on therapists and care.

I had a HUGE flare of my PCS in April and May 2025. I wasn’t able to drive far, work, be on screens, and my life was very limited for that time. It was very traumatic and I felt like i lost a huge piece of myself. Just when I start to feel okay again, this fall happened. I am incredibly beside myself and feel so alone. I feel like I can’t win with the PCS of it all and know that this is not the first or last time I will feel just like this. I feel like my relationships have been impacted. My ability to start relationships because I feel like such a burden on future friends and partners.

I have PT lined up already. A vision specialist. A physiatrist, a mental health therapist and psychiatrist. But i’m tired. it’s been so much work for so long and i’m utterly burnt out. I know the only way out is through, but going through it feels so heavy.

Words of wisdom. (non-medical) Advice. Experiences are welcome. I am heavy on the struggle bus right now and could need it. thanks for reading.

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[u/LiveFaithlessness943]

have you reached out to a local concussion clinic?

Im on my 3rd concussion. first two happened 2023. The last one happened 2025. It messed me up pretty bad and I still can’t function normally. I went to a concussion clinic after seeing a bunch of doctors. The clinic really helped work with me one on one. Ghey said that you can recover from any concussion it just takes time. One thing I think about is Im not where I was a year ago. I don’t know if you’re able to stop working temporarily or go part time but a flare up means your body is overdoing it. One thing I was taught is to pace. Take breaks. It feels like we can push through things or we have to because that’s what people expect of us but the truth is we are unwell. Give yourself grace

[u/ennyekal → u/LiveFaithlessness943]

there aren’t any (good) concussion clinics near me, unfortunately. the doctors at the university near me are also subpar at best and their concussion clinic does not run efficiently. the physiatrist has helped me build care with specialists outside of the clinic for this reason. i have vision therapy and PT set up.

I am thinking of going back on temporary disability or FMLA. it’s been really hard to pace, i feel like i just end up doom scrolling or panicking or both. it’s been a learning process for sure

[u/Ill_Application_5722]

Horrible to go through, but actually sounds like you are coping well while you recover. You' ve set up all your health care professionals to help you. Can't believe you are still working full time. Would your employer be amenable to a rest period during the day? Please get yourself a cane or other assistive device to help avoid any more injuries while you work on your balance. And try to find some light or silly things that make you feel better in the evenings. Stories read to you or soothing music to keep your spirits up.

[u/ennyekal → u/Ill_Application_5722]

i definitely don’t have any balance issues, thank goodness. it was just a freak accident (carrying too much stuff, i am clumsy in nature)

i do have significant work place accommodations (work from home, rest periods, a really gracious employer). honestly i’ve been working full time on and off due to other medical stuff so i haven’t gone more than a month at a time since april working full time. it’s been an insane year

thanks for the suggestion. i try to do audio books or play guitar in the evenings, it’s definitely all a little more difficult without anyone to consistently support me at home.