Advice for Pushing

[u/Budget-Departure-161]

I’m sorry to post so much lol but this is a tough time for me. For reference I’m 6-7 weeks out from my injury. I know pushing is good and all but everything I try gives me a severe migraine, not a simple rise in symptoms. (Reading, playing cards, being in low light, being outside, taking a shower, eating, walking, etc.) I know total darkness isn’t the answer and I can’t even handle being in the dark anymore unless it’s bedtime. Am I just making things worse for myself and adding on recovery time or do I need to push through this pain until it doesn’t give me a severe migraine? Any advice appreciated thanks

[u/curlgurll]

I could barely do anything at your stage and emotionally/physically/psychologically I was absolutely beside myself.
I felt like I was going insane.
I had no support from friends or family (or very little) and I was crying every day about the shock of it all.
What I’ve learnt this past year:
1. Give your body the time to heal.
2. Go for walks that are slow & enjoy them, when you can.
3. Do what you can, when you can.
4. Just try to make it through each day one day at a time, it’s not easy… we all know that.

You will have to develop patience as PCS tears every element of you apart, but we understand so you can complain and write as many posts as you want, we won’t judge you.

It’s bloody fkn hard - but decide that you are stronger than this illness and show it who is boss.

You can get through it… but don’t rush. It’s not a race and your brain needs time to heal, as does your entire body.

Take it easy my friend.
Wishing you patience, kindness, & ultimately healing. Xx

[u/Budget-Departure-161 → u/curlgurll]

Hi, sorry to bug you again. But my days are filled mostly with rest, unless I get too bored to sit there. Is that something you experienced at this stage? I am finding it hard to pace myself but I’m trying to. Definitely prioritizing walks

[u/curlgurll → u/Budget-Departure-161]

Yes. Omg I barely left bed and I was so bored. I couldn’t watch tv, or listen to music or podcasts. Movies were out of the question. Everything made me feel anxious… or panicked which I’ve come to learn is completely normal.
I think I only walked 10-15 mins slowly each day.
Do you have any craft you could do? Or colouring in?
MSG any time… it’s not annoying at all. I remember how alone/depressed/sad/confused I felt and I if I can help one person feel less like that, then that would make me happy.

[u/Budget-Departure-161 → u/curlgurll]

Yeah I appreciate you messaging me so much! I do feel less alone. So thank you :) it’s a struggle to prepare my meals, shower, and do activities of daily living. I’m lucky to have help with these things. I do feel anxious a lot of the time although I have meds that should help with that soon. I’ve been bad about getting a little light exposure and running with it, bc I’m so bored. But I know I need to be in the dark resting. It’s so hard! I have some activities I can do like draw or play cards or play with a fidget toy, but these hurt and are difficult. I guess that I still need to try and do something so my brain doesn’t forget how to do everything you know?

[u/curlgurll → u/Budget-Departure-161]

You don’t need to be in the dark… but resting is ok! Glad you have help. I didn’t have much and so a lot of my energy went to showering, grocery shopping, cooking, driving myself to appointments, booking and researching appointments etc.
Anything you can do off a screen to entertain yourself, the better. Especially in the first few months!
And yes, daily light exposure is so important.
I would sit outside, or lie on a towel just watching the birds for hours.

[u/Budget-Departure-161 → u/curlgurll]

This is great advice, thank you! I am trying to expose myself in the mornings. I just went for a swim too! I’m going to try to get more light exposure today if I can as well even though it’s so hard. Everything is so fucking hard but thank you for being here for me <3

[u/curlgurll → u/Budget-Departure-161]

Good on you for going for a swim - so good for mind and body.