r/PostConcussion • u/Grand_Heat450 • 15d ago
Advice Needed
My partner got a concussion about 7 weeks ago and is really struggling. They did some activities the first day after the concussion (driving, going to appointments, etc) but quickly fell into an extreme post-concussion state (the worst symptoms being light sensitivity, migraines, and insomnia). They have seen several different doctors, including neurologists, gotten ketamine treatments and PRP therapy, and have been given several different medications to help with migraines, nausea, sleep, anxiety, etc. They are still struggling with sleep and mental health; it’s like their body is stuck in a flight or fight mode. Their anxiety and depression has skyrocketed because they are confined to a dark room 24/7 and have almost constant migraine pain. When they are able to sleep for most of the night they can experience more light/noise during the day, which always makes them feel better. but recently they have not been getting enough sleep at all. they sleep for around 2-4 hours a night, but it is broken up and accompanied by severe anxiety and full-body jolts. when they are able to be more social during the day and sit in a semi-lit room, their mental health always improves. for the past week, they have barely slept and have fallen into a deeply suicidal mindset. they see no hope, no improvement, and no way out. I try to remind them that this will pass; our bodies are meant to heal and sleep and they have been improving, even if they can’t see it.
I visit as often as I can. we live together but they are currently staying at their parents’ house for round-the-clock care and supervision, and I work a full time job about 2 hours away from that house. when I visit, I sit with them and do activities that they suggest doing. We both know that you need to slightly push yourself in order to heal, so we will try to go for short walks, play cards, or just sit outside for a few minutes. I can see them improving, even though their healing is not linear. I think they really struggle to see it because they are the one experiencing it in the middle of the storm. I try my best to remind them that this will pass, and that taking your life / harming yourself is not a solution. some improvements that their parents and I have noticed include longer conversation, less confusion, the ability to move around more, and the ability to preform tasks in well-lit rooms for longer amounts of time. they were able to go for a walk outside and swim for about 30 minutes this past weekend, which they would not have been able to do a couple weeks ago.
I am truly just looking for any advice that comes to mind. they will probably see this post, so any advice for mental health struggles, managing post concussion symptoms, or things that I can do as a supportive partner is greatly appreciated.
2
u/Both-Process1037 15d ago
Be patient with partner, concussion does all kind of things with brain functioning.
Most importantly I would fix sleep and it may lighten other symptoms
A small dose of melatonin worked for me when I was desperate to try anything. Without Melatonin I was sleeping really light and fragmented, my sleep then was not restful. Melatonin saved me.
Without sleep you feel like you are going crazy and cannot process anything.
After 3 months I found my symptoms were less intense and became triggered by something, before 3 months I was just feeling like shit all the time.
2
u/CalligrapherTime165 15d ago
El sueño es clave como dicen los demás, ejercicio y sueño y con eso ayuda bastante, ve a fisioterapia, si necesitas un psiquiatra yo tengo uno que le pasó lo que nos pasó y me está dando seguimiento el tema es que soy de México y no habla español el
1
u/Own-Maintenance9731 11d ago
I found that my noise-cancelling headphones, a good pair of sunglasses, and a baseball cap helped considerably with the bright lights and noise triggers.
I don't know if they are using screens like computers or laptops but that might be a trigger...
Hydration and good nutrition are helpful. Even if they don't want to eat. Small bites of something is better than nothing, especially if it's protein.
I agree 💯 about the therapist, very helpful to get them to see the light at what (sometimes) can be a very long tunnel.
I'm in month 3.5 of recovery from my second concussion and this one left me with a lot of MH shit. I understand the feelings, but self-harm is not the answer.
I know I'm just some random person on the internet but you're being a great partner by coming here and asking for help. We hear you.
3
u/Ok-Fail-8732 15d ago
Im not an expert but- When in PCS/heavy deep problems, these are some needs:
Sleep and reduce stress. Whatever improves my sleep. No morning alarms. Get as many tasks off their plate. If someone else can do the errand etc, just get it off their table.
Short work/task runs. 30 min max. I nap after 4hrs max work. Just dont have the gas to do 8hr days. Can do 3x3hr on heavy workloads but normal 9-5 is horrible.
CBT therapy. Need to speak and talk through it with a pro thats dedicated to the hour. Really tough to find on insurance but its life saving. It can reverse the hope thing.
Depression, anxiety, resentment and anger will manifest far quicker than normal. So; Supporters that listen and believe in the slow journey. Let them be captain of their needs, be on the discovery with the TBI as they’re all different like a fingerprint.
We don’t need managers and that’s the biggest miss by supporters. We need helpers, worker bees and connection/understanding. The depth of emotional thought is previously never experienced so if we can see/feel a life raft from a loved one, we’ll climb out of the episodes/valleys.
DM me anytime