Concussion Recovery

[Jcent]

I'm 17 years old. In April of 2016 I suffered a pretty severe concussion from blacking out in my shower. I searched the forum for anything related to concussions but couldn't really find it. I'm a high performer. Before my concussion I would kill it in school and my music. For the majority of my junior year in high school I could work 18 hour days, five days a week, like they were nothing. It's now fall of my senior year. For over seven months I have been suffering from headaches, fatigue, fogginess, mild depression, etc. I was hesitant about writing because I'm not usually one to comment or post things online. I've been to multiple doctors, taken multiple supplements, tried multiple prescription drugs, etc. Now, everyday I meditate for 30-60 minutes. I take supplements in the morning and at night. I've cleaned up my diet. I've been trying to do everything I can to get better, but I still have ridiculous headaches, especially after grinding hard in school and trying to work on making music as well. It's funny too because I basically found self-development because of my concussion. As every newbie initially does, I wanted relief -- and I saw self-development as a way to get some, especially after hearing about enlightenment. In many ways I don't think I would be the same man if I hadn't gone through the majority of it (though I am still going through it). I am hopeful for the future. I know my future is bright. My concussion has taught me incredible patience. I'm more patient with my recovery, but I'm also more patient on my road to self mastery (and mastering my music). I can't help but be happy that I've had a concussion (as twisted as that sounds). I know that without pain there cannot be growth. I know that it's made me stronger. I just want the headaches and fatigue to go away. It's weird too because I know that I create my own reality, but I can't help but be upset with my headaches at times. It's almost like I haven't reached a high enough level to not let this daily physical pain affect me. I guess I made this post because I wanted to hear people's input. Has anyone else gone through something similar? Does anyone have any advice? Does anyone know of any alternate healing methods that have worked? What are your thoughts? Are there any other positive habits that I can implement towards my recovery? Thanks!

[Schulzy]

Damn sounds like this concussion is the best thing that has happened to you. Can you tell me is your pain decreasing? If its not i would keep going to doctors and specialist to see how i can decrease the pain.

 

[Epiphany_Inspired]

Hey @Jcent , I have had post-concussive syndrome for over a decade now, but that is extremely rare... don't worry, that won't be you!  For most people, apparently, it can take up to 3 years to fully recover from a serious concussion.... so just keep being patient, that's awesome!.... As for supplements, the things I find most helpful are: fermented cod liver oil, Empower Plus (true hope), and peppermint oil for headaches. What do you find helps you? There is a special rose coloured tinting you can get in glasses that also helps a bit. Taking lots of breaks when you have tasks with a lot of focusing/ reading helps...I love that you are so tuned into the positive aspects in your life as a result. I still think too much about what I've lost, and how it sucks having dizzy nauseous headaches all the time... So, to follow your positive example...For me, a benefit is that my almost OCD cleaning habit was immediately gone, mess doesn't faze me now... and that I am now content to "go with the flow" at times, instead of my previous preference for *always* pre-planned adventures...I guess I'm just more chill.... although not really compared to someone with a truly chill personality, lol......

[Jcent]

Hey @Epiphany_Inspired and @Schulzy thanks for replying! I haven't checked this in a little while! To @Schulzy I would say that the pain fluctuates. Recently it has been pretty bad, but I'm working through it. To @Epiphany_Inspired I would say thanks for posting such a detailed response. The fact that even one or two people are out there that care enough to write deeply and meaningfully is heartwarming. To be honest I'm still looking for good supplements. I take basic fish oil and magnesium, astaxanthin, Vitamin A and D, EGCg, some Vitamin C and a centrum multivitamin every day. It's a lot to take all at once so I split it between morning and evening. I often stop taking certain ones too to see if they are actually working or not. 

I am amazed how much you have been through. I can't imagine 10 more years, but there seems to be a softness in your voice, and that you too can look to some positive things. Tell me, do you meditate? Do you know much about enlightenment? I'm not sure how much you are into these kinds of things, and I am certainly not an expert on either of the two, but my perpetual headache seems to disappear when I meditate. After hearing about some enlightenment material, I've also learned that it's possible to completely dis-identify with things. I will often try saying to myself "This pain is unnecessary. It serves no purpose. I am not this pain." I've had some luck so far, but it's something I'm working on and educating myself on. I have been a little frustrated lately, but I'm learning to accept the present moment, like on a very deep level. It's not like "Yeah! Just live in the present moment" because that means nothing to me.

 I don't know... I'm interested to hear more about you. What is your life like on a day to day level? Do you have something you are passionate about? While in many ways I have woken the fuck up after getting hit on my head, I can't help to think that this gift of awareness has come at such a great cost. I DO believe that time can heal almost anything. It's hard to stay positive, but I know my future is bright. I refuse to let this pain and fatigue keep me from living out my dreams. My top priority is to get better and to find inner peace. I conceptually understand that there would be no pain if there was no "me", but I haven't reached that level yet... There's almost a twofold frustration in the difficulties of getting better and the difficulties of personal work. Thanks again, Joey

[Epiphany_Inspired]

@Jcent Yes, Vitamin C is sooooo important too! Having a brain injury means more mental stress load, it equates to physically being a fast-pace police officer... and so we need higher doses of it (see 1950's studies if interested, sorry I can't find the link).

Yes, I have been meditating for almost a year, but I recently took a break when I had a few really bad Ego-Backlash experiences in a row. I am ok with it again, if I am using Binaural Beats. These frequencies have been AMAZING for me. They have allowed me to calm more deeply, to meditate with less energy, and even to occasionally have incredible powerful visions accompanied by intense physical energy sensations. A warning though for Concussion stuff...because the occasional visions are so wonderful, I tried to induce them by combining binaural beats with dream machine simulators...it made me super sick from the flicker, even with my eyes closed...I am working on enlightenment, that said, I have had a really traumatic past....so I have many, many, extra neurosis to overcome on my Journey...lol...If you ever need to break from mediation, I suggest keeping it brief, and increasing your gratitude practice threefold...

My accident left me with physical injuries too....what I find best for pain is just finding other/ better things to focus on....where attention goes, that's what grows...eh?

My days are not rigid. My passions are diverse and creative, I am working on Mastery in the Art/ Storytelling realm....I know what you mean... I remember feeling, for a long tim,  a huge loss...my career....my future....but in reality, this experience can't help but be a wake up call for any of us that experience it. I likely would have been miserable if I continued to work 16 hour days on the computer at classical animation studios on OTHER PEOPLE'S PROJECTS! Although I still get really bummed about how difficult it is for me to work on the computer, I love that I now have the opportunity to follow my passion....Thank you too, I really appreciate your positivity...and the fact that you started this thread...there are likely more concussion sufferers that have awakened to this forum, and would appreciate our stories... sending LOVE! 

 

[Epiphany_Inspired]

@Jcent totally thought of you/ this.... your concept that your pain = your growth...I was reading "super brain" by Chopra/ Tanzi (talking about neuroplasticity after injury to brain) it says: "To heal and to evolve are intimately linked".... so true! So far (I'm only at the third chapter), the gist is: to get your consciousness to harness your brain power for personal growth, you must perpetually keep yourself on your toes (going different routes, learning new activities, etc) and reduce stress, negativity, and bad habits/ beliefs ....this is all stuff we've learned from Leo, etc.... but I hadn't put two and two together to realize how drastically those "bad things" can diminish brain function as well... beyond the other obvious effects on our lives....I will keep you posted if I learn anything else concussion recovery related, and hope you will do the same!

[Arman]

Yeah take it from someone who had a rough 2-3 years because of some non physical brain trauma, you'll be ok. Have recovered now. Honestly the brains plasticity is amazing. I didn't even go through half the lengths you're going through to take care of yourself, and I came out not only ok, but stronger than ever. Time heals all things. 

On 11/20/2016 at 10:28 AM, Jcent said:

Does anyone have any advice? Does anyone know of any alternate healing methods that have worked? What are your thoughts? Are there any other positive habits that I can implement towards my recovery? Thanks!

Yes, look at yourself in the mirror and say "You're doing so well. You're doing everything perfectly."

In terms of practical efforts, you're nailing it. Rid yourself of the feeling that you need to do more. Trust me, the magic spell you're looking for has already been cast and it's working. 

On 11/20/2016 at 10:28 AM, Jcent said:

It's almost like I haven't reached a high enough level to not let this daily physical pain affect me.

No no no no.... that is not the way it is. You are never doing anything wrong. It's not that you're not trying hard enough, or that you missed the message, or you're on the wrong path.

That's just not the way it is. You're on the right path, you're doing really well, and everything you're going through is serving you perfectly. 

Edited December 29, 2016 by Arman

[Jcent]

It's great to hear input from you guys. Thanks @Arman  and @Epiphany_Inspired !!! At this point my focus is on getting 100% better. Though progress is slow, I definitely know that I am on my way to come back stronger. 

On 12/29/2016 at 0:28 AM, Arman said:

You're on the right path, you're doing really well, and everything you're going through is serving you perfectly.

I appreciate your response here. It's good to hear reassurance once in a while! There really is something perfect about all of this, like an elevation of consciousness that is happening all by itself, whether or not I want it to. I guess nature is set on resolving the problems it made for itself. There's this newfound awareness, this indescribable pleasure in this whole process knowing that SOON everything probably will be OKAY. I just recently rediscovered an old analogy that I came up with and previously found resourceful. I thought I'd share it for anyone going through something similar.

"Having a concussion is like running with bricks on your back, and as with running with bricks on your back, once you remove the bricks you always return stronger and faster."

I think what I was hinting at was that pain is TEMPORARY but lessons are ETERNAL. There's absolutely no way I could go back to a "normal" life now. While the knowledge, wisdom, and ideas being talked about here are incredibly eye-opening and powerful, they also come with a huge burden of KNOWING. I can't just forget about something like enlightenment! I can't just go back to living life like my friends and family. It's complete unconsciousness. I guess as most people here warn, the greatest fear I have is self-sabotage, and the idea that I might somehow backslide. While this could be possible, I feel like my evolution and reincarnation are permanent. In other words, the lessons I have learned from this experience are permanent.

I will continue to post with updates and comments. I hope more people will contribute to this topic. While the conversation was perhaps sparked by talk of concussions, I think everyone here is hinting at something larger going on with all injuries and dark phases. A kind of Katabasis... I hope to hear more stories, ideas, and discussion! But I think @Epiphany_Inspired put it best:

On 12/28/2016 at 2:15 AM, Epiphany_Inspired said:

"To heal and to evolve are intimately linked"

Thanks, Joey

[Epiphany_Inspired]

Thanks, Joey!... but that was Chopra, not me... I'm not a mystic YET... lol.... so true, everything you said. I hope this will expand and evolve for others too!