What Impact Will Moderate or Severe TBI Have on a Person's Life?

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Please remember, we are not able to give medical or legal advice. If you have medical concerns, please consult your doctor. All posted comments are the views and opinions of the poster only.

Was in mva 2004 at 18, brain hemorrhage, coma for several days. I have extreme aggressive periods, overwhelming emotions, difficulty finishing assigned tasks. Haven't had MRI since TBI. Doctor said my memory and nerve damage would heal in 3 years. Not sure it has..

Scott , what you have described sounds almost exactly like my story the dates and everything. I was in a bad wreck when I was 18 it was about 2002 and then another in 2004 both of which resulted in brain injury and I felt fine and was just ready to get back to work and didn't go to rehab but the doctors suggested and I ignored because I felt fine and I didn't need that I thought but all these years and all this time later I have not being able to hold a job for more than a year so and my life has just gone to s***. Lots of things seem normal to most people are very difficult for me. I have been isolating from family and I have tried everything well I guess not everything I've tried lots of things but nothing seems to change only get worse. I'm trying to figure out if these brain injuries are what has caused all this crap in my life for all these years without me realizing it because I didn't feel like I was hurt or sick or disabled I felt like I was just like anyone else and I didn't even think about the brain injuries for many years and I'm just now starting to look into the stuff and it seems like it is an exact description of how my life has been and things I have faced. My question to you is what did you do? How did you or are you getting this resolved? Is it possible to resolve?

This is great information for clarity. Had a mild tbi injury 8 years ago falling off a cliff at a beach 30-35 feet. Have struggled with extreme anxiety , emotional issues, depression and a loss of all previous relationships from before the accident. No one really understands and I don’t either half the time. I am constantly driving my wife crazy with my up and down feelings. And have almost completely feel divided from my family. I often forget that my injury could be the cause of all this. Reading this makes me realize I am not alone in feeling this way. Thanks

Thank you , you said everything I feel and then some. ❤

As a parent of Jake at 16 yrs post-injury TBI cat diagnosis my heart is open for all
Love Joseph

You're not alone.

Hi Ted. Thank you for sharing a bit of your story. I am also dealing with a tbi injury ... you are so not alone, and I am grateful to you because just by writing to you I also feel that I am not alone. Our brains may have taken a hit, but our Hearts are what matter the most. Please take good care of yourself. You are precious. We are all precious.

I suffered a TBI 16 years ago I still feel like I have problems I just have to try harder at everything it takes me a little longer sometimes to identify different size pipe that looks close . I find my emotions go up and down as well unfortunately I seem to do best living on my own and not be dependent on anyone /cleaning/cooking less stress lower anxiety and recently stopped drinking coffee every morning Wich lowered my anxiety massively . I was a teenager when my car accident happened . Reading the side effects I feel lucky to have overcome alot of them but a some
Are a problem every day learning new things, understanding and problem solving can be frustrating resulting in frustration and low self esteem .

I wish we could all get together to explore the reality of the future
Love Joseph

All getting together to explore realities of our future sounds lk coul be an amazing weekend retreat. Like meet at a halfway spot, or central point between states/cities. Tbi severe 2008, total life changed: mental, cognitive, communication speaking & written (which were my strongest abilities & talents) can spontaneously disappear into a fog, emotional, physical, career, financial, life style, family, friends - crashed & burned. Resetting everything took-and ongoing- major work: spiritual faith, new personal support system, immediate medical support system, rehab system treatment was, still is, total God send miracle. Still grieving some pre-TBI life, established corporate career, long term life partner relationship, financial freedom, socialization. But unexpected fulfilling new talents & abilities have emerged, allowing me 2 make a decent living. Would love to get together share, give & receive new hope & strength. Blessings & love.

Thanks for the information you have provided through your blog.

Hi where do I start?
On the 31st of December 1988 I was hit very hard with a baseball bat on the left side of my head, it caused concussion and a loss of lots of blood, I was taken to hospital but remained awake throughout, I thought that was the end of it, I was 20 at the time and very fit and healthy.
Sadly a little while later I noticed small problems with things like vision, sleep, concentration, anxiety, and other things I had never noticed before.
I never once tied it to the head injury, and just carried on with life, but sadly my health deteriorated over the years, I have now been married 4 times, lost so many jobs, could not drive over high bridges and cannot fly anymore, when I used to fly all the time.
I am now 52 and fully housebound, having had what I call false diagnosis i.e. ME/CFS originally back in 1999, I am in so much pain that even morphine made it worse, my head pressure and noise (tinnitus) is horrendous and I worry about my future if I have one.
I have had 2 MRI's in the last 10 years and nothing has been found, but they were looking for vision and brain issues linked to ME/CFS.
Now last week I was seen in Leeds UK by a Neurologist and he some tests, physical ones, holding my head and I was to look at his nose while he quickly turned my head left and right, and jumping on the spot with my eyes closed and arms out, I ended up the other side of the room.
Long story short he said I had a major problem on my righthand side to do with my Ventricular system, so he is sending me for another MRI (anxiety through the roof).
Could my illness be linked to my head injury, the timings make sense, but asking for help is hard here in the UK.
Just to know it wasn't all made up and to say to family and friends I now know what has caused my illness will be the biggest prize, I was so ecstatic when I left the hospital last week I forgot to mention my head injury.
I can relate to so much of what you have written above, it will all be well documented in my medical notes, but with the lack of knowledge here in the UK on TBI's I am fighting an uphill battle.
Any help or advice would be great, thanks Mark

I support you wish for your best outcome moving forward
Love Joseph

Hi Mark, Our story is very similar Oct 1988 - 29 years old very fit, hit by softball bat to the back of the neck - three breaks in neck, brain bleed so they cut a hole in skull frontal left lobe to drain blood and clots ended up with crushed right ear drum, no balance without vision, no directional hearing, and tinnitus in same, massive battles with anxiety, depression, relationships over the years. Doctors, psychologists and psychiatrists a plenty including antidepressants, sleeping pills etc. - no pills now - replaced with over the counter B vitamins for executive stress (decision making) and B6 (mood management)! The best way forward and it took a long time to learn was to understand how we should live life and what life really is - slow everything down and I mean really, really slow things down, learn about breathing techniques a great way to a quite mind, learn about Tao a chinese way of understanding life and us in it, meditation is a great way to de-stress (difficult to get a hold of at first but stay with it) breathing techniques are a great lead up to meditation, learn about living in the herenow - look for Ekhert Tolle, Teal Swan, Krishmurti, Tom Belieu (Tom runs various interviews) and learn about consciousness Rupert Sheldrake

I agree with the slowing life down! I have been trying to do that since my accident 4 years ago. Even before my accident I have always been a busy person, work, family, appointments (myself or kids). Helping friends with their problems and just non stop always on the Go. Now I ask myself what's the rush? There isn't a need to always be on the go or always having to do something. Also finding it really hard to even just sit and watch a movie/relaxing, or just doing nothing is a very hard thing for me to do.
Always makes me think of the country song "I'm in a hurry to get things done, so I rush & rush till life's no fun"...It's very true lol. So trying to be less depressed, have less anxiety and really take the time to enjoy things more instead of rushing thru it all. I am also on anti-depressants, they do seem to work a little. But still depressed, but it's stopped me from crying for NO reason. But I will have to try the vitamins you mentioned!

I am 3yrs into a TBI and I was a nurse now I'm nothing my family does not understand they just think I'm rude and nasty due to personality changes NO ONE gets I struggle everyday to be better and so I guess mostly isolation is best for me so I don't upset anyone. I take meds go to counseling but the old personality is gone, hope everyone handles the changes better than me and my family.for you DONT GIVE UP

I understand your situation. My wife suffered a severe stroke after the delivery of our third child, a healthy baby boy. Subsequently leading to brain damage. She complained about painful head pain after delivery, often stating "she felt like her head would pop or was being pressed". Everyone wrote it off as migraines and or seizures which she suffered from, only to finally realize her brain was hemorrhaging. She continues to go to therapy and experiences highs and lows especially with the limitations of being a mother, a daughter, and a wife. She is often scared, and frequently suffers from PTSD from her bleeding ordeal. Doctors were concerned that she wouldn't make it but, despite being in a coma, left side paralysis, speech and breathing difficulties; she has learned to walk again and jog in place, move her hands and arm, speak clearly, and breathe on her own. Challenges still exist, but that's just a small testament to God's mercy and healing power. Nothing is too small for God! I encourage you to focus on the positive, embrace the future, forget yesterday because tomorrow will be better.

Not Ventricular, vascular or whatever it is called oops

I was involved in a bad motorcycle accident somebody turned right in front of me and I was in a coma for a week and the hospital for 6 weeks, the accident was April 4th 2020 and the entire month of April is gone. I had server TBI and lost hearing in my left ear and balance problems and right side weakness. It's almost been a year but I want to know does eventually everything somewhat get better? I have went thru 'why me' stage and can't drive because police pulled my license. I have physio 2x's a week and chiropractor 1x a week but I'd like to drive again and get back to work. Like 2 weeks ago my right eye started going funny like twitching or 'dancing' so I have an optometrist appointment in 10days..

It will get worse and worse - trust me -more symptoms the more time that goes by and no one knows what to do about it the only things that helped was a functional neurologists. They are the best with the TBI stuff.... god bless

While riding a motorcycle, was hit head on by a drunk in a Dodge Ram in the spring of '94. I was in a coma for 2 months and 18 days (just a couple weeks short of legally dead), rehab for another year and a half (the entire years 1994 and 1995 are gone for me), I have a fake knee and a fake wrist, a "severe" traumatic brain injury, this tinnitus has made me want to rip my left ear off for 26 years... I have been totally and permanently disabled ever since. I walk, I talk (but have been arrested for "slurred speech" - ONCE, I can make A LOT of political noise when I want to - everywhere I've lived since), can't sing, can't dance, I'm not very good at taking orders (short term memory problems, to this day - thank heaven for the hourly calendar on modern smart phones). I had to wait one year before I applied, tested, and received a new NY driver's license (with motorcycle validation - didn't even have to retest for that). My pilot's license is permanently clipped due to having been in a coma. I'm on my third motorcycle since that wonderful event (120,000 miles on one, only 60,000 on the second - that got parked on in 2019, and about 5,000 on my 2019 Harley - I moved to FL so I can ride all year, and my back, etc doesn't ache for 6 months straight). In terms of cognitive function, my reasoning was never really effected (or so I say). My organic memory has not really improved, I thank motorola a/o at+t for the smart phone (it's strange... I speak multiple languages, remember how to do things w/o any problem at all, but... where did I put that? When was that appointment? Yes, I'm sorry to say, 27 years later. Get a head start building those coping strategies. I'd say your balance and hearing issues are probably related. Your eye "dancing" may cause problems w/ your driving, and it may (or may not) be interpreted as a seizure. You might want to see (no pun intended) a neurologist about that. Bring a list of current medications with you, because that could very well be the cause. To directly answer your question, no. EVERYTHING does not get better. However, some things will (probably within the first couple of years). And you will learn/adjust to the rest. I can't think of anything that has actually gotten worse (other than the pain from these metal "bones" that I continue to abuse. But that's my fault. I will NOT grow a set of wheels, I will NOT stop living MY life. I'll just add that "MY life," as I had made it, ended that day. I had to start a new one. You may want to talk to the Brain Injury Association of America at 1-800-444-6443.

Things may or may not get better. I'm not going to lie to you because it won't help. My head injury was 20 years ago and I rolled over in a convertible. I had to work very hard in rehab and got very lucky I was able to heal. My advice work hard and don't quit. You may not become who/what you were before, but you will be better tomorrow than you were today.

Best.

TBI Survivor

It’s a long road... I was in a coma for 3 1/2 weeks in 1995. I spent 4 weeks in the hospital. Was transferred to St Charles Rehab on Long Island. I can’t remember exactly how long I was there.. maybe little longer than a month. I then did outpatient cognitive and physical rehab for years afterwards. My short term memory was effected which effects learning. I’m doing well and memory has gotten better. Accept that it will take a long time. Learn to live with changes .

I fell about 10 to 15 ft when I was 8 years old. Don't remember anything but waking up on a picnic table just enough dirt and everybody over me. I never saw a doctor because my mom said I woke up. My sister was with me she was older l she said your man got to me carried me down the Hill that we were on I was out the whole time. Fast forward repeating the rest of my life it's been bad I have battled with major depression, back pain head pain I went to a chiropractor and he noticed vertebrae between my back and neck that healed wrong. Over the years they have told me they have fibromyalgia spinal stenosis, nerve damage in my foot . Now I'm 60 and saw a doctor cuz my depression doctor wanted me to be tested for ADHD which I have been diagnosed maybe 20 years ago with it but they don't treat adults. In my late 40s I was treated for tremors and next doctor 15 years later pulled me off them not that they helped a lot anyways. Now I turned 60 my depression doctor wanted me to see another doctor to rule out AD HD. Well the result s was yes I have it but she says I have other signs which the test s that she ran on me drawing r memory test salon and so forth most of my skills were impaired. She wants me to see i neurologist. I'm so scared I can tell with my friend being damaged but I'm so scared Don't tell me I have Alzheimer's I'm really confused most days my husband chases me I start five projects and then he comes along and finishes on behind. School is very hard for me but I got through it. I have a job at the hospital for 25 years and took an early retirement I'm just confused if this could have been from my fall? The doctor also told this isn't normal aging. I'm terrified what the neurologist will find. Anxiety and scared to death is all I've been over this weekend.

You sound really anxious. Please take a few deep breaths and remember to pray. Turn it over as the anxiety starts to rise. Worrying will only make it worse. I hope you find some answers and good treatments. Prayer helps me to be calmer. Especially the :Serenity Prayer"

My first and worst tbi was in 1968. No one knew anything about TBI back then. I remember that I had a really hard time with reading comprehension and my teacher wrote on my report card that she was confused because subjects that I had previously done well in I seemed to struggle with. My mom wrote back that I had everyone confused. I taught myself how to comprehend what I read by reading it out loud and listening to my own voice. I still remember far more spoken words than written. I went on to have a fairly normal life until my late forties when my short term memory began to get worse and worse. I wasn’t diagnosed with TBI until 2008. By then all the knocks to my brain had caused innumerable lesions in my brain as seen on an MRI. I began rehabilitation and it has helped tremendously. My only complaint now is that my adult children are certain that I am mentally ill and will not speak with me unless and until I have been placed on a three day involuntary psychiatric hold. I cannot be placed in that hold unless I am a threat to myself or others. The problem is that I’m not a threat to anyone at all. An aide comes to my house four days a week now to help me around the house but I am most comfortable alone because people, although nice as can be, are a distraction. I have to live an evidence based life now. When people put things in a different spot I cannot find them. Moving my belongings is akin to moving furniture in a blind man’s house. If it’s not where I put it I have no clue where it is. I’ve always been a very social person, always wanting to learn about other people and other cultures and I still am social but I have to plan my social life around my brain and whether or not my brain will get overloaded.
For those who are trying to guess what is from a brain injury and what isn’t I highly recommend that you get a neuro-psychological exam. For me learning what areas of myself were affected by brain injury gave me the opportunity to do whatever I could to make improvements in those areas. People talk about wanting to be themselves again but for me my old self would be a seven year old child. I work hard every day to step by step regain control over my life. I don’t dwell on who I wanted to be, instead I plan for who I will be. I have a complete list of what senior citizen Shelly will be and so far I’m staying with the plan for the most part. COVID-19 and 2020 were awful times but also time to make a detailed plan for my future and a corresponding list of how to make it happen. I take care of myself one day at a time and let the Man who’s eye is on the sparrow take care of tomorrow.

Wow you have made my day . I finally found someone who has a similar story .. I too fell about 15 feet head first onto a paved driveway ,I was 8 a well and my mother found me placed me in my bad and I woke screaming with a swelled brain hrs and hrs later .they finally took me to a hospital ....I just remember screaming and crawling all over the back seat in pain... I’m alomst 50 now and just was tested for add. I’ve mentioned my accident to dr only to get no response..
I however did not complete school ..I got grade 8 and ended up spending 25 yrs sometimes homeless and all the time an addict .ive been clean for 4 yrs now and my memory is crap ,I loose things constantly,can’t get a job and keep it ,
I too fear dementia and am scared a lot of the time..I feel like no one wants to help.i feel like everyone thinks I’m lazy but all I want to do is be get a job...thank you for your story it made me feel less alone

Hi there, I hope you do not mind me replying to this comment; I happened to stumble across this blog post/comment because I was researching my own diagnosis for suspected brain injury, and your comment truly resonated with me. I want to say that (whether it is emotional or physical coping) I hope the best for you and your situation. I am not quite your age so I cannot imagine the stress of figuring out what is happening, but I understand the confusion and pain that comes along with not being treated for head injury as a child; especially when medical professionals are not there for you when you need them. A million different misdiagnoses within the past 10 years has not helped.. I only wish that I could offer you more support, but I hear you and I truly truly wish you the best!

Praying, Hope

I was recently diagnosed as an adult with autism at 43, but I believed I was misdiagnosed. At young age of 4 years old due to domestic issues as a child was thrown onto the the concrete steps at about 5 feet of the ground and the parent was very upset because I was crying I had a lot blood from my injuriesI had problems with socializing and was crying all the time since. I developed a lazy eye and had surgery. I then had subsequent head injuries from continued abuse.
In high school I was riding my bicycle and was hit by a car. I couldn’t remember anything but remember the impact of my head hitting the concrete. WHen I was conscious again I was walking home alone repeating that I’m dying! Shortly thereafter I was nauseous having a gag reflex constantly. My parents then took me to the hospital for an X-ray. The doctor said everything was ok. But that was not to be.
In the summer I was crying al the time, staying in my room all the time.
The next year I became really hyper with too much energy. Constantly talking. The next head injury resulted from similar domestic issues. I felt the fear and climbed out the second story window, but fell and landed on the back of my head.
My personality changed feeling distrustful and having a short fuse.
Now I’m 50 and the nausea came back and clear fluid. I also have severe disc degenerative disease at my Cervical spine.
I just hope the effects of my injuries dont come back and haunt me.
I’m not sure but I think I’m not autistic since the head injuries started at such a formative age.

Hello
You may be right
My husband is post head injury and
And displays similar emotions etc as if he had Asperger syndrome

I feel like my life is falling apart. Almost 15 years ago I have a severe TBI (frontal lobes), was in a coma, wasn’t expected to make it, my family had said their final goodbyes. Had several sudbural hematomas, my GCS was 7( almost positive about that number). Anyways I was 15 at the time and made a miraculous recovery. I can no longer taste/smell and am blind in one eye but overall most could never tell. I was a year ahead in all my classes so even school was 100x harder I worked to graduate high school on time after missing my entire sophomore year.I graduated with a 4.0. I was admitted to my number one university and studied (to the point of tears most nights), was involved in a sorority, a research lab, and multiple campus clubs. I graduated in 4 years with my bachelors in science in child psychology. I immediately started graduate school, starting a program to earn my masters and doctorate in clinical psychology with a specialization in neuropsychology. And I did just that. There were more tears than undergrad. And my thesis and dissertation was the most overwhelming thing I have ever done, but I graduated with my masters with my entering class, graduated with my doctorate with my entering class (with my dissertation completed before), received my first pick at internship and completed my residency. I passed my licensing exam and state boards and I was LOVING my job. I was thriving. I was working 10-11 hours a day (my choice), working out daily, making time for friends, family, I was constantly on the go. For the last 2 years I’ve been dealing with osteomyelitis in my skull (unfortunately dealt with this after my initial TBI as well). I have been unable to work for almost 2 years due to pain, lack of stamina, severe brain fog/ word finding difficulty. I spend 99% of my life laying in bed or my couch with an ice pack (the pain never goes away, never moves location). My team of specialists that recently treated me for osteomyelitis and replaced 97% of all hardware in face/skull do not believe it is infection. My body is super special and no labs/PET/NM anything ever come up abnormal (active osteomyelitis or not) so I am have bone biopsies done in the beginning of March. My concern is my team believes my current state of health my be CTE / consequences of my TBI since it was so severe. I’m only 30 years old. This is not living. I have NO quality of life. I worked hard to achieve one goal in my life, and I can no longer do that. Has anyone else been told this? I feel so lost and afraid.

I totally understand how you are feeling. I have been working in the medical field for the last 14 years. In 2017 I was in a MVA, hit my head on the driver side window, diagnosised with concussion, had treatment at the concussion clinic, and had to return to school for my NP. The road was very hard. I was able to pass board certification. Work as a NP. But, I still have some symptoms occasionally. I noticed at this very moment I have started having severe migraines, blurred vision, increased tinnitus to ears, brain fog, poor concentration, and some anxiousness. I have been working Covid for several months and was handling it well. But then decided to get a divorce, and the stress of others giving their unsolicited opinions has increased my stress level so my symptoms are returning. Severe headaches is now with blurred vision. I was very protective of my personal space, I am learning my triggers, maintain mindfulness, eating healthy without sugar, and have to resume use of Myer’s Cocktails and Gluthathione because the IV infusions helped a lot. This show me we can have setbacks, but you have to encourage yourself to fight the depression, brain fog, anxiousness and more.

Please watch Andrew Wommack ministries healing journeys. There are a few miracles from brain injuries on there that I believe will heal and bless you!

Almost 2 years ago (3.29.19) I was hit by car going 55 (driver was FaceTiming) my car was stopped to make turn. The hit killed my three babies 12,15 and 17 plus my friends 19 year old child in front. I am only survivor I hate it. On top of that I had severe TBI brain bleed. My speech is messy now, people think I am from another country, and my head not aches but actually sharp pains. I am here today reading because I have vertigo? Super dizzy spells still. Not all the time, but seeing correlation with maybe raised blood pressure, and pressures inside the head then comes dizzy spells and nausea. Depression is real. For the grief I am sure and with reading maybe even due to TBI. So I guess really the big question is what do people do in this situation. I have no insurance and now a half million dollar of medical bills due to accident and no insurance did not cover! Received less then 30k per child’s death and it cost 71k to bury them. So what do we do. I totally get why people commit suicide in these situations. We have no systems in place to help those that truly need it. Hugs to all of you who have lost children and please don’t drive distracted

In December of 2017 I was on my way home from work (which was an hour drive home) in a snow storm and I ended up going off the road b/c of the storm and into the other lane. Then hitting the vehicle that was heading in the other direction in that lane. And not wearing my seat belt. Which resulted in me being thrown around my vehicle/hitting my head off from whatever in my car. EMT's had found me unconscious in the passenger seat. Brought me to the hospital where they put me in a medical coma so they could get my brain to stop swelling/drain the blood out of my head, and on life support. When I ended up waking up and headed to Rehab to get better/stronger. After 2 weeks of being there I started being dizzy especially while laying in bed. They told me it was Vertigo, and did some maneuver to help it go away. It did but came back the next day after I got home. But with out-patient rehab I said something to them about still having it and they were able to do the that maneuver on me again and that time finally made it go away! :) (Have you heard about the maneuver?? It might help you...?)
Since then I have been very depressed crying for NO reason most of the time. Went and got put on some antidepressants, its helped a little. I'm no longer crying for no reason, but still get down and bad anxiety from time to time. My memory has never been the greatest really even before my accident. But finding the words I'm thinking of but can't find them to say them happens often. I feel I have changed a bit, some say that I haven't. But the more anger/irritation wasn't how I was before my accident. My patience is a lot thinner than it used to be that's for sure. Lol.
I feel like even though it has been almost 5 years since then I feel like at some point something because of the TBI I have is going to kill me. Leaving behind my 2 children, so that's been making me more anxious and stressed. My biological mother when I was 6 had gotten hurt ending up with a TBI in a coma on life support as well, but she wasn't having any brain activity and she wouldn't want to be living as a vegetable so my grandparents decided to take her off life support, leading her to pass away. I was almost the same age as she was and my son was almost the same age as I was. Which didn't help my family or myself it being similar in a lot of ways. I didn't get why did I live and she didn't. But was glad to be there for the my first child that I had at the time, he is what I feel like saved me and kept me determined to get better so I could get out of Rehab and be with him!
I have recently in the last few months have been excessively sweating, either doing nothing or things that I have done while I was pregnant and it never made sweat the way I have been sweating now. I feel like it is some pituitary gland problem from the TBI.. I'm not sure if that is whats causing it...Is anyone else having a problem like this?
In a way I feel like I lost myself and who I was. Was & am going to school to be a nurse, at a community college and not as motivated to finish as I used to be. Since the accident my mindset has been okay I'm alive, why did I get to live? What is my purpose? Why finish school, just going to die anyways. Mostly because I feel like I can be spending my time doing something more fun or with my kids, and see the world. But also knowing needing money for pretty much everything in this greedy a** world lol, and that is why I should finish school to make more for myself and my family.
And this is as long as most of my conversations and just going on and on lmao so I'm going to stop.

Everyone keep their heads up, and try to stay positive :)

I am so sorry for your loss! I too have suffered a TBI from a car accident. I lost my husband, son, and father. Yes, depression is very real! So is anxiety! People do not understand how we feel. We look normal...but we have lost our lives to injuries that no one can see! I hope you can find the help that you need. God Bless!

I came to this site due to the issues I've been having - my backstory for brain injury is I was beaten to 'death' and revived and am now very slowly gaining back my abilities.
Anyhow.
I came across your story and felt a strong need to leave a reply here for you. I am at a loss for words because what you've experienced, no person should ever have to experience. I wish there was something I could say to alleviate your pain because I know it still hurts.
My son died on 3.27.19 and the grief is still debilitating. I do not function. He was my only child and my reason for healing. Almost two years have gone by and I still barely leave the house.
I can only fathom the unimaginable and extreme pain that you must be feeling losing your 3 children. I am truly so, so sorry for your loss. And I am sorry that you have to deal with such extreme financial circumstances in the wake of the worst thing a parent can ever experience. I agree with you that we have no systems in place for those who need it most. That needs to change. I wish I had an answer for you right now that could help solve your financial burdens.
You are in my thoughts and I hope that life starts to go easier on you. Sending love in your direction.

I was struck by a car when I was 7. I had seizures and sleep walking issues. I got shuffled around in the foster care system, during a time if you had any behavior issues, no family would want you, so I hid it. I've never been in trouble with the law and I'm a Vet as well. Any time I become suspicious or people start to ask me why I don't have any real long term personal relationships, I move. A lot of it is not wanting pity or not being believed. Now I'm just tired. I have alienated everybody I know, and now I just exist. I have adapted a walk away method when encountered with situations out of my emotional grasp. I avoid relationships it seems dishonest to lead someone on like I'm a normal functional adult. I'm just reaching out for help, hopefully someone who has conquered this thing is willing to share a bit maybe?

My friend i have been there, i was beat up for 3 yrs, fist foot w/e he could grab when i got knocked out or to the ground i would come to with him beating me until i stood back up I was 9,10,11 my 12th bday i went in his room with a knife and held it to his throat and told him i was big enough to kill him now and would do so gladly if it promised my sisters and mom’s safety My mom still hasnt take any accountability for allowing tht to happen but shes trying i think I used anger from those past events to fuel my self destructive path Fighting as often as i could, only who i thought to be real assholes or abusive to innocents and tht was my “therapy” after several failed relationships and years of inner turmoil and chaos i reluctantly started seeing a therapist and psychiatrist I met the love of my life as soon as i dropped the wall for her she’s supportive, understanding and most importantly still loves me due only to the fact tht my behaviors were trauma and head injury induced, not a reflection of who i truly am She suggested i see a therapist so i did and it helped for a time I still use the tools I learned from my therapist to this day and my beautiful wife has stood by me through thick an thin good days and bad for 12 yrs now Letting down the wall, even if briefly, shows the person u care about tht you can and are willing to get rid of them as well as a clear testament to your spiritual fortitude and willingness to live and be loved Be on gaurd for sure, but trust your gut If your gut says this person will probly understand go with it I got pity when i started opening up about everything but quickly straightened everyone out by saying “I appreciate the fact tht u care and im equally grateful for the interest and help with my issues but plz dont give me pity, i been through more than most and just want to be treated like it never happened To this day only my wife knows everything aside from my sisters of course Its just not something i bring up or try talk about with others Alot of hard work, dedication and even more prayer, as well as my amazing wife are the only reasons im not dead or in prison I wasn’t suicidal but i was definitely not worried about my well being Even if you dont find the live of your life for Gods sake man dont go at it alone, theres no reason or need to when so many big hearted ppl are willing to be in your life I have 4 reallly close friends, thts all i need I stay focused on wht i love most now and when i do get to feeling overwhelmed with memories or flashbacks from ptsd due to my own choices in my early adult yrs i place myself somewhere i love spending time, outside in the woods taking a walk w/e ur interests are MAKE yourself do them Youre a combat vet if i read your post right so u know all too well wht needs to be done when the enemy is closing in Thank you for your sacrifice and service for this great country if nothing else someone out there deserves your company and will be thankful for it I have a chunk of land in the woods when im getting overwhelmed i go out in the forest, sit by a fire and meditate breathing exercises etc If i can ask you one favor it would plz plz dont waste the gift you have been given a true living testament of wht the spirit and body can endure and not break, even though weve come close or had set backs Again i had no one to talk to but the man above and he was there in my darkest hour and greatest time of need, always, God bless you brother Love and respect

I have a question, I’m sure it’s different for everyone but in general, if you got a TBI, would you experience a cycle of good days/bad days?

Yes from my experience I have good days and not do good... don’t function so well when tired, speech and getting words out can be more impaired some days than others ... bless my brothers and sisters going through this !

I passed out (fainted) hit my head hard on concrete 4 weeks ago.
had a minor bleed and was sent home.
battling depression for sure and feel so stupid but biggest concern is my right eye is blurry.- drives me crazy.
any advice how to handle this?
optometrist says my eye is normal but vision is down?
cant explain blurry vision.
Any advie or experience with eyesight

You may want to go to an eye dr with COVD or NORA certification. Regular eye doctors check visual acuity, not how the eyes are functioning. We have been dealing with a nightmare with my 9 yr old daughter. She had a concussion, post concussion syndrome, but then cleared, and when i called with concerns,
she was seen& misdiagnosed with amplified pain syndrome- even though we said it didn't fit her symptoms right. Now, almost a year later, I found an article with ALL her symptoms- dizziness, nausea, joint pain, inability to do math, difficulty reading, trouble finding words, can't tell left from right, depth perception problems, clumsiness, sound &light sensitivity.... it is her eyes. It's been untreated post concussion and her eyes aren't working together anymore. She's been unable to process information her eyes see because it's all skewed. It's like the"messenger"isn't picking up the information and delivering it where it needs to go to be interpreted&dealt with. Please look up"vision therapy" for more information. Hope it helps.

You need to get into a general doctor. Then he can refer you to a specialist if needed. Did they do any imaging of your brain? There are cognitive brain specialists that can really help too. Do not wait, it’s important to catch early on as things can get worse. Keep in mind the depression is not you it’s just a side effect of your injury. Do not get to the point that you feel suicidal to get help. The emergency room won’t diagnose beyond the day there and there could be later developments. I know all this from my own story and I hope this helps you. I hope and pray for you to get a good doctor who helps you through all this.

I feel off a horse 7 weeks ago and the depression is really bad. I know you asked about eyesight but wonder how you are doing with depression.

I am lost I have all of the above work injury they shut me down said nothing was wrong I have a job for 30 years can’t hold a job now if I e try Things are difficult what do I do oh not looking for advice yes lost

I was in a motorcycle accident at age 16, a deer ran in front of me, the car behind me ran over me from not seeing me lying in the fast lane.
I suffered trauma to my frontal lobe.
For the last year and a half of High School, I had a home tooter to help me pass and get a High School Diploma.
But I had trouble concentrating and staying awake,
But Baltimore County School system gave me a High School diploma because the Tooters I had, passed me, even though I could NOT do the home tooter school work, they made it appear as if I was able to cope on my own simply by giving me passing grades on my home school work, even though I did not do the work!
The tooters would complete my tests, then give grades, making it appear I did it on my own. The BIGGEST crime committed against me.
Why? Because everytime I tried for Social Security assistance, the first thing that came out of their mouths, was..."WELL, YOU HAVE A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA!"
Can you see how that subtle deception had a negative impact on my life all of these years, even until the age of 50? The Baltimore County Public School Home Tooters made it appear as if I was able to cope ALL on my own after my accident!
Thats what the Baltimore County Public School system did to me.

Omg life ruff had tbi in 2017 now I'm depressed bad. Drug addiction issues an cancer of liver as well changes I face daily just coping .no help out there have cluster headaches back pain an throw up day after day my life falling apart

I have a sTBI and I'm able to accomplish a lot

I had a server tbi and it is tuff to live most the time !!

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