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

How are you both doing now? My brother is in a similar state at the moment after 3 weeks in a coma. I know every person is different and recovers differently, but reading about your story feels very similar. I wish you both the best.

Hi, I also had an ATBI back in 2008. I can relate to the struggles your wife experiences daily. The dynamics in friendships changed 180 degrees all the way to nonexistent because of my sensitivities and changes to my financial situation. She is very lucky to have you and your support. I’m not as I’m unmarried. If your wife would like a new friend and also a survivor that would’ve awesome! Let me know and we can exchange contact info.

Take care, T (my nickname)

I was 18 years old just graduating high school when I was in a MVA. My best friend was driving and we were going to the movies one summer afternoon. I had temporary amnesia and other injuries. At that time I was diagnosed with Short Term Memory Syndrome. I would meet someone and the next day I would not remember them. Worse yet how about going to eat lunch with a friend and then running into them about 4 hours later. Not remembering you had lunch with them earlier that day. How do you try to explain this to others? Craaazy! I learned to write notes in my calendar throughout my day so my daytime became my memory and my saving grace. I almost did not graduate college because of this. Fast forward to 24 years later, I went into peri menopause and my hormones began messing with my memory and my daily cognitive routines. I found a neuropsychologist who did some testing on me. This is where I learned more about TBI. This whole time I had been struggling with daily cognitive scenarios and I thought that I was losing it. How can you explain to someone what you are fighting through in words? I am now 51 years old, post menopausal and my brain has decided to go on strike when it come to functioning with time.... timelines, appointments, deadlines, breakfast time, lunch time, dinner time, etc. What is “10 minutes” or “I will see you at 3:00 pm”.... my brain, “concept of time”, numbers and action are all on different planets. I am divorced for the past 15 years. I have been dating the Love of My Life for the past 5 years, we just broke up last week because of this. He has had enough of me being late or saying that I will be there at 1:00 pm and I show up an hour late. I am struggling professionally at work, personally with my family and now emotionally with my Love. I am struggling all the way around. Is there a good article or book about TBI that is an easy read that I can share and help explain to others close to me the daily frustration, anxiety and stress that I go through daily just to function. I feel like I am loosing everyone around me. How do you explain something in words when it is confusing to you and you are trying with all of your being and heart to begin a plan, continue a plan, much less complete a plan or put into words what you know, but cannot It is not about being lazy, or inconsiderate or uncaring or a snob.

How terrible. I will pray for you.

Hmm, I can totally relate. Same exact scenario. Brass knuckles to the temple and it was lights out. When it happened there was no comprehension about how to treat TBIs. They told me I'd be fine. The only thing is, I wasn't. 10 years later they wondered what was wrong with me. I told them that had been messed up since I took the brass knuckles to the side of the head. They looked at me with bulging eyes and immediately sent me for help. By then I had learned techniques to keep me stable in the world. The thing that messes me up the most is the way my brain functions now. Memory loss, concentration, and panic attacks. I'm messed up, but don't know how to express it or have people understand.

I also suffered a fall injury it was in July of 2009. I'm very blessed to be alive still. I fell 128 feet onto a flat roof below. I have to add that I was not trying to commit suicide. I was dead set on getting back to the gym and back in shape. I did just that.
Anyway, lack of emotion was the only noticeable effect on my brain. It wasn't to severe and I coached myself out of it. But here I am almost 10 years later. I've had minimal vision issues. My biggest fear right now is my lack of memory. I've had a lot of stress in my life recently. It's taking its toll on me. Concentration seems tough at first but I manage to get my focus quickly enough. Mainly scared about the lack of memory. I've had some things happen recently that worry me. Telling the same stories over and not able to remember that I told it once already. Tonight I showed my girlfriend a Facebook pic with the added story.... Guess it was the third time now. Really can't recall it happening before at all. I'm currently going to appointments with additional follow ups scheduled. After the accident I was warned of possible down the road side effects. And well.... there here.

I was in a auto accident. I know how you feel. I feel the same way. A real disconnect from who I used to be, how to adjust to who I am now and other people perception of who I should be. I don’t know if that’s how you feel but that was my perception of it

Cliff, in addition to Botox the new monthly injection to prevent migraines called Aimovig and others are proving to be highly successful in reducing the number of migraines per month. I started Aimovig six months ago and went from 9-15 migraine days per month to three. Not everyone is this successful but a lot of people are. I still take Botox until I am sure I can switch to the other. I hope you ask your doctor about it. Aimovig provides the first year for free until insurance companies get on board with covering it.

I relate to the changes in “you” you described. There’s definitely a grief and loss process. Sounds like you’re staying positive and that’s not easy I know.

Hi Lisa,

I hope that you saw my post from earlier. I can identify with you so much, and not just by name! I think what we are all learning is that we may never be the same people that we were before. We have to take it day by day, like you are doing, to get re-acclimated with the new people that we are and pull from those strengths to develop into brighter beings. I hope that Yah blesses you with much joy and accomplishment despite all that you had to give up. I bet if you look really closely you will notice that you see things differently than most people, which is most likely a gift. So learn how to use it! Take care Lisa.

Hey I have read your comment. I had a severe tbi. My brain sheared against my skull. It's been almost 24 years. My accident was August 24, 1995. I used to be very outgoing. It's hard to remember my life. I was 12 years old when it happened. I also broke my neck. I also had a foot drop. That's where the nerve in my back broke and grew back a totally different way. I find it hard to keep friends hold conversation with people. Have lots of mood swings. There are other things that I find challenging. I have 2 kids as well. But it's hard for me to get along with my son. My daughter is ok though. I find myself being alone much better than being with other people. I like doing puzzles and word searches and working with numbers. I like working my brain alot. But not all the time.

Move to a state that you can access Marijuana derivatives.

I too have many of the symptoms you expressed, CBD tinctures help set my day up for success. Anxiety does not disappear, though I control it does not control me.

Tried to survive the conventional way all it did was make alcohol the first choice.

Which all of you know is the worst thing someone with a TBI should do!

To Whom it may Concern I had a TBI at age 7 from not wearing a Motorcycle helmet and was hit by a much heavier bike and person and therefore Had My left side of my skull ripped out and was unconscious for weeks And Had blood transfusions And Here I am at 51 never married and a full time father of a 7 year old son It's Been no fun all these years with many challenges and relationships and heartache. I Wish people who experience what we went and are going through Have a better understanding of Who and what we are and No we just can't get over it But deal with it!

I also suffer a server TBI for almost 4 years. I take turmeric and ginga vitamins, omega 3 vitamins. I feel it helps. Also I do deep Breathing through pain and meditation. Their are many meditation's for TBI, nerve damage ECT. It really helps me.

Danielle, I hope you can find the help you need. My youngest daughter of four daughters sustained a TBI from hanging herself while in a drug induced psychosis. She had a stroke before she was revived and then her brain was seizing. She is a mother of 4 children and she has relearned how to dress, toilet (sometimes) and feed herself. The docs have her on Keppra for seizures, Seroquel for anti psychosis and Olanzapine for sedation. I feel she is over medicated. Like a zombie and confused all of the time. Two of her sisters became guardians but without telling me moved her into an adult family home 4 hours away from me. I wasn't told and had a hip replacement surgery and after that is when I found out she was gone. Sorry for the long winded story. I'm so sad she is so far away. I really wanted to work with her so she could possibly regain her life. I really feel if people with TBI are in the right environment that they can reengage with family, friends and society. Please keep working on your journey to recovery. Sending you hugs and love. From a broken hearted mama. Also, stop saying you're fine when you feel bad. I know you might not want sympathy. But you can say when asked how you're doing that you're having some challenges. All of us in pain (or having other issues) never admit to how we really feel and we may unintentionally turn away people who can help us deal emotionally, physically and perhaps psychologically with some of our issues. Leave pride out of it because that is the ego talking and it's stupid generally speaking. Lol JS Accept help because some people want to help in this world we live in. :) God bless you Danielle! <3

Yes! It is very very exhausting to say sorry, my bad, second guess others motives, your own etc. And my GF don't even get me started on how amazing she is for putting up with me!

But to answer this: TBI left frontal lobe since age six. Just discovered the scare tissue in my brain, just starting to get help as I had no idea.

So I force myself to socialize. It sucks, I hate it, the people in this game group while nice and sometimes understanding of me, piss me off cause I can't keep up or get frustrated etc.

But once a month we meet, play a game and I am learning to socialize. But honestly half the time I just can't wait for it to be over.

Then I feel so lonely...

How messed up is that?

Hello. Well thank gosh you are alive after a plane crash. It’s been one and a half years for me and I have very similar issues... no longer do I enjoy people as I did and it is much easier to “erase” them from my brain. I get irritable and hear ringing in the ears all the time. I get scared a lot that CSF is building...: severe pressure on the brain. Stress has everything to do with it. Stay strong

Thank you for sharing this. My accident was 11 yrs ago and your story could be my story except for the wife and children part. I haven't had any ongoing therapy or help from anyone. I haven't given up but I want more than anything to just live alone and be responsible for only me. I think in the right environment I could build a small happy life for myself. I am so tired of defending and explaining myself. It's gotten to the point that I feel like meeting new people I have to give a speech that explains me. Sort of like a disclaimer. I live in a small town and I feel like I'm constantly being judged. I'm 50 yrs old and I want a clean slate.