First Off!
I’m not complaining really. I’m just updating other TBI patients who have followed my recovery on how things are going. This time last year I was not even halfway to where I’m now. So really I don’t mean to sound ungrateful for how far I have come.
Migraines
My migraines prior to covid-19 seemed to be manageable. I was getting Botox injections in my head and trigger point injections in my neck.
With the complication of covid-19 I was not able to keep up with this regimen. Hopefully, soon I can get back to it again, because it really did help.
Eyes and Neck Pain = Migraine
My vision is still an issue on a day to day basis. Sometimes I see double, other times I see black shadows or bright lights. Those are normal pre migraine symptoms… I get those symptoms sometimes without getting a migraine.
When I do get a migraine it makes my vision way worse. It also makes my eyes hurt. The best way that I can describe it is a pain that is pushing against the back of my eyes. Not fun.
My neck has always been a mess since the accident. Due to the whiplash. When I’m having an extra bad day and my neck is hurting really bad, it feels like my neck and shoulders are yanking down on the back of my head.
The eye pain, combined with neck pain is when I get hardcore migraines.
Hard Core Migraines
When I say hard core migraines, I mean the type that keeps me in bed for a day or two. Then takes me a day or two to feel like my body has physically recovered from it.
A week or two ago, I got a terrible migraine on a Tuesday and didn’t get to feeling back to normal until Friday. It also took until Friday for my vision to go back to my normal level of bad vision( I did tell you that according to my neuro- optometrist I’m considered legally blind right? )
What I Think Is Triggering Them
I think that my headaches are sometimes triggered by changes in weather and barometric pressure. It is like my headaches can predict the weather.
I also know that each month I’m pushing myself to do more and more. I’m grateful that I’m able to do more, but I sometimes forget that I’m not “normal” anymore as far as my energy level and strength. So when life is going well, and I’m doing more, I forget that I need to take breaks and allow myself to rest before I start to feel so exhausted that a migraine is inevitable.
Yoga
I have been consistently doing yoga every day and it makes my body feel a lot better. I feel like when I wake up in the morning my whole body is tense and painful. After 30-40 minutes of yoga my muscles feel a lot better. I also feel like it is a good thing for me to start out my day with some focus on balance. Since I still have balance issues at times.
Riding My Horses
I have been riding my horses a few days a week. Just slow and steady stuff. The only problems I seem to have recently when riding is that I still get very dizzy getting on and off. The dizziness goes away a lot faster getting on the horse than getting off.
When I get off a lot of times I have to stand still and hold onto my horses neck until everything stops spinning.
I also have trouble cleaning out my horses hooves because a lot of the time standing with my head down for extended time makes me see spots like I’m going to black out and I lose my balance.
It’s a good thing I have nice horses since in the last month or so I have ended up having to sit on the ground next to them in between cleaning each foot.
Grateful
What I want my TBI readers to take from this post is that I’m grateful for my progress. I’m still recovering, who knows I might be spending the rest of my life recovering. At least I’m moving forward. I can get through the symptoms as long as I keep remembering how far I have come. You can too!
Those who have not experienced TBI don’t understand what we go through. Don’t worry about it. Remember, there are people like me out there who can totally relate. It is hard physically and emotionally, but we can do it. We just have to keep on keepin’ on!
Random Facts
Today is National Popcorn Day!! Bet ya didn’t know that!