Last post Thu, Oct 02 2008 10:56 AM by beckywatson49. 12 replies.
I am a double BK amputee, who got this way in 2006 from a rather large explosion in Iraq.
It was the 12th IED I had survived, with multiple concusions since 2003.
I was diagnosed with having a TBI, and have undergone therapy to help me regain some of my cognitive ways. I have a VERY hard time with memory, more than anything. And I was wondering if anyone out there might have some advice to help remember things.
Currently the only medication I am on is Zoloft, as I don't believe to much in pain meds. But the family thinks the Zoloft helps with my moods.
Any and all advice is welcome.
My thanks in advance.
The good news is, the brain does retain plasticity and you may regain some of your cognitive abilities just by doing ordinary things. I think playing games, reading, keeping your mind fit through education is a good way to help. It has helped me, to an extent.
Welcome to disaboom.
"I believe everything out of the common. The only thing to distrust is the normal."John Buchan
I'm also a TBI victim. Basically with all we struggle with there aren't always exact things we can do that will help us immediately. We just gotta keep on keeping on. Plainly go about and live your life with an optimistic attitude and it will gradually come. If your worried about remembering things some of the things that I've done to help me would be; 1: think out loud and specifically remind yourself, 2: write it down (take notes). I'll think about it and see if I can remember anything else that my help. I hope the best for you. Good luck with everything.
Hi, My son suffered numerous injuries including a severe TBI upon his return from Iraq. We spent many months going through rehab. I know the things I suggest sound silly but they really help. We play ed things like Match game (they are cards usually sold in the childrens section, you have to try and match all the cards by remembering where you saw the last card). Also, we were told that video games were very helpful in short term memory loss due to the fact that if you like the game you will try hard to remember where you left off and what occured previously helping to assist in the triggering of the memory. We also bought the game Simon and Yahztee (which works with numbers) As I said I know all these games sound silly but they really do help. The other thing that we found even more helpful was to have my son keep a journal, where he can write his private thoughts. We found that when he read back what he had written previously had written he could see the progress that he has made. This has been crucial in his recovery and in helping with the depression and the anger he experianced. My son currently remains in the military (has yet to go before the board, we are trying to keep him in) he takes a lot of notes now, but he has made significant strides. If you need any other additional information, please contact me if you would like.
Take care, God, Bless and thank you for all you have given.
Cindie
I really HATE Vermont with TBI because I had a stroke. The snotty people caterogy with NAMES , FOR INSTANCE
Anna you are TBI for the doctor. Oh, really? I DON'T THINK SO. PEOPLE PAID BIG MONEY WHO HAD TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY WITH THE GOVERNMENT. I am sorry, but that is that! In February 15, 2003 I fell down with the pole ; I bumped my head with a pole that fell down into the floor. My uncle came over and drive to the hospital; no sign for MRI or CT scan. But I had NO sense at all. The flowers did not smell at all, lily of the valleys, lilacs. I know because I was a RN, but again lapsed. Blamed it on Vermont! I NEVER WANT TO GO BACK TO TBI!
It give me nightmare just to think about it in Vermont for 18 months!
Anna--not joke!
Cindie, childrens games sure don´t sound silly, because they are meant to help learning.
It sure helps to just do things like Liesl suggested.
And what is also helpful is to do every day stuff differently. For instance, brush Your teeth with your left hand when You are right-handed, open bottles with the other hand, things like that. The brain has to make new connections if You break a routine.
All the best
Daisies
I don't have any suggestions but I want to thank you and the others who've served in Iraq for your sacrifice and service in keeping our country safe. You guys are the best!
hello my name is brian, and i am a head injury survivor to. first let me tell you that you are my hero. i am very sorry to hear what happened to you. you are very blessed and lucky to survive your injuries. i got hurt playing football at a highschool football practice. i was put into a coma for 6 1/2 weeks and while i was in my coma i suffered a stroke. i was parilized on my entire right side and lost half of my vision. is the government helping you, i sure as hell hope so. i have heard horror stories about the government not helping enough with their injured soldiers. my short term and long term memory have been affected by my injury. they have a game clled memory, that has helpped me alot,and having a date book. write things down and rely on your friends to help you. my e-mail address is www.dropkinb@yahoo.com, keep in touch,and tell me how you are doing. my name is brian dropkin and i wish you the best in your recovery. remember you are my hero and god bless, your friend brian
You might try art like painting, drawing or sculpting.
Thank you and welcome home. I have a close family member on convoy duty in Afghanistan right now.
unrepentantpigsnatcher:You might try art like painting, drawing or sculpting. Thank you and welcome home. I have a close family member on convoy duty in Afghanistan right now.
I'm with Ms Piggy on that one. Also want to say thank you and as one having a head injury a bit back it is always odd in that you might gain only a sense your missing something. Fact is you are doing one thing pretty good right now your on-line. Take advantage of stuff you can recall and can do well I for one had a heack of a time recalling family but when they put me in front of a computer well that stuff must have been stored elsewhere because I could do lots with a keyboard and that helped in many other ways with many other things. Hang out here message me others start threads the fact is you have sometihng to work with so follow that and other stuff may fall into place.
I forgot dah see one thing I did was keep a list but for me it was computer based because that I could recall and keep track of. Using something as simple as the Calendar and Task Manager inside Outlook with it's set reminders that just popped up. I also used a Palm Pilot as crude as it was back then anything electronic that made a sounf or visual clue about anything I noted. I found that is I tried a hand written list that I would forget where I even kept the notebook.
As Daiseys mentioned in an earlier post, doing things differently than what feels natural, like switching hands to do every day things, can really help. It can cause the brain to make new neural pathways around damaged brain tissue. I have MS and I have brain damage. It took time, but eventually some came back. Mine was very minor compared to yours and others. Mostly neuro-muscular and short term memory. What I call brain fog is worse when I feel stressed. Steady on and stay the course. Less expectations, less frustrations. Must always hold on to hope! We may never be what we were, but we can become something new and wonderful! I will be praying for many miracles for you.
Thank you for what you have done for our Country and for Freedom. Like Brian said, you are our HERO! God bless you and keep you. Please let us know how you are doing.
pambe
Warrior
I see that other members have given you some great advice about how to get through the day to day with TBI. I have senior moments because of Post Polio Syndrom when I forget stuff. but nothing on your level.
I want to say THANK YOU for going and serving your country and protecting my freedom. As a Polio survivor it was never a possibilty for me to serve my country in that way. I so appreciate those who are able and willing to serve. You are one of my heroes and you and your family are part of my daily prayers for support, comfort, and having a postitive and productive life.
You have come to a great site. We will listen to you, support you, assist you and let you know that we understand your medical problems. Keep in touch.
Blessings
Becky W
