How long does post concussion head pain and cognitive fatigue last?

Hi, Jennifer, what a wonderful, encouraging reply. It seems I need to be reminded over and over again about the importance of NAPS and patience. I feel encouraged when I'm reminded of these things.
Best, Cate

I had the same things too, couldn’t even remember where I was going running errands, would get two or three blocks from home and forget. Used navigation and every tool possible to prevent me from thinking more than necessary to prevent excessive cognitive fatigue. Take short naps, even half hour when the brain decides it’s done processing, huge help. The headaches turned out to be eye convergence insufficiency-basically got hit so hard that it knocked my eyes out of alignment-neuropathologist prescribed specific PT exercises forever, but it helps the headaches turned pain enormously. Been in speech pathology physical therapy for about ten months and it helps with the jumbled thoughts, ford finding, building a new neuropathways and the aphasia. Don’t push yourself too hard or get stressed can cause additional issues but I would definitely do research and talk to your doctor about all kinds of Physical Therapy it helps a lot.
Hope you feel better soon, I found that the 24 hour fitness has a recovery room with massage chairs, the pool and jacuzzi seriously have been a life saver with the physical pain. Yes, I am working too and like you, couldn’t believe it, couldn’t think back then and my job required extensive cognitive fatiguing everything, but after a very long 13 months of hard work and persistence I am just now starting to feel better and more like my happy self again. I know my limitations and won’t let anyone push my body so far it hurts me though. I went from doing 200% to 100% and that’s okay!!

@kayabbott I have a history of concussions (student athlete) and my most recent concussion was this past January after a fall, I am also currently writing my PhD dissertation (in neuroscience of all things) and it has been very difficult with the lasting symptoms from the injury that still have not resolved. Your reply with your experience gives me hope that I can complete writing my dissertation while still recovering. It sounds like we both made finishing a PhD even more of an extreme sport than it already is!

I’m a writer also. Much to my dismay I’ve had to stop most resource writing for publication as I’m finding much trouble meeting deadlines. I’m proud of you working on PHds. Perhaps persistence will pay off for you! Good luck and best wishes.

@kaylad Dissertations are tough enough without TBIs. I broke my writing down as much as possible by using and populating outlines, and lots of naps, managing stress, exercise, and other escapes. If noise impacts you, noise cancelling earbuds are great. Once you are done, you will have the PhD plus considerable knowledge and experience in rewiring brains. I beat myself up throughout the writing and defence; walking across the stage for my silver diploma was an epithany. It felt like floating because I didn't realize how much I was beating myself up for struggling. PhDs are accomplishments, especially during recoveries. Please give yourself a hug for me.

@kaylad - I agree - writing a dissertation is a huge accomplishment and a big task to complete. I also agree with @kayabbott about proactively taking naps, managing stress, exercise, and other escapes. When I was writing my master's thesis (not as big as a dissertation, of course, but a similar process), I did a lot of these to just incent myself and try to keep going. My biggest "reward" at that time was spending an hour a day just reading a novel for fun.

Is fatigue your biggest challenge as far as symptoms right now, kaylad, or something else?

@ccmedic5 update!!! I had a small and not very alarming episode about two weeks ago, I lost control of my right hand, my left hand and I was slurring my speech. I didn’t panic because strokes or TIA don’t work like that. I could not control anything. I sat down and relaxed in about 20 min it seemed to pop right back up and no other issues. I am a full believer that I have CTE. I am looking to be part of a research team that wants to track me and see if there is information there that can be useful to them.

My TBI pain is compounded by post cancer sinus radiation. Fighting trigger points in my neck constantly, and I know wanting the left side of my head removed isn’t a healthy answer. BUT the pain will be forever and even though I know what triggers spikes, most I cannot avoid. Although I want so much (age 72) to still be out among people, volunteering my equine assisted work and other areas, I have to learn and accept that the work I’ve done has helped many and even tiny amounts of participation can leave me regretting my input pain wise. I do offer my pain as prayer. (Doesn’t make the pain go away but at least it goes to a good cause) and I accept that the rest of my life will involve Rx medications just to get through a day or even attend Church. I also have to accept some triggers I just cannot engage in, like travel. Basically, after all the research, shots, PT, specialists etc….. most of our TBI and post rad pain is life long. Rest is a must. More than most realize. Being active is wonderful also. FIBRO used to rule my life 30 years ago and now not as bad. When I feel it coming on, I engage in a pleasurable activity; keep moving! However, even with a long list of things to lessen it ( ice, heat, manipulation etc) my head/neck pain is relentless and unfortunately our bodies and minds will require increases in meds. This is our duty to ourselves: take the meds that work with the least side effects. Be validated it is necessary, even though we hate our meds and wish we could never go to a pharmacy again, like a diabetic on insulin, our pain meds are a necessity. Kick out self pity. Try not to feel shy and guilty about this. It can actually be life saving.