Adult Life after a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Posted by Dawn Pereda @dawnpereda, Sep 27, 2017

Hi, My name is Dawn and I am an RN. Just over two years ago I received a work related injury. This injury has left me with a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Even though two years have passed, I still suffer with lingering tbi symptoms. I have some issues with memory. Some things I remember with no problems, other things I just don't remember and I can't explain why... I also suffer with issues related to mood dis-regulation. I can be angry at times and not understand why or end up having explosive outbursts. This has greatly impacted my life. I still work but no longer with patients. Also, this has been a huge turn around for my family. I'm no longer the mom who has everything under control. I used to work full time, manage my kids' schedules, pay household bills, and keep my house clean. Now I struggle to remember to brush my hair before leaving for work. My husband pays the bills and my kids write their schedules on a large calendar (that hangs in our dining room) so I can visually be reminded where they are and what they are doing. I am a "new" me and I never would have imagined this journey for myself.

I know there are things out there for youth that suffer from concussion/tbi, but I don't always find a lot of discussion/support for adults, like myself. I get up every day and work to live my life to its fullest. If you would like to know more about my life and journey, you can listen to a podcast that I did with my family. Its called "Terrible, Thanks For Asking". We're season 1, episode 5. Its brutally honest. If any of this rings true to your life please join this discussion with me. Thanks for your time!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Support Group.

rosexxxx | @rosexxxx | Jun 2, 2022

In reply to @colleenyoung "Oh gosh, Rose, this happened to you only last Friday (a week ago)? How are you..." + (show)

I am taking it slowly. I notice strange things like swelling around my ankles. I real try not to push the activities but you got much more damage with the 14 feet. I am more concerned about you. I had a weird cough which they thought was covid from the hospital but tested negative today.
Mentioned you to the taxi driver coming home from the hospital so you know I am thi king of you.

nannybrister | @nannybrister | Nov 19, 2022

Would this be the group to discuss TBI?

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Nov 19, 2022

In reply to @nannybrister "Would this be the group to discuss TBI?" + (show)

Welcome @nannybrister. You are in the right group. I moved your post to this discussion
- Adult Life after a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/adult-life-after-a-tbi/

I did this so you can read previous posts and connect with other members like @dawnpereda @rosexxxx @amyabi @pinkyandthebrain @anncgrl @lakelifelady who have have or had a traumatic brain injury.

I look forward to getting to know more about you. How long have you been living with TBI? How is your recovery going?

nannybrister | @nannybrister | Nov 23, 2022

In reply to @techi "I also remember when l first came home after my TH I l cried because l..." + (show)

@techi

I also remember when l first came home after my TH I l cried because l didn't know my house and that l had children. Then one day my therapist took me to the grocery store to see what l remembered. I cried because there were people around and it was to overwhelming. I didn't know how to do house work or cook. I also couldn't take hearing loud noise and too many people talking frightened.me. Then one day l was told l was strangling my daughter and l really didn't know what l did then l was sent to the mental hospital. And l can remember only one time being there. I guess it was the drugs l was given. Then l was discharged. Then everything after while seemed ok. I was reading doing math and my speech therapist helped me to do these things. Then once again something happened again l fell on an antique table and hit my head. I wanted to go home because when l hit my head we were to fly back home. My mother and l did and l was told l did something else l am not sure. I was told when we got off the plane they took me straight to the hospital and l kept calling my therapist name and she came and Then l was transferred to another mental hospital. I came back out and l was put on stronger antidepressants from 1997- 2014. I had another attack with my brain injury. Viral encephalitis first and then autoimmune encephalitis and all the things l was going through were symptoms of autoimmune encephalitis disease and at that time and still today doctors don't know about it and they think it's a mental problem when it's actually all the signs of autoimmune encephalitis disease. Then l had a 4hr test for memory and then a PET for dementia and they all came back normal. So l prayed Lord give me my memory back. I listened to music and watched wheel of fortune. When l read the bible or hear the preacher speak l couldn't comprehend or remember as soon as l got out the church. Now l can read and understand what l hear and not frightened of my surroundings but now in the times we are living in we have to be aware so that is normal. Now l haven't been driving for a year because they didn't know what was going on with me so l have to tell doctors go to about my illness and the symptoms but l am doing great and they can't believe it but God is not surprised. And just recently l read about 2 people who went through the same thing and were treated the same way and also placed in mental hospitals. So it takes time and lots of prayer. And don't be hard on yourself because all of this is normal and it will get better.

Jump to this post

Boy, you've really had it! I'm so sorry; but thankful that God is helping you. I notice this was several years ago. How are you now?

stevegrinstead | @stevegrinstead | Nov 24, 2022

In reply to @nannybrister "Boy, you've really had it! I'm so sorry; but thankful that God is helping you. I..." + (show)

Often a TBI will cause SS. If you have SS and an active bleed you must get it fixed or you will get much worse quickly. Please google Superficial Siderosis.

christy1962 | @christy1962 | Dec 19, 2023

What is the title of your episode?

christy1962 | @christy1962 | Dec 19, 2023

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2q2tWDoJbSNrhiDKOoMk2C?si=LKkfi9neRq6_tEpzxckJJQ
I just found your episode on Spotify

christy1962 | @christy1962 | Dec 19, 2023

I just listened to your podcast

How are you doing now?

Hugs to you Dawn

Christy

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Dec 19, 2023

In reply to @christy1962 "I just listened to your podcast How are you doing now? Hugs to you Dawn Christy" + (show)

Hi @christy1962, I'm tagging @dawnpereda to make sure she sees your posts and that you listened to her podcast.

Christy, do you live with traumatic brain injury? Is it recent or are you further along in recovery? I look forward to learning more about you.

christy1962 | @christy1962 | Dec 19, 2023

Hi Colleen

I have two brain tumors, chiari malformation, PTSD, and have been diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment

I can relate to some of the things in Dawn's podcast and hope she is doing well

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