The STRUGGLE bus...let's get some positivity going.

[jdog]

Guitar lessons. Music is therapy that consumes you, in a good way. I'm 64, started playing when I was 8, and expect to achieve my goal of the musician I want to be when I'm 157. Onward!

THIS.

I had a knee replacement a while back and I figured this would be the only time in my life that some with ACUTE ADD like myself could sit still long enough to actually concentrate on the guitar. Two years later and I am still taking weekly lessons with an amazing teacher. I am about 50% of the way to fretboard fluency and I still have so far to go. The highs and lows with guitar are intense for me but it keeps me coming back for more. I somehow landed with a teacher that is a saint.

I too quit drinking in 2010 and others close to me have recently as well. Personally I see it as a sticky mouse trap for humanity and an absolute test of willpower and mental strength to quit alcohol. I know people who can drink a little here and there and be ok with that. I haven't experienced that. I see alcohol like fish gills.. I can't breath underwater and I can't drink. I wish I could breathe underwater way more than I wish I could drink.



I too had a pretty solid head smasher snowboarding a decade back. I cartwheeled off my helmet and smashed the top of it in. The fracturing helmet lacerated the top of my head. I saw blood pooling in in my goggles. I got up, rode down to ski patrol and pushed on like not much happened. Something happened. I wasn't great.


I'm pretty happy and comfortable with the skin I'm in these days but it was uphill for a bit. Here are some links that are worth a closer look:

Craniosacral therapy for a concussion — Concussion Alliance

Some leaning sports physicians and brain injury specialists recommend craniosacral therapy (CST) for treating a concussion or post-concussion syndrome. Craniosacral therapy can be effective for treating headaches, as well as neck and back pain, which are common concussion symptoms.

www.concussionalliance.org

Craniosacral Therapy Can Help with Concussion Recovery | Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals

CranioSacral Therapy is a gentle and precise hands-on treatment method that focuses on the functioning of the body’s craniosacral system.

www.abmp.com

UFC Fighter's Brain Injury Successfully Treated with Psychedelics

Discover the power of psychedelic therapy for mental health conditions and TBI. Explore former MMA fighter's journey with psilocybin.

www.pacificneuroscienceinstitute.org

Acupuncture Improved Neurological Recovery after Traumatic Brain Injury by Activating BDNF/TrkB Pathway - PMC

How to promote neural repair following traumatic brain injury (TBI) has long been an intractable problem. Although acupuncture has been demonstrated to facilitate the neurological recovery, the underlying mechanism is elusive. Brain-derived ...

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dry Needling and Acupuncture for Concussion | Cognitive FX

Dry needling and acupuncture are helpful for certain concussion symptoms. Read on to learn when they’re enough vs when you need more comprehensive treatment.

www.cognitivefxusa.com

Use of Medical Cannabis to Treat Traumatic Brain Injury - PMC

There is not a single pharmacological agent with demonstrated therapeutic efficacy for traumatic brain injury (TBI). With recent legalization efforts and the growing popularity of medical cannabis, patients with TBI will inevitably consider medical ...

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

 

[UtahJoe]

broken orbital floor

dam....only reason I know what this is...my wife just had a kid into the ER who fell off a chair lift and landed on his face....same injury....so nice work Dave 😉

I have no good advice for you other than keep trying new things.....something will grab your attention...hopefully in a good way.

 

[Norm]

I tend to lean with JImV on this one. I would try to limit social media as much as possible. Since January, I have been doing my best to ignore it, and sometimes it is just impossible. That dude who makes the awesome chickpea recipes on IG is now ranting about the current administration. And you know, even if I agree with them I don't want to hear it, because it causes me anxiety. I think anything that causes you anxiety is a bad thing. Confirmation bias on social media that just tells you that you should be worried is very, very bad. Very bad.

Best of luck with everything, Dave.

 

[Dave Taylor]

dam....only reason I know what this is...my wife just had a kid into the ER who fell off a chair lift and landed on his face....same injury....so nice work Dave 😉

I have no good advice for you other than keep trying new things.....something will grab your attention...hopefully in a good way.

I broke the other side eye socket and orbital floor in 2001.

 

[Captain Brainstorm]

Some of you know, some of you don't. I had a pretty bad head injury in September. Initially I didn't think it was that bad but after this long winter the positives are BARELY outweighing the negatives. Long story short, I fainted at home and hit my head full force on a hardwood floor and got knocked out for around 5 minutes. Hospital trip, broken orbital floor and a concussion. I think this one is hitting me hard because I have had several concussions in the past, one very severe in 2001.

I will list the positives as there are many, but some pretty heavy negatives that weigh in here.

Positives: I have a great family. I have a great job. I am doing very well financially. I am typically a positive person. Tuesday TMB starts this week.
Negatives: General fatigue since accident. Tough to do what I love(cycling). Have all the gym and exercise equipment I need but can't motivate more than 1-2 hours per week. Difficult to take my mind off negatives. I have been more of a gaslighter on social media despite not really having a solid opinion on politics.

I'll finish with, I'm just feeling off and would like some thoughts/suggestions. I still drink but no more than 1-2 beers 3-4 times a week. I've gone to an AA meeting or two recently and found some positives. I don't feel I drink too much but I feel I can't stop cravings if I want an off day. I'm reading some books thanks to friends (Quit drinking without willpower). I'm sure my job in NJ is stressful but at the same time my boss has given me a great assurance of job security when not many have that. Thanks for reading.

I've had 2 serious TBI's in the last 5 years, I was out for about 15min. for the first one before they found me, and about 5-10 sec. for the second one about 2 years later. I was different person for about 3 years, but for the last year or so have been kind of back to who I was before.

Like you I'm doing ok with work, finances, etc., however I've kept my family out of this because things are hectic with my kids in that its all about excelling at the sports and getting into a good school. Its about them, it takes all of our mental and emotional energy, and I can't be a distraction with my shit. This approach may not be the right one, but it is what it is for now.

Its hard to find an off switch for my mind, and my short-term memory is shot. I can't remember names or why I walked down into the basement sometimes, but oddly enough I've gotten really good with numerical sequences. I'm a bourbon guy, I like a drink a night. Don't really drink beer anymore except in social situations, and rarely drink more than that bourbon a night. I find activities that take 100% of your focus and require thinking and adjustment mid-activity help me. Fly fishing, shooting, riding my motorcycle, and playing guitar. Others have mentioned music. Its like learning a new language while balancing on a ball, the perfect combination of dexterity and thinking. Some of the MD's that I work with are neurologists. Aside from therapy, they've suggested varying the daily routine. Brush, shave, comb hair with your left hand instead of your right, take a different way to common destinations, etc. Be careful with the holistic shit, there's really no hard data that confirms any of it, so think really hard before you start micro-dosing or taking THC, especially if you have an addictive personality.

Avoiding negativity is good, try to make or create something instead. Is bitching with a bunch of strangers over politics on the internet really fulfilling? I started teaching my son guitar and taking my daughter to the gym with me. I'm going to show her how to drive a manual transmission soon even though she's only 14.

Physical activity and your health is really important. Focus on staying healthy, exercise and eat right. If you can't get motivated to ride, go to the gym instead, or do something else. You said you're financially doing ok, right? Nothing motivates you to ride like a new bike. Spend a little money on you. Its amazing what a couple of hours blasting around in a fast car cranking music will do for you mentally.

There's no one size fits all with these things. I was out for 15min. and life goes on for me, others haven't even lost consciousness and their lives are totally in ruin. Just keep moving forward and good luck.

 

[asm]

Check out this podcast for some insight into concussion recovery.

BRAIN STORM PODCAST | Rebecca Rusch

Presented by Momentous, "Brain Storm" is a podcast series that follows seven-time world champion adventure athlete Rebecca Rusch after a violent bike wreck leaves her with a "mild" concussion that turns her world upside down in May 2022.

www.rebeccarusch.com

 

[THATmanMANNY]

I hope you get well soon and find more happy things!

 

[John the Plumber]

7th. ride in my third week of training after being off the bike 3 months after my crash. My first ride was 12 miles at 8.8 mph. Now improvements each ride, todays ride of 15.5 miles with an average of 10.4. Fitness score on Strava was increase of 30 points since the 1st. ride. Also rode in zones 3 & 4 for most of the ride. In the next couple of weeks to get on the gravel bike to increase mileage. The goal is to ride a 60 mile gravel ride by spring as long as things keep going like this and shoulder holds up. I am doing most of the MTB training at Seaview trails bc it is not to technical for someone at 67.

 

[Steve Vai]

THIS.

I had a knee replacement a while back and I figured this would be the only time in my life that some with ACUTE ADD like myself could sit still long enough to actually concentrate on the guitar. Two years later and I am still taking weekly lessons with an amazing teacher. I am about 50% of the way to fretboard fluency and I still have so far to go. The highs and lows with guitar are intense for me but it keeps me coming back for more. I somehow landed with a teacher that is a saint.

I too quit drinking in 2010 and others close to me have recently as well. Personally I see it as a sticky mouse trap for humanity and an absolute test of willpower and mental strength to quit alcohol. I know people who can drink a little here and there and be ok with that. I haven't experienced that. I see alcohol like fish gills.. I can't breath underwater and I can't drink. I wish I could breathe underwater way more than I wish I could drink.



I too had a pretty solid head smasher snowboarding a decade back. I cartwheeled off my helmet and smashed the top of it in. The fracturing helmet lacerated the top of my head. I saw blood pooling in in my goggles. I got up, rode down to ski patrol and pushed on like not much happened. Something happened. I wasn't great.


I'm pretty happy and comfortable with the skin I'm in these days but it was uphill for a bit. Here are some links that are worth a closer look:

Craniosacral therapy for a concussion — Concussion Alliance

Some leaning sports physicians and brain injury specialists recommend craniosacral therapy (CST) for treating a concussion or post-concussion syndrome. Craniosacral therapy can be effective for treating headaches, as well as neck and back pain, which are common concussion symptoms.

www.concussionalliance.org

Craniosacral Therapy Can Help with Concussion Recovery | Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals

CranioSacral Therapy is a gentle and precise hands-on treatment method that focuses on the functioning of the body’s craniosacral system.

www.abmp.com

UFC Fighter's Brain Injury Successfully Treated with Psychedelics

Discover the power of psychedelic therapy for mental health conditions and TBI. Explore former MMA fighter's journey with psilocybin.

www.pacificneuroscienceinstitute.org

Acupuncture Improved Neurological Recovery after Traumatic Brain Injury by Activating BDNF/TrkB Pathway - PMC

How to promote neural repair following traumatic brain injury (TBI) has long been an intractable problem. Although acupuncture has been demonstrated to facilitate the neurological recovery, the underlying mechanism is elusive. Brain-derived ...

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dry Needling and Acupuncture for Concussion | Cognitive FX

Dry needling and acupuncture are helpful for certain concussion symptoms. Read on to learn when they’re enough vs when you need more comprehensive treatment.

www.cognitivefxusa.com

Use of Medical Cannabis to Treat Traumatic Brain Injury - PMC

There is not a single pharmacological agent with demonstrated therapeutic efficacy for traumatic brain injury (TBI). With recent legalization efforts and the growing popularity of medical cannabis, patients with TBI will inevitably consider medical ...

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Guitar is a lifelong journey, like cycling. It never gets easier, you just get faster.

 

[Pearl]

Positive vibes homie.

 

[Dave Taylor]

I've had 2 serious TBI's in the last 5 years, I was out for about 15min. for the first one before they found me, and about 5-10 sec. for the second one about 2 years later. I was different person for about 3 years, but for the last year or so have been kind of back to who I was before.

Like you I'm doing ok with work, finances, etc., however I've kept my family out of this because things are hectic with my kids in that its all about excelling at the sports and getting into a good school. Its about them, it takes all of our mental and emotional energy, and I can't be a distraction with my shit. This approach may not be the right one, but it is what it is for now.

Its hard to find an off switch for my mind, and my short-term memory is shot. I can't remember names or why I walked down into the basement sometimes, but oddly enough I've gotten really good with numerical sequences. I'm a bourbon guy, I like a drink a night. Don't really drink beer anymore except in social situations, and rarely drink more than that bourbon a night. I find activities that take 100% of your focus and require thinking and adjustment mid-activity help me. Fly fishing, shooting, riding my motorcycle, and playing guitar. Others have mentioned music. Its like learning a new language while balancing on a ball, the perfect combination of dexterity and thinking. Some of the MD's that I work with are neurologists. Aside from therapy, they've suggested varying the daily routine. Brush, shave, comb hair with your left hand instead of your right, take a different way to common destinations, etc. Be careful with the holistic shit, there's really no hard data that confirms any of it, so think really hard before you start micro-dosing or taking THC, especially if you have an addictive personality.

Avoiding negativity is good, try to make or create something instead. Is bitching with a bunch of strangers over politics on the internet really fulfilling? I started teaching my son guitar and taking my daughter to the gym with me. I'm going to show her how to drive a manual transmission soon even though she's only 14.

Physical activity and your health is really important. Focus on staying healthy, exercise and eat right. If you can't get motivated to ride, go to the gym instead, or do something else. You said you're financially doing ok, right? Nothing motivates you to ride like a new bike. Spend a little money on you. Its amazing what a couple of hours blasting around in a fast car cranking music will do for you mentally.

There's no one size fits all with these things. I was out for 15min. and life goes on for me, others haven't even lost consciousness and their lives are totally in ruin. Just keep moving forward and good luck.

I feel ya. My first concussion was in a dirt bike when I was 19. Knocked out for a few minutes. Recovered in a few days. Next one was big. Flipped a golf cart in indianapolis and woke up i. The hospital 24 hours later. Still, pretty quick recovery. A couple very minor ones. This one is different though. I def have short term memory issues. Sometimes I’ll be talking about something and just blank physically I feel pretty good other than tired.

 

[adogg]

As far as alcohol goes, I find that there's no middle ground. In my experience, trying to quit drinking and having just a few ended up with me having too many too often. What worked for me is realizing that drinking what essentially is a poison went against the hard work that I put into myself by cycling and eating healthy not to mention the wasted time and money cause of booze.

 

[a.s.]

Have you thought about seeing a psychiatrist? Maybe anti-anxiety and depression meds will help. I've never been big on this but after seeing my son struggle (badly), we got him on sertraline. It's unbelievable how much it has helped him.

Also, alcohol is compounding your issues. 100% this is fact. You need to stop.

Personally, I have stopped watching news and scroll past or delete all political content on my social media. Been this was for almost 4 months. It has brought down my anxiety level tremendously. I sleep well and am generally a happy person. I can literally see people around me acting angry, anxious and depressed due to the news.

 

[Hair Face]

We only met once briefly so I don't know you as well as others on here and I'm not a professional on this subject by any means. But I do think just the mere fact that you are willing to openly discuss the issues you're having and seek out help is a sign that you are on the right path. I hope that you will, in time, find a healthy way to work through the negatives and get back to where you'd like to be mentally and physically.

 

[rjr44]

@Dave Taylor has this thread been useful so far, particularly the part of the title that says let's get some positivity going?

I hope so! I think lots of folks have pointed out lots of stuff for you to be positive about, and use that stuff to motivate you to address the negatives.

 

[Ejd]

Have you thought about seeing a psychiatrist? Maybe anti-anxiety and depression meds will help. I've never been big on this but after seeing my son struggle (badly), we got him on sertraline. It's unbelievable how much it has helped him.

Also, alcohol is compounding your issues. 100% this is fact. You need to stop.

Personally, I have stopped watching news and scroll past or delete all political content on my social media. Been this was for almost 4 months. It has brought down my anxiety level tremendously. I sleep well and am generally a happy person. I can literally see people around me acting angry, anxious and depressed due to the news.

Maybe this is a good idea. My son was diagnosed with OCD when he was teenager. He is on anxiety medication and has a psychiatrist and psychologist. He is doing much better now.

 

[Mitch]

Hey Dave. I have had a few bangs on the head over my lifetime and 1 thing I can tell you is that if you are able to recognize your issues then that's a good thing. I have nothing much to offer other then try drinking shit beer and you will develop a hate for it. I stopped for a year and now even good beer taste meh to me.

I will say your writing has improved and you're not as annoying as you were. So that's a positive! I still like our yearly text and it's always good hearing from you. Stay strong and be happy.

 

[Dave Taylor]

@Dave Taylor has this thread been useful so far, particularly the part of the title that says let's get some positivity going?

I hope so! I think lots of folks have pointed out lots of stuff for you to be positive about, and use that stuff to motivate you to address the negatives.

For sure. Sometimes you need to talk things out. I'm not someone that hides my feelings well as you know.The dark season is over and it's all up from here...well after this covid is gone...meh.

 

[Dave Taylor]

Have you thought about seeing a psychiatrist? Maybe anti-anxiety and depression meds will help. I've never been big on this but after seeing my son struggle (badly), we got him on sertraline. It's unbelievable how much it has helped him.

Also, alcohol is compounding your issues. 100% this is fact. You need to stop.

Personally, I have stopped watching news and scroll past or delete all political content on my social media. Been this was for almost 4 months. It has brought down my anxiety level tremendously. I sleep well and am generally a happy person. I can literally see people around me acting angry, anxious and depressed due to the news.

Well, listened to the book " quit drinking without willpower" and it's pretty good. I've not had a drink in 5 days...it's a start. I'm a get the ball rolling kinda guy...training, trading, positivity...so here we come.

 

[Dave Taylor]

Hey Dave. I have had a few bangs on the head over my lifetime and 1 thing I can tell you is that if able you are able to recognize your issues then that's a good thing. I have nothing much to offer other then try drinking shit beer and you will develop a hate for it. I stopped for a year and now even goid beer taste meh to me.

I will say your writing has improved and you're not as annoying as you were. So that's a positive! I still like our yearly text and it's always good hearing from you. Stay strong and be happy.

Thx buddy.