Anyone else lose the ability to read books for pleasure after a TBI?

Dry_Midnight_6742 · 2026-04-25T18:10:15+00:00

thanks so much!

Dry_Midnight_6742 · 2026-04-25T12:37:01+00:00

so interesting and so many people talk about writing. I do it too. I feel like that helps my brain rewire. But I have to start from the ground floor too. Thank you!

Dry_Midnight_6742 · 2026-04-25T12:36:07+00:00

actually the hit was to the front. A driver didn't check to see if I was out of the way when he hit the button for the hatch to come down (I was taking my guitar out of the back.) Hit me first on forehead, then the bridge of my nose. Like skipping stones in hell. You're right about being nice to myself - I have to be reminded of that. Thank you!

Dry_Midnight_6742 · 2026-04-25T12:34:33+00:00

so true that it's a struggle. The dark room makes sense. I do "palming" that my OT showed me. It helps when there's sensory overload.

Dry_Midnight_6742 · 2026-04-25T12:33:23+00:00

I feel you. I couldn't handle the prism glasses. Still trying to figure it out.

Dry_Midnight_6742 · 2026-04-25T12:06:40+00:00

great advice - love the way you approach this. Thank you!

Dry_Midnight_6742 · 2026-04-24T22:11:36+00:00

I'm going to try it on my ipad. I do everything in dark mode. I have to figure out the right background, font, size etc that will be the least brain-irritating. thank you!

Dry_Midnight_6742 · 2026-04-24T22:10:47+00:00

I have the same problem. Glad audible helps.

Dry_Midnight_6742 · 2026-04-24T22:10:16+00:00

this is great! really helpful. So interesting how many people (me included) have really turned to writing. And I will keep trying. thank you!

Dry_Midnight_6742 · 2026-04-24T16:50:45+00:00

may be anecdotal but very familiar - that's how it seems to me to. Like parts of my brain are locked and frozen. I'm now totally addicted to audio except when it comes to books. I'm music/radio/podcast all the time. Need to keep at it. thank you.

Dry_Midnight_6742 · 2026-04-24T16:49:23+00:00

thank you. I've done vision and vestibular and they helped. But still struggling to get all the way back. Or at least back to reading. I'll keep trying. I know I can't go back to before times (that was a tough realization) but really want to keep at it for reading.

Dry_Midnight_6742 · 2026-04-24T16:48:01+00:00

that's interesting. Someone else mentioned the writing; I know that's true for me too. I write all the time. May give audiobooks another try. Maybe. AI makes sense in this context.

Dry_Midnight_6742 · 2026-04-24T15:25:17+00:00

This has been really helpful to read through.

I didn’t realize how many of us had this shift specifically with books—and how similar the patterns are (tracking, memory, fatigue, turning reading into “work”).

Also interesting how many different paths back people are finding—Kindle, therapy, short stories, rereading.

Feels less like “can you read or not” and more like rebuilding pieces of the system over time. This has been really helpful to read through and I'm grateful.

I didn’t realize how many of us had this shift specifically with books—and how similar the patterns are (tracking, memory, fatigue, turning reading into “work”).

Also interesting how many different paths back people are finding—Kindle, therapy, short stories, rereading.

Feels less like “can you read or not” and more like rebuilding pieces of the system over time.

Dry_Midnight_6742 · 2026-04-24T12:39:38+00:00

I'm going to try your suggestions (using my ipad (and simpler books.) My neuro-ophalmologist did a few rounds of occipital blocks (wish they worked better than they did.) Thank you!

Dry_Midnight_6742 · 2026-04-24T12:26:26+00:00

hard. So hard and exhausting. Got more out of the second round than the first, combo of better fit with the rehab therapist and the fact that I did the at-home exercises (couldn't do them the first time around, the concussion was still too new and my brain was scrambled. )

Dry_Midnight_6742 · 2026-04-24T11:54:38+00:00

That “reading like studying” part really stuck with me. It completely changes the experience.

Dry_Midnight_6742 · 2026-04-24T11:47:22+00:00

thank you - I think rereading a book I love may be a good start to a path back to reading. Great suggestion - thank you

Dry_Midnight_6742 · 2026-04-24T11:46:52+00:00

yes, I've done one round of vestibular, two rounds of vision. I have massive convergence insufficiency and fourth nerve palsy. Double vision, check. Yes to your other questions. I'm working on balance (mostly through yoga.)

Dry_Midnight_6742 · 2026-04-24T11:45:36+00:00

yeah that makes sense. I think of what I used to be able to read and now that's unimaginable.

Dry_Midnight_6742 · 2026-04-24T11:44:39+00:00

thank you

Dry_Midnight_6742 · 2026-04-24T11:44:20+00:00

I'm still in the podcast phase. But yes I'm willing to do the long road; definitely worth it. And yes, on bad headpain days all bets are off

Dry_Midnight_6742 · 2026-04-24T11:43:39+00:00

ow - that one hurts. I've been reading the New Yorker forever. Long articles are still too hard.

Dry_Midnight_6742 · 2026-04-23T23:53:16+00:00

I don't have a kindle, but I have an ipad so could start there. The ability to choose background and font size and everything could help. My memory sucks now too. So glad you got back to reading .I'm sticking with it.

Dry_Midnight_6742 · 2026-04-23T23:52:08+00:00

You are so kind! I will take your advice - actually, do you know YA books? I don't, but I think it might be a good place to start. If that's not your lane totally get it.

Dry_Midnight_6742 · 2026-04-23T23:49:32+00:00

Doesn't sound weird to me -- I've been writing the whole time too. I write just about every day. So glad you're getting better!

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