Still in shock from a T-bone

Hi guys. As some of you know I was t-boned from a junction one morning on the the 22nd February. I had multiple bone fractures on my left leg which required a 3hr operation and I ended up adding a bit of extra weight from a Ti plate and bolts. I've had to wait 3 days before they operated on me as the doc said that he could operate as long as my leg was swollen. So I had to stay still for 3 days with my leg in bits placed in a foam through. Not a nice experience and wouldn't wish it on anyone. Couldn't move, pee let alone sleep. Well all that's in the past now and the leg is healing nicely but I still can't walk. What's more worrying is that I've become kind of paranoid when travelling as a passenger now. I feel like cars are coming to get me from all directions. My question is, is this normal and will I get out of this trauma or do I need help. I never experienced this before in my life.

It'll pass in time, you're obviously still going through some sort of defence mechanism because your leg is still healing and you need to protect it from further damage and pain. Just hang in there and your mind will settle as time goes on.

How is the recovery going?

[dizzyblonde]

Its perfectly normal hun. Its still early days.

Stick at it.

took me few years to get over my crash. think my brother still has his one in the back of his mind sometimes. horrible experience to be in or see. hope he gets better soon

Hi Loz. It's healing nicely thanks. I'm sure the leg will be ok in a month or so but I'm not sure this mental thing will heal as fast. My brother also had a series bike accident some years back. He was sure he wouldn't ride again then but he got back on the saddle in a few months. In fact he couldn't wait for me to fix his bike, he bought another just so he could ride. Hope I follow suit.

just take it easy, dont rush yourself back into it if you dont feel mentally comfortable. you'll know when your ready to jump back on the saddle

It's normal Stephen.. It has been over 5 months from my accident and I still have not recovered mentally from it.. Went to pick the bike up on Saturday and rode it for all of 3 miles and you can't imagine how paranoid I was; kept on expecting someone to pull out on me and knock me off the bike... I know it will pass with time but I'm definitely going to get some psychotherapy to get my mind straight and start enjoying riding again. My solicitor suggested Cognitive Behavioural Therapy which is probably what I'm going to go for...

I think when you come face to face with with your own mortality like that, it has a much more profound effect on you than you initially realise.. having trouble sleeping, thinking about dying, etc.
Some take it better than others, but I don't think anyone is really impervious to effects of accidents..

The funny thing is that at first I was ok with everything, the pain, the accident, the whole thing. I wasn't even angry at the guy who rammed me. But now after about six weeks or so, all kinds of emotions are coming up. I also had trouble breathing. The doc ordered me some pills in case it happens again. I felt like it was going to happen again last Sunday when my wife took me to our bike meet in her car. I told her to slow down a bit and leave a longer gap to the car in front and then I felt better.

[dizzyblonde]

I suppose it depends on the nature of the accident or indeed the severity.
Both Peg and Carnivore had very severe Tbone/head on collisions, both have had similar reactions in how to deal with them.

Both were pigheaded got on their crutches and bought the biggest bike they dare to give them incentive to push them into a postive outcome. Both have spat dummies out in frustration for legs not working right. Both have had bouts of depression in the early stages.
Both have funny dreams too, and disturbed sleep, one still even after ten years, the other five. This part is seen from my perspective, as neither recall it happening.

Both Peg and Carnivore hate sitting pillion, something they can't control. And both will say that what you are going through, is the nature of the beast, its a huge trauma to deal with.

[Jayneflakes]

These things take a lot of time to heal from, both physically and mentally. The damage and pain you suffered is the source of this, your brain has wired in to it now that speed and cars means pain. There are two ways to over come this and one to ignore it.

To ignore it, just give up riding your bike and stay nice and safe indoors. This sounds silly, but I have a friend who has done this and is now an alcoholic because they are afraid to go outside. I do not recommend this.

To over come it, you can fight through it on your own, or you can get a little bit of counseling. I have had counseling and it worked a treat for me. Working through anguish is hard work and difficult, but you can do it and you can get back on a bike again in time. Don't be overly harsh on yourself, but don't fall into a fear trap either.

You are not invincible, but you are strong and free and probably a bit creaky when you move now, but in time you will be OK, just don't give into fear. I speak as a former dangeorus sports freak who pushed the edge a few times too many, trust me, it makes us weird!