Concussion anyone?

[mcc]

I was a passenger in a car accident on Saturday and ended up with whiplash and a concussion.  My PT said I can't come back until my headaches stop.  Does anyone have any experience with concussions? I want to get back to my exercises but feel like crap and don't want to die.

Things come in threes right?  Hip stress fracture, torn ACL, and concussion. Hopefully this is the last. 

[agswife]

I have no advice, but I'm so sorry! That sucks. And yes, my nana says bad things (and deaths) come in 3s. Seems you've met your quota!

[Deleted]

I'm not going to sugar coat this at all. Concussions can take a long, long time to recover from. Results may vary, obviously, but DO NOT push yourself or you'll make it worse. My BFF smacked her head on a metal bar at work back in January. She spent the first 2 weeks working - as a fitness instructor. She thought the headaches were just normal headaches, but she had a concussion and a mild one had turned into something awful b/c she didn't get checked out and did not rest properly.

She's been having headaches since, though they've reduced in severity. It took her 2 months to be cleared to work more than a desk job, and even now she gets headaches at night.

So please please take it easy now. Hydrate, relax, re-watch Arrested Development on Netflix and Justified on Amazon Prime. Or something. But do not push yourself.

*hugs*

[MrsE]

Things definitely come in threes. I'm so sorry to hear about your accident. Don't rush this. You definitely don't want any long term head/brain injuries. It may take time, but accept it (even though it sucks) and take it slowly. Hopefully you'll be good as new ASAP. Is your knee OK? Was it hurt at all in the accident? Sending hugs and head pats your way.

[sadlebred]

I'm sorry you got a concussion! Take it easy and follow your doctor's orders!

[mcc]

Thanks @sessalee for your story. Thankfully the docs didn't think it was bad and PT won't let me come back until the headaches are over because I'm a liability. Good to know that I really should take it easy though. Right now my brain is frazzled. My thoughts are cloudy it's hard to remember things but I'm not sure if that's a concussion, me being a flake or the placebo effect.

MrsE my knee was ok. I hit my head against another passenger and then at least once against the window/door. I have sore spots on the left side, right side and back of my head but my knee is perfect! Yay!

[libbygrl109]

I'm so sorry you got a concussion. They are no fun. I haven't had one, but see many cases of them because I'm on the concussion management team for my school. The fuzziness you're feeling is pretty typical. Don't rush things, and don't do anything to strain your brain too much. You actually slow down healing by forcing it to do too much, and that includes reading, watching tv, and being on the computer. Take care of yourself!

Sent from my SPH-L710 using proboards

[Brit]

Wow, MCC, glad your knee was spared. Hope you are feeling better soon.

[trigal]

I'm sorry about the accident. I've known several people who have had concussions and more severe brain injuries. Do what the doctors say and pay attention to how you are feeling. The brain is very mysterious and you really don't want to mess with it!

[Deleted]

I'm sorry about the accident. Listen to the doctors and get some rest.

[Deleted]

More of these!  (hug) (hug2)

[sitnspin]

So sorry!

MH had a concussion from hitting his head when he passed out.  It took a long time for him to recover.  He was very tired and had a constant head ache for almost 2 weeks.  Tylenol was prescribed and Advil was NOT under any circumstance to be taken because it can thin the blood.

[pixy0stix]

oof. I'm glad you're ok and it was just a concussion.

[osulori]

Ditto the others re: long recovery time...my friend's BF was in a nasty bike crash last summer and ended up with a mild concussion (with a helmet on, so lord only knows what would've happened without it). He felt like crap for a solid couple of weeks afterwards and wasn't able to work out period for a solid month. He wanted to get back to working out really badly but the doc said no way jose until he was feeling significantly better.

Hope you feel better soon!

[ebeth]

sorry about your accident. glad you're OK.

I don't have any anecdotes to share but I work in TBI research (that's what a concussion is BTW, a mild TBI). anyway, the literature seems to indicate that one of the worst things you can do is rush the return to exercise, so be patient and gentle with yourself.

[taratru]

How scary! I'm glad it's just a concussion. So listen to your docs!

[mcc]

Thanks ladies. I'm taking off PT until next week and will try to rest. I hate being sidelined again!