Need advice on dealing with a concussion

no concussion recently so no idea how it affects running but I can tell you that traumatic brain injury (TBI) can linger - ESPECIALLY if you do not tread lightly early.  I know people who get headaches as soon as they get to zone 4 - years after injury (mostly repetitive injuries).

If you have not seen a neurologist who understands athletes you should. Sometimes low dose medication can help.

You will be fine. 

Let the head heal up and then get a few weeks of solid running in.  You should be able to ramp up to around 3/4ths of your weekly volume with out any problems, but if things hurt then you need to slow down.

IIRC you did an Ironman this summer.  That volume plus your marathon build will carry you through the Goofy. 

You will not necessarily be fine for your events.  Anyone who has suffered a concussion would never tell you that you will.  I'm not a doctor, and it's good that you are seeing one, but I do know that symptoms from a concussion can easily last a year, or more.  It's really nothing to mess with.  It's NOT a knee injury, or anything remotely close to that.....it's your brain.  If it were me, and I had the exact same symptoms as you describe, in the time period you describe, I'd beg off my upcoming events and find a doctor with alot of experience in concussions....start with your local football team's doctor.

A fall like you describe, with unconciousness, is not something to play with.

x2

It's your brain........it's kind of a big deal.

Please be kind and gentle to yourself right now.

I know it is a terrible cliche, and not what you want to hear, but the races will always be there.............

Best of luck to you.

Yeah, I know I need to be careful. I'm just frustrated because I can't plan.

If I don't have a headache tomorrow and I go for a short run on Sunday and don't get one then I'm sure I'll be fine for Goofy. But if I have headaches for another week or two, I'm screwed. It's the not knowing that is getting to me.

I've already decided to bag the marathon next week. I'm looking up how to get a refund or transfer the bib now and I think my hotel reservation can be just cancelled. (I dont' think it was a pay in advance one.)

But canceling Goofy is going to be a nightmare. I don't want to start that if there is even a 75% chance I can do it.

Just to follow up...

Still getting headaches. Both doctors told me that this can happen and I'd have to be patient but I double-checked because I got tired of people fusing at me that this couldn't possibly be normal and, yes, my PCP repeated that it may take months and there's nothing I can do about it except take it easy.

So no CIM on Sunday for sure. I'm still going up on Sat. to get my "free" t-shirt and visit the state train museum with dh.

I've just put everything I was thinking about training for out of my mind so I won't go mad.

I'm glad you bumped this! It looks like some folks might have thought that I was saying just to train through the concussion recovery.  I was only talking about running.  I'm not a doctor and don't know anything about concussion recovery.

I'm sorry you had to miss CIM, but they will have the race again next year or the year after that.  Just be patient and wait for the damage from the concussion to heal. 

If have persistent headaches, short term memoryloss, "grogginess", dizziness or any other postconcussion syndrome symptom you should see a neurologist.

In the meantime read this:  http://www.nata.org/sites/default/files/MgmtOfSportRelatedConcussion.pdf

this is how sports teams manage it.  The lead author is one of the leaders in concussion managment, as well as a Dr. Cantu

Keep in mind they are currently "tweaking" the gudlines and treatment protocols as we speak but this is a good start

But if the symptoms persist whether at rest or increase with exertion you need to be checked out.

good luck

MacMadame,

I just so happen to be a PhD student at KUMed researching concussions and the time it takes for people/athletes to safely return to activity.  So, I have some suggestions and advice, based on the massive amounts of literature I have read and discussed:

-Concussions/mild Traumatic Brain Injuries are a VERY big deal.  Don't take it lightly (which I don't think you have).  I read that you blacked out after the crash, which isn't a great thing, but severity of head injuries is now being ranked by the loss of memory after the impact.  It didn't sound like there wasn't any loss, which is good and probably somewhat good concerning your prognosis.

-You are right on with returning to work and training when you are symptom free.  ESPECIALLY training.  Increases in HR will increase your blood flow, which will cause the symptoms to worsen.  Do yourself a favor and rest as much as possible, both mentally and physically.

-Lastly, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT to ease back into training.  You must be symptom free before starting, and need to remain symptom free during and after.  Start with an easy 10 min run/walk, and stop.  Some of the symptoms may appear later in the day.  If this happens, your brain hasn't healed yet. Keep resting, and try again in a few days.  If you have no symptoms, keep SLOWLY progressing.

I am so sorry, and I know your frustrations.  I, too, have had concussions, with the last of mine being quite severe (which has spurned my interest in research).  Unfortunately, there is no protocol in place for safe return to sport, something I am very interested in changing.  I wish you all the best, but please be safe.

My headaches started appearing later and later in the day until they pretty much disappeared altogether. I noticed if I worked out (I was on the trainer two days after the accident) sometimes the headaches would appear earlier. It took 2 weeks to feel like myself again - just in time for my next race.

I vote for taking it easy a little while longer. I wouldn't avoid exercise altogether, but don't push yourself too hard. Find a doctor who is familiar with athletes and sports injuries. They should be able to diagnose you and tell you what level of activity to do. Did you get a CT scan or anything? My injury was such that when I woke up, didn't know where I was and threw out semi-random guesses when asked tough questions like 'Do you know where you are?' and 'How old are you?'. My CT scan showed no damage though and after about 30 minutes I had pretty full recollection of the accident and could answer the tough questions (what month is it?).

Unfortunately, I am an expert in concussions and brain injuries. I've survived a stroke and three bad concussions, two that I was knocked unconcious in.

During my last CT scan my doctor told me, quite succinctly, "You can't have any more concussions."

I've already lost a small portion of my visual field and have a terrible time remembering names. For people who know me, it's comical. For me, it is being trapped inside a brain that has taken a lot of hits and isn't like it was even 5 years ago.

Bottom line: Don't mess with head injuries.  Do not take chances. Brain injuries, such as thopse from consussion, are horrible. You are trapped in your skull and the rest of the world doesn't understand it. You don't want to go there.

Protect your head. Don't risk more concussions.

Having had some experiance with concussions (see avitar) in addition to skipping your training try to back off on your thinking as well until you have no more symptoms.

Your brain needs time to heal, and if it's busy thinking it can't heal as quickly.  This is not a sarcastic reply, if you can take time off work, do it.  But don't just use the time to catch up on reading, going out, or watch extra TV.  Spend as much time as possible as quiet time to allow your brain to rest so that it may heal.