Concussion

[eccc whippet]

So a little bump on the head...whats the big deal...i have had many accident which have resulted in a bump on the head...the worse of them happened while riding a motor bike...as i flew over the top of the car my head caught the roof of the car and i woke up 3 days later in hospital...since then a few bumps here and there...nothing to write home about. 

 

On Sunday last week a little  bump on the head again 30 km into a 64 km race...stopped dead on a tree going down a single track...broke my helmet in 3 places...got back on the bike and finished the last couple km.

 

AT first i felt dizzy and disorientated and my eye sight was blurred...being a cyclist and not a football player...the bike was ok ...so off we went...finished the race and headed home.

 

This week has been a challenging week...i have been to a doctor and listening to the doctor...even taking the medication prescribed and been taking it easy...spent some time on the cadence bike on friday...but it didnt go well.

 

Why i started this thread is to hear from one of the more educated people on the hub with regards to this topic (doctors or experienced medical fundi)

 

share a few tips on what we should do if you have an accident and bump your head...what to look out for...how long should you should stay off the bike...away from high intensity training etc.  

 

the repercussion if any of ignoring the symptoms of a concussion.

 

 

[shaper]

So am guessing you looking for answers to say it is ok and not take medical advice and take it easy?

 

When rugby players are concussed, they are not allowed to play again for 2 weeks in general.

 

Your life, if you want to ignore medical advice....

[BigTom]

I am not medical fundi, but have recently moved to the USA.  I was surprised at what a huge issue concussions have become here.  My kids in high school sports all have to sign stacks of paperwork stating they know and understand the signs of concussion and that they will report it immediately if they have any, or know of anyone who does.  Blurred vision and dizziness are certainly some of the key signs.  They are not allowed to participate in any sport without signing the papers.  Anyone who has signs of concussion is not allowed to return to sport until cleared by a doctor.

More to the point of your question, there is no set time for staying off the bike, etc.  It is a case by case basis, depending on the severity of the symptoms and previous history.  Hence the reason for clearance by a medical professional before being allowed to return.

I'm pretty sure I have copies of the paperwork on concussions somewhere if you are interested in some lengthy reading...

[Phatman]

No point in taking this further. Doc Shaper suggests 2 weeks, cut and dried, shut the thread down and let's all go have a beer.

[PhilipV]

Concussion is a monster. And we don't know enough of it yet, due to the complexities of the human brain.

Take it very easy. For as long as necessary. You only have one brain, don't screw it up.

I suggest you read Dave Mirra's story on Outside mag. Eye opening stuff.

https://www.outsideonline.com/2056326/last-days-dave-mirra

[Mountain_Goat]

A few years ago I went over the bars and had a bad concussion.

 

Advice I got from my doctor was to lay off the cycling for 2 weeks and just take it easy.

 

I think the reason why you supposed to take time off the bike is more of a precautionary measure because should you crash again and hit your head before it has had a proper chance to heal, you will be at a higher risk for a serious head injury.

 

Things to look out for after a concussion is continuous headaches, dizziness and nausea.

Edited August 11, 2018 by Mountain_Goat

[Muttley]

If you don't think concussion is serious, go see the movie Concussion. 

 

I've also heard good things about helmets with MIPS. My mate reckons this saved his life.   

[BaGearA]

No medical experience at all but I did know A guy who continued training after getting A concussion.

 

became very sick a week later and they later found weird spots on his brain , lumbar punch and some time in hospital and he was back on the bike .....6 weeks later

 

 

DON"T risk it 

[cfcjim]

Remember concussion is a possible bleed on the brain. It is very serious.

[Robbie Stewart]

I had a few bumps in the last 3 years. The last time out my neurosurgeon, (yes, you read that correctly!), tells me my fall (otb) was significant in that I sustained a concussion which is similar to what Michael Schumacher experienced, and that I should not be talking to him. In fact, I should be in a unresponsive state, and would likely never work again. I was "out of it" for 2 hours after my fall,and only snapped back to being alert at the emergency centre. After a period of observation totaling around 2 months I was cleared for work, which was a miracle, but I took another 3 months at work to function semi-normal. In fact, my "normal", i.e. my pre-fall me is only a memory. I have good days, I have bad days. It's been 2 years already, and still I struggle at times with focus and short term memory. I find things like working in the kitchen challenging, as I find my brain struggles to logically sort a sequence of events like making toast and eggs and coffee all at once. I have learned to adapt, but have made peace with the fact that this is my new normal.

 

My point is this. Concussion is essentialy a series of brain damaging incidents building up to that "one" irreversible, life changing traumatic event. Don't take it lightly. Riding a bike is a cost you cannot afford if you get it wrong. There is no coming back from brain injury.

[Robbie Stewart]

Concussion is a monster. And we don't know enough of it yet, due to the complexities of the human brain.

Take it very easy. For as long as necessary. You only have one brain, don't screw it up.

I suggest you read Dave Mirra's story on Outside mag. Eye opening stuff.

https://www.outsideonline.com/2056326/last-days-dave-mirra

I can relate to the depression brought on by concussion. I stared into the gaping hole at the lowest point of my recovery period, and thoughts of "ending it" were real enough at the time. Sometimes, even still now, those feelings gnaw away, when my head gets all fuzzy and foggy. Concussion is evil.

[Paul Ruinaard]

My experience was after ignoring a high speed otb incident in 2007 for about a week, I flaked out and in so doing aspirated my right lung which basically resulted in me being on deaths door in ICU. I stopped breathing completely a number of times. I survived but wouldn’t wish the experience to ever be repeated.

 

Do not mess with concussion. The long term impact was also pretty insane.

[Thor Buttox]

I hit my head hard and went for a Cat scan. Everything all right they said. A week later I started vomiting and had the worst headache if my life - somehow got to the hospital. My OH at the time was away but called a friend who came to take care of me. Apparently I was delirious and incoherent for a while at the hospital which I remembered none of. All was OK after another Cat scan where they also said there was nothing long-term. But just one OTB and it wasn't even that serious (I thought). Treat things wisely.

[SuperDooperSnooper]

It may be tempting as it is quick and free, but don't look for medical advice on the Internet, even from a forum where you feel you know the guys. You have absolutely no guarantee of someone's level of qualifications or motives when done on an online public forum.

You won't take legal advice from a random stranger on the net, so why risk your life/health in this way? Especially with this type of injury.

If you are unsure or concerned, go back to see your doctor or get a second opinion (from another doctor face to face).

[Duane_Bosch]

This ^^^^^^^

[Jewbacca]

Last year I fell at Ezelenduro on the last stage.

 

I don't really remember finishing the race but I did.. I then had some beers, slept and drove home the next day feeling a bit hazy.

 

A few days later I 'woke up' in the parking lot outside Checkers having absolutely no idea how I got there or why I was there.. the following day I was standing in the kitchen with a spoon and a bowl in my hands and no idea how I got there or why I was in the kitchen.

 

Haematoma in my brain, which led me to some more scans and discover 3 fractured vertibrae and some broken ribs.

 

Go to a real doctor. If you are having prolonged symptoms it may be a bit more serious than you think.

 

You only get one brain. Make sure you get it looked at properly.

Edited August 12, 2018 by Jewbacca