Scary...

[Catrin]

I took today off so got to sleep in, not one of my 3 alarms were set :cool: Woke up, was bad and played with my new phone while still in bed (S7 Active, my S5 Active was failing), got up and walked into the living room. Head suddenly felt very strange, I do get dizzy sometimes when I get up or lay flat, but THIS time I passed out! Don't think I lost complete consciousness but I went backwards hard and my head hit the floor. Thanks be to God that I missed the wooden rocker that was mere inches from my head. Laid there for a little, then got up. After a few hours I felt better, no temperature.

I don't have high blood pressure but sometimes it gets pretty low. From what Dr Google tells me this is likely what happened. I do meet with my new doctor in a week, so it's good timing. Scary, though it's likely nothing serious. I would be more concerned if I didn't have occasional "dizziness" that felt like that - it was just more pronounced this morning. Think I need to make sure I'm drinking enough water and sit on the edge of the bed for a few seconds before standing to allow my blood pressure to adjust. I do drink quite a lot herbal tea so I'm probably fine in that department but still.

Anyone else have this happen? At least I didn't get a concussion, though my head did hit pretty hard.

[Crankin]

You can get a concussion without your head hitting really hard. If it were me, I would get assessed. Obviously, the treatment is rest and no electronics, heavy brain work, but I would want to know. When I hit my head a couple of years ago, with the car door, I am *sure* I had a concussion. I didn't go to the ER and it was probably a dumb idea.
I have low blood pressure most of the time, so I get the dizziness thing you are speaking of. My DH has it too, along with his motion issues, so he has to be extremely careful in tabata class, with all of the getting up and down.
Rest up!

[north woods gal]

Yes, all my life. Comes and goes on an infrequent basis, but I'm aware of it so I can deal with it when it happens. There is a name for the condition though I don't recall it, just now. Some things can aggravate it. Not drinking enough water, letting blood sugar get too low, changing position after being the same position for too long and so on. When happens, I make sure to either sit back down or brace myself against something so I don't fall too hard. By all means, talk to your doctor, though.

[ny biker]

For me dizziness upon standing is a migraine symptom. It does seem to be a blood pressure drop; if I tighten my leg muscles (quads) it usually stops. Eating also helps, which is one reason I gained 10 lbs last year :mad:. But I've always felt better within minutes, not hours.

In your situation I don't know if I would wait a week to see a doctor.

[Catrin]

Thanks for the comments! If it weren't a holiday weekend I would try and get in. I don't think it requires the expense of an ER or urgent care visit but if it happens again before next Friday will reconsider.

I DID call the triage nurse at my current doctor's office and left a message to see if she thinks it necessary and can fit me in the day before Thanksgiving.

[Catrin]

It seems my current doctor's office agrees with you. They literally can't fit me in today but was told to call in first thing Friday morning for a same-day visit, and to not be afraid to go to the ER if something happens
:eek:

[Blueberry]

Sounds like orthostatic hypotension - the body doesn't acclimate fast enough to the effects of gravity when you stand up. Your doc should be able to take your BP laying down, and then again when you stand (while watching to make sure you don't fall) - if there's a big difference, you have it. Of course, then the million dollar question is why. Make sure you mention all meds, etc. when you go.

I wouldn't mess with a head hit either! Follow your doctor's orders but... In the mean time, get up *slowly*. Sit on the edge of the bed for a few minutes and then stand for a minute or so before walking.

[shootingstar]

Sounds like orthostatic hypotension - the body doesn't acclimate fast enough to the effects of gravity when you stand up. Your doc should be able to take your BP laying down, and then again when you stand (while watching to make sure you don't fall) - if there's a big difference, you have it. Of course, then the million dollar question is why. Make sure you mention all meds, etc. when you go.

I wouldn't mess with a head hit either! Follow your doctor's orders but... In the mean time, get up *slowly*. Sit on the edge of the bed for a few minutes and then stand for a minute or so before walking.

Catrin: I've been warned by my doctor that I don't get out of bed/lying prone position to upright too fast because my blood pressure is on low side. About 20 years ago, I did nearly faint in the washroom in the middle of the night, because of moving too quickly.

My father in his early 70's, suddenly fainted and was unconscious. My mother phoned 911, etc. (she doesn't speak much English...so you can imagine..but it's in Toronto and they do have translation back up) My father had low blood pressure for decades and this was he reason. Otherwise he was fine health wise for the next few years.

This is true about concussion: you don't need to hit your head. It's the whiplash effect of the head jerking suddenly.. confirmed by 2 doctors for me. THis all I learned after my cycling accident.

[Catrin]

Well I definitely hit my head, sore place from the hit but no headache or anything like that.

I'm so used to getting dizzy, for years now, that I pay it no mind, until today. I CAN have low blood pressure, but not all the time. Outside of the dizziness and insomnia I feel fine but am being cautious.

Seeing my Dr first thing Friday unless I faint again or if my symptoms increase. I'm resting tomorrow, if I feel well enough to head out I won't be driving.

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[emily_in_nc]

Hope all is well, Catrin! I get the dizziness/feeling faint occasionally upon standing but have never fainted. Knock-knock on wood.

Keep us posted.

[smilingcat]

Be sure to tell your doctor on what kind of herbal tea you are drinking and how much. In particular, hibiscus flower tea can lower your BP (if my memory serves me right).

Other food can affect you. I remember an article from about 30 years ago, a man in NYC was consuming so much tree ear, mushroom used in Chinese cooking, that his blood didn't clot very well. He was in some clinical trial for some medicine and it threw off the test so much so that the researchers looked into his diet and concluded that his large consumption of the tree ears were to blame.

Anyway, I hope you feel better.

[Catrin]

A little better, less dizzy. They did confirm a mild concussion and forbade me reading/tv/computer/exercise until Tuesday. Yes, I shouldn't be online now but am wrapping up some things first. Thankfully CAN do some (simple) knitting as long as it isn't all day, and audiobooks. Well, for once I don't feel guilty on my somewhat lengthy Audible library, otherwise I wouldn't know how to pass the next 3.5 days. Back to work at noon on Tuesday.

They're pretty sure it's the positional low blood pressure but they're checking to make certain it isn't something else. They did take BP in various positions and also an EKG. The BP differences weren't quite enough to fully meet that criteria but they were close that she thinks it's likely. I will be following up with them.

Thankfully I mainly drink peppermint, ginger, chamomile, and rooibos teas for my herbal infusions.

I can think of better ways to spend my long holiday weekend but glad it isn't worse!

[ny biker]

Thanks for checking in. Enjoy the audio books!

[Pax]

Been away and missed this, so glad you're home resting and safe!

[emily_in_nc]

Yikes Catrin, sorry that it is indeed a concussion. I hope you don't see this response until you are officially "allowed" back online!

Hope by the time you do read these responses, you are feeling back to normal!

[Crankin]

Rest up!

[north woods gal]

Plus one. Getting away from a computer screen for a few days is not necessarily a and thing at all.

[Catrin]

Day 7, well 6.5 to be more exact. Not back to normal yet, but I do feel more human. Headed back to the office today for the first time, only working half-days this week as I simply cannot limit my screen time in the office. If this is a mild concussion, I hate to see what a more severe one is like! Still have the headache, though it's bearable. I've learned my brain's warning system when I start doing too much - cognitively speaking. Walking outside is fine, and easy KB swing workouts are fine. Haven't driven more than short distances yet, so took the bus to work today. I think I will be able to drive tomorrow, time will tell how I feel.

Lots of knitting & audio-book listening. Not quite how I had planned to spend the holiday weekend but considering the alternative I will NOT complain.

[Crankin]

Glad the recovery is progressing. It scares me to think that I did everything wrong. I rested for one and a half days and felt better, and then went on a 30 mile ride. I had weeks of headaches and neck pain after that. Every time I open my car door, I am careful, so that point doesn't slam me again!
Take it easy, and don't work too hard.

[Pax]

Glad you're mending. What was it like, not being on a computer every day?? I can't even remember a day like that.

[ny biker]

Thanks for checking in. I hope the recovery continues to go well.

[Catrin]

In retrospect I SHOULD have gone to the ER, but I use the fact that I was concussed as my excuse. To show how badly I was feeling, it wasn't a problem to limit myself to knitting and audio books for a solid 4 days and much of a 5th. I found it very enjoyable and still am.

Obviously I'm back online and the TV is on behind me - but I'm listening to the news more than watching it and I hope to spent more time with audio-books than FB when this is over. I've a nice library of regular, kindle, and audio-books and that's a far better way to spend my free time than FB. I certainly was reading/listening/drawing/exercising before but didn't realize just how much time I was spending online until I couldn't do it. And I still can't do it much as I'm limiting most of my screen time to the office through the 2nd week of my recovery. They told me it would take that long if I behaved myself, longer if I don't.

[Catrin]

I agree Muirenn, but I must work, and I am a data modeler. Computers are my bread and butter, just can't take a lot of time off work. Doesn't mean I have to use them away from work, and right now am only using them a couple hours a day with Dr permission and increasing slightly daily. Thankfully my headache is gone, which must be a good sign.

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[Catrin]

You mean like this? Yes, I know, and I've decided to keep it dialed back and continue to enjoy music and audio books in my down time. Oh yes, also visiting TE a couple times a week, I just can't ditch TE, but I can most of my other sites.

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[Catrin]

I am still having some very light symptoms from the concussion. Trans-Siberian Orchestra will be in town for one concert on Dec 7. I paid a fair amount of money for my ticket... They have the most wonderful blending of classical + rock and are known for explosive shows full of lights, special effects, and of course quite loud music. I'm checking with my doctor on the wisdom of going...I suppose it would be a bad idea... (but I really want to go!)

[north woods gal]

Love them! Hope you get go. Rest up.

[shootingstar]

Hi Catrin:

My concussion injury didn't result in headaches for me when I was still, lying down, sitting quietly. During the first few months, I couldn't walk fast down a shopping aisle --the moving colours along the aisles did make me slightly dizzy. I would suggest also seeing a physiotherapist to show you some simple balance exercises that are safe and suitable for your situation, yet keep you relaxed and stretched. Each person's concussion symptoms will vary greatly, depending on nature of accident, etc. I had a physiotherapist who did deal with concussed patients of some who were cyclists also. (She herself was a cyclist.)

I did go walking daily for half hr., always accompanied by someone ie. my partner or friend and this was in snow and ice during winter. It was to build up my endurance and balance. I didn't have much problem with sunlight.

Maybe you can go to the concert and at least wear sunglasses. :D Seriously. That's what I would do. You can always listen to the music and not look if tired. I found classical music generally relaxing for myself. I"ve never heard loud music as bad for post concussion recovery. Then take a taxi /bus home if can't get to and from by car. It doesn't sound like you should even be even driving at all. It's more the bright lights, etc. That's a concern to physicians. But what do I know.

AFter all, no one is expecting you to dance to the music.

As for work, I don't know your financial situation or if you have short term disability benefit via your employer but it doesn't sound ideal to return to work if your work is heavily computer based. I phased back into work for 3-4 hrs. each day over 4 wks. since my job is over 80% in front of the computer. I do have a short-term disability benefit plan through my employer. I work for govn't. For certain, it covered my physiotherapy, some sleeping pills, etc. also. I went to work via public transit and walking short distance.

Take care. Multiple concussions are cumulative. A person doesn't "toughen" after the lst one. Any emergency medicine doctor or neurologist will tell you this.

[Catrin]

Thanks for your comments SS, it's helpful.

I am slowly returning to work, 4ish hours a day right now. It appears to be working for me. I noticed this morning at church that I had some symptoms return - we have excellent acoustics and a beautiful pipe organ and I suspect that's part of it. I probably won't go to the concert Wed night as much as I hate to waste the ticket, but considering how I was feeling this morning am unsure that I would actually enjoy it. TSO will be MUCH louder than our lovely pipe organ and they have an even larger light show than they do sound, sadly I think it would just be too much and I KNOW me. I would watch the (literally) exploding light/fire show. I've been wanting to see them for years...

I did take a full week away from driving, and I don't drive more than I actually need to, but I feel fine. I am not driving at night however. I'm also getting soft tissue work done on my neck - that in itself can cause headaches if things are tight enough - my chiro is concerned about that very thing and is working on me. It's also possible that when I hit my head after passing out that I aggravated my various cervical spine issues and that's whats causing the headaches, but they are better than they were.

[shootingstar]

I didn't return to work even part-time until after 2 whole months at home with daily short walks. My cycling accident occurred on New Year's Day 2015. About 2.5 wks. after my father died of cancer.

Hope you find someone to gift that ticket soon. It would be a lovely Christmas surprise. :)

[Catrin]

Yes, it would be 😎 I just don't think it's wise. From the sounds of it you had a worse concussion than mine, I'm very thankful my head didn't hit the rocker. That would have really changed things...

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