Accident

[spokewench]

Sorry about your accident - hope you heal quickly

[grey]

I think the worst at this point is the dizziness and mental fog! Trying to find out how long this goes on for but it seems it varies to the individual. I've spent the past 2 days trying to get my marketing plan put together and... I've not progressed very far.
I haven't heard of the retention system for a bike helmet before?

[radacrider]

Wowser! Do take things slow and maybe check back in with your doctor. I have to be careful, even to the point of how far the dentist tips me back. Too far and the inner ear goes whacko and I have to do exercises to reset it, otherwise it is major vertigo issues. Head hits are rough for sure.

[grey]

Really? I'm hoping not to have any long-term issues. This is not my first (but definitely worst) concussion. Overall it looks like 6 weeks before resuming everything, so I may hold off on sparring and throws for that long (bummer). But I'd think I can get back on the bike in a week or two.

[OakLeaf]

You know that every concussion you have puts you at greater risk for permanent damage from the next one... Please see a neurologist. Please follow their recommendations about returning to martial arts.

Importantly, even if the effects of the initial brain injury have already resolved (6-18 mo post injury), the effect of multiple concussions over time remains significant and can result in long-term neurologic and functional deficits.

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/92189-overview

[Owlie]

You know that every concussion you have puts you at greater risk for permanent damage from the next one... Please see a neurologist. Please follow their recommendations about returning to martial arts.



http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/92189-overview

This. A friend of mine suffered multiple concussions playing hockey (and one falling out of a dorm room bunk bed in an awkward manner) and the consequences were pretty nasty.

I'm glad you're mostly okay. Rest up and feel better!

[Eden]

I haven't heard of the retention system for a bike helmet before?

The plastic framework inside the helmet that generally has an adjustment at the back, plus the straps is what I mean by retention system.

[smilingcat]

YOUSERS!!!

+1 what Oak says about multiple concussion.

Grey, if you've had other ones in the past and this was the worst, this is a very strong indication that you have accumulated enough injury that you really should have it checked by a neurologist. It's the reason why I am NOT supposed to be riding. And to avoid or minimize my risk of hitting my head again. Next one may be light or minor to an average person, it may be my last and be a fatal one. That was the jist from my neurologist over 10 years ago.

If you suffer a concussion or suffer a headache after an accident, please please do the following. First 12 to 24 hours are really important!! Stay awake and every hour or two engage in a conversation with someone you know well. listening for slurred speech, out of character response, hostile attitude or behavior, sick to the stomach feeling and anything out of norm and you should be taken immediately to an ER for head scan.

After more than 10 years since my last crash, my short term memory is not as good as it used to be. My attention span is not as good as it used to be. I get distracted bit easier. Your brain is resilient and it can cover up and compensate for the damage to a point. The important thing here is "TO A POINT" I know I've gone over so I know where I stand. Yes be grateful that you've "recovered" and didn't suffer a visibly irreversible effects of head trauma.

Next time any of you hit your head and damage your helmet, please do the check for the 12 to 24 hours period after the accident.

I say these things not because I'm angry at your laisseze faire attitude. I just don't want to see you not getting the medical attention in timely manner.

peace to all and be safe,

smilingcat

[Eden]

I think you may be mixing me up with Grey - she did go to the ER and did get a head CT as she was unconscious. I didn't lose consciousness and did not visit the ER, but was certainly careful to watch myself for any signs of a head injury (and I had none other than a headache that cleared up in only a few hours). I've also never, as far as I can recall, unless I was very small and don't remember have had a concussion before.

[OakLeaf]

? I guess I didn't mention a name but I knew I was referring to Grey. Just like anything else, the ER is not a substitute for follow-up with a specialist.

CT scanning can't detect chronic traumatic encephalopathy (nor can MRI). At this point it can only be diagnosed clinically or posthumously, though there was just something in today's news about how they're investigating PET scans to find CTE.