Hi Everyone:

I'm new to this forum, and need some advice. I am an avid cyclist, but had a serious bike accident in Mid-March, sustaining a concussion with brief loss of consciousness. My helmet did it's job, but I am still suffering from PCS and am getting frustrated. As far as symptoms go, they weren't too bad initially, and the doctor's advice was basically "take it easy." As this was my first concussion that I know of, it was uncharted territory for me and I didn't get good initial guidance from medical professionals or from friends or family, who also seemed unaware of how to proceed. I did ride again a week after the injury (balance was fine and symptoms weren't bad) and returned to work 4 days after the injury. I fear I rushed back into things and this caused my PCS. I do find the aerobic exercise generally helps my symptoms now, but I still have some almost constant light dizziness as well as light sensitivity (I wear Axon optics specs at work currently because of my light sensitivity). I also have trouble with large groups and my teaching load at work.

My persistent worry is that this will continue to have these symptoms forever and I caused them by trying to come back too soon! I just didn't know. I have had the standard brain imaging done and it has come back negative. I also visited a neurologist a few weeks ago, and he did the standard cognitive and balance tests and gave me a clear, mainly just saying to "not push things" on the bike. I realize my PCS is mild compared to many folks, but it is greatly affecting my life in many ways. Is there any timeline to feeling myself again? Did I cause this, through my ignorance of protocol?

Thanks for any advice.