Xoe,

Sorry to hear of your concussion. Sounds like you had a substantial hit, then a followup with the ground.

You coach was dead wrong in letting you decide to go back in. Glad you decided to wait it out longer til you felt nauseated.

First, about your team, you are playing with danger. You need to direct your team to get the NFL concussion protocol and SUGGEST that they follow it or risk a deadly injury.

They can also check out the Athletic Training Department at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. They have by far the best understanding of concussion of the field. They studied college football and found that the average player suffers 600 to 900 subconcussive impact during ONE season. Lineman, backs, and linebackers suffer the most. Sub-concussive impacts are almost worse that severe concussions. The biggest problem is the player never reports the sub-concussive impact nor do they take any time away from the field.

This was not your first head impact. It may have been the first where you got sick or lost consciousness. It should be your last. Take it as your wake-up call.

You should not return to play this season. A wait of at least 6 weeks of symptom free time should be the minimum.

There is nothing you can do to speed up your recovery. If you have access, check out the Amen Clinic of Dr Daniel Amen. There are a few across the country. I know he has helped some people to understand the severity of their injury.

The fact that you are healthy helps since your body can focus on your brain. Your age is starting to be a disadvantage. The brain loses most of its resiliency by 25 years old. By 40, the prior damage starts to get problematic.

You need to stay away from alcohol except for one single serving per day. You should also limit your caffeine to one cup of coffee or the equivalent per day. Increase or start a regimen of vitamins focusing on anti-oxidants, B's, Omega 3's, etc. Read some prior posts and you will find more info about PCS nutrition.

If an activity makes you mentally tired, don't do it. Your brain only heals when it has long durations of stress free time allowing you to have reduced symptoms. Every time you cause your symptoms to return or increase, you just took a step backward.

If you try to exercise, stop at the first sign of a return of symptoms. The next time, cut you exercise short before you have reached the previous stopping point.

Get plenty of rest. You body will tell you the truth about your need for rest. Don't ignore it. Try to find an environment where you can sleep, such as soft lights, soothing music, soothing fabrics, etc. You want your brain to be unable to notice anything uncomfortable or stimulating.

Consider your recovery as the first step towards your goal of having a full life, not focused on getting back into the game. Women tend to have a more difficult time with recovery. The low progesterone part of a monthly cycle has some influence on this struggle. The low progesterone stage of the monthly cycle leaves the brain very vulnerable to injury.

A concussion is not a single time event. It is a process. This process can last from two weeks to six weeks or even more. There is a cascade of damage and change in the brain as it tries to resolve the chemical imbalances and toxins released by damaged tissue.

So, as I said, rest, relax, and try to understand what is happening in your brain.

We are here to respond to your concerns.


My best to you.