Just diagnosed with concussion... Now what??
 

Hi I posted another thread called "Help for PCS" but that was before I went to a sports medicine doctor and was diagnosed for a concussion. So go read that for my symptoms that...

So I got a concussion on August 2nd 2014.. From playing basketball and ramming my head to another kids head.....now I didn't know I had a concussion for a couple of days because there were no symptoms until August 6th...and a question I have for that is because I didn't know I had a concussion and didn't rest for the days after, could that make my recovery time longer...(I Am 15 (male) and had a concussion when I was 4)

With that being said should I be resting now because I went to a sports medicine doctor on August 14th (after going to my normal doctor on August 12th)and they confirmed I had a concussion and I still get headaches but not as much...

Also I was told to take omega 3-Fish Oil... What does that do for my concussion

I was driving myself crazy and reading so many diffrent things that made me depressed and I have never had depression before in my life... And I want to know is that normal to get depressed and will it go away

Also is it normal to have a loss of appetite because I haven't had a craving for food lately..

I really hope with people answering my questions will calm me down and more importantly give me more info on what to do for my concussion

I am new to neurotalk so I don't know how everything works

THANKS!!!

Go rest. Loss of appetite is normal. Your depression and anxiety are based off reading internet symptoms.

Seriously, go rest. Get lots of sleep, dont watch tv, dont play with your smart phone and dont play with your computer.

The first few weeks of a concussion are tough, but I have a good feeling youll make a speedy recovery if you follow those steps.

Kev,

Thanks so much....now because I didn't know I had a concussion early on and didn't rest do u think that I caused myself to make my recovery time longer

Failing to rest likely caused your recovery to be extended by a few days equal to those days you did not rest. Now, stop being so anxious and trying to analyze everything about your concussion. Every concussion is different. The only similarity between concussions is they all need quiet rest.

Anxiety can delay your recovery as much as failing to rest will.

What did the sports medicine doctor tell you to do ?

Mark,

They told me to rest and take fish oil...I still don't know how that helps

And with the aniexty..is it the aniexty that's making me depressed even more because I know that the brain is healing and stuff and can change my emotion but can aniexty of my concussion make me depressed??

Also is my lost of appetite normal?

Fish oil will help reduce any inflammation and help with healing

e.g. If you hit your knee really hard, it'll become inflamed. It's the same with brains.

Please excuse if I'm being too personal asking this, but do you have a parent or parents or someone who is helping you while you're recovering and also things like going to the doctor?

Lara,

Thanks for the answer about fish oil and yes my parents do help however It is later in recovery process so they don't have to watch over me and they will ask how I feel but I don't want them to be searching the web and then them getting worried...my mom (dad was at work)was there when I went to my doctor and a sports medicine doctor and she knows about concussion and like I said this isn't my first concussion..

Fish oil may have some anti-inflammatory value but the primary use with head injuries is that the DHA in Omega 3 fish oil is a nervous tissue building block.

Concussions can cause the brain to struggle to filter out sensory information. This leads to a sensory overload that is basically anxiety. Anxiety causes mental/emotional fatigue which leads to depression.

Think of anxiety as a auto engine that is out of tune. Eventually, it will clog the catalytic, maybe burn some valves, foul the plugs, etc. Anxiety clogs the brain with chemical toxins. It helps to provide the brain with brain nutrition. The Vitamins sticky at the top shows a vitamin and supplement regimen given to me by a doctor decades ago. I highly recommend it.

With your sensitivity to head impacts, I think you will benefit from making it a lifelong regimen. It helps the brain tolerate stress.

My best to you.

Thanks Mark!!

My headaches hardly ever come any more but I still don't feel back and still have trouble concentrating and loss of balance I think is better.... But can I still have a concussion and like my concussion isn't healed yet but no headaches?

A concussion is the physically traumatic event. Post Concussion Syndrome is the cluster of symptoms that persist beyond 6 weeks or so. Your brain was concussed. It is now trying to recover. You are suffering from concussion symptoms. You are very early in your recovery at just just over 2 weeks post concussion. Most recover within 6 weeks. 85% recover without any troubles.

As I have said, you need to relax and let your brain heal without stress and anxiety. Stress and anxiety will delay your recovery. Try to get good sleep. Avoid stressful situations. Eat healthy. And, try to RELAX.

Find a simple activity to do to occupy your time and mind. Go fishing or some such relaxing thing.

My best to you.

Thanks again Mark!!!

I will try to relax and the things that were bothering me such as the depression and aniexty and the loss of appetite you and other have helped me assure that it's normal and my head is recovering and I have to rest.... Thank you!!!!!!

Yes,, its all part of it. The key in the early stages is lots of rest and non stimulating things.

It gets very boring, but its a huge part. Luckily you have age and not a large buildup of other concussions.

Just relax, take some deep breaths and all should turn out great for you.

Ps: i like your d12 picture in your profile.

Thanks kev!!

Ur right it is very boring!

P.s it's BAD MEETS EVIL in my picture not D12 but close lol

Ahhh yes. Very good.

jsyk,

I don't think that kind of audio stimulation is conducive to recovery. Too much angst and attitude.

Agreed with that as well. To much simulation going on.

I only really listen to old country music now a days. Nice and slow, and at low volumes.

I had the shower radio on the other day and the only station that would come in through the storms we were having was a local hip hop station. Granted, I like all kinds of music, but wow, way to fast and to much background noise as well. It was quickly turned off.

Also, Shady, be aware that video games are not good at all for your recovery. I myself used to be an avid video gamer, but in my new world, it just doesnt happen. Be cautious if you play games.

Well I only like Rap music and I haven't been listening to it lately because I useally use ear buds and I was told not too

Kev,

I lost interest In video games a long time ago... So I'm not Eagar to get back to it... Not saying I complety cut out video games before my concussion but I didnt get a new game for a while and you get bored with playing the same games over and over

The sensory stimulation from Rap music is definitely not good for recovery.

Not at all? Like can I listen to any music I also like an artist skylar grey(pop/rock artist) I know not earbuds but like can I listen to it in the radio

Shady, for the time being I wouldnt listen to anything with a fast beat or fast lyrics.

Its amazing how something as simple as music can deeply fatigue your brain, especially at your stage of injury where rest and shutting down your brain is key to recovery.

Okay I think skylar grey would be good then!!!

Thanks!!!

Feeling a lot better!!!

So I haven't been on here much and when I get really back I probley won't be on here much after because I start 10th grade in a couple weeks and I will be busy....

Thank you for everyone helping me!!!! I am no longer making myself crazy with aniexty and everybody who responded to me helped that so thanks!

Back again! 1 MONTH SINCE CONCUSSION.

Got headaches again after a couple of days without having them back In August..but they are in a diffrent place.

Question 1. I wear glasses so if my glasses are outsated perscription,could that make me have headaches more?

Question 2. I have ADHD and was diagnosed with it when I was 6 and took Rinalin from Kindergarten to 7th grade and I was thinking about going back on it because it was hard to consintrade last year in 9th grade and the question is that will Rinalin help for my concussion.

Good to see you. :)

Yes, it is possible to get headaches from the glasses needing upgrading.
It's worth having an eye test to see. It may not be your eyes, but you never know.

Can't help with the Ritalin question I'm sorry.
Be worth asking your doctor about that one.

I haven't been wearing my glasses lately and the headches are in the spot where if you have outdated glasses with headaches and my headavhes did go away for like a week or a half a week then came back In a diffrent spot.

I will probley go back on ritalin because I can't focus at schooo and maybe it will help for my concussion like the mental thinking part if it

Thanks!

True, it may help, but please ask the doctor about the Ritalin just to be sure. :)

Thanks! I have to talk to him to go back on it...

I have ADD as well and I was taken off my med when I got my concussion... so not sure.. I would ask someone...