When should i return to work post concussion?
 

I got 2 concussions within 1 week from each other about 2 months ago. My previous post explains it more in detail.

I still have ringing in my ears almost non stop, mild headaches, and worsening symptoms when moving around more ( like going on a walk ). I experience nausea, dizziness, headaches, and feeling dreamy or in a fog while i physically exert myself even a little bit. I am a cashier and have missed about a month of work so far, and i am wondering when i should be okay to go back to work? I really am getting so bored and frustrated with doing nothing, i want to have a life again.

I also have bad neckpain, possibly from whiplash when i got hit with the football.

Should i push through the symptoms that are left and go back to work in a few weeks or less? I am feeling a bit better than i was before, as i could even walk around in my house or stand up without all my symptoms becoming horrible.

Thank you:)

What are you doing about your neck ? You really need to get it doing better. It may be keep to your recovery.

I suggest you try to slowly add activity to your day. There is no way to predict how you will be in 2 weeks.

What activities do you do during the day to occupy your mind ?

My doctor really just looked past my neck.. I told him that it was causing me pain and he thinks it could be just a strain or something. He advised me to put a hot compress on it for 15 minutes on and then off. This really doesnt seem to be enough though.

I really think that my neck might even be causing me headaches too, because my head hurts on that side that my neck hurts the most...

During the day I pretty much just watch TV. Theres literally nothing to do. I try small (really small), light workouts like slow squats and a few lunges. I have been walking about 15 minutes per day.

Thanks:)

I would recommend to ice your neck to reduce inflammation. A strained neck can most certainly cause tension headaches.

If you strain your upper body during the work-outs, you should find a different exercise. Any muscle tension in the upper body and neck can be problematic.

You need to find a specialist to work with your neck. And, maybe a different doctor. Does not instill confidence in concussion skills. Is there a concussion clinic near by ?

Ice on inflamed joints. Heat on spasming muscles. Heat is not good for inflamed joints. It increases inflammation, making it worse. Ice will not help a spasming muscle but it will not make it worse. It is needed to reduce inflammation.

I concur with the above 2 on your neck... as for your return to work... I would say look around the board... most of us with PCS have been off for 4+ months... some years... I am personally at 6.5 months... I was feeling great at about 4.5 and then went to a yoga class that set me WAY back!!

make yourself a budget of how many hours of activity (tv/computer, errands, talking with friends, work all count as activity) you can do a day, then reverse taper yourself. you should feel decent for a couple weeks at one activity level (say, two hours a day) before you add more hours. certain activities should stay off the list all together.

personally i tried to return to work about 6 times, then went on full leave until mid-sept. now i'm doubting i'll be ready to return even then. it frustrated my team to have me in & out.