Multiple Concussions
 

Hello, I was just looking for some advice on what to do.
I have sustained multiple concussions over the course of my lifetime. I think the number is somewhere around 13, and if not, it is higher than that because I cannot remember all of them. I have trained in Kickboxing, Wresting, and Jiu Jitsu. I quit Kickboxing and Wrestling to avoid more concussions, although I have continued to train Jiu Jitsu.
Some of my concussions were pretty bad, and I had to quit training for a year because of post-concussion syndrome. I was so exhausted I simply couldn't do it.
After being back for about six months, I recently knocked my head on the floor during a Jiu Jitsu match. According to my instructors I did not hit my head hard at all, but I was out. I was conscious, but couldn't communicate, open my eyes, or respond. The concern I had from this was that is was not a very hard hit at all.
Jiu Jitsu is my passion, and I really don't want to quit, but I realize that I need to take care of my head. I had headaches for two weeks following my most recent concussion. They are mostly gone now. Is it ok for me to train again, or am I just risking the same thing happening again? I don't mind the headaches, they are totally worth it to me if it means that I can continue to train, but am I risking permanent brain injury or post-concussion syndrome if I continue to train?

I would definitely quit Jiu Jitsu! I am no expert but I think you have been very lucky, that you havent had more symptoms from 13 concussions - but you risk getting long term problems. I understand that you love it and dont want to quit, but I would really consider it it is worth the risk.

I have had very big problems from only 3-4 minor/moderate concussions and even minor hits sets me back.

If I was you I would focus on good sleep, a vitamin regiment, avoid alcohol and articial sweeteners, eating healthy etc, and enjoy your life and activities that doesnt involve risk of hits to your head or jolts.

I hope the best for you.

You want to continue after 13+ concussions ? **

If you have not already caused permanent unrecoverable damage, you are getting awful close. My final disabling concussion did not even make me feel woozy. But, it left me with severely dysfunction memory, horrendous auditory processing problems and more resulting in a virtual end to my driving (4000 miles of driving in 14 years).

My neuro said that my last mild concussion pushed me past my brain's recovery reserve. He examined how my brain functions with a qEEG, VEP, AEP. The results showed such extensive dysfunction that he was surprised I was as functional as I continue to be. He repeated the qEEG 5 years later with the same results. No improvements.

If you are going to continue with Jui Jitsu, I suggest you get a good long term care insurance policy so you do not become a burden on your family.

Besides the cognitive problems concussions can cause, you are also increasing your risk for ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) and Parkinson's Disease ( shaking and constant tremors)

I have lived with permanent PCS symptoms since 2001. It is a tough life. Others here can attest to the daily struggles. No short term enjoyment is worth the risk of what we live with.

Hey jvh, I have faced a similar struggle in my life. I've been skateboarding since I was 9 years old, it was not only my first love and passion, but I was also talented, and sort of expected to make a career out if it. I only had one concussion in practice— another was just a freak accident in daily life, and my most recent concussion was in the workplace. The one at work really threw me on my *** for the long haul.

I have A HUGE desire, but no will to skate since my accident because like Mark said, I've discovered that losing my health ends up my family's burden as much as mine, and I don't have anyone else willing to support me. I'm not even positive my former employer's insurance is going to cover the damage they did to me…
If my family weren't taking care of me, I'd have ended up homeless, possibly dead, or who knows what. So it's something to think about, in the end it's up to you. Have you thought of ways to be involved with martial arts without being part of the hand-hand combat aspect?
For me it's no question, after reflecting for a while, I discovered I'd rather just be alive and be able to take care of myself than to be out skating and rolling the dice… And yes, once you've had a few head slams in your past, anything that puts your head at risk is a dice roll, and could result in permanent disability.

Many professional skateboarders accumulate a ton of head injuries over the course of their careers, and a number of them appear obviously brain damaged later in life. For them though, skateboarding is more than just a passion. It's an industry, and quite tribal. Even after retiring, they have their sponsors, their marketing, their fans, and their film archives to support them and keep them 'relevant' at least until their middle age. It's like having a music or acting career in that aspect.

For us nobodies though, it's a hugely different story and the stakes are much much higher. We have almost nothing to fall back on when our bodies or brains collapse. I've reached out and spoken to a number of former aspirants and amateurs, even one ex-pro who had to give up skating after serious injuries. That's just how it goes for most of us. But many of the people I reached out to stayed involved through art, photography, film, songwriting, writing essays/articles, and even novels about skateboarding. They are living full, enjoyable lives and never lost their love for skating by quitting the practice. So just remember, no matter what you choose to do, if martial arts touched you and shaped you as deeply as skateboarding did for me, giving up the practice won't erase that love from your heart. It's a part of you, and that's probably going to stick with you forever whether you're physically involved in it, or not.

If I had to take a year off training after suffering PCS from an injury there is no way on gods green earth that I would continue with a sport that could give me another concussion. Concussions are accumulative each one adds to the last. Yes, you could risk permanent disability if you continue.

JVH,

NO activity or passion is worth trading your health for momentary gain.

May as well face now what age will force you to someday anyways...moving on.

Bud

Thank you very much for your reply. I really appreciate that you understand what it is like to give up a passion in life. Jiu Jitsu is my passion, and it has already given me so incredibly much! I can't really imagine life without it. It has given me inspiration and something to fight for. It has helped me overcome much of my depression. It is such a beautiful art form, and it is a huge part of what gives life meaning for me.
Thank you again for understanding, I think a huge part of what I was struggling with is that it feels like no one understands. It feels like to give up Jiu Jitsu a huge part of me is dying. I do realize that I do have to give it up. I am trying to find ways around it, and maybe wearing a rugby helmet will be enough. But I know that I cannot risk another concussion. I can do some of the training and learning without the actual sparring, but it is tough to do the "grunt work" without having hope of doing the fun part, which is the sparring. I know I will never compete again, which also makes me super sad.
I am so sorry to hear about your concussions, and that you cannot skateboard anymore. That is a huge loss, and is very saddening.
Thank you so so much for your encouragement, you have given me hope, especially with your comment; "So just remember, no matter what you choose to do, if martial arts touched you and shaped you as deeply as skateboarding did for me, giving up the practice won't erase that love from your heart. It's a part of you, and that's probably going to stick with you forever whether you're physically involved in it, or not." It truly is a part of me, and will stick with me forever. Thank you once again!

jvh,

There are many reasons to have to give up a passion. I was a champion distance runner with my sights set on the 80 Olympics. My coach thought I had the talent. But, a knee injury and bad shoulders ended that. I had to give up flying. I loved it. I had my own high performance airplane. I was making good money. I had big plans. But, PCS meant that I needed to simplify my life or I would end up making both myself and those around me miserable.

But, I found new things to enjoy and even be passionate about. Life is full of opportunities. When we broaden our horizons, we often stumble over new passions.

My father had no interest in snow skiing. But, my brother and I did. He realized that if he wanted to spend time with us as we grew up, the ski hill was a good place. He applied himself to learning to ski at 45 years old and had to push himself to keep up. It became such a passion that he skied until he was 77 years old. He trained in the summer to be ready for winter.

I don't think we are defined as much by the things that we are good at but rather by the things that we are not good at that challenge us.

I could not change how my knee or my bursitic shoulders interrupted my ability to train.

I could not figure out why my brain was not working right when I was at altitude in my plane. I could not overcome the stresses of college to go on to dental school. Both are a result of too many concussions.

But, I moved on with my life, raised 3 kids and have been married for almost 36 years.

I'd give up many things I enjoy now or enjoyed in my past to just have a sound mind for the past 30 years.

So, please consider these issues carefully. The discipline that took you to where you are with martial arts can take to many more places.

Just because you can't do the sport anymore doesn't mean you can't be part of it in other ways. Maybe pass your knowledge on by doing demo videos, organising competitions or get a teaching qualification and train teachers? It's great to be into something and belong to a group but it can give you tunnel vision a bit. Like Bezelbore92 I used to live and breath skateboarding as a teenager and sustained 2 concussions which probably contributed to my PCS when I bashed my head last year - it's certainly made me look at life a different way.