Getting better but losing hope
 

Hi all,

I'm 21 and female. I suffered a head injury on October 14th. I was playing rugby and got tackled onto my head... felt dazed for about a minute, but kept playing the next 70 minutes or so of the match. I got tackled a few more times after that, but nothing directly on my head besides one push to the face that gave me a black eye.

Thought I was all right, but 2 hours after the game I felt extremely "out of it". Next day I had the headaches and nausea and extreme light/noise sensitivity. My short term memory was pretty shot. Felt completely out of it, and finally got a C/T scan four days after the hit (clear).

Since my hit wasn't that bad, I've kept thinking that this would completely resolve within a week or two. It hasn't. Every week I slightly improve, but I'm never 100%. The light and noise sensitivity are mostly gone. I can spend time on the computer and watch tv, but reading print gives me headaches and nausea.

I went from being extremely active (weight lifting 4x a week, intense running 5x a week, rugby practice 2x a week) to completely inactive. I can walk for 3 miles without symptoms. I'm also a senior at a rigorous college. I've gotten incompletes for my classes with the hope that I'll be better by January and able to do the work without exacerbating my symptoms. I'm supposed to be writing a 100 page thesis...

Is this wishful thinking? I'm scared that I should just drop out of school. I can read for about 15 minutes without getting a headache and with the headache comes nausea. What if I'm not better by January?

There aren't many success stories on this site. I'm starting to lose hope and become depressed (before you ask, I was already on 50mg of zoloft prior to the tackle). I feel like I shouldn't be, though. I'm young and healthy and my concussion shouldn't be that bad.

Should I push myself and just do my school work? I don't know how long I can keep living without doing anything.

Dear Rugger,

First, acknowledge that you are not in fact stupid. Sports accidents, head collisions happen. It's the same in life even if one is not involved with sports. And yes, as you've indicated to Chris, you will get better.

As to your question above: "Should I push myself and just do my school work? I don't know how long I can keep living without doing anything." ... I think you already made a wise decision in this regard, in your previous post to Chris:

"Have you talked to your professors about taking an incomplete for this semester? I finally did that this week and it took a huge load of stress off of my shoulders. Now I'm mainly focusing on "resting" as opposed to trying to force myself through school work. I'm hoping that I'll be better come January and can get everything done then."

Don't give up hope. You are still only about a month post-concussion; and you are actually quite physically active for so early-on in your recovery.

Others will be along here shortly to add input, experience, and answer any specific cardio and sports activity questions for you.

Hoping for you a good recovery. Again, I think you are a very wise young woman, Rugger.
Keep taking good care and don't push yourself.

Theta

Rugger,

You sure are awful early in your recovery for be losing hope. You are barely 5 weeks post concussion. If you spend some time getting quiet rest and good nutrition and support, things may change quickly.

From your description of the head impacts during that same game, I assume you have suffered plenty of previous head impacts both of a concussive variety and sub-concussive variety during your career playing rugby. Do/did you also play other contact sports like soccer, basketball, football, etc?

It will help if you start a nutritional supplement regimen to help your brain flush out the toxins from the injury and then strengthen so it can try to repair damaged tissues. There is a thread title "vitamin supplements" with my recommendations. It takes a few months for nutrition to start to show changes. It primarily is just part of a recovery regimen.

Quiet rest is most important. This means limiting all stresses such as visual, sound, emotional, physical, cognitive, etc. You want just enough cognitive and other stimulation to provide for a consistent blood flow to your brain. It might be some light reading and a walk or such. If you normally lift weights to muscle fatigue, that should stop. It creates to much stress as muscle tissue breaks down to rebuild stronger.

Feel free to ask questions. There are lots of people with lots of experience here.

My best to you.

Hi Rugger and welcome.

Please don’t lose hope. I do consider myself a success story. I suffered a severe TBI and spent two months in the hospital. Five weeks after my accident (about the amount of time you have now) I didn’t know where I was, what year it was, who the President was, and couldn’t do simple single digit arithmetic problems. Five months later I was able to resume driving and return to work.

All TBIs are different and they heal on their own schedule. You are young, physically active and it sounds like otherwise healthy. I understand your fear, but as head injuries go you are very early in the recovery process. Best to you on this journey.

:hug:

Rugger,
As others have said do not lose hope. This is difficult event to go thru. It can shake your foundations as we do not feel like ourselves after the injury. You are actually ahead of the curve so to speak. Some take months to figure out they have PCS.

What you have facing your in the future no one knows. Things you may want to consider. School schedule, diet, supplements, rest, social activities. Your post is well structured and well written. Language skills is frequently a deficit that many PCS suffers struggle with.

That being said I think you will heal. You sound like an intelligent person that is aware of the circumstances you are dealing with.

Can Relate
 

Hi Rugger,

I'm in a similar situation as you, and can really relate.
I was thrown off a horse 10 weeks ago – did not black out, and brain scans were clear, but I've had a non-stop headache for the past 10 weeks, along with some other symptoms.

I'm 23yrs old. I am supposed to be starting my graduate degree in January, which is now on hold, and just generally can't believe how tough things have been since my injury. I'm not the depressed type, but some days feel very low, and think "what did I even accomplish today"...


We need to remember, even if we need to take a longer break from school, it's not the end of the world. I realized that taking the pressure off of myself that I NEED to be better by January has helped me mentally.

I'm starting to have some better days even if it's very slight change. You will too!

And in the end, this is going to make us that much stronger and give us better perspective in life.

Good luck, keep us posted.

Kate

Hey folks,

Thanks for the kind words. It's good to know I'm not alone in this, as it's been a constant struggle to explain this to housemates, friends, professors, etc.

I'm doing much better from when I last posed (just a few days!) and can finally jog again without too many symptoms. My doctor thinks I should start occupational therapy, and for the first time in a while I'm forgetting that I had a concussion and going along with daily activities! Now I just need to watch and make sure I don't over do it.

I lost hope for quite some time... I'm waiting to get a glasses prescription before I read for extended periods of time again. Again, just need to make sure I don't overdo it.

Excellent good news from you, Rugger.
Thanks for keeping us posted on your progress.

Happy Thanksgiving,
Theta

Rugger,

If jogging is causing any symptoms, you should lighten up. There is quite a bit of brain jarring during jogging. Try jogging with some foam ear plugs in and you will hear the impact your foot plant makes. As you hear the foot plants, try to change your gait so your feet land softer. It will be much better on your brain.

I predict you will endure the common roller coaster of PCS due to your eagerness to get back to your past activities. Please go slow and prove me wrong.

My best to you.

Elliptical or swimming is non-impact and avoids the jarring impacts that other exercises can induce.