Multiple Concussions
 

Hello, I'm writing this because my situation is somewhat unique and I want some type of answer as to what are the risks to my brain. I have had three concussions in the past 2 years. I am a dedicated athlete, with my main sport being cheerleading. My last 2 concussions were moderate/severe, with my last concussion having lingering symptoms over 4 months. I have recently started cheerleading again, and part of the sport is getting hit in the head. I have noticed since my last concussion every time I am hit in the head I immediately get a headache and an almost dazed feeling. I keep it to myself usually, but I was wondering why this is and how much risk I am putting myself in? I have recently started to get concussion symptoms.

I am trying to find info on multiple concussions online but I can't really find anything that matches my situation. I would go to a doctor but I am worried they will tell me I have to stop cheering.

This may sound a little blunt for such devastating news, for which I apologise, but there's no easy way to say this.

Most people and indeed most doctors (apart from the top research types who really know their stuff) seem to believe that concussions and sub-concussive impacts to the brain do not cause long term damage. However, the evidence says otherwise. (see quote and links below for some of it).

Unfortunately I was not made aware of this until it had happened to me. It sounds like you have learned the hard way too.

Find another hobby. there's nothing more frightening than the realisation that your brain doesn't work properly and that you don't know if or when it will ever get better. I lost a year of my life to post-concussion syndrome brought on by a number of years of seemingly minor and mostly sport-related concussions. Others on here have suffered even more than that. By looking for information on here you have given yourself the chance to dodge that bullet - so take it.

I've replaced my weekly soccer matches with singing, running, swimming and reading. I loved soccer but my brain is more important than soccer, and yours is more important than cheerleading.

As I've said, this isn't the advice you will get from most people outside this forum - but we are the only people who know the risks (or more accurately, the certain cumulative brain damage) you are putting yourself through.

Best wishes

http://journals.lww.com/neurosurgery...School.11.aspx

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10932476

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17762746

http://www.thelancet.com/journals/la...288-3/abstract

cheer,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. It sounds like you came to this place to hear something besides what you expect the doctor to tell you. Unfortunately, you will find more knowledge here than from most doctors.

It is likely that you are suffering from Multiple Concussion Syndrome (MSC). To make matters worse, you also likely are suffering from Cumulative Sub-Concussive Impact Syndrome. This can be more damaging that MCS. Cumulative Sub-Concussive Impact Syndrome.

Sub-concussive impacts are those impacts that do not cause any immediate concussion symptoms. As a result, the athlete does not stop the activity to let their brain rest. These continual impact stresses on the brain can do more damage than a moderate concussion because of the repetitive impacts without any rest and recovery time.

Cumulative Sub-Concussive Impact Syndrome is believed to be the leading cause of CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, a degenerative condition of the brain).

So, I don't think I need to tell you what you need to do. It is your future and the health of your brain. Only you can make that decision.

The longer you subject your brain to these traumas, the greater the damage from each impact. The head aches are likely a result of your brain's struggle to control the fluid pressures in your skull. Your head aches will become more chronic as time goes on.

I bumped my head last October. It was 'just' a sub-concussive impact. The head aches lasted until April. They came and went but were daily. I used a lot of Tylenol.

Head aches are truly the least of your worries. The cognitive and memory deficits will last long after your head aches become less. They will increase as your brain ages and become most noticeable when you reach your 40's.

I hope you have the strength to make the right decision.

My best to you.

So, what ios your future worth?

I injured my head in January and since then I have been on a quest to understand initially what happened, then what the damage was and then how to get better - still looking.

One of the things I constantly saw "was make sure you don't get a second injury!" Probably like a lot of people, I though how dumb to get another severe injury - what I didn't realise was that even a small impact or shake can set up back a long way. Even something as dull as bumping your head on a low ceiling can set up back.
One thing I have learnt is to take things slowly and not seek the magic cure

sospan,

I bet your prior traumas have contributed to your current condition. At least those other than your fingers. As my neuro said, I had reached the critical mass point where my brain had little to no healing capacity left.

True, its the cumulative effect of all these things. The problem for me (and others) to understand in the early stages was why I had "mended" after all the previous injuries so soon, why after a "minor" fall it was taking so long. Whilst before it was simply wearing a cast, taking the medication and exercise and within a few weeks you would be on the mend.

This head injury is so different with time and patience being the key factors

But, time and patience will be worthless if the time does not include plenty of quiet rest. Not sleep but quiet environments with simple stimulation.