Re-concussed? Should I be concerned?
 

Hi there.

I've experienced a gradual recovery with numerous setbacks since my third concussion in October.

Yesterday, while at a friend's house, I was climbing the stairs and hit my head on the low ceilings. It wasn't hard, but it was enough to get me concerned. I don't think I was dizzy or dazed, but I was certainly distraught, because I was worried that the bump would provoke my symptoms.

So my question is this: just how sensitive or "tender" is the brain after a couple mild/moderate concussions. I've of course heard that one is more susceptible to concussions after incurring consecutive head injuries. Bumps like this happen to people all the time, and normally they're of no concern. But is the story different for someone who's suffered a few mTBI's? Even if something like this does aggravate symptoms, should it be considered another injury, or just an exacerbation of the original injury?

It's tough, because it's hard to avoid these little incidental bumps. Should I be concerned?

mpshube,

You should not be concerned about further injury. There is no way to know if you caused injury. Even if you could know, it would not change anything. Just stay the course of quiet rest and moderated activity.

You may experience an increase in symptoms. As I said, just keep on course and you should be OK. You may want to ice your neck. A top hit like that can compress the neck and would warrant being careful with your neck. Be easy and ice it.

My best to you.

Ya know, Mark, I don't think there's anything one can do. As you said, even if I could know, it wouldn't change anything. Worrying too much about re-injury and recovery can be emotionally devastating. I'm trying to find a balance between taking care of myself and trying to happily move forward with my life. It's tough not to worry. It's especially difficult because I've been experiencing improvements, so I want nothing more than my recovery to last, so it's hard not to get concerned about re-injury. But the worry doesn't help. I just hope I didn't set myself back again by that damned low ceiling! Ok. Trying to move on. Cheers, Mark.

Moving on is hard. I had "second impact after being sypmtom free for 2 months. Nothing worse than relizing a relapse of PCS is coming. I am now much more aware.

I want to be aware and cautious, but I also don't want to focus on it too much-that just makes it worse.