Update: my 9y/o hockey player
 

It's been just over three weeks since my son's concussion incident in hockey.

He had the usual symptoms. Head and neck pain, dizziness, confusion, ringing in ears, sensitivity to light and sound.

I kept him home from school for a week. Lots of cognitive rest, lots of naps, lots of icing the neck.

Then he went to half days at school for the 2nd week. He was not permitted outdoor recess or gym class. Again, lots of rest stressed to him. No activity that breaks a sweat.

Tried full time school last week. He had to be picked up once, for headache. Otherwise quite good. Resumed outdoor recess but not gym class yet.

When his headaches seemed to be dwindling, (by three weeks) he was cleared by the doc to return to hockey practice (not games) to do some light skating to see how he does.

So today (3 weeks and 3 days post concussion) he tried skating and said he felt very dizzy. When I asked were there other times he might feel dizzy he said, oh yeah when I use the computer at school and sometimes when I read.

My heart just sank. It was new information for me. I thought he was better.

Does this mean he is doomed to this post concussion torture like the rest of us? I could just cry... My brain is not doing well tonight so I'm having trouble being rational.

Does this mean I will need to push for him to get that vision therapy some posters talk about and prism glasses? It's been extremely difficult for me to get help up here, and now the thought of having to organize help for him too... In the middle of nowhere. Ugh.

I worry that he is destined to have this PCS torture due to his DNA and my obvious predisposition to the syndrome.

And he is devastated that he isn't able to play hockey yet. I know that's small potatoes to us but to him, it's his whole world. I hurt for him.

Any chance I'm wrong about PCS and he may just heal yet? I tried so hard to do everything I could for his recovery. I made the child rest SO much. I still didn't do enough to prevent this. Upset...

Sorry to hear he is not recovered yet. I think I would keep him off the ice for now. You don't want to risk a fall. I guess if he is not feeling awful all the time, you should get him to stop doing things that affect him. Hope you can find someone close by. What about going to Calgary? Good places there, I hear.
Hang in there. You are good for your son because you know how he feels. I am sure he will be fine.
In terms of continuing hockey..I think that is a big question for you as a mother. He should not get another concussion and it is a high risk sport. Sigh. Still struggling with my 9 year old daughter's love of the game...I feel very conflicted....I am sure you do to. parenting!

If his brain is this sensitive to impact, maybe you should consider holding him out of hockey until he is 14 and his brain is stronger.

Are there any speed skating leagues in your area? Maybe he can develop skating skills without the same risk of concussions.

I cringe when I think of such a young person having PCS.

My best to you both.

I'm so sorry to hear he is still having problems :( I wouldn't worry about PCS yet though because he is probably still healing from his concussion. My neuropsych goes by 1 month then 3 months, then 6, then 1 year then 2 years as being recovery goals. If he isn't recovered by the one month then he probably will be by the 3 months statistically. The further along you go the longer it takes and the statistics drop.

I couldn't imagine letting my son play hockey again. I would feel forever guilt ridden if another concussion occurred with any permanent damage. In hockey it seems it's not "if" it's "when" another concussion occurs. You have to decide what you think is best though.

If he's still dizzy perhaps he would benefit from vestibular rehab. This is something he can get into fairly quickly without having to wait 4 months to see a specialist. There are dizziness tests they can do to see when he is no longer dizzy and ready to go back to activities.

As far as eye testing goes, there's very little in Canada that compares to the NORA examines that everyone talks about on here. I found a couple in my province but they are an hour away at least and over $600 for the 2 hours of testing. I'm going to do it if I can't get a referral to a neuro ophthalmologist in two weeks.

That is who you need a referral to is a neuro ophthalmologist but again there's very few of them and they are many months to see. Maybe just waiting a couple more weeks will be enough. Keep him calm and resting when he's not at school.

One thing I read was to be careful not to let your anxiety go onto him. I'm sure you're not but I just wanted to mention to be careful that he doesn't overhear you talking to someone or saying that you're worried he won't get better because hearing that may make him anxious and then not get better.

Good luck to you! I hope he just needs some more time to rest and then he'll be fine again. He does have a lot on his side like age, gender, number of concussions, etc.

I hope you're having a better day today!

CC

Poor kid. I can't imagine a kid struggling with what we do. It's sad to hear. But here's the good news, there's still time for him to recover. He is still in his early stages. Don't give up hope! There is some light at the end of this tunnel!

At 3 weeks and three days I am sure he feels as though it is an eternity. I do not know if this is valid but the neuro-psych had this to say about me. That recovery can be up to 2 years, I guess I really got conked on the head. That said, your son still sounds as though he may still in recovery. I would caution slow and steady. When symptoms present then ease up a little so as to not suffer a serious set back. There are sure to be ups and downs but if improvement is consistent over the long run...

Thanks everyone.

Trying to take it day by day. Nothing gives me anxiety quite like parenting does, because there's so little I can control or protect him from.

I do my best though. If I could I'd have him in a helmet and bubble wrap every day.

He had a symptom free day today. Hoping for more...

Here's some irony, sort of:

Watching him for PCS symptoms has increased my own. Ugh. :rolleyes: anxiety is not my friend.

Great he felt better today! Day by day. For you, too!