IS IT OK TO RUN WITH 5 months PCS
 

About 3 weeks ago I visited my nuerologist and told her my headaches were around a 2. She cleared me for baseball because my impact testing and memory was good. I am fine in school, except I get headaches sometimes but it doesn't effect my performance. I am wondering if it ok to run in track meets? My headaches after school are around a 4 but headaches is the only symptom and it usually goes back to normal the next day, is it safe to run?

It is very hard to tell because everyone is different, I am 5 months PCS and older than you and I definately wouldn't chance it. However you could be ready, but you need a doctor to clear you for this really.

Like Mouse said it all depends on different factors. I just started jogging a month ago 2 days a week. My story is different though, I did not get a diagnosis for a year and half of PCS.Thanks to wonderful medical PCP:( I would start out slow and just listen and feel your body signals.And for sure get a M.D. to clear you first.You also have to think about if you are focusing on baseball will you be able to focus on your symptoms while running. I personally would not do it because relapses are not fun and I had to learn the hard way, when I had the "unknown" diagnosis stage of a year and a half.

I am an avid marathon runner and training at least 3 times a week before my PCS. After PCS immediately stopped all exercise. Went to see my neurologist who said that it was ok for me to get back on the tread mill with light jogging but nothing intense like a marathon.

I think you really have to listen to your own body. My head just doesn't feel right in order to begin running at all even though my doctor okayed it. I do think especially with a brain injury its important to not do anything streneous or overpush yourself. So I've just begun to do some light stretching and yoga and walking on the treadmill for 10 minutes only.

Youngboii,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. There are two issues with physical exertion.

The blood pressure and pulse increases can be a stress to your brain. The impact of foot plants can also cause stress to your brain. Try jogging with foam ear plugs in. You will hear the foot plant as it impacts your head. As others said, listen to your body.

The ImPACT Test is grossly over-rated as a return to play protocol. It is just an indicator of a minimum level of recovery. The 4 headaches lasting the rest of the day are an indicator that your brain is not ready.

She had cleared me for any non contact sport, mostly my headache is the same throughout exercise, sometimes increases a little bit but goes back to its original Level after, I just want to make sure I'm not prolonging it. I asked my dad and he said I wasn't and the doctors assistant assured that. I over think alot

Even so
 

it seems to me you should not be running with PCS.

Mark gave you good reasons why it will complicate things.

As I read here once, you only have one brain. Take care of it, and running, hard work outs, getting the blood pumping just isn't how to heal the brain.

It may be frustrating because you are used to hard workouts or whatever, but I think the headaches are telling you something....


Take care,

Poetrymom

I agree with Mark and Poetrymom
 

The headaches are telling you something. I honestly would not do any vigorous exercise until your symptoms resolve. It's just not worth the risk of prolonging your recovery. I've caused myself to have several setbacks doing less vigorous activity, like pulling weeds. Don't push it!