Should I go to a Rock Concert?
 

My favorite band is coming to SF! I really wanna go.

Do you think I should go?

I still have headaches and light sensitivity and am somewhat sensitive to noise too. Wondering how it will affect my recovery? Thank you so much!

I wouldn't
 

But if you do and there aren't assigned seats, stand in the back and maybe wear earplugs (though I hate them so I wouldn't!) I think it could set you back a little but it's an uncertainty. You could be fine but its a gamble.

Hi Blue
 

I don't have TBI, but I would wear ear plugs, do what ever I had to do to make myself comfortable to see those concerts I really want to see. Life goes one way, that is forward. Life is short, enjoy it all you can, in every way you can. I hope you get to go. ginnie:hug:

Give it a try
 

Maybe plan to go, use the ear plugs, and be in the back, and if you just can't take it be prepared to leave.

In a way, all of these situations where we want to try things reminds me of when my kids were about K and 2nd gradea nd how I'd have to preapare them for going shopping or something. I did the best preparation I could by telling them what we were going to do, what we were not going to do etc. And in the end, I had to be prepared for the experience not to go as I had planned or be open to a different outcome than the one I had planned on.

I don't know if I am making sense -- but anyhow -- Blue, I hope you can make it to the concert

pm

Since my accident I have bought numerous tickets and ended up realizing I could not go. But I agree we need to believe we will be better in our future. So once again...lI just bought tickets to see Paul McCartney...will take my parents and spouse for their birthdays....it is in a few months so I have to have faith in the healing process. Having said all that, I do realize that I may have to give my ticket away when the day comes!

On a good note: I was at my daughter's soccer game tonight. Last year...I could only go in the fall (one year post injury) and had to sit far away from the other parents, wear earplugs AND over ear hearing protectors. Today? nothing! And I sat like a normal person. yay! Progress. Slow. But it was there!!!!! So hang in there everyone. It is so tough. But it will improve slowly, erratically but surely.

I just invested in the $250 musicians custom ear plugs at my ENT office.

I figured if a 2 hour preschool event outside felt like an assault on my hearing, I needed something to be able to interact with the world. The audiologist said that these are amazing and very effective at concerts, etc.

I also got tickets with my son to see One Direction in July (I know! not necessarily my favorite, but it's his).

We need to make plans because they indicate hope.

Okay, bluehiroko, what's the name of the band? :)

Berkeley! I had the same custom ear filters. Amazing...until you lose one! Then they become useless. The other drawback about this injury is how costly it can become in terms of making mistakes, losing or breaking things, forgetting to pay parking tickets, etc. I am pretty calm about that stuff. Have learned to forgive myself somewhat. Need to order a replacement (125$) :(
Great you will try the show. You may want a pair of earmuff style earprotection on top of your filters. I used both many times, My mouse ears.

I want to clarify
 

My criteria for doing an activity is, will I be able to enjoy it? Now I could go to a concert--no problem--but back in October, I would have been miserable. If the concert is far in the future, I agree with the others that you should be optimistic but also prepared to give away your ticket if you are not ready. If it's in a few weeks, I'd just judge by how you feel right now!

I just went to a concert this past sunday. Yes, I sat in the back. Yes, I didn't necessarily enjoy it as well as I've enjoyed concerts I've been to before. But something great came out of it.. I only felt crappy for one day afterwards! This was soooo surprising to me and made me feel I am making progress in my recovery. Before if I went to something like this it would have taken me a week to recover. By Tuesday I felt much better (although Monday sucked and I felt I relapsed).

I'd say give it a shot. Be smart about it though.. don't be crowd surfing or moshing. Sit back and enjoy the music. The crowds are what bother me.. not necessarily the noise. So sitting in the back was great bc there was not as many people. Good luck.

Thanks everyone ! I ended up going and I had such an awesome time! I wore ear plugs . Honestly I felt a little bummed that I wasn't my normal self being able to jump around and rock my head to the music and wearing ear plugs at a concert kinda took the whole concert experience away a little! But that is just my predicament now and just grateful that I got to go and didn't feel worse from it as it didn't really aggravate anything. During the concert I kept telling my boyfriend to just protect my head! LOL! I was just so afraid that someone was gonna hit my head or something. But the crowd was quite mellow! Anyway I had an awesome time ! Thank you!

Just an update on my symptoms. My headaches have generally gotten better from a pain level of 4 to 5 down to .5 to 1. I'm about 2.5 months in with PCS. Haven't taken any drugs just on a vitamin regimen, acupuncture and seeing a chiropractic neurologist.

Thanks everyone!