weightlifting and concussion?
 

13 days ago I got a concussion while longboarding with no helmet, I fell hit my head on pavement moving at around 40-50km/h. still don't remember the ride to the hospital and barely remember the first couple hours there.

My main hobby / lifestyle is bodybuilding. Doctor told me complete rest until zero symptoms then move to light training.. then back into heavy training.

for the first 5 days my symptoms were really bad. but they were suddenly gone by the 6th day and I felt back to myself.

I started very light weight training on the 8th day and felt fine the whole day. But after training light the day after (9th day) one symptom came back - which is I get very dizzy for about 10 seconds when I go from sitting up to laying down and when I go from laying down to sitting up.

I haven't worked out since the 9th day and its now 13 days total and that symptom wont go away. I still feel kinda dumb when talking to people, like I cant fully understand some questions in regular conversations or put things together easy.


Any advice on how to get back into weight training so I don't get symptoms coming back?

My personal advice
 

Don't do anything until your symptoms have been gone--totally gone, including any cognitive ones--for AT LEAST two weeks, but I'd say a month to be on the safe side. If ANY symptom comes back, stop immediately, and wait for two more weeks. You need to listen to and trust your body. You CANNOT push through these symptoms.

Read some of the signatures around here. You don't want to end up having PCS for many weeks, months, or years, so you should do everything in your power to avoid it. I caused an escalation in my symptoms through doing household activities like scrubbing baseboards and pulling weeds--that was my idea of resting! So don't be like me! Take care of yourself. You can always get back into shape again, but your brain is the most important part of your body. Be nice to it!

I agree, take a month off at least from all physical exercise. Get plenty of quiet rest and then gradually build up activity.

Anytime you think you have achieved a new level of recovery, wait for two weeks. If the improvement lasts two weeks, it will likely hold. Ease back into activity. Again, wait two weeks between each increase in activity.

Body building can be bad for PCS because it relies on tearing down muscle tissue so it will rebuild stronger. The waste products from the muscle tear down can be toxic to the brain.

For the short term, you may be able to exercise to maintain condition. That should be the limit of your goals. Avoid body building supplements. Read the vitamins Sticky at the top. Feed/nourish your brain.

Any time you notice a return of symptoms, look back at the previous day or two to find a trigger. You may feel great over-doing it on Monday then feel lousy on Wednesday. The Monday effort is the trigger. Most triggers have a lag before symptoms return. Sensory overload is about the only trigger that causes immediate symptoms.

I also usually work in construction which is hard physical labor. But was in between jobs. Should I wait a month to go back to work?

As for supplements. I only take a protein powder with BCAA, high dose of fish oil and a good multi-vitamin. Rest is 100% perfect healthy diet.

Thanks for all the info. ill definitely wait until I have no symptoms for 2 weeks to a month before I start training again.

I read that creatine is very helpful for people that sustain mTBI and you should be taking it immediately after accident. Not sure if it's helpful years out but was thinking of trying it and seeing I notice a difference.

I will try to find link I Saw later.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16917445

http://forums.officer.com/t175271/

If I had known this, I would have definitely started taking creatine immediately after my concussion. Not sure if there is any benefit taking it almost 2 yr post injury, but I may try a low dose.

Im now 17 days post concussion. I read both the articles and I may actually pick up a month supply and take 5g a day if it can still help. even though its rather expensive for long term use.

I'm not really a huge fan of creatine though. it basically just makes your body hold water and look bloated 24/7. seems like a waste of money otherwise IMO.