My battle with PCS
 

Hi guys. I've been lurking around this forum since I've gotten my concussion and I thought I'd contribute my story, my advice on what worked for me, and ask for any advice that you may have. Here's my story.

I'm an amateur Muay Thai fighter. On 10/31/14 I was training in class and my partner got way too excited and went to grab my head really hard and hit me in the back of my head with his palm. I felt my brain shake and I went through the rest of the class feeling lethargic but I didn't realize I had a concussion until after the class. My mind was blank, couldn't focus, and felt slightly nauseous.

The next couple of months, to put it short, I went through a whole slew of symptoms including tension headaches, headaches, feeling in a cloudy, dizziness, messed up equilibrium, irritated by noise, having a "sore" brain, having a blank mind, difficulty concentrating, etc. It healed a lot but at times I felt I was taking two steps forward then two steps back.

This very day, 3 and 1/2 months out, I can say most of my symptoms during non-physical activity is mostly gone. I still briefly get the cloudiness/dizziness but its very miniscule. I did see a neurologist, the best in the business. He works with professional football and hockey players. I did not have an MRI/CAT scan done. He conducted motor/memory/etc. tests on me and said my brain is fine and that I suffered a mild concussion. He is saying that whatever I'm experiencing now is either unrelated to the concussion or is psychological and that I shouldn't be worried and if symptoms persist, try meditation and cognitive therapy to reduce stress. He cleared me and also encouraged me to exercise as long as I'm symptom free.

However I want to resume training. I tried to return briefly after one month out from the concussion and it didn't feel good. I felt the cloudiness/dizziness during training but after training I felt fine. Any sort of jumping/running made my brain feel like it was shaking around in my head. I stopped when I realize it probably wasn't gonna get better if I kept training.

It's been 3 and 1/2 months out on this day. Yesterday I tried to run for about 10 blocks. I felt my brain shake around in my head with every step again. Then this morning I woke up with a very brief, mild headache and a "sore" brain.

Do you have any feedback for me guys? What do you think about my condition? Do you think I should try a second opinion with another neurologist? Anything would be greatly appreciated. I may have left certain parts out so if you have any questions that would help you give me an answer, please do ask. Thank you!

jackh123,

Welcome to NeuroTalk.

I'm confused. You said this neuro was the best in the business but are asking whether you should get a second opinion. So, it sounds like you are doubting him.

My advice is to not waste your time with neuros. They can not do anything to help you. Besides, it sounds like you are planning on more concussions.

This best in the business neuro is obviously ignorant of the fact that 85% of concussions include an upper neck injury. Your description of the hit suggests this is likely.

To be blunt, if a hard hand slap to the head has caused you this must problem, it suggests your brain is sensitive to impacts and likely has already experienced enough trauma to leave you in a weakened state. I doubt you will get much support here for returning to contact training. Even the best head gear will not protect you.

My best to you.

Thanks Mark. I'm keeping an open mind about everything and if I do go back I don't plan on doing contact training for a long time, and possibly forever.

Yes I do have doubts only because if it was psychological then why would specific movements such as jumping and running trigger symptoms? The doc was kind enough to give me his email and told me I could contact him anytime with worried so I do plan on it if this continues to persist.

Also could you elaborate on the neck injury?

Jack,

I am 10 months out and can't run....can't walk past a couple of miles without repercussions.

If it were me I would drop that contact stuff, your head and a lifetime of comfort are not worth it.

Bud

Thanks Bud. I'm staying open to being done with contact forever. At this point I'm just focused on being able to exercise and do no contact training again.

I don't think that running for 10 blocks, pounding the pavements like that, would be very good for you.

Awesome news guys, I tried running double the distance today and had no symptoms! The only two differences was I was wearing my hood really tightly to protect my head from the cold and also I power walked for a mile before I started running

Well I may have spoke too soon since I feel slightly lethargic right now and have slight difficulty concentrating but I didn't feel my brain "shake around" during the whole ordeal so hopefully that means it's getting better

Glad to hear it but easy does it, I'd just power walk and increase the distance over a period before moving on to run/walk run/walk etc. It could take a while before you can run completely symptom free.

I highly recommend taking is EASY for a few weeks at least. Do lots of walking though if it doesn't give you any symptoms.

I'm a year out from a similar minor concussion from boxing. I went back to practice a few weeks later and took the slightest bumps/hits to the head, and its made everything way worse.
I still can't run.
Why don't you try riding the stationary bike for awhile first, and slightly build up how long you ride and how high you raise your heart rate? That's a much safer bet than just going for a run cold turkey.

I recommend seeing a physical therapist or sports medicine doctor - someone who can help guide you back to exercise and monitor your progress.

Best of luck