Constant Concussion Concerns - Basketball
 

Hey.
I feel I need to share my story with a related group, since I have been living in constant anxiety of possible concussion symptoms for almost a year now.

I play basketball. Im around 6'1" and not small, so I often guard bigger players, constantly banging my head on people's arms, bodies.

I recieved two concussions last summer that were almost identical in that I took someone else's forehead to the side, right above ear, of my head, but on opposite sides. I wasnt very experienced in the sport back then and this probably contributed to the strange injuries.

They were very minor, I did not pass out. But after the first one I began having trouble driving and (notably) lost my car in a parking garage for a considerable period, could not sleep and became very angry.
Similar symptoms for the second. I became an unfamiliar person and it was truly extremely terrifying.

I got another concussion around thanksgiving, in the shower, came up and smashed the top of my head on the shower wall (tile).

Since then I have been in and out of what are possible concussion symptoms though I cannot fully tell, because i have continued playing basketball (I am passionate about the game) and continuously get knocked around in the head on defense.

possible concussion indicators are:
lack of creative drive/lost ability (art student)
lowered productivity in general
fluctuating social behavior, feelings about others.
some light sensitivity
become light headed during sustained excersize
memory loss

All of those are possible incidentals and I have anxiety and am self mindful/aware/conscious anyway.

MY QUESTION:
In the aftermath of a (very) minor concussion, is a knock on the head with a forearm or a knock in the teeth with an elbow enough to reconcuss(??) my head? even weeks after the original injury?

And will I continue to heal even through these minor knocks on the skull?

I am seriously considering a CAT scan but they are very expensive and my family is stretched thin with college tuition.

Please help.

Mitch

Mitch,

Welcome to NeuroTalk.

First, from the symptoms you have had, none of your concussions are (very) minor. A minor concussion would leave you with a stunned feeling and maybe a head ache but would completely resolve in an hour or so. Your prolonged symptoms indicate much more than a minor concussion.

In my opinion, you are taking an entirely wrong approach. Do you want to heal up ? Do you want to avoid a lifetime of concussion struggles ? Then, get off and stay off the basketball court until all of your symptoms have been resolved for a month. Your passion for basketball can end your passion for art. If you have been getting these head hits for years of playing basketball, you may have a cumulative injury already that can lead to a lifetime of struggles.

A CT Scan is a total waste of money unless you have a severe head ache, vision problems or problems controlling your muscles.

Don't get me wrong. I will not support any continued contact sports while you are having any symptoms. Many of us are of the same mind. It is just not worth it.

Mark,

I understand what you said and agree with you.

However, do you think that getting two concussions a few weeks apart is going to make the difference from getting 2 minor concussions a few years apart? Is that really a factor that can affect the chances of symptoms being persistent?

Also, I have seen that you said (or maybe it wasn't you... short term memory problems, again) that a young age increases chances for healing. Why is that? Is it because the brain has a better capability for growth and development during adolescence and early adult life than later adult life?

And to Original Poster,

Sadly, not passing out doesn't mean your concussion is necessarily mild. Sure, it probably isn't as severe as someone that loses consciousness, but it can still be moderate (moderate does not mean severe - there is a big difference). That's not to say you'll never heal!

If you feel symptoms are increasing recently, please consider taking a break from most activities you do for a few weeks. That means cognitive rest - resting at home, avoiding of highly noisy and busy places that over stimulate your brain, avoiding video games (which can cause visual over-stimulation) and generally avoiding excessive smartphone and computer use for a few weeks. This can help your brain rest and can aid your recovery.

As Mark suggested, be patient with the basketball. Let your symptoms fade, even though it might take time, and then you can safely return to playing basketball. Help your brain heal and it will, even though it might not be a short process!

Whether or not there is a short Loss of Consciousness ( a few minutes or less ) has no direct bearing on injury severity or long term prognosis.

Pro, Please do not use BOLD. It is like someone is shining a bright light in my eyes. It makes it difficult to read the non-bold text.