Anyone feel that no-one understands Concussion?
 

Hi all,
I'm Buel and this is my first post.
I think it would be better to explain my incident in a diary-format:

• 30th August- I was playing football and I was turning to the right when an opposing player was rushing past me and caught his elbow just above my right eye so swiveled my head to the left. It felt sharp and a little painful but I wasn't knocked out and carried on for the last 10 minutes of the match.

• 31st August - I went to the hospital to get the cut glued and the nurse asked me how I was and if I was suffering any symptoms of concussion. I wasn't and felt absolutely fine.

• 1st September - Whilst at work, I began to feel dizzy, unsteady on my feet and groggy and not just not myself. Not really any headaches as such but I found that if I didn't really concentrate, my vision tended to be out of focus

• 2nd September - I went to the Doctors and he diagnosed mild-concussion.

• 5th September - I went to the Doctors again as the symptoms were still present and was sent for a CT scan which, thankfully, didn't show anything.

A couple of things that I have found interesting -
1. That it was such an innocuous incident. However, I believe that the concussion happened because I was relaxed and not expecting it?
2. I am NOT an attention seeker - far from it, but I am surprised at how people (friends and family) seem to not understand the potential seriousness of concussion. A quick "How are you doing?" is what I got from my parents - that took me by surprise a little :winky:
However, I guess that I would have been the same if I hadn't done some Googling on the subject!!:wink:

But, You look fine !

Yeah, that is what everybody hears.

Some call concussion the invisible injury because nobody ever understands the symptoms are real..

So, Buel, Welcome to NeuroTalk.

You are very early in your recovery but we do understand. Give yourself a break from intense activities and you have a good chance of a quick recovery. One of the most important things is to get good sleep each night.

I guess you were playing rugby football. Am I right ?

Everyday of my recovery no one has understood nor has anyone even tried to. My best help was watching the videos mark posted "you look fine" I think it's called. Wow Winona the world understood what I was going through those videos really helped me a lot it also taught me to not pay attention to people who have not had a concussion before have not had post concussive syndrome I guess. Prayers for a speedy recovery

There are so many invisible illnesses & injuries...
Many members in our forums have the same issues with others not understanding..:(

They often get the - "You look fine .."
Of course it's better than " you look horrible..." :eek:

I looked normal to others...even looked normal to myself as I passed a mirror (as normal as I can look) which left me doubting all I was experiencing was accident pcs related. I thought I was making it up.

Bud

Where are the videos? I would like to see them. :)

Here is the first of the 6 videos made by John Byler. The 6th may not be available anymore. John is still struggling from what I have been able to find.

[1 of 6] "You Look Great!" : Inside a TBI - YouTube