curious!
 

hi all, i'm new here and a little curious about lasting effects/risks from a concussion i had years ago. at the time we definitely didnt take care of it how we should have (with a hospital trip), and looking back i feel lucky to be alive. however long story short, was riding an atv 2 up and the operator rolled it backwards, myself landing head first on the asphalt. i lost consciousness prior to feeling any pain or myself hitting the road, and was in and out for a solid few hours. i was answering questions without issue during consciousness and eventually the initial effects wore off and i was left with a week and a half long migraine. some lasting effects were the inability to shake my head without bringing on pain/headache, and not being able to move my eyes all the way to one side or the other without pain, as well as to this day spotty short/mid term memory especially with names of say people i work with daily, or other seemingly simple to remember things (it can get a little embarassing).

realizing eventually that this was without a question a severe concussion, it makes me nervous at times trying to enjoy things i know do (or can) potentially put stress on my head, such as roller coasters or riding my motorcycle. ive been on roller coasters with little issue (though ive experienced brownouts on a particular higher g-force ride) and always wear a helmet on the bike, so i guess my question is am i worrying too much about another impact being the last, or re-injuring myself simply riding a coaster, considering the severity of the incident along with no post injury care/diagnosis?

thanks!

Hunts,

I Understand your dilemma.

I like to ski both water and snow. I missed 2 years of both due to my head injury and getting back to a reasonable state of health has been hell, I do not wish do do anything to myself to have to start all over again.

I fell hard on the water last week and slapped my head around pretty hard (my new found love of helmets for skiing saved the day). But I still worried if something bad was going to happen from the fall.

When I was able to convince myself that no concussion symptoms showed, just soreness around the accident injury site but not my brain, I started worrying about falling the next trip and will that fall be "THE ONE".

Thinking about it all this morning I realized that the risk for such things is always there, every trip but in 40 years nothing bad has happened. There is no more risk the next time to the lake than ever before.

I say that knowing that possibly I will be susceptible to easier head injuries for the rest of my life, that common sense and proper safety is never to be ignored, I am medically cleared for such activities and in good enough condition again. I have taken the necessary steps to eliminate anything being foolish.

Talk to a doc about your longevity questions. If you are healthy, not experiencing any trauma from your activities and a doc says don't worry about your future then don't allow anxiety to ruin your life.

Dont be foolish with your health, do what you can to make sound decisions with your posted questions, nor should you allow anxiety to keep you from what you are capable of enjoying.

I hope this is understandable.

Best to you,

Bud