Update--and Question
 

I took me a little over a year, but I have made a very good recovery from a severe concussion last year that I sustained in a cycling accident. I'm full force at work and in my life, with just a few possibly permanent symptoms that mainly that involve my vision and balance (and that are relatively minor).

My main question is--I am now racing my bike again in the cyclocross format, which is extremely safe, but am seriously contemplating returning to road racing again next year. The chances for another serious head injury are always looming in road racing, however, and even though it is one of my top 5 favorite things to do in life, is this such a great idea?

Anyone have a take on this, or experience returning to extreme sports or activities, (such as hockey, mountain biking, snowboarding)?

With all that said--keep up hope, folks! Almost everyone will one day make a good recovery.

Just a reminder that concussions are cumulative...

If you didnt like what happened to you, you have a possibility to be that way the rest of your life... Your call..

I never got a second chance, and I am now stuck this way....just shy of 10 years, with many more years to go.
Good luck

It's a tough call for sure. I got my head injuries from football. I took a small handful of hits to the head early into my senior year of high school, and I've not been anywhere near the same since. Had I stopped after the first hit to the head that year, I'd probably be full-time in college and working. Instead, I'm taking one class, and just reached a new achievement of studying for 20 minutes straight.

I was on track to play in college, so I understand the passion you have to ride. I can say this: the pain and suffering that I've gone through because of the concussions is so much more than the positives I got out of playing football. Looking back, it wasn't worth it. Not even close.

I don't know if you have a family to provide for. I don't, but my parents have gone through a lot for me. And this is really just a play on words, but I don't regret playing football--I don't like spending my time "regretting things"--but if I could change the past, I wouldn't have played.

I just finished Dr. Lewis' book, Amazon.com: When Brains Collide: What Every Athlete and Parent Should Know About the Prevention and Treatment of Concussions and Head Injuries eBook: Michael D. Lewis MD: Kindle Store.

It's pretty amazing the stories in there of what taking omega 3's for preventative measures can do to reduce the effects of brain trauma. There were some stories of soldiers taking omega 3's not having symptoms of TBI, when everyone else around them was. Also, there was a story of a solider who had been taking the Omega 3 supplements and had a diet high in them. He had a severe TBI and was in a coma for 2 months I think. They put the fish oil through an IV, and now he's apparently living a normal life.

I started the protocol about 5 months ago. I stopped it for about a month (going down to 2-3 grams of fish oil a day) and declined a lot. I started it back up again about a week and a half ago, and I'm spending two less hours a day taking breaks. Two more hours of doing something and being productive adds up.

I highly recommend the book and the protocol, which can be found here: BHERI | Omega-3 Protocol for Brain Health

Along with omega 3's, NAC has been shown to reduce the secondary chemical cascade that is often worse than the primary trauma. Mark's regimen is great too.

MTB and Hockey
 

I hear your concerns. Eight months after I hit my head I was feeling pretty good and was riding my mountain bike again. After longer rides I could feel sensations at the lower back of my skull/head and knew that I shouldn't push it. But then the unfortunate happened...

After participating in a trail building volunteer project some more experienced riders asked me to ride with them. At that point I knew I wasn't ready for group rides (higher intensity). However, after I told them I was just going to ride around and take it easy, they said, "That's all we're going to do". So, really wanting the company I decided to join them.

Well, 10 miles and 2.5 hours later I was leveled physically and mentally. I felt like their was 2 of me when I arrived back at the car. Tired but head also feeling a mess. I got caught up in this ride and had to stay with the group to find my way back.

After that ride my PCS was worse than my original injury 8 months earlier. Now, one year later, I still haven't returned to the place I was before that ride.

If you can control your environment and understand what your limits are maybe its okay to return to some activities. However, hockey is different. I personally want to get back into it but won't do it until I'm 100% better.

Best of luck with your interests and ability to participate in them. It sounds like you're doing pretty well.

Seth,

Ponder carefully and seek God's advice.

bud

I'd tread cautiously
 

I suffered a serious concussion in December of 2011. Made a full recovery within 3 weeks. Yay!

February 29th 2012 I received an "insignificant" blow to the back of my head.

I'm now almost 5 years PCS.

The old axiom "if i knew then what i know now" stands true

If i had known i would have avoided dangerous activities for 18+ months after my initial recovery.

Be grateful you can still do stuff and that you aren't in a texting and driving psa.

I don't mean to sound callous but everyone is right, once you have entered concussion land, you have to tread more cautiously in life.

Another serious blow can take you from "shitty feeling" to "omfg i can't take it any more"

windseeker,

Why is 18+ months important ?

Seth,

Just for myself, I have decided not to return to competitive sports. Even though that is not how I got hurt, it is not worth the risk to me. But I was just amateur, not professional or anything. I love playing sports - it's one of my favorite things to do and probably the thing I was most skilled at doing. I realize now I have to find new favorite things to do and try to get better at those :)

I am not basing this on any real knowledge or statistics, but road bike racing seems really dangerous to me and may have a high chance of head injury. I think you also have to think about your family and responsibilities too. Is it worth it for them if you were to sustain another injury?

Just some things to think about.