I was wondering if there are any other athletes out there who have been sidelined from their favorite sport and want to share their story.

I am a varsity hockey player and have been out from hockey for over 6 months. I am going through huge withdrawal not being able to play my favorite sport or exercise. It is a huge passion for me and it is something that I would normally do every day.

I would not even think of returning to play until I am 100%, but I still can't help wishing everyday that I could be back on the ice. Because I have such a passion for hockey, it really feels like the main reason I am upset by how long the recovery process can be. I can put up with the pain, and I don't mind to much having to stay for another year of school, but knowing that the headaches mean I am that much further to returning to the game, really rattles me. I think it would be hard for non-athletes to relate or understand.

On top of that, because I am used to working out all the time; and now have completely stopped, I've been gaining weight. Certainly not helping the confidence.

I am a triathlete. This has been hard on me but I am getting better. I squeeked out a 2 mile run for the first time yesterday with no consideration for any special needs. I just went out and ran and it felt great. I was slightly more sensitive to noise today as a result but not bad!!

Hang in there and try to eat well in the mean time.
Maybe look at it as a time to rest and eat well so you can come back even stronger.

Sadly I'm not sure I have the same drive I had before but we will see. I know I'm already itching to run again.

I am a bit nervous about riding my bike. I ride on country roads but there are cars around 30 percent of the time. I have fear now where I never had it before.

Hang in there and focus on recovering.

comeback,

I understand your pain. You are incorrect with your comment
<I think it would be hard for non-athletes to relate or understand.>

Try this on for size. I have had a photographic memory for most of my life, actually almost all of my life before January 16, 2001. I also had very strong abilities to imagine or mentally conceptualize. These skills were not just a big part of how I lived my life. They were who I was as a person. I no longer have these abilities. I have had to reinvent myself.

There are plenty of others on this forum who have experienced the same kinds of losses.

To take it a step further, you could tear up your knees or ankles and continue on to have a full and productive life. You could enjoy watching hockey. You could coach hockey. Your inability to play hockey would not diminish the other aspects of your life except for those that require strong knees and ankles.

Those of us who have lost cognitive and memory abilities will never be able to resume the life we once knew and lived. But an athlete with Post Concussion head aches would never understand what it is like to lose cognitive and memory abilities.

You anxiety to return to hockey has three issues to consider. Returning to play hockey does not mean you will be able to play at the same skill level. Returning to play hockey will put the rest of your life at risk from a cognitive and memory function stand point. A return to hockey with the subsequent head impacts (yes, I can guaranty they will happen) may shorten your life or cause you to want to shorten your own life.

So, the answer to your post is simple. Find some other things in your life to give it meaning. You are less than half a person if your whole existence is based on playing hockey. As you find other meanings for your life, your hockey playing will take on a new perspective. You will never know if those other endeavors will offer your more satisfaction and meaning than hockey does now.

You may simply be too young to understand this comment. In time, you will. Life has an interesting way of teaching us lessons. We often learn our best lessons the hardest ways.

btw, I have had headaches for the past six weeks except for minor breaks. I can find the Tylenol bottle in the cabinet in the dark. My friend has Post Concussion head aches that can cause him to throw up. October 16, 2011 will be his 20th anniversary of his concussion.

I am not trying to dump on you. I just hope you can get some perspective of your situation.

My best to you.

I am a former endurance athlete (marathoner, ultra runner, multiple Ironman finishes) and 2 years ago at my last marathon I pushed my body to severe dehydration. Was standing around post-finish and due to low blood volume due to the dehydration and dialated blood vessels in my legs, blood pooled down there, and couldn't get back up to my head. Syncope resulted.

I was unconscious before I hit the ground. My concussion. Symptoms cleared up with a few months and I was out running again with zero issues.

Unfortunately, I also had a major surgery 6 months after that concussion that may have been in factor in a relapse of symptoms. So, for the past 2 years I haven't been able to do anything as it would cause severe exertion headaches.

Yesterday, I rode in the Tour de Scottsdale. Albiet, I had to premedicate with Amerge a couple of hours before, I was able to push my 'out of fitness' butt around a bike course. I was so happy!

I have been there in the past few years, frustrated with the loss of my former self, loss of my personal connection to my healthy self, and not having any of my 'friends' understand what this meant to me.

I am blessed with a wonderful wife and a young daughter who understand why I miss running. Practicing patience during this time has been tough, especially during the earlier period post-surgery when there were cognitive issues, dizziness, anxiety beyond what I thought people normally endure.

Knowing what concussion means, gives me a dose of patience and understanding to know what we are all going thru. I think the Nortriptyline in the past couple of years helped out tremendously with keeping me calm and allowing my brain to heal.

Keep with the advice our members tout with keeping your body healthy, keeping your spirit/soul calm and centered. Try to find patience and acceptance. I am still trying to learn these traits.

Mike