Opinions on my workout please?

I went on the elliptical for 10 minutes and the stationary bike 10 minutes then repeated. Soon after, I had brain fog and an intense headache for the rest of the day. My brain fog is pretty much gone at this point on a day to day basis.That night my neck spasms were bad, which I think due to the stationary bike.

Can I build up tolerance on the elliptical by doing it maybe 10 minutes every few days?

Or are those symptoms telling me to stop it completely?

Has anyone with a whiplash issue have problems on a stationary bike? I was hoping it would be helpful because of the stationary part I think anything with my core causes my spasms, which is very limiting b/c anything with my arms also causes the spasms.

Please let me know. Thank you!

The Buffalo Protocol suggests limiting the effort when exercising. If you exercised at lower effort levels for the same time, you may not have symptoms. Do not push for previous pulse levels. I think the Buffalo system suggests 20% less heart rate than the rate that causes a return of symptoms.

Only you can determine these effort levels. Keep in mind that your return of symptoms may be delayed.

The Dr I see told me to let my body tell me when it is too much. He said headache would probably be the first symptom when you should stop. He told me to go to the gym and start small. Also elliptical was OK and small weight was OK.

Had PT interview yesterday where the PT told me we can't do anymore your BP is too high, 155/108. My GP concurs but says walking OK. Basically I think be very careful. Consider all advice. If PCS symptoms recur, stop.

this is interesting, i biked 8 miles on Wednesday (not at a great pace), still have bad headaches today and it's Friday. I need to exercise to keep on top of my depression, but at the same time it really affects my concussion.

I feel better also. It appears each of us most tailor our activity to our own health interests. In my opinion these decisions require a Dr's input. Hopefully the Dr has your complete trust and interests in mind. If it had not been for the Pt and Dr I would still be going to the gym and risking a stroke. The WC Dr totally missed this, my GP protected me.

Cardio definitely helped my symptoms. When I first tried getting back on the elliptical, it made me incredibly dizzy. Same with the treadmill. That up and down motion just did me in.

So I tried the stationary bike with less problems. For the first month, I didn't even try to break a sweat, just eased into it for 20 minutes, then 30 and eventually 40 per day. There were times I thought I may pass out just doing that!

If you can, exercise with a partner so they can watch over you. Get your brain used to the idea. Don't push it, just do what you can until right before you feel dizzy.

I now bike 1 hour per day at full cardio with no problems. In fact, my brain craves it. The dizziness is kept at bay and my thinking is much better when I do a good cardio workout each day. IF you can do it, cardio will help your brain.

Good luck!

thanks for all the input,

sandwalker, you said it helps your symptoms... do you have headaches?