[Jaxberry]

My 10 year old sufferered a concussion with acute whiplash from a block in the back from tackle football. We find ourselves back in the hospital with the headache, neck pain and all over muscle pain. Docs are sending us to UF Shands Concussion Clinic as well starting Topomax for headaches and Neuroten to work with hypersensitive nervous system. Anyone else used these meds? I know they are both build up drugs....I dread the wait time. They did say I could use Motrin if necessary. We are moving into week 6 since the hit. Any thoughts on watching TV or playing video games? We have learned a valuable lesson on the severity of our situation. We tried to go back to school less than 4 weeks later as well as resume some normal activity and started physical therapy. Docs really feel that pushed his brain and nervous system to the edge. SO! Would be grateful for any advice from anyone living this and looking forward to concussion clinic visit tomorrow...didn't think I would ever say that.

[Mark in Idaho]

Jaxberry,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. I am sorry to hear of your son's injury. My heart goes out to you. Watching you son struggle is miserable, especially when you feel helpless to alleviate his discomfort.

You are correct that he should be home. He needs quiet rest. That means minimal TV and only low intensity TV with slow screen movement and simple sounds. Best to avoid it. NO video games. Simple manual activities are best. Building with Legos or K'Nects or such is a slow and less stressful activity.

I have been taking Neurontin for 12 years. It (gabapentin in generic) is well tolerated. Topamax is a bit stronger. Both are anti-seizure meds.

I have checked out the web site for UF Shands Concussion Clinic. I am not impressed. Their web site has a lot of out of date and incomplete information, especially for pediatric concussions. Many concussion clinics are more focused on attracting patients for billings that offering quality diagnostics and treatment. Concussion is the current money maker in health care.

You son needs to be seriously evaluated for an upper cervical (neck) injury. The complications from the mix of concussion and neck injury can be very difficult to treat. Try to avoid too many CT Scans. An MRI does not radiate his brain.

You can help him by simplifying his home environment. Limit sound and visual stimulation. Be sure he is getting good B-12, folic acid, Omega 3, 6, & 9 fish oil and good meat protein. Avoid caffeine (soda), MSG, artificial sweeteners (aspartame, Equal, Nutrasweet, Splenda, and sucralose), high fructose corn sweetener, (moderate real sugar is OK, complex carbs are better) and other artificial additives and all energy drinks.

His physical activity should be limited to a simple walk or the equivalent. he should not be doing school work.

If you can find it, get Dr Robert Cantu's new book "Concussions and Our Kids" He is likely the best at understanding concussions although I think he is a bit too permissive about return to play.

Tackle football is over for this season. I would never let an under 14 year old play tackle football. The brain is just too fragile. No soccer either. Even basketball has a big risk of head to head contact and head to floor contact. He only has one brain and one time when his brain will mature as he enters puberty. This brain maturing process needs to be protected from interruption.

I know I have hit you with a fire hose of information. I am not trying to scare you. I have been where your son is and heard how it impacted my mother as she watched helplessly uninformed. We did not start to understand the issues and risks until I was 15 and suffered my 4th concussion playing soccer.

Please feel free to post any questions.

My best to you both.