Concussion Concerns
Hello, my name is Greg and I am a 20 year old college student. I am new to this so I will get right down to it.

I play rugby for my college club team and I recently have suffered 2 concussions. The first was back in October of 2014. This was the first concussion that I had suffered as far as I am aware. I took the rest of the season off which was just 2 games and I recovered and felt back to normal within a few weeks.

The second concussion I suffered was in April of 2015. The symptoms of this concussion took longer to set in than the first. I also thought the symptoms were worse. I took 3 weeks off and returned to play half a game in which I felt fine after. It's been almost 2 months since this concussion and I still do not feel myself. The headaches stopped after a few weeks but they seem to be returning as I get back into exercising. I am trying to keep a positive outlook on my future in the sport but it had been getting tough not feeling 100%. I have made the decision to stay out of contact for this summer and return to playing in late august when my next semester starts.

I never lost consciousness nor throw up with either of these concussions and both were a bit unlucky (not the typical physical impact one would expect with a violent sport like rugby). I did, however, drink alcohol after both incidence.

I am interested in any kind of advice. I would really appreciate it!

Also forgot to mention I have ringing in my ears. Based on my research this is usual but I'm not sure if it should still be occurring.

Gppfeffi,

Welcome to NeuroTalk.

It appears your school/team/club does not follow any concussion/return to play protocols. So, the simplest part of return to play protocols is: You should never return to play or practice a contact sport if you are experiencing any symptoms, at all. If you do not feel yourself, you are still experiencing symptoms.

I seriously doubt this was the first and second concussions you have suffered. They are just the first concussions that you did not recover from quickly. Any time you suffer a head impact where you get any level of dazed feeling, feel like you got punched in the nose, taste a metallic taste in your mouth, need a moment to focus your eyes, etc. is a concussion, even if it did not cause you to interrupt your play.

Statistics show that the incidence of concussions in rugby are as high as in American football, if not higher. Then, there is the cumulative injury from the sub-concussive impacts that happen many times in a game.

And yes, tinnitus is common and may get better or you may experience it for months or years. My ears ring like a bell. Have for 15 years.

So, take a break from alcohol and all intoxicants and minimize caffeine to a serving a day. Slow down your daily life to give your brain a rest and read the sticky at the top called Vitamins. It has lots of information.

I wonder when the rugby and football associations are going to take concussion seriously. Even in international matches you see players who have been taken of after a head injury return to the pitch - it is crazy! IMO they shouldn't play or train for 4 weeks.

-Mark, thank you for the info. There really is no protocol at the club level. Schools that can afford to have varsity programs can afford trainers who can at least assess and recommend a period of time off but we are left on our own to make our assessment. I made an agreement with myself after the second concussion to quit the sport if I received another. I don't think it's worth it in the long run. Maybe I can continue my role in the sport as a referee.

-SuperElectric, yes it is crazy. I have played with guys that have been knocked out, snoring after catching a knee to the head in a bad tackle only to return the next week. I don't understand how some guys can still function

A school's sports trainer could easily administer ImPACT baseline tests and then after the impact tests for review during recovery. Most schools that use ImPACT pay a fixed annual subscription. The only cost is the time for the trainers to review the results. That would be just a matter of minutes.

Such a program could be part of a schools student health program.

The ImPACT system is not an exact science but better than not doing anything.

Ringing in the ears is called Tinnitus and it's one of the few persistent PCS symptoms. There is no cure, no therapy, no miracle drug.

It can last anywhere from weeks to months to years. It can also be permanent.

Have you got yourself a hearing test? The injury may have injured the inner ear hair cells that provide signals to the auditory cortex.

Martin- A hearing test is definatley something I will look into if the ringing persists. I am seeing a doctor next week and will bring it up. Thanks

Please keep us updated on your test results?

How long after your concussion did symptoms appear?

I experienced symptoms within a few days after both concussions. No immediate symptoms or else I would have avoided alcohol. This second consussion has been worse. Symptoms lasted about 4 weeks and seemed to subside then pick up again now. I had no headaches or ear ringing with my first concussion. Complete opposite with my second.