Hello guys,

Its been about 7 months since my concussion situation. I still have light lingering symptoms but usually can completely ignore them (light pulsating feeling on a particular area on left side of my head is constant).

Anyway I exercise regularly. There are weeks where i try to push myself in the weight training department (explosive push ups or more reps using barbell). Sometimes a day after this "exertion", I feel a very light headache.

My question is can i never exert myself anymore when I exercise ? Is exercising regularly bad for my PCS recovery ? (I rested almost a full month after my concussion and felt better but symptoms were always lightly present). I have to mention exercising is a big part of my life.

Thanks!

Probably slowly building up as long as no symptoms increase is the best way.

Personally I think pushing it a little bit is beneficial, the difficulty is in gauging the amount to push safely. Seeing an improvement over time is the goal. If you do get a setback don't panic just rest up for a couple of days. Do you cool down with stretches and breathing to get your pulse back down?

The issue of PCS and weights is something that I've been looking at, as it is relevant to my son's return-to-work plan (5mo. since injury), as well as his desire to maintain a fitness program, despite serious light-headedness & other symptoms.

What I have found is a fairly consistent view that lifting weights can increase intra-cranial pressure.

As for 'how heavy' is 'too heavy', I haven't found anything definitive, and this is probably an individual thing. There were a number of reports from people saying that anything above about 10lbs (or 4kg) seems to cause them problems, but I'm not whether this was in relation to repetitive weight-lifting or the occasional 'lift something and carry it'.

Super Electric
I plan to take it gradual. I don't do any stretches or breathing exercises.

Karina:

Thanks for the info. Sounds a bit scary to be honest. But I can attest that lifting does make my symptoms more pronounced. What is your recommendation since you have done the research? Thank you so much.

Any of you guys find that sustained cardio is worse? I found with weights just spiking my heart rate and then bringing it down has less symptoms than the traditional bike or walking increased intensity, maybe I am imagining it because the weights make me happy! just curious.....

Bobby,

Compared to me you are doing great. I can't run, lift weights or walk vigorously. I can swim but I would love to be able to run after 13 months! At least I can swim, it is better than sitting still all day.

Can't ski or fly as of yet either and it is discouraging.

Thats very interesting. Goes to show how PCS can vary from person to person. I routinely jump rope for 15 minutes (5minx3). These excercises do not worsen my symptoms.

Brain injury seems to affect stamina so short aerobic exercises might be better. I would think this would be good for oxygenating the brain too. Tracking my walking over the months has given me the sense that I've improved in some areas at least and given me base level of fitness however with me my stamina depends on the sleep I've had the night before. I really want to start running again, that's my ultimate goal.

I've not read an explanation on how concussion brain injury affects fatigue, I don't think anyone knows, but they seem to think it has to do with injury deep inside the brain, areas that are still a mystery.

Quote:
Originally Posted by MVTBI
Any of you guys find that sustained cardio is worse? I found with weights just spiking my heart rate and then bringing it down has less symptoms than the traditional bike or walking increased intensity, maybe I am imagining it because the weights make me happy! just curious.....

I'm almost 2 years out. I can run hard intervals of 30-60 sec, and as long as I let my HR come down (recovery time early on is ~60 sec, increases up to ~2-3 min), I do ok. After 10-25 intervals (depends on heat, humidity, and variables I haven't yet figured out), I'll start getting a headache by the end of the hard run, but it calms down as I recover.

When I try to go for distance, even at a slow pace, I do ok for ~2 miles, and then I get nauseous. I used to get a headache first, but I started on amitriptyline about a month ago, and now sometimes I bypass the headache and go right to the nausea - that's progress, right?

I'm a lot more sensitive to heat, hydration, and nutrition issues - I'm trying to cut sugar and processed foods from my diet and need to start experimenting with sports drinks other than Gatorade - I feel as if my body wants more than water when it's hot, even for a short 2-mile run. I'm in Houston, so the heat and humidity are a big factor as it gets warmer.

Good luck, I know how you feel about not being able to exercise like you want!