Hi Everyone:

I'm new to this forum, and need some advice. I am an avid cyclist, but had a serious bike accident in Mid-March, sustaining a concussion with brief loss of consciousness. My helmet did it's job, but I am still suffering from PCS and am getting frustrated. As far as symptoms go, they weren't too bad initially, and the doctor's advice was basically "take it easy." As this was my first concussion that I know of, it was uncharted territory for me and I didn't get good initial guidance from medical professionals or from friends or family, who also seemed unaware of how to proceed. I did ride again a week after the injury (balance was fine and symptoms weren't bad) and returned to work 4 days after the injury. I fear I rushed back into things and this caused my PCS. I do find the aerobic exercise generally helps my symptoms now, but I still have some almost constant light dizziness as well as light sensitivity (I wear Axon optics specs at work currently because of my light sensitivity). I also have trouble with large groups and my teaching load at work.

My persistent worry is that this will continue to have these symptoms forever and I caused them by trying to come back too soon! I just didn't know. I have had the standard brain imaging done and it has come back negative. I also visited a neurologist a few weeks ago, and he did the standard cognitive and balance tests and gave me a clear, mainly just saying to "not push things" on the bike. I realize my PCS is mild compared to many folks, but it is greatly affecting my life in many ways. Is there any timeline to feeling myself again? Did I cause this, through my ignorance of protocol?

Thanks for any advice.

I think there is no time frame to suggest or aim for it is so individual for each person..

I suggest reading the sticky threads here and browsing thru posts to find info & things to try..

For now I would reduce any stresses and aggravating activities as much as you can, rest as much as you can too....

Is 3 months an indicator that this will be a LONG recovery? I just didn't have very good knowledge regarding concussions initially . . . I thought the symptoms generally just lasted a few weeks! Little did I know.

seth8a,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. Sorry to hear of your injury. Your helmet did its job by protecting you from a skull fracture. Helmets have proven to have a limited effect on reducing concussions.

There is no evidence to suggest that your return to cycling caused your PCS. The concerns about returning to activities too soon pertain to risks of Second Impact Syndrome. Most activities just delay recovery. Whether you would have a delayed or longer recovery has more to do with the individual specifics of your injury. Cognitive stress has more influence on recovery than physical stress, especially physical stress that does not cause and increase of symptoms.

You need to learn the specifics of your triggers and struggles. Are you sensitive to groups with multiple voices ? Is it general sound sensitivity ? etc.

You need to get past the idea that you caused your PCS. The anxiety of that false thought is counter to recovery. If you recovery takes a while, that is due to the nature of your injury, not the short delay you may have caused. You only make a concussion worse by suffering another concussion or by chemical insult (intoxication, drug use, etc).

So, find way to slow down and reduce the sensory stimulation in your environment.

My best to you.

85% of concussions resolve spontaneously in the first 6 weeks. The rest are all over the map. The obvious stat is that the longer the recovery, the greater the possibility of a prolonged recovery. In other words, the bell curve has long flat end points. There is research that shows it is difficult to link recovery times with initial concussion symptoms and perceived intensity of impact.

Thanks Mark, this is all extremely helpful and informative. I have been beating myself up for weeks about coming back too soon. My main stress factors are the following: fluorescent lights, computer screens, and a busy work schedule (I work as a reference/digital librarian at a busy semi-urban public library where I teach technology classes and run several large-scale programs and initiatives), and poor sleeps partly because of work demands. I also have two small children, but they really don't stress me out too much and are generally just fun to be around. However, I realize that I can't do TOO much with them or I start to feel wonky.

The main obstacle seems to be work. I am the main breadwinner, but I have been very tempted to take medical leave at certain points in my recovery because my job is so demanding. However, I'm not sure how amenable they would be to it, although I have kept my direct supervisor apprised of the situation. I am, however, taking a 10 day vacation starting today, so hopefully this will help some!

Thanks again for your extremely helpful input!

I had a "moderate concussion" in the sense that I was knocked out for a short time but did not have amnesia or other severe symptoms at first. However, the back of my bike helmet shattered, so it was an intense impact. I am hoping to be completely healed soon and am trying to remain positive. One of the things I didn't realize at first as how counter-productive caffeine intake is! I love, love, love my coffee, but still cannot take caffeine in any form. I do wonder how long this will last.

Thank you again for your supportive words. They are making a huge difference today.

Helmets are designed to shatter. Read the label in the helmet. They are only good for one impact. Some will even provide a free replacement with proper impact documentation.

Caffeine is not different than loud music or other stimulating activities. Caffeine just attacks at a chemical level. One serving a day should be your max and best in the AM. Read about the metabolic path of caffeine. Same for alcohol. MSG is just as bad.

Recovery is not about the amount of rest. Recovery is about reducing the peaks of activity and stimulation. 23 hours of low stimulation activity is worthless if the 24 hours is high stimulation activity.

Recovery comes from continuous periods of moderated stimulation and reduced symptoms. Every time you get over stimulated or push to fatigue, it is like you have to start recovery all over again. Just delaying recovery. Not increasing the magnitude of the injury.

What is the answer for someone in my position? Meditation? Reducing workload? I desperately want to get better....

I mean....Will I ever get better?