Super E,

I am finding the same thing...I have always exercised 5 days a week ..not on weekends.

I have been stepping up the pace again with no real bad effects from it until day 4. It seems if I go at it for 3 then rest 2 it doesn't affect my clarity as much...I don't get that muddled confused thinking, well not as muddled.

Bud

The reason you have not found doctors that know much about concussion is because there is no tried and true understanding, even with the specialists. The concussion clinics only know what has been taught by organizations like ImPACT. They know return to play protocols that work for 85%. They do not know what to do with the rest. They may have lots of therapies, physical therapy for the neck, cognitive therapies that they think help with recovery and psychological counseling to help with the anxiety and depression.

But, there is no evidence that these protocols shorten recovery times. In many cases, they just generate billings for the insurance company and a sense that somebody is trying to fix the problems. Parents often respond well to this concept and are willing to support keeping the athlete off the playing field until the 'expert' says it is OK.

Seth, By ImPACT protocols, you would likely have been returned to compete long ago with minimal further care since you do not struggle with head aches. The dizziness might have been an ongoing concern but I doubt it.

That's interesting to know about ImPACT. My dizziness isn't even recognizable through standard physical therapy, as I got the all-clear from the PT that I saw who did a bunch of vestibular tests. I can do a single leg stand for over a minute with eyes closes. But I'm so far from 100% it isn't even funny.

That is scary that I would be returned to play. I'm blessed that I don't have headaches!

The responses you received in this thread, Seth, are excellent, particularly Mark's first response. I'm currently working through the transition where I used to try and understand the biology of my mTBI so that I can fix it and return to my old self... this has been a difficult quest filled with angst, anger, frustration, etc., and of course all of those issues get vented at the ones I love, particularly my children.

In the past 6 months, I've taken a new approach similar to what Mark very nicely outlines. I'm working on who I am now while trying to push my recovery... acceptance of my situation has been a relief, in some sense, and I'm sincerely hoping that it improves, but for now I'm trying to "roll" with things rather than "rail" against them. I have fairly significant activity intolerance but I understand the cycle between activity and consequence, and I think that will help.

So, push when can, but not too much, and be patient with your recovery... I've learned trying to speed it up isn't productive

One thing that I just can't get over is that I somehow caused this PCS by not following a step-wise approach to concussion recovery. I just pushed too hard after the accident, I realize now. And sometimes I wonder if I made this thing permanent or caused permanent brain damage by cycling too soon afterward.

seth, For every 'rest' protocol out there, I can show you someone else who suggests an "exercise" protocol if exercise can be done without causing symptoms like headaches, nausea and dizziness.

But, there is broad consensus regarding the negative impact anxiety has on recovery. That is why so many doctors put their patients on benzos and SSRI's that can create a whole new set of problems.

Seth,

Second guessing won't change anything of your current situation.

I think anxiety is more counter productive than exercising to early, it certainly has for me.

Bud

Mark,

my swimming teacher had a bad concussion which lasted for about 7 months about 5 years ago, she was behind on her school and spent a miserable year. Yet she now claims she is 100% and never had a set back since.

I feel you have a tendency of telling people that this is something you have to deal with the rest of your life, that downturns WILL happen. I am confused. Most people I know don't seem to agree and I really do hope you are wrong on this

After all if I knew that for the rest of my life I won't be able to fly/run/exercise/drink/listen to loud music (concerts) for the next 10 years of my life, I would make a more dramatic decision.

I really really hope that there is such thing as 99% recovery. And if any of you know of these it would be really great to let us know.

Thanks

J

I never said you can't fly/run/exercise/drink/listen to loud music (concerts). What I said is, These activities may cause you to have a poor day afterward. Most are more sensitive to alcohol. They may get drunk easier or have a hangover that is more problematic. I did not say you cannot fly. I fly in airline cabins. But, private pilots flying in unpressurized cabins at high altitude for extended periods may be putting their safety at risk. Flying as a passenger is not a risk.

Exercise that cause high peaks in pulse and BP may cause headaches more easily that prior.

If you choose to go to a loud concert and have a bad day after, take it slow and you should return to normal soon. I just would not plan a loud concert the day before a critical task at work or elsewhere.

If you find from experience that you can push the limits, good for you. Most people do not connect their prior concussion to later bad days. Instead, they might load up on caffeine thinking they are just tired.

btw, If you like loud music, spend a day in a retirement community and observe the frustration people have when they struggle to hear. I have a 10% loss in the high frequencies due to noise.

It's not like these activities will cause PCS to come roaring back. Just that they may cause one to have a slow/bed day. As you age, you will find that many body systems have less tolerance for stress. This is true for people who never had a head injury. It's just more so for us.