Hi everyone. New user here. Just wanted to get some advice and opinion on my situation. I'm a 32 year old male and in fairly good shape.

About 5 weeks ago, I went on a roller coaster. It was a pretty bumpy and rough ride. I didn't hit my head at any point, but my head and body was being rattled around due to the speed and tight turns. Right after the ride was over, I felt a bit shaken up and hoped that i didn't get a concussion. Soon after I felt fine.

A week later I started getting headaches/heavy head, light sensitivity, a bit cloudy at times. For one week i didn't know what was going on and I started suspecting i might have a concussion from the roller coaster. So I went to my doctor to get it checked out. After hearing my story and symptoms, he diagnosed me with Post concussion syndrome. So i'm taking medical leave from work and am trying to take it as easy as possible. Haven't done any weights at the gym or played any hockey since the symptoms started. Been limiting my screen time (phone, tv etc)

I will make a disclaimer that none of my symptoms have been debilitating. My headaches are bad but not to the point of some of the other people's stories i've read about.

It's a month since the symptoms started. Headaches start when I "do too much". This morning i did some basic errands, walked around a bit and drove to my doctor. This made my head hurt for an hour.Its a bit disheartening that I still cant do regular things without my headache flaring up. I've also been feeling a bit depressed at times.

At what point can I return to normal activities? And I"m a really active person. I'm so used to going to the gym and doing weights and playing hockey (non contact) a couple of times a week. When can I even entertain the idea of trying to workout again?

any advice is appreciated

You might also think about neck strain/whiplash etc.
soft tissue strain/injury / trigger points can cause headaches & all those symptoms too.

You might ask about an evaluation by PT , or even a gentle non force chiropractor that will address soft tissue too...

Oh yeah? Would those symptoms start a week after the incident like PCS too? Or are they more immediate?

I have a appointment with a neurologist in three weeks booked too.

Concussions and concussion like events are a process, not a single event. The cascade of chemistry can start slowly then hit hard.

I agree with Jo*mar. There is a lot of upper neck trauma that can be caused by the intense shaking.

I suggest you find somethings to keep busy with that do not trigger headaches. Manual tasks and crafts can be very good. The brain needs good blood flow to recover. It is also imperative that you get good sleep. Naps or resting during the day can disrupt proper sleep atnight so avoid daytime naps.

Screen time is not a problem if the visual is not too stimulating. Same goes for audio stimulation such as gentle music or diaglogue. A good rule is if you need to reread a line of text or did not understand what you heard, stop and find a different activity.

Being afraid of activity will increase stress/anxiety levels and slow your recovery.

What kind of work do you do ? Maybe there is a way you can return to partial days or work with frequent breaks.

I suggest you plan on staying off the ice for an extended period. No contact means you can still fall and smack your head. The reaction and balance skills of PCS make it a risk.

Ice is magnitudes more dangerous that a shaking roller coaster.

Thank you for your detailed reply Mark!

To answer your question, I work in advertising. I'm in the creative department. Me and my partner come up with marketing ideas and present them to clients etc. There is stress involved for sure. I think the plan is whenever i'm ready to come back, they will gradually increase my hours. I think i'll start off with working only 3 hours a day for the first week and increase and decrease the following weeks according to my body's response. So I'm glad my work is sensitive to my medical condition.

I will look into manual tasks and crafts. I have a mandella coloring book lying around somewhere. Maybe that will help blood flow. I have also found that reading books and books with lots of images didn't flare up any headaches or other symptoms. Maybe my eyes get strained a bit but not too much. Listening to soothing music or podcasts also seem good.

Follow up question about me staying off the ice for an extended period of time. Do you mean I should stay off till I'm completely symptom free? I love playing hockey and its a big part of my life (stress management, enjoyment, achievement etc) so right now it's hard and sad for me to think that I might have to give up on playing hockey...maybe for good.

And i'm also dealing with anxiety knowing that I might have to deal with PCS for a uncertain amount of time. Does anxiety/stress really slow down recovery like you stated?

I suggest staying off the ice until you are completely symptoms free.

I wonder.... How many concussions have you suffered during your years playing hockey ? Some may have been hard body checks, maybe some falls, or maybe some helmet to helmet checks.

Any other sports in your history ?

Prior concussions could have set you up for the difficult time you are having from just a roller coaster ride.

Anxiety is likely the biggest issue that slows recovery. Many struggle until they get anxiety under control. PCS makes anxiety much more prominent. Minor anxiety prior to a concussion can become a major problem after a concussion.

Stop reading if your eyes get strained. Or, use a blank sheet of paper to follow under the text so your eyes do not have to hunt from one line to the next.

A exam by a behavioral optometrist may be worthwhile. Visual issues can contribute to headaches. Health Care Locator Custom has a referral list.

Regarding returning to work. Avoid setting time goals and just work with what your brain tells you. Missing goals can cause anxiety.

Hi an Also, I'm 14 weeks post concussion and thankfully my vestibular therapist picked up on my symptoms and sent me to a Neuro Optometrist who diagnosed me with Post traumatic vision syndrome. You have many of the same symptoms I'm having light and noise sensitivity. I hope this helps.