topic Re: Concussion in Wellness

Concussion

Mustang Shar — Sun, 14 Feb 2021 04:36:01 GMT

I fell badly on ice while walking my pups on 1/31. No fractures thank goodness, but pretty beat up. I did hit my head. I finally drove my self to ER and followed up with my orthopedic. ER diagnosed the concussion and to take Tylenol Advil for pain. I did find out you shouldn't take prescription pain meds. Did get a muscle relaxer for the nasty neck pain.

my question as I go into my 3rd week with the head pain, how long does it take for my head to heal? Sounds like ridiculous question, but I'd really like to hear from you all that sustained a head injury. I'm just laying around the house, resting. Sure hope this goes away in another couple of weeks.

We are below zero for the next week and I gotta say that cold air feels GREAT on my head

Re: Concussion

NicksmomESQ — Sun, 14 Feb 2021 04:45:11 GMT

@Mustang Shar I'm so sorry to hear about your fall.Ice makes me very nervous.I hate to drive or walk on it.

Head injuries are tricky. Luckily, you got checked out. My son got a concussion playing football in grade school. He had a headache for about 3 weeks. The doctor told me to give him Tylenol.
Rest up & be patient.You'll feel better soon. If you have any concerns speak to your doctor. I wish you a speedy recovery 💐.

Re: Concussion

Nonametoday — Sun, 14 Feb 2021 04:48:25 GMT

@Mustang Shar

That is too bad that you fell. I am happy you did not break some major bones (like hip) but sorry about the concussion. I think you need to have a doctor address that concussion question (headache). That can be more serious or no more serious than originally thought. Just ask a real doctor.

Re: Concussion

Mustang Shar — Sun, 14 Feb 2021 04:50:53 GMT

I did just see the Dr., but failed to ask how long this would last. Very long and thorough exam. Sorry if I misled anyone that I haven't followed up. Thank you for making sure I'm doing the right thing. Hugs

Re: Concussion

Mustang Shar — Sun, 14 Feb 2021 04:54:03 GMT

@NicksmomESQ wrote:
@Mustang Shar I'm so sorry to hear about your fall.Ice makes me very nervous.I hate to drive or walk on it.
Head injuries are tricky. Luckily, you got checked out. My son got a concussion playing football in grade school. He had a headache for about 3 weeks. The doctor told me to give him Tylenol.
Rest up & be patient.You'll feel better soon. If you have any concerns speak to your doctor. I wish you a speedy recovery 💐.

Thanks! Just trying to get a ball park idea on time line. Yes, cannot mess around with head injury, in fact I probably shouldn't have waited a week. Just kept thinking it's a fall and takes time to heal.

Re: Concussion

JCath — Sun, 14 Feb 2021 05:11:44 GMT

Several years ago I, too, fell on black ice. I was taken to the hospital emergency room by ambiance and spent 2 days in intensive care. I had a concussion and bleeding in the skull. Fortunately the bleeding stopped on its own and I didn't need surgery. I did have post concussion syndrome for several months---headache, nausea,(and loss of senses of smell and taste for a year). Taking Tylenol and resting in a darken room helped. Keep in touch with your doctor and don't rush things. Everyone has a different rate of healing.

Re: Concussion

on the bay — Sun, 14 Feb 2021 09:31:44 GMT

@Mustang Shar,

Hi and I'm so sorry you fell and got a concussion! You need that like a hole in the head right?!

I had one about a year ago, and at the er they had diagnosed it and gave me 2 medications-one particularly for a headache that wouldn't go away with my usual excedrin and another one I forget what it was but I stopped both because of some side effects.

Anyway I think I remember it took about a month or maybe a little more to feel back to earth and not having a headache or feeling weird.

Everyone is different though, I know,

as is every concussion.

I hope you feel better in just a little while.

Re: Concussion

AngelPuppy1 — Sun, 14 Feb 2021 12:31:31 GMT

I am glad you didn't break anything! Years and years ago I was cleaning off my car and shoveling snow to get ready for work when I slipped and fell and hit my head on the pavement and it knocked me out for a couple of minutes. I had a concussion from it and had a very bad headache, dizzy, sick to my stomach. I really didn't feel well for several days and they said it could take a month or even longer to totally get over it. Everyone is different so you just need to take it easy and allow yourself to heal!

Re: Concussion

Mustang Shar — Sun, 14 Feb 2021 16:11:02 GMT

Thank you everyone for your responses. Reassuring to read about a month and won't get discouraged. I'm by myself, so I totally rely on me for everything. Given that, it's difficult to keep me down. However, I will really test and not be impatient.

hugs and thank you

Re: Concussion

goldensrbest — Sun, 14 Feb 2021 16:14:15 GMT

Falling on ice is very scary, i would be concerned, ice cleats help on your shoes.

Re: Concussion

RedTop — Sun, 14 Feb 2021 17:29:26 GMT

Every winter, we had hospital employees fall in the parking lot and more than 50% bumped their head.

Based on what I saw with them, slight improvement was usually seen after 4 weeks, with more between 6 and 12 weeks. Only one employee suffered a brain bleed and never returned to work.

If you notice any change in vision, balance, walking, etc., please go back to ER, ASAP!

Re: Concussion

SXMGirl — Sun, 14 Feb 2021 17:46:12 GMT

@Mustang Shar I am so sorry that you are going through this. It takes time for healing, so just do not try to rush it. Rest as much as you can.

I retired with a traumatic brain injury, so I really understand how you feel. It is important that when you meet with any of your regular doctors that you let them know about your concussion. Not only does your regular doctor need to know, even though the hospital may have already done the notification, but your eye doctor needs to know as well as any other specialists. Depending on the severity of your concussion, you may experience problems long after you thought everything was over. Just be aware.

I hope that you are feeling much better very soon.

Re: Concussion

evelyner — Mon, 15 Feb 2021 04:54:53 GMT

Wishing you a fast recovery.

Re: Concussion

deb5555 — Mon, 15 Feb 2021 14:53:48 GMT

Hope you feel better soon, I just saw this walk like a penguin on ice and thought I would share it.

Re: Concussion

PamfromCT — Mon, 15 Feb 2021 15:01:41 GMT

I hope you are doing better. I seem to note that you saw an orthopedic doc in the ER. I did have a fall many years ago and had a head injury. I hope you saw a neurologist and had a scan. If so, I would contact the neurologist again re your headaches. If you didn’t see a neurologist, I really would hope you would see one. I don’t mean to scare you @evelyner, but these injuries can be very serious. Please keep us updated on how you are doing. All my best wishes.

Re: Concussion

SeaMaiden — Mon, 15 Feb 2021 15:57:36 GMT

@Mustang Shar So sorry to hear about your terrible fall! Two years ago, I was out walking my two dogs and slipped like you...my feet flew up together and I hit my butt first and then the back of my head HARD on the sidewalk.

At first I thought I might have a hard time walking the rest of the way home... but I had no choice ... I made it home.... had a sore head and butt. The next day I could barely lay on my back in bed... butt was SO SORE and I had a headache and the back of my skull was so sore...It took a week or more for my body to heal from that fall, my butt was sore for a month! . I took arnica Montana 30X homeopathic....I might suggest you take this too. Good for any injuries (including surgeries too) to help body tissue heal.

I never even considered going to the hospital... BUT, later I read up on brain bleeds caused from hard head impact .... guess I lucked out. Good you went to the ER.

since that fall...I never walk on icy days. It just scared me!

Re: Concussion

lynne6was7 — Tue, 16 Feb 2021 07:33:06 GMT

I notice you said you had nasty neck pain. You may have whiplashed your neck when you fell. Some of the pain you're still feeling could be from the neck tendons you over stretched and injured when your head snapped back as you fell. I did something similar in 2008, and also had a concussion. It took a few weeks to feel better. Hope you're feeling better soon. If not, ask your doctor about follow-up concussion care.

BTW, since then, I always use the Due North ice cleats from QVC. They are a great help when walking in winter as a fall can happen in a split second, even when being careful. I only caution two things about the cleats - they can damage floors; and be sure to sit down or hang onto something sturdy when putting them on or off your boots. Don't want to fall when trying to prevent a fall.

Re: Concussion

FastDogWalker2 — Tue, 16 Feb 2021 13:19:27 GMT

@Mustang Shar I had a terrible fall a few years ago and fell in the driveway and hit my head. I went to the hospital and did have a concussion. The after effects lasted a long time. I experienced headaches, confusion and general soreness. I remember baking a recipe that I had made dozens of times and left out one of the main ingredients. Crazy! Sending get well wishes - take it easy if you can.

Re: Concussion

Mustang Shar — Tue, 16 Feb 2021 19:42:23 GMT

Thank you all. This explaines my confusion. Knowing all your experiences helps me gauge my recovery and what to expect. I am so grateful for you sharing. I should clear up that I've had 2 physician visits so far and will be starting physical therapy next week. Still have the headache but it's not as bad today.

hugs!

Re: Concussion

Nonametoday — Thu, 18 Feb 2021 06:15:12 GMT

@Mustang Shar

I am glad you are doing better. I have seen patients who did not have a good outcome and it is always unwise for lay people to tell others how long and what to expect with head injuries. I would never do that. I will not go into details as that too is unethical but best advice you can get is from your doctor or the nursing staff whom he/she advises. Thankfully you appear to be doing well and that is wonderful. Should you develop any symptoms, even after a few weeks, however, of confusion or headaches, please get back in touch withyour doctor.