concussion

[suffolkcindy]

I slipped on some diesel last week and had concussion. Ive waited a week before riding again but today I only managed 4 miles before going dizzy and breathless. Normally I am 30-50miles for a ride.

Has anyone experienced post-concussion training? Common sense tells me to ride 'little and often' as a rebuild programme but I am surprised by the severity of the after effects. Anyone got any positive news on this? please?

 

[I like Skol]

I slipped on some diesel last week and had concussion. Ive waited a week before riding again but today I only managed 4 miles before going dizzy and breathless.

If it were me I would discuss this with my doctor as there may be something more serious going on. I'm not a medical man but I would expect any concussion symptoms and after effects to be long gone after a week.

 

[gbb]

Having had concussion only the once (and that's once too many) i seem to remember its effects stayed with me for a week.
At the time of the impact (Landrover/10mph/head/field interface) i suffered the WORST headache ever within 15 minutes that lasted for what seemed like hours. Felt like an axe in my head. No nausea.
With hindsight it was incredibly stupid at the time not to go to hospital to get it checked out, just in case.

At the end of the day, its a brain injury (hopefully/usually mild) I'd guess any excertion will only pump blood to that injured area...and hurt.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Been concussed several times (rugby) and the cumulative effects were permanent (and not in a good way)

A one-off should leave you will no ill effects after 7 - 10 days.

Go see the doctor.

 

[PK99]

I slipped on some diesel last week and had concussion. Ive waited a week before riding again but today I only managed 4 miles before going dizzy and breathless. Normally I am 30-50miles for a ride.

Has anyone experienced post-concussion training? Common sense tells me to ride 'little and often' as a rebuild programme but I am surprised by the severity of the after effects. Anyone got any positive news on this? please?

As others have said, if you haven't DO see a doctor.

I've had concussion once when i came off in Richmond park of all places (October leaves hid the wooden edge to the path and i exited the bike sideways and smashed my helmet).

24 hrs observation in hospital and several days of wobbles

 

[suffolkcindy]

Thank y'all but dont worry I have seen GP and A&E and on phone to doctor since...

They have no idea how long any dizzy spells/wobbly/ grogginess will last but reassure me it is nothing serious. Just a matter of time (some say 6 weeks!).

I posted on here because I was wondering what cycling specific experience was like (as doctors consider cycling a luxury option rather than an essential part of life) was hoping to hear lots of reassurance about short recovery times and 'back to normal' rides but will obviously have to get real

I could stick to my indoor turbo for a another week and then try a little ride out again.
But its such gorgeous cycling weather !!!

 

[cd365]

I suffered with post-concussion syndrone last year which lasted 3-4 weeks, was still a few weeks after that before I got back on a bike.

 

[ramses]

October leaves hid the wooden edge to the path and i exited the bike sideways and smashed my helmet

Sounds Painful, crossing my legs whilst typing!

(Joking aside, glad you are ok!)

 

[Sue Barrowcliffe]

Thank y'all but dont worry I have seen GP and A&E and on phone to doctor since...

They have no idea how long any dizzy spells/wobbly/ grogginess will last but reassure me it is nothing serious. Just a matter of time (some say 6 weeks!).

I posted on here because I was wondering what cycling specific experience was like (as doctors consider cycling a luxury option rather than an essential part of life) was hoping to hear lots of reassurance about short recovery times and 'back to normal' rides but will obviously have to get real

I could stick to my indoor turbo for a another week and then try a little ride out again.
But its such gorgeous cycling weather !!!

Gently does it! Your dizzy/grogginess is there for a reason - your delicate brain took a shaking. I am slowwwwwly and frustratingly recovering from concussion myself - now 8wks post injury (which at the time seemed quite minor, deep cut to chin but no LOC, yet 3wks later found to have skull fracture and neuro signs of severe concussion ) I read that you really need to be symptom free before restarting ANY exercise. Once at this stage try a short spell of gentle exercise at less than 70% max heart rate for 10- 20 mins + if still symptom free , then steadily progress in this fashion. Don't push it if you have symptoms and if symptoms return then rest until symptom free again. Yes this sounds mighty frustrating, but hey you only get one brain so look after it.

 

[Gixer Rob]

no medical training but just a thought....
maybe raised HR and a bit of post spill anxiety could have been a factor....
hope its all better soon

 

[steve keay]

Hope your better soon, and back on the road

 

[Andrew_Culture]

How are you feeling now?

 

[Recycler]

as doctors consider cycling a luxury option rather than an essential part of life

I thought that most doctors would positively encourage cycling. Mine certainly does, he's just bought himself a cyclocross bike. I could tell you where he rides it, what speed he now does, who he cycles with, where he got the bike from.................. It's difficult to get him onto my favourite subject...me!

 

[Crackle]

When I fractured my skull, it took several weeks for the dizziness to settle. It wasn't constant but it came and went. It was several months before I stopped having bouts of dizziness/blood pressure changes. It's fairly sensitive to being walloped the old head, so don't try to rush it or worry about it, you will return to normal, patience is the watchword.

 

[suffolkcindy]

How are you feeling now?

Yes I should update on this as it is now over a year since it happened. It took me two months to get my confidence back on the bike mainly due to the dizziness/blood pressure changes Crackle mentioned too that made bike handling a bit precarious but also due to a 'fear of headbutting tarmac' . I also had much reduced endurance for over six months. I could comfortably ride 50 miles but then be completely exhausted unlike before. I am now back up to doing 100s without after effects but it took nearly the whole year. Funnily enough other injuries from the accident emerged over time. At first my head and central nervous system was the most important injury but later it became obvious that I had ripped my thumb back and torn soft tissue and that is still uncomfortable a year later.

So yes it seems the ole face does not take well to tarmac. I met another guy who had exactly the same face impact on tarmac (like me, wearing a helmet) and he broke his cheek bone and lost the sight in one eye so I came off lightly. I really am looking for a helmet that has a cheek/face protector, not like the full face helmets of downhill riders but something more subtle -- perhaps just a strong peak (who cares what it looks like)...

thanks y'all for your feedback and concern