Training & Nutrition - Residual headache from crash

10 days ago I was involved in a crash, landing points were left side of head (helmet) and left ribs. I was not knocked out as far as I know - got up and road another 40 miles. Since that day I have had a slight headache every morning, when I bend over I feel a pressure in my head and when riding every little bump I feel a jolt in the head. Has anyone experienced this? It has not gotten worse but have not noticed any marked improvement yet. I know going to the Dr. is an option, my wife tells me that daily, just trying to see if this is typical - I searched the forum but could not get it narrowed to this specific issue.

go to the doctor and get a new helmet.

stop being stupid. you have a concussion. go see the doctor.

Zan - I checked with my wife and she said I was stupid before the crash - anyway I could not get an appointment until tomorrow - I didn't think I needed one until the headache persisted - I know what they will do - send me for a scan - I have crashed before and never experienced this - I am trying to find out if this is something that others have experienced and if it passes in time.

that's interesting. you go to the hospital here complaining of a concussion and you move right up to the front of the pile. head injuries tend to be number 1 on the list.

1. Sleep on your right side.
2. 600mg - 800mg TID Ibuprofin
3. You should have already been to the neurologist, 8 days ago.
4. I want you in my foxhole if the Russians attack.

What did the doctor have to say?

Dr said Cat scan of brain and xray of rib. Went and got both done - they said someone reads today and faxes to Dr. Should know soon - xray lady said she is not allowed to say but nothing obvious - this does not surprise me as I think the pain is lessening. Headache still there - we shall see - Dr. said reason for Cat scan is potential of blood clot.

If you have a concussion, there's not much you can do other than wait it out. I suffered a minor concussion a couple of months ago after a crash. I hit my head twice. I had lingering effects for about two weeks: headache, dizzy spells, and irritability. I went to the ER after the crash and again after I passed out in the bathroom. It was not fun, but it did go away.

Your answer is what I really expected all along and is what I normally would do. It just seemed to last so long - now I sit and wait for the Dr. to have time to call and say what the Cat scan showed. Beautiful weather here in PA I want to be riding!

Remember, CAT scans only show structural problem. A concussion is a bruise on the brain, so even if you have one (which is obvious that you do, given your symptoms), the scan will come back negative. Concussions are largely a biochemical problem. There are several computer based cognitive assessment tools out there that can point to the severity of the concussion (loss of consciousness is not a indicator of severity), so I would talk with your doctor about using one of those (IMPACT is the one we use where I work).

D

atcfoody - thanks for the info

Happy to help; keep us posted on how your doing.

D

. . .there's not much you can do other than wait it out. . . .

I would agree with this statement once it has been determined that the concussion was a minor one and based on medical advice. Anyone taking a head shot, experiencing the described symptoms, and looking to "wait it out" should reconsider and seek help. Brains swell and bleed creating a haunting memory for those who witness it.

Just updating on two fronts from this thread - one is that Dr report is concussion but no obvious problems and the second is that I can say for sure the head aches have diminished considerably in the last two days. One other thing I would mention for those of us in the states - I probably should have gone to the emergency room the day I crashed, even if it was after I finished riding. I ride a lot and have gone down this hard or harder before and I was truly okay the day it happened but by waiting 10 days and going to the Dr. because of the lingering head ache, I was at the mercy of getting a cat scan scheduled and then waiting for the process of my Dr. getting results and having time to forward them to me. In the future I will be a little quicker on going to the emergency room. Anyway, back on bike tomorrow - Dr. suggested not falling. Glad I owned two helmets.

I would agree with this statement once it has been determined that the concussion was a minor one and based on medical advice. Anyone taking a head shot, experiencing the described symptoms, and looking to "wait it out" should reconsider and seek help. Brains swell and bleed creating a haunting memory for those who witness it.

Yes, okay. The OP and I both saw a doctor. I actually got two opinions since my brother is also a doctor. I would always recommend anyone with a suspected head injury go to a doctor.