Bike Forums - Brain damaged and discouraged

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I googled some concussion symptoms, just for the fun of it. Seems you don't want to drink alcohol, sleeping lots is okay, but go to doctor asap for worsening headache, vomiting, problems recognizing objects, people and places, numbness or weakness in arms or legs, feeling unsteady on your feet, slurring speech.

After my concussion, a doctor friend of mine told me it was really important to not hit my head again for another 4-6 weeks, there is a rare chemical reaction that can happen that kills 100% of the time.

Good luck. I was stupid for about 6 months after my first concussion.

Quote:

Originally Posted by patentcad (Post 11024422)

Doesn't sound like brain damage, and as the Grand Vizier of BF, I'm the expert.

I've had two concussions from bicycle crashes in the last five years. Sounds like post-concussion syndrome, exacerbated by Vicodin. Relax, see a neurologist, and tell your wife she is hardly the authority on how long you should stay off your bike. Your doctor will tell you that. I suspect you can ride within 1-3 weeks.

P.S. Try to stick with Advil if possible. The Vicodin doesn't help.

+1. If the OP got to work on his own steam, and was treated and released in the ER, I'm betting his Glascow Coma scores could not have been that bad, and that his prognosis is probably pretty good.

Seeing the Doctor, as scheduled is good; Avoiding asecond impact in the short run is good. Getting a sooner appointment would be reasonable if your condition is not improving or is getting worse.

Taking Vicodin a week later is not good.

So OP, follow your Physicain's advice, but realize in all likelyhood, you had a mild brain injury, and you'll likely recover with no permament deficits.

By the way in the old days, we took our free lap and finished races with blows like that.

I feel like wearing my helmet just sitting on the couch now.

Go to the ER RIGHT NOW. DO NOT WAIT.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sonoma76 (Post 11021396)

I crashed my bike on Monday while commuting to work. I was turning left onto the final road and must have had too much speed; my front wheel hit a twig or bump or something, and the next thing I remember is being at work and sobbing. I don't know how I made it to work, which is about 3/4 a mile from the crash site. I'm pretty sure no one hit me, it was just an unfortunate crash at 20mph.

Six days, several vicodin & ibuprofen later, I'm sitting at home on a beautiful saturday morning having just slept for 18 hours last night. My friends all left on their morning ride without me, and I'm getting sleepy again. My wife won't let me use the computer long, she thinks it's bad for my recovery. Of course she won't let me bicycle either (You're off your bike for months! she tells me). I know I have a moderate concussion (I remember that much from the ER doc) but I don't know much more about my condition or prognosis. I know that I'm really forgetful and constantly fail little memory quizzes my wife is giving me.

The helmet I was wearing has a huge crack up the middle. it probably saved my life. I want to hang it in my bicycle closet.

I don't know why I'm posting this except to ask if any of you have similar experiences and whether you recovered fully. A bit scared that I may have to give up the sport I've come to love.

Since no one's said it yet: Dibs on the bike!

My helmet was trashed after my fall. Other than that, the only thing damaged was my collar bone, don't have enough brain cells left to bang into the old brain pan I guess.

I woke up 2.5 hours later with a level 3 concussion. I was totally washed and bandaged, missed the cleaning of the road rash. I kept the helmet as a trophy, it probably saved my life. It took 3 years to totally clear in my head. I fixed the bike in about two weeks, had balance problems for about 2 months, and fought the mental lethargy for 3 years. Doctor's say to be very careful for the first 6-12 months after a concussion, the next one could kill you. Talk to your doctor, and don't push it.

My friend was hit by a car on halloween last year. The advances in mental rehabilitation are stunning. They use tests and methods to pinpoint which areas are affected and can structure your rehab to it. I feel that I would have had twice the progress in half the time with the proper therapy. Instead I worked through it the hard way.

Glad you got medical attention! I was hit Thursday, but no head or spine injuries. Just bruises, soreness and road rash. Cleaning the road rash was a new adventure in pain.

Now to back on our bikes!