I suffered a severe concussion on the 23rd of this month after a 60 mile road race. I bumped my head on the rear backseat door frame of my car when reaching in to grab my clothes bag, which gave me a concussion. Dizziness is the only symptom, both right after it happened, and now. Funny enough, I got the stomach flu as well this week, but I'm mostly over that.

I visited the neurologist in town that deals with concussions. She told me to rest, no tv, computer & cell phone/texting. I'm on here right now because I'm feeling much better, not 100% though. There are still some balance issues.

My main question is, once I am back to 100%, how soon can I start riding again? I've actually read that light aerobic exercise can actually help improve a concussion to get back to 100% as well. I also have a race on the 6th, I really would like to do it, but I definitely won't if I'm not back to 100%. I wonder if walking would help maybe?

I'd search to see if this has happened to any one else, but I don't want to be on the computer very long right now.

Thanks for any feedback!

I've had a handful of concussions of varying degrees so I can speak from my personal experience.

Well obviously first off go see your doc and ask him. Failing that, do some light exercise and see how you feel the next couple of days. Any concussion symptoms at all then wait a week or two and try again. Ramp up the activity slowly and back off at the first sign of symptoms. Concussions can take a long time to heal. Be patient. Also educate yourself on concussion symptoms if you haven't already. Symptoms can be sneaky and your judgement is impaired to begin with because you are concussed so be careful.

+1

Listen to what your doctor says about returning to bicycling. Your reaction time can be impaired for a while and you definitely want to avoid a bump or jolt to your head as your brain is healing. Personally I’d wait until post concussion symptoms at rest were gone and then slowly get back to light aerobic exercise like walking and you might want to ask your doctor about stationary bike workouts. Hoping your recovery is quick and safely done!!!

You can start riding when your doctor says so. NOT when someone on a forum says so.

Go see your doctor and ask him the questions you posted.

koffee

I've been through this. I know you want to show yourself that you're ok, but really you need rest. And sleep. As much sleep as you can get. Sleep helps a lot.

Take time to recover well now and you'll feel better 6 months from now than if you push it now.

Forget the race on the 6th. Especially if you're feeling dizzy now.

There's this thing called second-impact syndrome, where if you get a second concussion while you still have symptoms from the first one you just die.

Ask your doctor, don't return to cycling too early if there is any chance you could hit your head again.

Riding on the trainer is a separate question, as your doctor separately about that.