I recently had someone ask me about tips and suggestions for someone who had just sustained a concussion; what would I suggest and what resources would be helpful. His friend didn’t feel as though he or his wife were given much information upon leaving the hospital and were searching for more answers about what to expect.
Initally I gathered lots of data points on sources I had found helpful. But then I reread the email from my friend. What are a "few good resource links that you could share for initial management of concussion." I quickly realized the email I had put together with the different resources were really best for things that I needed to do probably within the next 3 weeks to what could be over a year’s worth of healing advice and resources.
So, I took a step back and reflected on my own experience. Tried to recall, what did I experience that first week or two? And what was helpful? In many ways it was trial and error trying to figure out what my body could manage. And, as an athlete I thought I was in tune listening to my body, but I had no clue just how much more in tune I would have to become in order to manage my symptoms, especially if I did not want to live through a hellacious day if I had accidentally overdone it the day before.
Having a concussion is like reverting to a childlike state. You spend 20+ years learning different things, from how to write, walk, drive, and then things you take for granted - lifting your arm to brush your teeth - how does your hand know roughly where your mouth is? You don’t even think about it. Yet it’s information your body has to process to get it there. What about taking a shower? What about all of those little rain drops coming out of the shower head? Your brain has to process each of those touching, and rolling down your head. What if your body and brain can’t handle those sensations? Then your body immediately revolts with wanting to vomit… making it super obvious to you that you need to stop that activity immediately.
And what happens when you are managing this all on your own without a caretaker to help you? You are trying to figure out how to manage your body, to feed it, and to figure out how to heal simultaneously when you just need to rest.
So, in my reflection, I realized that I had a similar experience of having little information provided to me. When I filled out the forms at the doctor’s office, I really didn’t understand what some of the items on the form meant. The nurses telling me to “fill it out to the best of my ability” did little to help. And I didn’t have an advocate with me in the doctors office who had been with me day/night to tell me, “No, Martha, you really are doing these things and this might be a helpful checkbox for you to tick off.” A few weeks later, I began to understand more about what those phrases were trying to represent. I understood the heaviness in my head was what the doctor’s office was describing as a “fog,” which microscopically felt like it improved each day. And a “fog” didn’t mean that everything was going to physically look cloudy out of my eyes like you would see when driving into a literal fog.
Yes, it took me longer to process things and if I was trying to process something my body wasn’t ready for, I felt like I wanted to vomit or extreme nausea would take over, which was a great indication point to literally stop thinking. I remember wanting to create a google doc within the first few days of my concussion to organize who would dog sit for me only to discover I was incapable of doing it. I literally could not do the steps needed to create one and yet, just a few days before I knew how to nimbly accomplish this. And I knew when I was injured that I knew how to do it, yet I couldn’t. I also thought it would be fun to journal and capture what I was experiencing. Writing, also made me nauseated and was challenging to do. In some cases I became aware of what I couldn’t do and was delighted when I could slowly start to do things again. In other ways, I didn’t know that it was taking me much longer to do something or that the way in which I was doing it was perhaps more convoluted.
So, as I went back to research what information exists online about what to expect in the first couple of weeks of a concussion, I found lots of material that suggesting that patients should improve within 7-10 days or that you might be totally better in 3 months. However, I saw few materials indicating that your symptoms could extend beyond that timeframe. And in many conversations I’ve had with individuals, including professionals at a personal training conference, I was appalled to discover just how few realized that concussion symptoms can last well beyond the 3 month mark. And you don’t have to be an athlete or a student to have this happen. There are some online references to PCS (post-concussion syndrome), which means, you could be looking symptoms lasting 3+ months to years, and everyone is different, so the timelines aren't the same.
When I did a google search for what to expect in the first few weeks I found these links that reference things you may experience within the first week or two and what to prepare for. I’m curious if you have tips, suggestions, or experiences you’d like to share.
https://www.beaumont.org/conditions/what-to-expect
https://www.brainline.org/article/facts-about-concussion-and-brain-injury - great article, esp. towards the bottom where it gives a list of suggestions for things NOT TO DO at home. Also good for family members to be aware of what the patient may experience.
These are the tips recommended from Brainline.org for adults to consider while recovering.
Tips for Healing: Adults
Here are a few tips to help you get better:
Get plenty of sleep at night, and rest during the day.
Avoid activities that are physically demanding (e.g., heavy housecleaning, weightlifting/working-out) or require a lot of concentration (e.g., balancing your checkbook). They can make your symptoms worse and slow your recovery.
Avoid activities, such as contact or recreational sports, that could lead to a second concussion. (It is best to avoid roller coasters or other high-speed rides that can make your symptoms worse or even cause a concussion.)
When your doctor says you are well enough, return to your normal activities gradually, not all at once.
Because your ability to react may be slower after a concussion, ask your doctor when you can safely drive a car, ride a bike, or operate heavy equipment.
Talk with your doctor about when you can return to work. Ask about how you can help your employer understand what has happened to you.
Consider talking with your employer about returning to work gradually and about changing your work activities or schedule until you recover (e.g., work half-days).
Take only those drugs that your doctor has approved.
Do not drink alcoholic beverages until your doctor says you are well enough. Alcohol and other drugs may slow your recovery and put you at risk of further injury.
Write down the things that may be harder than usual for you to remember.
If you’re easily distracted, try to do one thing at a time. For example, don’t try to watch TV while fixing dinner.
Consult with family members or close friends when making important decisions.
Do not neglect your basic needs, such as eating well and getting enough rest.
Avoid sustained computer use, including computer/video games early in the recovery process.
Some people report that flying in airplanes makes their symptoms worse shortly after a concussion.
Do you have any tips or articles that you would add to this list? Please share with us!