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coskigirl

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As many of you know, I was hit by a snowboarder in January and sustained a mild concussion and whiplash. I managed the recovery and thought I was through it. For the most part I was through the physical symptoms but I didn't realize until the last couple of weeks that I wasn't actually through the cognitive issues.

Today I saw a specialist at Colorado Brain Recovery for evaluation and testing. First, I'm so grateful that I live in a place where this is available. Second, I have never been so happy to fail tests. Third, I'm glad I can afford to pay for this out of network care. In short, she took an extensive history and then started cognitive testing knowing that we have 2 major time limiters (her honeymoon in a couple of weeks and my finals in May) so we didn't want to waste time. The tests completely validated the issues I've been having. She didn't assign homework (she figures I have enough with law school) but will be putting together a letter so that I can apply for temporary accommodations at school which will mainly look like audiobooks (if available), links to lecture recordings, and extra time on timed assignments and tests.

I know many people here have suffered through them and I am starting to understand why people say they are isolating. It is so weird to feel like things just aren't working the way you are used to. It's hard to explain to others. I thought I'd start a thread to detail the therapy I do and hopefully serve as a resource to others who experience them or have friends/family that do.
 

Coach13

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In the sports I coach I’ve had a ton of experience with all sports injuries including concussions. While most bone, ligament, tendon etc type injuries are all athlete specific in terms of recovery there is a lot of consistency in terms of how folks of like age and physical condition heal. With concussions, all bets are off in terms of recovery. Some folks have severe head injuries/concussions and recover very quickly while others suffer mild concussions and experience issues for a long, long time. It’s good you have found a doctor you feel is qualified and you trust. Good luck with your recovery!
 

Jim Kenney

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@JohnL got hit by a car about 5 years ago while walking in a parking lot, got a concussion and other bruises and had very long lasting after-effects similar to what you are talking about. Cognitively things just weren't quite 100% for him for many months, he lost most of one ski season due to balance issues if I recall correctly.
 
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coskigirl

coskigirl

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Thanks everyone. I can’t believe how much relief I feel having my suspicions confirmed. That in and of itself is a huge stress reliever. I’m also very grateful for a boss that is willing to support me as I go through this.
 

RuleMiHa

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In regards to the altitude causing more problems. Many in the medical community are advocating hyperbaric oxygen for TBI, so I would think there’d be some effect in the other direction. No research though.
 
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BC.

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As many of you know, I was hit by a snowboarder in January and sustained a mild concussion and whiplash. I managed the recovery and thought I was through it. For the most part I was through the physical symptoms but I didn't realize until the last couple of weeks that I wasn't actually through the cognitive issues.

Today I saw a specialist at Colorado Brain Recovery for evaluation and testing. First, I'm so grateful that I live in a place where this is available. Second, I have never been so happy to fail tests. Third, I'm glad I can afford to pay for this out of network care. In short, she took an extensive history and then started cognitive testing knowing that we have 2 major time limiters (her honeymoon in a couple of weeks and my finals in May) so we didn't want to waste time. The tests completely validated the issues I've been having. She didn't assign homework (she figures I have enough with law school) but will be putting together a letter so that I can apply for temporary accommodations at school which will mainly look like audiobooks (if available), links to lecture recordings, and extra time on timed assignments and tests.

I know many people here have suffered through them and I am starting to understand why people say they are isolating. It is so weird to feel like things just aren't working the way you are used to. It's hard to explain to others. I thought I'd start a thread to detail the therapy I do and hopefully serve as a resource to others who experience them or have friends/family that do.

I know this is probably not going to be taken very well...especially since you are in school.....but one of the first suggestions to concussion recovery is to limit time on computers, laptops, phones, etc...........so I know its tough to do..but resting the brain is encouraged to help in recovery.

My friend whom I teach/coach HS soccer with has been dealing with severe concussion symptoms for over 2 years.....he still struggles with multiple symptoms on a daily basis in the classroom and out on the field....The first thing our trainers/doctors told him to do was to not be on his phone, computer, laptops........to rest his brain.....kind of tough to do for a teacher/coach......law student.

Good luck.....it sounds like you are on the road to recovery......
 
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SugarCube

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I know this is probably not going to be taken very well...especially since you are in school.....but one of the first suggestions to concussion recovery is to limit time on computers, laptops, phones, etc...........so I know its tough to do..but resting the brain is encouraged to help in recovery. (My friend whom I teach/coach HS soccer with has been dealing with severe concussion symptoms for over 2 years.....he still struggles with multiple symptoms on a daily basis in the classroom and out on the field.)...

Good luck.....it sounds like you are on the road to recovery......

^^ This. When Uncle Louie fell at last year's Gathering and broke his neck, he also had a concussion (that happens when you break your fall with your face). Due to the serious nature of his neck injury, his concussion sort of got lost in the shuffle.

About a week into his recovery, I asked his spine surgeon and our regular orthopod about the concussion. We were told emphatically that the brain needs time to heal, and to do so, he had to limit "screen time." He needed to keep his brain quiet, so, for a long time, he was very limited to what he could (and should) do on his laptop. He watched a little tv just to keep from going stark-raving mad, but even that was probably pushing it.

Wishing you well with your recovery, take care of yourself!
 
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coskigirl

coskigirl

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I know this is probably not going to be taken very well...especially since you are in school.....but one of the first suggestions to concussion recovery is to limit time on computers, laptops, phones, etc...........so I know its tough to do..but resting the brain is encouraged to help in recovery.

My friend whom I teach/coach HS soccer with has been dealing with severe concussion symptoms for over 2 years.....he still struggles with multiple symptoms on a daily basis in the classroom and out on the field....The first thing our trainers/doctors told him to do was to not be on his phone, computer, laptops........to rest his brain.....kind of tough to do for a teacher/coach......law student.

Good luck.....it sounds like you are on the road to recovery......

^^ This. When Uncle Louie fell at last year's Gathering and broke his neck, he also had a concussion (that happens when you break your fall with your face). Due to the serious nature of his neck injury, his concussion sort of got lost in the shuffle.

About a week into his recovery, I asked his spine surgeon and our regular orthopod about the concussion. We were told emphatically that the brain needs time to heal, and to do so, he had to limit "screen time." He needed to keep his brain quiet, so, for a long time, he was very limited to what he could (and should) do on his laptop. He watched a little tv just to keep from going stark-raving mad, but even that was probably pushing it.

Wishing you well with your recovery, take care of yourself!

I significantly limited brain activity, including screen time, for the first week or so then continued to limit for a few more weeks. As soon as headaches started I would shut down and stop anything significant. I still stop when I just can't take it any more which is long before I would have reached that point last semester. This was part of my hint that things still weren't right. Interestingly, my audio recall is pretty good so one of the recommendations from the specialist is for audio textbooks but it remains to be seen if they are available, especially this late in the semester. Additionally, I am not planning to take summer classes so I'll use that time to rest my brain significantly.
 

James

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Woul limiting brain activity apply to doing things like jigsaw puzzles or making things?
 

fatbob

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I'd be seriously considering whether to defer this year's finals in your position. Obviously pros and cons even if it is practically possible but I can't imagine anything worse than putting myself through heavy exam pressure with a recent brain injury. Thankfully I'd got most of my rugby concussions out of the way by the time I was taking meaningful exams.
 

VickieH

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A coworker in Portland was treated for a concussion. It seemed the best thing was for her to lie in bed, doing nothing. I think things like going for walks was also good. Don't know if simple activities like bike riding were also approved. Tough recovery protocol.
 
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oldschoolskier

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I’m sure that almost everyone has had a concussion or two (some a lot more) and never realized that they had one.

IMHO this is one of those things that has us doing strange things after an event as we never realized what the initial cause was. Wish I had all this info when I was younger.

I’m glad you had it checked and are aware it is the cause and seeking a solution.

Best wish on the recovery.

G
 
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coskigirl

coskigirl

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Woul limiting brain activity apply to doing things like jigsaw puzzles or making things?

I'm sure it does on some level but I've actually been crocheting, even during lectures because it helps me focus and not have as much screen time.

I'd be seriously considering whether to defer this year's finals in your position. Obviously pros and cons even if it is practically possible but I can't imagine anything worse than putting myself through heavy exam pressure with a recent brain injury.

Nobody on my medical team has yet suggested that I need to go this far.

A coworker in Portland was treated for a concussion. It seemed the best thing was for her to lie in bed, doing nothing. I think things like going for walks was also good. Don't know if simple activities like bike riding were also approved. Tough recovery protocol.

Actually, I would think a bike would not be approved if someone was still having any physical symptoms given the risk of additional injury. When I was in the immediate post-concussion recovery one of our biggest concerns was a secondary concussion (icy parking lots were extremely scary) and I am certain I would not have been allowed on a bike. It wasn't until several weeks after that I had permission to even be on an elliptical.

I’m sure that almost everyone has had a concussion or two (some a lot more) and never realized that they had one.

IMHO this is one of those things that has us doing strange things after an event as we never realized what the initial cause was. Wish I had all this info when I was younger.

Completely agree! My conversation yesterday regarding previous concussions was around my statement of "None diagnosed but I ski raced in an era where helmets were only used in Super G and GS."
 

Doug Briggs

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I'd be seriously considering whether to defer this year's finals in your position. Obviously pros and cons even if it is practically possible but I can't imagine anything worse than putting myself through heavy exam pressure with a recent brain injury. Thankfully I'd got most of my rugby concussions out of the way by the time I was taking meaningful exams.

QFT. You run the risk of prolonging your recovery by using your brain in such a demanding way. As I understand it, the longer the symptoms persist, the more potential long term damage can be inflicted. Plus, if you brain isn't firing on all cylinders, you would seem to be more likely to not test well and thus artificially reduce your performance which will remain on your scholastic record.

I am sorry that you are still not well. I hope that your recovery continues with speedy return to 'normal.'
 
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coskigirl

coskigirl

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QFT. You run the risk of prolonging your recovery by using your brain in such a demanding way. As I understand it, the longer the symptoms persist, the more potential long term damage can be inflicted. Plus, if you brain isn't firing on all cylinders, you would seem to be more likely to not test well and thus artificially reduce your performance which will remain on your scholastic record.

I am sorry that you are still not well. I hope that your recovery continues with speedy return to 'normal.'

While this is certainly on my mind, it is a big financial commitment to do this as I'd have to pay for the credits again. My main concern is my overall GPA so that I don't lose my scholarship but part of taking steps to get a temporary accommodation is to demonstrate an effort to deal with the issues so that they will extend the probationary period if that happens. I don't have to stress about a post-graduation job so that isn't a factor in this decision. I'm almost done with one class for which I only have to do oral arguments and re-write an assignment which is due April 13 so then I have 3 weeks until one final and an additional week until the other. I can take quite a bit of time off from work to study so my gut is that I should just go for it. Everyone in my class is struggling this semester so that gives me some reassurance regarding the curve. I do have until April 22 to make that decision so I'll be talking to the therapist before then to see what she thinks.

One thing I just thought of though is that often when I'm reading and trying to take notes I have to go back and forth between book and computer. It just dawned on me that I can dictate notes to my computer which means less eye tracking back and forth. Testing it now and it seems to be highly accurate, much better than talk to text on my iPhone.
 

Uncle Louie

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@JohnL got hit by a car about 5 years ago while walking in a parking lot, got a concussion and other bruises and had very long lasting after-effects similar to what you are talking about. Cognitively things just weren't quite 100% for him for many months, he lost most of one ski season due to balance issues if I recall correctly.

This is my situation now at 13 months. I am finding I don't have the confidence level I had with my work ( carpentry / construction) like in the past, but that is still improving and I"m finding I am getting a little sharper again overall. No physical issues noted at this point.

I did get out and ski locally and there was no sign of anything unusual. Actually for a first day of the season I felt REALLY good.

Still improving.
 

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