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this.
I got badly concussed as a result of being hit from behind by a speeding motorist, the helmet was split in half and I had a concussion for about 6 weeks with eyes that looked like a slow loris's but the wonderfully inattentive shits at Harlow General where I'd been carted to on a spinal board didn't bother to tell me that, it was the horrified GP I saw two weeks later who was amazed to find me able to wander in to the surgery complaining of feeling sick and lightheaded under my own steam.
The helmet question wasn't and will never be part of the equation for me-it was shitty driving, poor medical care and then subsequently a total lack of action on behalf of the police that characterised the cause and effect of the whole situation and the quality of my recovery and I could just have easily broken my spine or been run over by the following car that skidded to a halt about a foot from my head.
OP- it took me almost a year to return to normal, things like balance, emotional state and vision were really badly impacted so I'd say a six month hiatus on driving is pretty reasonable although I did cycle from about 2 months after just because I couldn't afford to get around any other way.
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übé®_grübé®
übé®_grübé® How long ago was that and have you recovered fully now?I've been quite amazed at the lack of awareness on post concussion effects from my experience. I would hope it is getting better but your experience implies it is widespread as feared.
I think the danger is that if you are up and walking around, especially a few days after the accident, people think you are OK.
I tried to cover up my symptoms at first (badly) because I was part ashamed and also didn't want to be a bother. Once I started telling people, some people were able to offer advice. I am also on another (running) forum and a few people there told me their experience and it was such a relief for me to hear they recovered.
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übé®_grübé
I think I got off lightly when reading your account übé®_grübé.
Luckily work has been really good and not pressurising me to do anything strenuous.
I just read the neurologists referal request to my GP and my 6 month driving ban might be extended to 12 months if this weeks scans pick up any further bruising on my brain so perhaps a year to recover is expected?
I can cope with not driving as I don't drive a car any more due to house move. If cycling is still off the cards I will ask about spin class or something or maybe look at getting a cheap geared bike and indoor trainer. Or if I can run, I will just do that.
Good recommendations on omega3. I have been snacking on mixed nuts and taking a fish oil supplement and generally trying to eat better than I was post accident. My sleep requirements are reducing but I'm still needing 10 -12 hours where before I was a 7 person.
A couple of things I have found help sound quite simple:
Going to a supermarket to buy a couple of items. (there is a lot going on in a supermarket, bright lights, chaotic people traffic, remembering and navigating for your shopping etc)
Using a map to navigate outdoors without a guided GPS route. Actually having to look at street names has been a help and a skill I had lost. Ideally I like to walk through parks where possible.
Brain training apps. I just paid for 3 moths of neuronation but you can try it for free. Initially I discounted these believing using the app only makes you good at using the app. To be honest, I still think that is true but the neurologist told be they have some value so I do about 15 / 20 minutes a day on the train. I figure it can't hurt.
Social media reduction. Hard to believe as I am new poster here but I have cut down (not out) my browsing time on social media, Facebook, having multiple tabs open etc. That kind of goes hand in hand with #1 & #2
Trying to eat better. This is mainly for 2 reasons, the first being vegetables are doubt better for my brain heath than New York cheesecake. The second is that I have gone from cycling 26 miles most days on a 69GI (42x16 cog) fixed gear bicycle to just some walking and having just struggled to loose 10kg, I really don't want to put it back on.
Hanging around with friends who have children. I'm not in a fit state to be the primary adult but just being around children stimulates more of my brain than any adult could - fear when they run close to the road, to concealed anger when they treat my flat like a bouncy castle, to explaining things to them, laugher and genuine fun. Certainly under 5s really do exhaust me so brain must being going into overdrive firing neurons.
Generally, the above things have shown me that the most useful things (for me at least) are variety and doing the things I should probably have always been doing.
Kiern
Please let's not turn this in to a helmet debate.