2017-04-07 Rider Down, Uxbridge Road Acton - Concussion Awareness

** Update **

7 weeks later and I feel normal again and can function at work.
I still have some residual brain bruising that shows up on an MRI but doesn't seem to impact by daily life. Dr advised keeping the driving / cycling ban for 6 months but I am allowed to run which will keep me happy and the belly at bay.

While I had this problem I was asking for help anywhere I could get it. I found about 1 in 30 have been through similar, be that in forums, social / active clubs, work etc so I if it happens to you or someone you know, I recommend talking to people. I don't think anyone really gets it unless they have been through it but lots of people have.

My injury was mild, as I was unconscious for less than 30 minutes and amnesia of the event did not exceed 24 hours. Below is a table I found with a common list of symptoms following a head injury (you can google what they mean).

The list is taken from the following paper:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/7698193_Sensory_gating_impairment_in_development_of_post-concussive_symptoms_in_mild_head_injury

In addition to the list below, headaches can be expected. I had daily headaches for about 4 weeks before they became less frequent and finally they seem to be gone.

Not being able to filter (sensory gating) out background sounds, activity. For me this was the worst. The overstimulation / processing would raise my anxiety levels and put my in a fight / flight state. Thankfully that has also passed.

My recovery didn't seem to be progressive. Rather, there would be no change for a few days, then a big improvement.

Being able to describe the symptoms you are having can be of use in getting help.


**Neurobehavioral problems 		% patients reporting those problems** 

Inattention/reduced alertness 	33.3 
Somatic concern 				73.3 
Disorientation 				6.7 
Anxiety 						50.0 
Expressive deficit 1			6.7 
Emotional withdrawal 			13.3 
Conceptual disorganization 		0.0 
Disinhibition 					16.7 
Guilt feeling 					30.0 
Memory deficit 				46.7 
Agitation 					16.7 
Inaccurate insight & self-appraisal 16.7 
Depressive mood 				63.3 
Hostility/uncooperativeness 	16.7 
Decreased initiative/motivation 	43.3 
Suspiciousness 				20.0 
Fatigability 					43.3 
Hallucinatory behavior 			6.7 
Motor retardation 				16.7 
Unusual thought content 		3.3 
Blunted affect 				3.3 
Excitement 					3.3 
Poor planning 				3.3 
Labile mood 					3.3 
Tension 						53.3 
Comprehension deficit 			16.7 
Speech articulation defect 		3.3