Asking for a friend:
A friend crashed this past weekend and got a concussion. She seems to not have any post-concussion symptoms and is planning to keep riding. I remember that @Nate_Pearson said something on the podcast about some amount of time post-concussion, you’re at more risk for death if you get another concussion. Does anyone remember what that “some amount of time” is?
Depends on the severity of the brain injury.
Have her ask a neurologist or TBI specialist, I would NOT seek advice on the internet on this one…
8 Likes
Work with a medical professional. You can probably pass this along- Returning to Sports and Activities | HEADS UP | CDC Injury Center
If I remember the podcast, it’s about a week but any one step can be multiple days if symptoms stick around. Was it Hannah that walked through the whole return to play protocol?
3 Likes
I’ve had “The Concussion Repair Manual” recommended by folks who work in the TBI world. Perhaps a gift or recommendation for your friend in addition to strong support for medical consult?
1 Like
Thanks, I agree with everyone that she should work with a medical professional, but she would have probably declined the ambulance ride and maybe even avoided the hospital overall if she hadn’t been so out of it - she has medical insurance but is very concerned about money right now. (Of course, we can make the argument about what good money is if you’re dead…) She’s basically planning to just keep riding - she crashed on Saturday and was back riding (trainer ride) yesterday - she would have ridden Tuesday but she didn’t have her bike. I’ll definitely pass along the CDC link from @KevinKlaes and I’ll check out the concussion book that @Hampstenfan recommended, but honestly she isn’t much of a reader so I doubt she’ll read the book if I get it for her. I’m trying to get some basic info through the internet just so I can try to get her to consult with a medical professional. (…avoiding the “hard-headed” puns/jokes here…)
1 Like
Update: I think what I’m thinking of is called “second impact syndrome”.
Well it’s good that she at least was checked out. Hopefully she will heed the advice of medical professionals. I doubt their advice is going to be “get back on the bike immediately”.
Head injuries are no joke. Even seemingly minor ones. I had a co-worker who got in a car accident and hit her head. Reasonably minor accident but bad enough she hit her head. She refused to go to the hospital because she thought she was fine. She started getting a headache and I don’t know how long before she went to the doctor but there was some reasonable short window that if she would have gone they likely could have treated her TBI. Or at minimum minimized the damage. Instead she has permanent damage. Her memory is messed up. She can’t keep focused enough to work. She had to quit her job and move back in with her parents.
1 Like
No medical knowledge, but would strongly recommend she stay on the trainer for a couple of weeks. Any lightheadedness/balance issues wouldn’t have any consequences, and also removes the possibility of even a “no-fault” crash contributing to further brain injury.
What’s the bike equivalent of taking away her car keys?
2 Likes
if her bike has e shifting, take away the battery. 
Unfortunately there are far too many people like OP’s friend. Pushing oneself slightly beyond your limits is one thing. But you need to know when to dial it back especially with a head injury.
I used to run with a group. And one lady who was a running coach fainted while about 3 miles into a 10 mile run. Got up and kept running and couldn’t be convinced by anyone she shouldn’t just keep running. She definitely had some form of exercise/eating disorder as she was rail thin but always dieting and talking about losing weight. No way she should have been coaching others IMO.
1 Like
Hahaha!
Yeah, it’s hard to get people to ease up.
1 Like
I had a series of 5 unconscious concussions, some sports, one in a combat zone and one just an accident. My last concussion was very minor but I still was unconscious and nauseous. As a result, I was diagnosed with TBI and PTSD. My brain just couldn’t handle anymore whacks. My executive and cognitive functioning were severely diminished and I was medically retired from the Marine Corps 100% permanently and totally disabled. Concussions are no joke for anyone, even the tough ones out there. Please tak heed.
1 Like