What are /r/Concussion's favorite Products & Services?

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Exercise is so important for so many reasons. Good on you for getting back into it.

My concussion physiotherapist and I did the Buffalo Concussion Treadmill Test and measured the max heart rate I could get before debilitating headaches. After that, I would do 80% of that max heart rate with me getting little symptoms, but not much. I would increase the goal heart rate over time, maybe a week or two.

I bet you can do it yourself but maybe go see a therapist trained to do this?

You’ll need a good heart rate monitor. This is the one my Physio suggested.

Good luck!

How much omega 3/9 daily? I'm considering getting Complete Omega by Nordic Naturals https://www.amazon.com/Nordic-Naturals-Complete-Optimal-Support/dp/B009K8EAMC/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?crid=K3ZIIWPBURHK&keywords=complete+omega&qid=1669846238&sprefix=complete+om%2Caps%2C339&sr=8-4

I'm 9 months out and the brain fog, otber symptoms seem to be getting worse. :/)

Answering your question directly, as you made no mention of how long you were dazed/confused for then the assumption would be grade 1 or 2 (irritability doesn't count in for whatever reason in the medical setting), it's things like awareness of surroundings, memory of the event/amnesia, pupil reactivity etc). https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Adolescent-sports-concussion.-Reddy-Collins/90ce82ceabeb0b7ac70f9b8d042532ae07fdeb41/figure/2. A lot of places don't grade the acute concussion as it's not relevant to treatment.

Having said that, the acute severity means nothing. It does not take into account symptom severity or how long recovery from symptoms will be. All concussions resolve in a month, and for the vast majority of people, symptoms can resolve in 7-10 days. If you don't feel right at 2 weeks, I'd return to your doctor.

Yea, it's been a pain for me. I am going into my 6 month mark and still struggling with light sensitivity. This wfh situation has made it all worse now that I am on my screen lots more. Using f.lux, lowering the brightness of my screen, and taking breaks helps though. Not sure if you're already using it but f.lux can change the color of your display (removes the blue light). the yellow/orange hue makes it easier on my eyes. https://justgetflux.com/

Hope this helps. hang in there!

I had a lot of these symptoms. I went through multiple rounds of vestibular therapy and vision therapy. They both helped but I still have issues from time to time.

On the noise issue it was probably a year or more before I could go into a restaurant that was more than half full. I got some (high fidelity ear plugs)[https://www.amazon.com/Eargasm-Musicians-Motorcycles-Sensitivity-Conditions/dp/B075SJ3Y8M/ref=sr_1_4_sspa?crid=PTJW7M8TGHAT&keywords=high%2Bfidelity%2Bear%2Bplugs&qid=1652282236&sprefix=high%2Bfi%2Caps%2C87&sr=8-4-spons&spLa=ZW...] and they helped a lot. I also created an audio file of overlapping and disorganized noise, and would listen to that. It SUCKS at first but after a few weeks I noticed a marked increase in my ability to handle and understand sounds

In addition to the other comments above… 1. Fluorescent light covers saved my bacon at work! You can get them on Amazon Educational Insights The Original Fluorescent Light Filters: Tranquil Blue 4-Pack, Fluorescent Light Covers, Easy Install for Classrooms, Office, Hospitals & Home, Teacher Classroom Decor https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001YT3G5C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_3ZM61CG61T1PH0T24N5V They fasten to the light frame with magnets 2. If you can also dim the lights in your area, could help a lot 3. Wearing a hat with a visor when your are under uncovered lights 4. Using an incandescent desk light 5. Taking a 5 minute break every hour to get natural outdoor light

I would get a hard hat. Not one that is stereotypically used at a construction site, rather one that is inconspicuous.

https://www.amazon.com/Black-Baseball-Bump-Cap-Lightweight/dp/B00AMUXWTE

Sorry for Amazon link, but just search for something similar to this with google.

I think if you believe your head is being protected and shielded through this it may help your brain not process everything as a set-back. I’ve been there :).

It will take longer than you think it should. Im six months out right now and can say with stronger certainty that most symptoms are gone. Just be patient with yourself.

If you do lots of computer work, i recommend the app stretchly. It reminds you to take breaks. You can download it here. It was massively helpful to prevent exacerbating my symptoms.

I have been using a computer app named StretchlyStretchly to remind myself to take.breaks. it works wonders. All the best. I hope you are able to find a good rhythm that works for you.

I second what u/AgencySilver1019 said. Seeking vestibular physical therapy from a physical therapist should be your first step, because it can help with dizziness, and the dizziness is likely contributing to the headaches, brain fog, and anxiety. Depending on your health insurance situation, you can usually (but not always) get this covered if you tell your primary doctor you have post-concussion syndrome and ask very specifically for a referral to a physical therapist for vestibular physical therapy. Do that first, and then see what symptoms remain.

In the meantime, try sleeping on a wedge pillow. It can't hurt! https://www.amazon.com/HEALTHEX-Bed-Wedge-Pillow-Heartburn/dp/B0979K84JJ/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=wedge+pillow&qid=1632846299&sr=8-5

I didn't have headaches, bizarrely, but for those I think it's important to do one of the simplest things: HYDRATE! Your brain floats in a protective layer of water inside your skull, and it really hurts when the layer gets too thin, especially when the brain is injured and recovering.

Soccer season is a good motivation to work hard on your recovery, but if you aren't ready in time, please don't beat yourself up. Find the activities that you can enjoy right now, like walks, or going to the gym to lift weights. You're not alone and you will get better.

We all have to do things that make us feel better and calm down from the anxiety. https://thrive.kaiserpermanente.org/care-near-you/northern-california/napasolano/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2017/05/Healthy-Sleep-ADA.pdf

see if sounds help you: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.peakpocketstudios.atmospherebinauraltherapy

Read this book given to me from my sons optometrist/visual therapist. Called when your child struggles the myths of 20/20 vision Short book as well you could read it in a few hours.

Go on Instagram and search for visual therapy. From there it’ll have links to website explaining it. A book if you want to learn when your child struggles the myths of 20/20 vision. it’s eye opening and short.

Thanks. Have you considered earplugs as well? I tried a bunch and this was the best for sleeping: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B000BYAP7I/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Pretty good comfort, but great for blocking noise if applied properly.

I also tried a bunch of sleep masks out. From a comfort and coverage perspective, this one was best:

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B075L8D4SB/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I also bought a dog whistle to silence the neighbor's dog.

Try these musicians earplugs for a less noticeable earplug solution. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00P2NTVPA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

As far as sunglasses go just get the lightest tint possible... they make specialized computer glasses for light sensitivity but if you are dealing with bright outdoor lighting I'm not sure they would help with that.

There's some doctors I've seen who advise not overdoing earplug and sun glass use as it might inhibit the recovery process but I'm not sure if they even knew what they were talking about.

I feel that whenever any part of my body becomes inflamed, then my PCS returns. Its like my brain injury is a magnet for the antibodies and reactive proteins involved. Keep your inflammation down, and idfk, my head hurts right now as a matter of fact. I will thus get up from this chair and go take 1 ibuprofen (which I don't liek to take), FOAM ROLL my back (black colored roller), and use some tension bands to work on my shoulders and back. I been like this for 2.5 years now. ___Edit: ok, took 1 motrin, 1 vitamin B complex, ~500mg omegas, and a glass a water, rolled on foam roller for most the time, hanging on it, did some 'neck ups', as I call them, while hanging upside down. I felt like rolling up in fetal during this last flare up, the rolling helped me. I am still aware of the injury, but the pain is diminishing... they look like this: https://www.amazon.com/Black-Roller-Density-Extra-Warranty/dp/B0178M9C4M

now imma do some tension bands. for my shoulders.

ps: I had one hoot of high test Romulan during the flare up. It did NOT help and may have aggravated the PCS. Maybe I should try the high CBD... just so crap to me that stuff.