possible concussion? - General Health Message Board

mtmarty · 03-13-2006, 04:53 PM

My husband had a hard fall on his head while playing hockey (was wearing helmet). He fell twice while trying to get up, and his friends said he looked 'whoozy'. The next two days he complained about not being able to concentrate, headaches, nausea/vomiting. He felt unsure enough of himself to not play in the next game, a very important one for the team. Now, day three, he is unwilling to go get checked out, saying that the doctor will just tell him to take it easy for a day or two, so why go? Is it possible that there could be more to it, and really does need to see a doctor? He has not been really quiet these last two days, trying to do paperwork, running errands, etc. so hasn't really had chance at real healing. He has had other concussions, 30 years ago.

feelbad · 03-14-2006, 06:39 AM

I am assuming that he is not a guy in his twenties?I saw the 'he had other concusssions 30 years ago"?so I will assume he is around middle age there somewhere?

For this reason alone(the age and previous concusssions)he should really get at the very least,a neuro evaluation from his doc and a pssible CT just to be safe.he's not the youngster he once was.I am thinking this is the reason he is avoiding the doc?he is assuming,like when he was younger and did this that he will just be able to bounce right back,but unfortunetly,as we age,so do the other parts of the body,including the arteries in the brain.

The fact that you didn't mention any sort of actual loss of conciousness is good but it does appear that he was knocked a bit loopy?If he is still seeming to have symptoms,he really does need this looked into a bit further just so you know for sure.now any man who take himself out of an 'important' game,HAS to be feeling pretty crappy or is a bit scared of getting hit again.this should put up a little red flag for you,as it appears to have done.If he should get a repeat head injury this soon after the last concussion,it could really possibly be rather a dramatic one.

some how,you need to talk him into at least seeing his primary doc for an eval before doing anymore hockey playing.he really DOES need this checked out,soon.Depending on just what his doc feels he may just tell him to take it easy for a while or he may send him for at least a CT as this would tell whether or not he suffered any sort of a bleed(it would leave an iron deposit behind that is seen quite clearly on a CT).If this were my stubborn hubby,I would personally drag his sorry butt to the doc before letting play another round of hockey,just to be sure.normally,or in most people,a simple concussion and the resulting symptoms would usually be pretty much gone in a few days to usually at the most,one week.but the fact that he has actually vomited really makes this a bit more of an issue that in itself should be evaluated.really.Vomiting post head injury can be an indication of something a bit more than a simple concussion.Call his doc and see if you can even get him in today.tell them the circumstances and I am sure they will get him in a bit more quickly.

I do hope all is well and you can get him in with out too much hassle.he really DOES need this evaluated.If he refuses to go,start the guilt trip going,this always works on my hubby.you know,the"you need to be healthy for me and the kids" stuff like that?? it usually does work when you tell him that way.ya gotta do what ya gotta do.

please let me know how things are going.good luck,FB

mtmarty · 03-15-2006, 03:12 PM

Happy to report that dh did go to doc on day 4, after getting more headaches. Got a CT later that day, but had to wait until day 5 to get a report (with the uncomfortable remark of the tech- it'll be a day or two til you get results-- while waiting to know if you have a bleeding brain!) Report came back showing no problems, so he just has to stay quiet, very hard for him to do, for a week. At least our doc knows him well enough to emphasize no hockey during that time. Thanks for the info, definately useful to have backup!

feelbad · 03-17-2006, 06:25 AM

Glad to know there was no actual bleeding.Just wanted to mention to you though that if these headaches and other symptoms continue or change/worsen,i would get him in for an actual MRI on his brain.unfortunetly,while CT is good to try and locate bleeds,it does not look at all of the soft tissue structures only the more boney type structures.

there is always a possibility of c spine damage as well just about anytime the head is injured in certain ways.just an FYI on that.hopefully,if he behaves himself,time will heal all things and he can go 'play' with his little friends again.FB