Concussions in kids (1 Viewer)

[El Floppo]

10yo Floppinha was playing with friends at lunch recess last Friday- the "hat game"- where a kid tries to take another kid's hat and run off with it. Somebody got hers, but pulled her head slightly by accident, causing her to fall backwards onto the rubber play-surface and hit the back of her head.

When my wife picked her up from school, she was complaining about being really sleepy/tired (unusual). Called the pediatrician who said to keep an eye on her, and if anything got worse to got the ER. 

She started getting a head ache where she had bumped it (not internally) and continued to feel sleepy, so we took her to the ER. They were great there- did a full checkup, but with the symptoms decided it didn't warrant getting scanned. No nausea or dizziness or change in vision. Sent us home with a list of things to keep an eye on, and said if she doesn't feel better in a week, we needed to follow up.

The last couple days she's been having worse headaches- not at the point of contact/bruising- so my wife took her to her pediatrician today. DR recommends that Floppinha is fully shut down for the immediate future. she had tennis the next two nights and a tournament this weekend that are all being postponed. No school next week either. 

I'm curious if any of you have gone through a concussion with your kid(s)? I know @-fish- has. 

I've had at least 6 concussions in my life (1x baseball, 4x soccer, 1x bike accident) but pretty much just rubbed dirt on it and kept going (with tinnitis and befuddlement). So I don't know what to do to treat it- or how to treat the kid with it. She's just got into tennis tournaments, and while her health will take a front seat, I'd also hate to have her lose the time and training she's already put in. School, otoh... whatever.

Thanks!

 

[wikkidpissah]

if you have cause to take ha to the medicos again for this, mention the word coutrecoup. children are far more likely to have trauma in the area directly opposite the impact zone on concussions and it often goes unnoticed. my head is improperly suspended in my skull (ya, i know) and i had much more trouble w ancillary damage than from the original injury

 

[Cjw_55106]

I would be careful and not take any chances. The problem with a concussion is not the initial one. It’s getting a second one shortly after. 

 

[Gally]

My daughter had a severe concussion the summer before going into 9th grade.  She got it playing soccer.  A girl blasted a clearing shot right to the side of her head (temple area).  She didn't pass out but she was dizzy and had double vision.  She stayed with her team but didn't play anymore (happened right before half time).  On the way home she was completely out of it and still had blurred vision and no balance.  Went to urgent care on the way home and she was diagnosed with a concussion.  She was told to do nothing and rest her brain.  She wasn't able to go to the first semester of her freshman year and was put into a program where the school sent a teacher home to give her assignments and work with her.   It took her a good couple months to get her vision back to almost normal (it never got all the way back and she wears glasses now).  She would get car sick now (never happened before) and had headaches a lot.  Also sensitivity to light and noise she never had before.   There were times in the first couple weeks after it happened that she would be walking down the hall and have to stop and grab something because her balance was gone.  It was so overtly odd that it looked like she was faking it.  Just a crazy time and so hard to believe it was that bad.......but it was.  Basically the doctors wanted her to rest her brain and let it heal.  They wanted her to do absolutely nothing for the first couple weeks.  Just sit with her eyes closed so her brain could "turn off".  

She was able to go back to school for the second semester (4 months after the incident) but was given extra time for tests and assignments if she needed them. She was cleared to go back to sports about 6 or 7 months after the incident and played softball.  

That was 7 or 8 years ago and she still have many of those symptoms.  She hasn't had any other head traumas and went back to playing sports (soccer & softball).  She is now set to graduate from College with a double minor (anthropology and criminal justice) and received an ROTC scholarship so will be going into the army upon graduation as an officer.  Overall it has affected her quality of life but it's something that she has had to learn to deal with.  Not ideal.  

From all our research and talk with specialists and going through this the biggest take away is that every person is different.   They need to figure out what is happening for them and then do what they are comfortable with.  Not every concussion is the same and not everyone is affected the same way by them.   The doctors we saw basically said not to push while she was having symptoms but after those basically cleared that she could do what she wanted unless a symptom came up (headache primarily).   Basically listen to your body it will tell you what you can do.  Now with kids it's a bit different because they can "fake" it to get out things they don't want to do and tough it for things they want to do.  There is no right answer.   Good luck. 

 

[El Floppo]

if you have cause to take ha to the medicos again for this, mention the word coutrecoup. children are far more likely to have trauma in the area directly opposite the impact zone on concussions and it often goes unnoticed. my head is improperly suspended in my skull (ya, i know) and i had much more trouble w ancillary damage than from the original injury

she's having the headaches on the side of her head opposite where the bump happened.

I"ll definitly look into this- thanks, gb.

 

[El Floppo]

My daughter had a severe concussion the summer before going into 9th grade.  She got it playing soccer.  A girl blasted a clearing shot right to the side of her head (temple area).  She didn't pass out but she was dizzy and had double vision.  She stayed with her team but didn't play anymore (happened right before half time).  On the way home she was completely out of it and still had blurred vision and no balance.  Went to urgent care on the way home and she was diagnosed with a concussion.  She was told to do nothing and rest her brain.  She wasn't able to go to the first semester of her freshman year and was put into a program where the school sent a teacher home to give her assignments and work with her.   It took her a good couple months to get her vision back to almost normal (it never got all the way back and she wears glasses now).  She would get car sick now (never happened before) and had headaches a lot.  Also sensitivity to light and noise she never had before.   There were times in the first couple weeks after it happened that she would be walking down the hall and have to stop and grab something because her balance was gone.  It was so overtly odd that it looked like she was faking it.  Just a crazy time and so hard to believe it was that bad.......but it was.  Basically the doctors wanted her to rest her brain and let it heal.  They wanted her to do absolutely nothing for the first couple weeks.  Just sit with her eyes closed so her brain could "turn off".  

She was able to go back to school for the second semester (4 months after the incident) but was given extra time for tests and assignments if she needed them. She was cleared to go back to sports about 6 or 7 months after the incident and played softball.  

That was 7 or 8 years ago and she still have many of those symptoms.  She hasn't had any other head traumas and went back to playing sports (soccer & softball).  She is now set to graduate from College with a double minor (anthropology and criminal justice) and received an ROTC scholarship so will be going into the army upon graduation as an officer.  Overall it has affected her quality of life but it's something that she has had to learn to deal with.  Not ideal.  

From all our research and talk with specialists and going through this the biggest take away is that every person is different.   They need to figure out what is happening for them and then do what they are comfortable with.  Not every concussion is the same and not everyone is affected the same way by them.   The doctors we saw basically said not to push while she was having symptoms but after those basically cleared that she could do what she wanted unless a symptom came up (headache primarily).   Basically listen to your body it will tell you what you can do.  Now with kids it's a bit different because they can "fake" it to get out things they don't want to do and tough it for things they want to do.  There is no right answer.   Good luck. 

this was really helpful/interesting- thank you so much for sharing that.

so sorry about your daughter.. but glad she's been able to push through and enjoy life amidst dealing with it. I've heard stories of soccer players who end up basically house-bound for years because of them. 

from my own litany of concussions, what she went through sounds more like my last one (bike accident)... which suuuuuucked. 

I'm hoping Floppinha's is mild (she hit her head on rubberized play surface, not pavement) and that she'll be back up and running soon. It's soooo hard as a parent when we're relying on their say-so about the pain. I'm also worried that my wife's incessant research (and neurologist brother) are possibly tainting Floppinha's perception of what exactly she's going through. But again- I would much rather be safe than sorry with this. Brains is important, I think.

 

[-fish-]

something like 85% of typical concussions clear up within 30 days...if she's still having symptoms after that, get her into a sports medicine doc and get a referral for a neurologist.  if she's having problems with vision and/or dizziness, ask about getting a vestibular rehabilitation therapist.

 limit screen time in the meantime, but if she's feeling physically able, she should be able to get back to tennis in a couple of weeks.

really hope it doesn't turn out to be long term...roverkid's still having post-concussion symptoms nearly 4 years later.

 

[El Floppo]

something like 85% of typical concussions clear up within 30 days...if she's still having symptoms after that, get her into a sports medicine doc and get a referral for a neurologist.  if she's having problems with vision and/or dizziness, ask about getting a vestibular rehabilitation therapist.

 limit screen time in the meantime, but if she's feeling physically able, she should be able to get back to tennis in a couple of weeks.

really hope it doesn't turn out to be long term...roverkid's still having post-concussion symptoms nearly 4 years later.

thanks man- solid advice in there. we'll definitely keep an eye on how long this goes.

so sorry about roverkid. that was a rough haul for you guys and it sucks she's still feeling it.

with our crappy insurance, earliest we can see a doc is in two weeks at the earliest. I think she might go to VA next week (winter break) to see the wife's family, including the neurologist brother. 

the "brain rest" thing is tough... especially the lack of screen time (which is her go-to when she's sick). she's been doing art, but we wonder if that's too much concentration too... guh.

 

[Zegras11]

something like 85% of typical concussions clear up within 30 days...if she's still having symptoms after that, get her into a sports medicine doc and get a referral for a neurologist.  if she's having problems with vision and/or dizziness, ask about getting a vestibular rehabilitation therapist.

 limit screen time in the meantime, but if she's feeling physically able, she should be able to get back to tennis in a couple of weeks.

really hope it doesn't turn out to be long term...roverkid's still having post-concussion symptoms nearly 4 years later.

This is very good advice...  Only thing I can add is to get an x-ray to make sure her head is sitting properly on the C2 axis still.  It very likely is.

I got rear ended when I was 20, leaned to my left and down to avoid face smashing into front wind shield. Found out six years ago now that my head was off that C-2 axis a few degrees for 40 years due to that accident. That has caused quite a few problems over the years, but I did get corrected six years ago in the same procedure Jim McMahon has done and was shown at the end of the '85 Bears 30 for 30.

 

[El Floppo]

This is very good advice...  Only thing I can add is to get an x-ray to make sure her head is sitting properly on the C2 axis still.  It very likely is.

I got rear ended when I was 20, leaned to my left and down to avoid face smashing into front wind shield. Found out six years ago now that my head was off that C-2 axis a few degrees for 40 years due to that accident. That has caused quite a few problems over the years, but I did get corrected six years ago in the same procedure Jim McMahon has done and was shown at the end of the '85 Bears 30 for 30.

look- FLoppinha's not going to do the SuperBowl Shuffle if that's what you're selling here. 

I kid.

thank you- we'll be looking into all of this if things don't clear up. I honestly can't even imagine what's going on in my multiple-concussed noggin (although I did have xrays done after the last one- ended up using it as my FB profile picture).

 

[belljr]

I've had about 12 concussions.

My advice.  Suck it up and go.....

I kid. Hope she feels better. I do wonder if some of my current issues are age or concussion

 

[El Floppo]

I've had about 12 concussions.

My advice.  Suck it up and go.....

I kid. Hope she feels better. I do wonder if some of my current issues are age or concussion

I hear that. I know my tinnitus is from a concussion. but my short-term memory issues... even my doctor just said- you're getting old. tough #### for you.

eta: why have you had so many concussions?!

 

[belljr]

I hear that. I know my tinnitus is from a concussion. but my short-term memory issues... even my doctor just said- you're getting old. tough #### for you.

eta: why have you had so many concussions?!

I was a bit of a dare devil growing up and into my mid 20s.. And was small for my age for awhile. I wasn't afraid of anything and would occasionally get blown up by bigger fellas playing sports. And the 70s and 80s was suck it up so I'm sure I compounded a couple.

The first I remember was 110 football. Helmet to helmet in practice and knocked out cold.

I bmx'd a lot with no helmet and had a couple bad jumps, snowboarding same thing. My friends and I would do jackass type stunts like idiots. Not to their level but it was before they made those shows

Fell off the roof of my house messing around.   Had a rope swing in the woods I fell off of.

Had one in ice hockey, caught an edge going into the corner and plowed into the boards.

Couple collisions in baseball and basketball. 

The worst one I recall was snowboarding and us playing tackle football at my buddies house around 16. Got tackled head hit railroad tie was out cold.

I'm sure I could list them all but it doesn't really matter.

Looking back it explains why I had trouble with certain tasks, etc 

Now I'm a big wuss lol

 

[simey]

My plumber who I have known for years has a daughter who has anterograde amnesia. She can't remember anything that happens a minute after it happens.  In 2017, she was a freshman honors student in high school, and she ran track.  Two of her track mates were clowning around, and one pushed the other who accidentally fell into her, and their heads collided. That blow to the head has given her anterograde amnesia. She can remember everything from her past up to the moment the accident happened on the track. She can't form new memories. She can't remember anything she did a minute earlier.  Every day is waking up to October 2017. She has been to countless doctors, and nobody can figure out how to help her. It's really sad, and her parents are trying so hard to find her help, and it has cost them so much money. I hope there is someone out there that can help her.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

she's been doing art, but we wonder if that's too much concentration too

If she's just painting or drawing on paper/canvas, she should be fine.  That kind of art is not a thinking kind of thing.

I  sure hope she feels better.  Boredom is a PITA.

 

[AAABatteries]

My younger son had a head injury playing basketball and then not too much later in the season had a worse incident while my wife and I were away on a trip.  One of the parents took him to the ER where he was diagnosed with a concussion.  Wasn’t too severe, but not minor either - mainly just headaches and light sensitivity.  Nothing much to add to what others have said - kept him home from school for a week and made him stay off devices and stay in the dark as much as possible and rest. We were super nervous about him playing again and getting another one.  I think he ended up sitting out about 2.5 weeks of his season but after that he seemed fine.  Good luck. 
 

ETA - we are pretty confident his first injury was not a concussion- just to be clear.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Nothing to add but sympathy and well wishes to floppinha. 

 

[berndog]

something like 85% of typical concussions clear up within 30 days...if she's still having symptoms after that, get her into a sports medicine doc and get a referral for a neurologist.  if she's having problems with vision and/or dizziness, ask about getting a vestibular rehabilitation therapist.

 limit screen time in the meantime, but if she's feeling physically able, she should be able to get back to tennis in a couple of weeks.

really hope it doesn't turn out to be long term...roverkid's still having post-concussion symptoms nearly 4 years later.

This is great advice. Unfortunately roverkid and my kids concusssion journey have been very similar. 

 

[jobarules]

Feel better little one

 

[ghostguy123]

They didnt give her a CT scan???  What the ever loving ####!!!!

 

[gianmarco]

They didnt give her a CT scan???  What the ever loving ####!!!!

It likely wasn't indicated and if so, it's good she didn't get one. Most kids don't need CTs for head injuries, especially at that age. 

 

[El Floppo]

They didnt give her a CT scan???  What the ever loving ####!!!!

Dr explained clearly to us and then went through a checklist of things that would precede a CT scan...she didn't have any of them.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

Thops for flops.
 

I’ve had a more than a few concussions. I’m just a bit dumber and a touch ornery.  . Hit a tree a couple weeks ago skiing. actually it was falling. It was so dumb. from a stand still, my daughter and I crossed skis, we were hugging. . we were standing on the edge of a small hill. the snow at the edge suddenly gave way underneath us.  I knew there were aspens about 10-15 feet below us, so I put myself below her. Sure enough, tumble, tumble, BAM. put a nice little dent in my helmet.  Had a wee headache. Kept skiing. 
 

limit the screen time.  Keep an eye on her. And don’t push it. She may seem fine, but give it a little extra time. 

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

You mentioned floppina doing art.  I wondered if some of those grown-up coloring books might be nice.  This sort of a thing.

 

[El Floppo]

You mentioned floppina doing art.  I wondered if some of those grown-up coloring books might be nice.  This sort of a thing.

Thank you! Shes been busy with art (and curling).... From yesterday.

I'll see if she's into the coloring book idea- it's a good one.

We went down the street to the local handball/basketball court today with a basketball, football and tennis rackets. Tennis against the wall up close while we warmed up...no good. Too quick and focused attention and she started to feel it. Quickly bagged it and went to tossing the  football and shooting hoops, which both went fine....very happy progress.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

Thank you! Shes been busy with art (and curling).... From yesterday.

I'll see if she's into the coloring book idea- it's a good one.

We went down the street to the local handball/basketball court today with a basketball, football and tennis rackets. Tennis against the wall up close while we warmed up...no good. Too quick and focused attention and she started to feel it. Quickly bagged it and went to tossing the  football and shooting hoops, which both went fine....very happy progress.

Holy crap. That’s an awesome sketch. 

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

Holy crap. That’s an awesome sketch. 

Oh, yeah.  

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

We went down the street to the local handball/basketball court today with a basketball, football and tennis rackets. Tennis against the wall up close while we warmed up...no good. Too quick and focused attention and she started to feel it. Quickly bagged it and went to tossing the  football and shooting hoops, which both went fine....very happy progress.

I don't think I'd be doing that.  It sounds innocuous, but that's pretty active stuff.  That's why I suggested coloring.  It's much less intensive and more meditative.

 

[belljr]

Play a game of boggle ....dead serious.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

How is Floppina doing?

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

@El Floppo?  Is this on?

 

[El Floppo]

@El Floppo?  Is this on?

Hi- sorry, missed that one... thanks so much for checking in on girl-wonder.

she's been shut down since I posted this. no tennis. no school. no nothing. at home relaxing- doing her art but still watching tv/ipad (she does art on the ipad too). fortunately/unfortunately she had winter break last week so only missed vacation time and not school. I took her out a couple times for very easy football tossing, basketball shooting outside time- she did fine. 

she's back at school yesterday and today and seems to be doing ok. slight headache at the end of the day- we think as much from having to wear the mask all day as any activities. we'll see how she is today.

she's going to see a concussion specialist tomorrow (the earliest available appt)- so hopefully we'll know more.

contingent on that visit, planned on going to her tennis class on thursday and playing it by ear. she's been really good about being aware of it and shutting anything down if she starts to feel something. eg: we played a little tennis against a wall on Sunday- no running around, just hitting (and avoiding the up-close warm up that gave her problems before). she did great, got through hitting and serving and when I asked if she was ready to practice volleys, she said she thought she was on the edge of something, so shut it down. very proud of her for that- as I know she wanted to stay out there. 

as somebody who's gone through a bunch of these, I can tell it's minor, but also not nothing. so on the one hand I'm not worried, but also concerned enough that I don't want her pushing it.