Big slam last week, still have a headache?

RightCoastRider26 · Criminal Joined: 09 May 2010 Posts: 91

I was learning tricks on the bigger obstacles at OWC last Tuesday. I took a pretty good slam off the big launch ramp, and instantly had a killer headache upon hitting the water. I took some pills and was good for rest of session. But little headaches keep coming back daily, and are increased if I go to workout or run. I am not nauseous, do not have blurry vision, and have not hurled. They seem to be getting less every day, but it was a week ago. Any one had a bell ringer like this before? Just started a new job and insurance hasn't kicked in yet, so trying to avoid doc if possible...

Medina · Posted: Jun 08, 2010 2:51 am Post subject:

Long live the healthcare bill...

Well, that sucks dude, I know the feeling of headache after a crash, mostly I only have it a few minutes after a crash, but for a week? I dont think thats to good for the brains dude... You did wear a helmet?

RightCoastRider26 · Criminal Joined: 09 May 2010 Posts: 91

I was wearing a helmet, but I didn't really
hit my head. It was like whole body impact, I was spinning and kind of cought a rail landing...

Wakeboarder3780 · Posted: Jun 08, 2010 3:52 am Post subject:

take ibuprofin and go to the doctor as soon as you can Wink

I've never had anything that persisted that long. Just make sure you don't ride until it goes away and don't do any other high impact sports. Other than that if you don't want to visit the doc there isn't much you can do.

ky1e · Wakeboarder.com Freak Joined: 31 Mar 2008 Posts: 2693

If you don't want to goto the doc who at this point really can't do much for you anyhow, then just make sure to just take it easy for about a month (from when the injury occurred). If you suffered a concussion which sounds like you most likely had a mild one, you need to let your brain heal just like any other injury that you would rest like a sprained ankle. The problem with head injuries is that when the symptoms subside people think they are better, but if you sprained your ankle, after 2 weeks you most likely would not be feeling a little better, and the odds of you spraining it again if you went back in the water that fast would be very high. The doctor is going to just do a CT scan for legality purposes which will cost you about $1k+ when it's all said and done but because it has been over a week and it was just a mild concussion, it will probably show up normal at this point, but still very vulnerable to re-injury. Post concussion syndrome is one thing you do not want to mess with because if you do hit your head again within these next 4-6 weeks, you can end up in a dire situation.

Like it was said before, just stick to the ibuprofen to
keep down the swelling which will actually let it heal faster along with taking the headaches away. Stay away from Tylenol because it has no effect on swelling and just make sure you ride with your helmet on (even behind the boat when you get back on the water for a month or so). You do not have to hit you head to get a concussion. The whiplash effect is what was what was responsible where basically your brain actually shifts forward and hits the front of your skull. If the headaches start getting worse, you start losing vision or experiencing blackouts then you need to get to
the doctor.

RightCoastRider26 · Criminal Joined: 09 May 2010 Posts: 91

Thanks for the feedback, good info! Kind of scary, I don't like my brain bouncing off my skull. I should patent that move though, the brain bouncer. I guess I will just chill for a few...

Gryphon · Criminal Joined: 21 May 2009 Posts: 92 City: Hamilton

You just described exactly what will keep NHL players out for weeks or even months. That is a text book concussion, and may not even be that mild based on the lingering effects.

I would expect you will start to be feeling better within the 10-14 day range. The running test is a good test to tell if you are over it once the daily headaches go away. Other than that, do as Ky1e has stated.

faceplant920 · Outlaw Joined: 07 Apr 2010 Posts: 178 City: Brookhaven

Two weeks and you'll be good to go as far as the actual possible further damage. Ibuprofen and rest is the key. Ky1e nailed it with his answer. I'm actually dealing with the same thing right now after getting knocked out briefly yesterday.

RightCoastRider26 · Criminal Joined: 09 May 2010 Posts: 91

Medina · Posted: Jun 10, 2010 12:10 am Post subject:

I would really die when i couldnt wakeboard in mid season...

RightCoastRider26 · Criminal Joined: 09 May 2010 Posts: 91

Luckly I live in Florida, and we really don't have seasons. We get to ride pretty much year round...

shaggyboarder · Posted: Jun 10, 2010 5:30 pm Post subject:

i really dont think helmets help unless you hit an object or rail. Does anyone have or know where any testing results are/may be?

JeffreyCH · Posted: Jun 10, 2010 9:53 pm Post subject:

ky1e, Nice..you should specialize in WB med Very Happy

I'd like to know more about bacteria and algae effects on health. I took a hard face plant last year and got water forced up my nose. It was late in the season and the water in the pond I ride in looked like pee soup lol. I had a sinus headache (above the eyes) that made my forehead swell and went off and on for about 2 months. I just wonder if that was a bacterial infection? I didn't have any other symptoms, no stuffy nose or nausea. Any thoughts on this?

faceplant920 · Outlaw Joined: 07 Apr 2010 Posts: 178 City: Brookhaven

.That was one that you may should have consulted a doc about. I actually just saw this show about parasites on the dc and a 11 year old kid contracted a parasite that killed him from a faceplant that forced it up his nose. Now keep in mind that even though Florida lake bottoms are full of this thing a human contracting is very rare and with this being a kid his immune system wasn't quite as good as mine or yours. And my doc told me when I got staph in my sinuses that anything bad enough to have external signs in that area should be checked out because there are so many paths to your brain around there