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Concussions

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Sky.
Posts: 1158 - Karma: 287
I just got diagnosed with a level 3 concussion with unconsciousness and amnesia. My question is how many of you guys have had an experience like this while skiing? How long did it take for you to recover? What type of treatment did you receive? Any long lasting affects? How did you receive your injury? Where you wearing a helmet?

My story: I've been skiing for 9 years with a helmet. My season just started Friday and with the only trail open being the bunny trail I made the stupid choice to leave my helmet at home. I got to my third run and tryed to throw a butter 3 off a little roll. This is where my mind goes blank luckily I had a friend with me to fill me in on what happened. I completed the rotation but caught my back inside edge with threw me side ways when my head " sling shot" into a patch of ice. I fell unconscious, all I remember is someone asking if I was alright and giving them a thumbs up. Everything goes blank again my friend said he told me we should go to the lodge and chill for a bit. I then skied down the hill and went to the lodge where I said I need to get help and walked to ski patrol. I don't remember any of this my memory starts with me in patrol asking what happened and how I got there. Shit was a really crazy experience. I was told to seek immediate help and went to the Er. I was given an MRI and an EKG which showed no bleeding or skull fractures . It's been 2 days and I still don't feel like my self I just scheduled and appt with a concussion clinic. This is where I'm at.

I typed this on my phone so stfu about grammar or spelling.

Thanks in advance for positive responses

Wear your helmet guys it's the littlest shit that seems to fuck you up the most when your least expecting it.
Dec 2 2013 1:45PM
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skicowboy
Posts: 775 - Karma: 873
Vibes bud. I've been there. I was wearing a helmet and over rotated a backflip a couple years ago. I have vague memory of the morning but I'm blank from about 10am to 4:30pm when I kinda came to in the hospital. I was unconscious for about 15min but I have zero memory of ski patrol helping me or arriving at the hospital. I was 8 weeks with no sports or difficult activities and had semi blurred, low peripheral vision for about 9-10 days. The morning my vision went back to normal was a huge relief and at that point I knew it was going to take a while to get fully back to normal. Don't push for a quick comeback, head shots need a lot of recovery time. Good luck and sorry to hear it happened at all, but especially this early in the season. Goes to show that it pays to wear your bucket every day.
Dec 2 2013 2:29PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51642 - Karma: 162,212
Be careful. Concussions suck.
Dec 2 2013 2:34PM
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Sky.
Posts: 1158 - Karma: 287
Thanks man glad to hear you made it out alright, that sounds crazy. Your totally right about the helmet I've taken some pretty good hits to the noggin with my helmet and worst case scenario was a headache it was literally my first time without a helmet in a life time of skiing I'd say 700 + days I think it was karmas way of telling me I'm not made of steal and that I need to respect my body. Did you have trouble focusing at all if so for how long? I realize everyone is different, it's just nice to hear other peoples experience because I'm so new to the whole brain injury shit. Also I forgot to mention when I came too I had this strong chemical like bleach smell which went away after a minute or so it was just really odd and stood out.
Dec 2 2013 2:52PM
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Cincher
Posts: 3403 - Karma: 535
I had my 1st and only concussion 3 years ago. I always wear my helmet , and have since I started skiing. Anyways, I don't remember how I crashed, but apparently I was skiing switch when I based myself into a Y shaped tree. My brother was in the chalet at the time and one of his friends came in and told him "Dude, your brother crashed."

I remember waking up from a dream like state, and I couldn't remember where I was. One of the staff members came up to me, asking if I what happened and where I was. Answer: No and no. He shouted that I was mildly concussed to someone I couldn't see from my position lying on the hill. He filled me in on what happened and continued to ask me my name, where I live, how many fingers he was holding, etc. I was able to answer all of that fine. My stuff was collected and I was carried out to an ambulance.

I ended up breaking my left shoulder blade in the process and I didn't ski for the rest of the season...which was fine as the season ended 1 week after the incident. My head seemed to check out so besides needing to heal my broken bone I was fine.
Dec 2 2013 3:03PM
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MAvallon
Posts: 246 - Karma: 138
i had a very mild concussion that took a year and a half to really feel normal again. I guess it just depends on the person. But definitely take care of yourself because i think one reason it took so long is i didn't give it proper time to heal
Dec 2 2013 3:07PM
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Sky.
Posts: 1158 - Karma: 287
Wow a year and a half that's a long time glad your good now. And again thanks for the responses guys
Dec 2 2013 3:11PM
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NotGhood
Posts: 2809 - Karma: 1,255
Under rotated a backflip at the end of the season a few years ago, I don't really remember much from the three or four days around the concussion but it took about a month to feel normal again and about a year and bit for the intermittent headaches to stop
Dec 2 2013 3:15PM
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CKpolicy
Posts: 2587 - Karma: 2,463
I've had 2 serious concussions, one playing rugby, one catching my heel edge while wakeboarding. They are not fun. The rugby one took a few days to fully come out of the fog.
Dec 2 2013 3:16PM
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Jibberino
Posts: 2089 - Karma: 1,346
Had a severe concussion with amnesia, lost a whole week that I still don't remember, and it's 5 years ago. Took me 2 months to physically be back where I felt normal. Mentally is another story. For the first month I felt weird, like I was out of place somehow, it's hard to explain. However the hardest thing for me was getting my confidence back when skiing. Even the following season I would still get freaked out about small stuff if it didn't feel right, and to this day I never really ski pow in super bad visibility (that's how it happened, skied face first into a cat track). You will def recover, but it may take some time, both physically and mentally.
Dec 2 2013 3:19PM
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El_Barto.
Posts: 11661 - Karma: 24,354
Be careful...you dont want to end up like zzzskizzz
Dec 2 2013 3:27PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51642 - Karma: 162,212
I was going to post something about concussions but I forgot
Dec 2 2013 3:34PM
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Sky.
Posts: 1158 - Karma: 287
I lol'd
Dec 2 2013 4:17PM
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Way*Mo
Posts: 648 - Karma: 2,141
I've had six total concussions, five with amnesia. The last one knocked a weeks plus memory from my brain.

I've typically felt lost and extremely agitated for several days before coming to grips with where I'm at. Full recovery of mental faculties has taken 3 weeks to a month.

The best advise I can give is to follow your doctor's orders to a T. Concussions are one injury you do not want to hurry back from.

Also, take lots of naps once you are cleared to sleep normally. I think rest helps in the healing.

Feel better and wear a helmet. (Mine all occurred with a helmet on, so I count my lucky stars).
Dec 2 2013 4:28PM
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Sky.
Posts: 1158 - Karma: 287
Thanks for the advice I'll take it to heart coming from someone with so many. That's crazy I could only imagine how bad they would have been without your helmet you could have gone full retard
Dec 2 2013 8:58PM
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TACO-DOG.exe
Posts: 11988 - Karma: 12,261
tried butter 3 over a rail, caught my edge landed on the ground much like OP did. i was unconscious for a good 20 seconds before i could get up. my friends told me that i kept on asking them what happened, they would tell me then i would forget about it 30 seconds later and ask again. shit was really annoying haha

fuck catching on butters though.
Dec 2 2013 9:16PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51642 - Karma: 162,212
I'm ordering a new helmet today. The one I've been wearing the last 3 or 4 years is cracked to shit in so many places. Hopefully going to start buying a new one every season. Shits expensive when you break them fast but brains are important and mine is already pretty fucked.
Dec 2 2013 9:22PM
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Sky.
Posts: 1158 - Karma: 287
For real it's such a simple trick, that always seems to get me. I normally just fall to my side but this time was like a freak accident.
Dec 2 2013 10:57PM
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Sky.
Posts: 1158 - Karma: 287
I'm doing the same in a few days my last helmet has a pretty decent Impression on the inside from last season, at this point is pay a couple hundred for a new one if it prevents shit like that from happening again. I feel the same way, all the toxins I've put in my brain in the last 6 yrs the last thing I need is more brain damage haha
Dec 2 2013 11:01PM
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freestyler540
Posts: 13083 - Karma: 18,720
Thats pretty crazy. Get better soon
Dec 2 2013 11:02PM
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Rusticles
Posts: 2180 - Karma: 1,337
Got KO'd wakeboarding in Florida 5 years ago (ironically going to the same camp tommorrow). MRI, EKG, long hospital stay and all that. Took about a Month before I wasn't waking with a slight headache. Mild Concussions now come with any Slight bump of the head, to this day i can't even head a soccer ball without seeing stars.
Dec 2 2013 11:12PM
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Sky.
Posts: 1158 - Karma: 287
Thanks man, I appreciate the vibes from everyone hope you all are having fun, I got an appt tomorrow so hopefully my season can resume semi soon
Dec 2 2013 11:22PM
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Rusticles
Posts: 2180 - Karma: 1,337
Be extra cautious from now on, don't slow down and be a pus but keep it in mind that a concossion will be easier and easier to get now.
Dec 2 2013 11:27PM
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Dr.Dealgood
Posts: 2587 - Karma: 1,352
I've also had 6 concussions. Wahoo.

But not really...

They've come from everything from a trampoline brawl (for real), wakeboarding, soccer, and skiing.

These were all concentrated in my teens and early twenties. Last one I had was about 4 years ago skiing. 6 concussions is not good. As has been said, follow the recovery procedure from your doc explicitly. If you're unsure about something, get an answer, from him (definitely not us). The thing I have noticed over the head bonks is that they seem to get easier to get--i.e. the less severe an impact it takes to get them. This has meant that I when I ski (and I do ski some high risk stuff) that you really have to be a planner. I don't just blindly huck down a fall line I"m unfamiliar with, I'll take a run on the side check stuff out, ski a park a couple times before hitting stuff, it's not that I've tapered back what I will do, I just try to be a lot more aware of what I'm doing... the ole risk vs reward scale.

As far as my recovery tips, REST, but DON'T just veg in front of the TV or computer. Rest your brain, lay down, think calmly, read simple books, listen to interesting podcasts. Work your brain but don't tax it or ask a lot of it. And stay hydrated!
Dec 2 2013 11:32PM
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Sky.
Posts: 1158 - Karma: 287
Thanks, quality post. I appreciate the advice seems spot on I hadn't herd anything about staying hydrated I'll be deffinatly increasing my water intake. It's nice to hear from people that have delt with this more then once. Glad your okay
Dec 2 2013 11:43PM
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Blake.P
Posts: 9894 - Karma: 3,585
you got a concussion two days ago... get the fuck off the computer. seriously, its horrible for you. im surprised ski patrol or er doctor told you to not look at a computer screen
Dec 2 2013 11:45PM
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Sky.
Posts: 1158 - Karma: 287
Ohh shit no they hadn't it's my phone but it's probably the same deal. I've got an appt with a specialist at 4 today
Dec 3 2013 1:26PM
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Sky.
Posts: 1158 - Karma: 287
I got back from the clinic they cleared me for sleep and light computer / tv. I got a follow up in 2 weeks to see how I'm doing and wether or not I can start skiing again, fingers crossed I don't wanna miss to much of the season but I also don't want to risk severe brain damage haha. Thanks for all the responses guys Ill post back up when I hear back from my doctor.
Dec 3 2013 7:47PM
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Tyler.A
Posts: 164 - Karma: 338
I got a level 3 concussion from mountain biking 3 years ago, and i had amnesia for about 4 hours. Even now i still get symptoms but i've crashed numerous times since then on rails and jumps and stuff and i haven't had many issues. Most of my symptoms are from lights and loud noises
Dec 3 2013 7:52PM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21083 - Karma: 8,455
I've had somewhere between 3 and 5 concussions. The most recent one I was biking home from the bar (I never wear a helmet around town) fairly drunk with a friend and took a shortcut through my old College campus. I ate shit trying to jump off a speed bump on my 30+ year old Schwinn road bike. Came to surrounded by campus police and paramedics asking me what day it was and how many quarters are in a dollar fifty. I could not for the life of me answer the quarters question. I actually started laughing at myself because I couldn't answer it. The literally restrained my friend and wouldn't let him close to me for some reason, but according to him, I eventually convinced them to let us walk out bikes the rest of the way back to my house. This is the part I'm pissed at my friend about. According to him, he came over to my house to wake me up in the middle of the night and wasn't able to, so he just left and went home and let me sleep. I woke up at like 3pm the next day with an insane headache, extremely dehydrated, and no memory of what happened or why there was a huge bump on my head. I didn't remember any of the story I described above for at least a week. Took me at least a month to feel normal again too.
Dec 3 2013 8:24PM
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Sky.
Posts: 1158 - Karma: 287
Sounds crazy you could have had some bad shit happen that first night of sleep like brain swelling and shit you got lucky. I was thinking about that earlier how crazy it would have been If I was wasted at the time. You know like the drunk frat boys that run they're mouth and get they're shit rocked prolly wake up with no recollection of what happened and I doubt most get medical attention I guess that's why there's so many angry half retards in my downtown area.
Dec 3 2013 9:54PM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21083 - Karma: 8,455
On that note. A fellow NSer, Talacious[tally] and I went out to a concert one night. We both ordered the same drink and somebody tried to roofy her. Needless to say, I got the roofied drink and I continued drinking as well. I (allegedly) got kicked out of the venue (which I frequented so much the bouncers and bartenders knew me) and I woke up the next day with a gigantic gash in my chin and had my jaw jammed. Headed straight to Emergency Care where they prescribed me 8 stitches to the chin, a lot of Vicodin, and liquid food for 1 week.
Dec 3 2013 10:07PM
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GaryColeman
Posts: 248 - Karma: 380
1st time i was ever on snow i was snowboarding without a helmet, caught my back edge and smacked my head on some ice. I was blacked out for a few minutes and ended up with a skull fracture and a real bad concussion. i missed my whole first season and i was supposed to wear a helmet skateboarding for like 8 months.
Dec 3 2013 10:15PM
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DeRizzo
Posts: 3827 - Karma: 3,485
This is a sick thread to look at right before I'm about to try a backie.
Dec 3 2013 10:15PM
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Sky.
Posts: 1158 - Karma: 287
Sorry but that's not true look at Mohammad Ali dude went full retard from multiple mild concussions. He now has to wear a diaper
Dec 3 2013 10:27PM
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Sky.
Posts: 1158 - Karma: 287
Fuck man that shit ain't right, there's some freaks out there.
Dec 3 2013 10:29PM
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Sky.
Posts: 1158 - Karma: 287
Indeed, I don't know if ill have the sac to throw em anymore. Hopefully I will, I have a feeling I'm just gunna be constantly second guessing myself, thinking is this gunna be the one that fucks me up permanently?
Dec 3 2013 10:36PM
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Turd.Ferguson
Posts: 1437 - Karma: 2,713
well i mean if you rememberd your ns password youre pretty well off.

on a serious note, yeah i have haha its not fun, it took 3 to 4 big hits for me to go down but i did, was knocked out for a good 2 mins, haha it gets better, was the end of my football season, but good vibes
Dec 3 2013 10:49PM
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tcgoldman
Posts: 704 - Karma: 723
I had a rally bad concussion a few years ago and suffered memory loss. i guess i hit a cliff and hit my head on rock (wearing a helmet thank god). I was helicoptered to a hospital in denver. i had slight bleeding in the brain but luckily it died down. I spent 4 days in the hospital and For the next month i had trouble focusing on things. My head would hurt on and off. But eventually i recovered to what i would consider 100%. Although many off my friends said i changed slightly.
Best wishes.
Dec 3 2013 10:50PM
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Contender
Posts: 3318 - Karma: 233
The only one I've had from skiing is when I fell trying to frontflip.  I cracked the back of my helmet and I felt fine until the next day.  I ended up getting the spins and feeling dizzy for the next two weeks.  My nose also started to bleed like crazy (3-4 times a day)which led me to go to the doctor. 

Went to the hospital, got it checked out and apparently i had mild internal bleeding.  I just took it easy for the next month or so and no lingering symptoms since. 

Never flipping again
Dec 3 2013 10:57PM
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FroesenSkeeze
Posts: 638 - Karma: 673
Hahahaha, I laughed so hard at this.
Dec 3 2013 11:07PM
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Sky.
Posts: 1158 - Karma: 287
I didn't go 2 runs but I finished the hill I was on and can't remember, creepy is a perfect description. I keep thinking If I was fucked up enough to get KO'd and not remember, I was probably fucked up enough to fall and crack my shit a second time.
Dec 4 2013 2:35AM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21083 - Karma: 8,455
What do they say?
Dec 4 2013 2:39AM
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Don.Cartagena
Posts: 159 - Karma: -105
Helmets are for lamos.
Dec 4 2013 5:05AM
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esotericjive
Posts: 1889 - Karma: 1,445
A month ago tomorrow I got a concussion. Apparently I hit a tree while hauling. woke up two minutes later with my friend above me asking me what day it was. I said Saturday, it was a Monday. Broke my wrist and my helmet, saved my life. The headaches were awful at first, couldn't go to class so I sat around blazing for two and a half weeks. everything was sort of distant, fuzzy for the first week. had an MRI the day after, I had a hemorrhagic contusion in my brain. today I had another scan and the bleeding has
Dec 10 2013 9:45PM
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esotericjive
Posts: 1889 - Karma: 1,445
apparently subsided, thankfully.

though I'm now asymptomatic, mostly, my neurologist told me that I really shouldn't ski again.

Obviously I can't just step away from this. my only thought is to film this season. I like my brain, and I was this close to permanently damaging it. Scares the shit out of me, but I'm determined to recover and continue the life I love
Dec 10 2013 9:52PM
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Don.Cartagena
Posts: 159 - Karma: -105
helmets are for pussies.
Dec 11 2013 4:22AM
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