I googled this and this is a staggering rate.
Traumatic brain injury is the leading cause of paediatric trauma death and disability worldwide, with concussions comprising 80% to 90% of all TBIs. An estimated 200,000 concussions occur annually in Canada, with children and youth affected primarily. Holy cow I had no idea how high that number was.
Since banging my head really hard on New Years Day I’ve learned a lot about concussions and had no idea that woman can get symptoms later then men. Men get their symptoms right away. I did get some obvious ones right away like the headache, some dizziness and nausea. About a week ago I noticed that my appetite was decreased and my gut is all over the place. Sleeping is all over the map and my brain is very busy having a hard time getting it to slow down.
It’s almost been a month now and yes everyday it gets better but the brain fog and when I’m tired not being able to say what I need. I forget things that I don’t usually forget. Yesterday was a pro d day and we went to a different school in town to listen to a panel of People talk about different topics. It was in the gym so there were lots of people there and it’s hard to focus. After about an hour and a half my brain hurt so much from all the overstimulation. I had to sit and listen to what they were saying. It was good stuff but my brain was Maxed out.
When I got home I slept for an hour and a half completely exhausted. I realized that I needed to be proactive myself. I called a place called Tall Tree my doctor had mentioned it. I called and asked if I needed a referral and they said no. They have a post concussion program with physiotherapy. I have an appointment next week.
I can’t just sit and wait for this to go away. I have no idea how long it will take to go back to the way it was. Before having a concussion even though mine was mild. They all are apparently serious. At the program I’m going to they teach you what to expect and how to get help for your brain.
It’s amazing when you have no clue what it is like to have post symptoms to be told well you did that a while ago you should be ok. Or why are you going to get physio on your brain you just bumped your head. Then to to told well it’s how you cope with stress if your getting overwhelmed. Wow really because I’ve been through the worst truama anyone should ever go through and I never felt this.
I realize how many people just don’t understand and I’ve been asked this week if I ever thought I’d go back to regular daycare by someone that I never imagined that would come out of their mouth. I realized that there is a gap that’s missing between what I’m experiencing and the people around me.
I heard from someone who went to the post concussion program that they will advocate for me. My school has been really good with me, working to build me up for success. I’m glad because no I don’t want to change jobs. I love the one I have. I told them that and they were very quiet. I’m really good at my job is just hard right now.
My friend today said that concussions are an invisible injury. It reminded that mental health is very invisible as well. I would think if that many Canadians get concussions each year we should be educated on how it effects them and the hospital did tell me if my symptoms didn’t go away that there was help out there. My doctor is very proactive so that’s good.
If you have a post concussion symptoms there is help out there or you have mental health issues. Please reach out to people there is help for you as well. This is hard and you don’t have to do it alone. 🙂
Beauty from Ashes. 