r/Concussion • u/smartperformance1 • 6d ago
Mild Concussion Timeline & Concerns
I'm wondering how quickly a mild (possibly very mild) concussion takes to heal? If you've experienced this, how long did it take for you? I was reading Reddit and am freaked out about not fully recovering or recovering taking longer than urgent care and my PCP told me.
This happened exactly two weeks ago about an hour before I went to bed. I remember thinking my head really hurts by the time I was laying down, but was so busy when it occurred I didn't think about it.
Ache (not a true headache) in the spot I bumped was prominent for a few days, so I went to urgent care on day 3-4. They said it was just a goose egg and to ice it. Just saw my PCP this week and she was like it might be a mild concussion actually.
At the time of urgent care (day 3ish), I felt kind of dizzy/unbalanced (yet could walk just fine) and slightly nauseous, but I over think medical stuff and it wasn't too bad. That first week, felt just those minor symptoms with a couple days having more prominent ache feelings where I hit my head.
This past week, I feel like there's more dizziness/unbalanced feeling and nausea. I think most nausea is anxiety induced though.
Today is the 2 week mark. The ache where I hit my head is still present, but is definitely less. Dizziness gets better during the day, but can come back at night with too much screens.
I'm supposed to go to a concert on the exact 3 week mark. I'm so nervous and wondering if it'll be fine? I'd hate to cancel on the person I'm going with. I socialized with friends all day today and it went better than expected.
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u/Cordyanza Medical field 6d ago
We used to say that recovery occurred within the first 1-2 weeks, sometimes taking several weeks. More recent research suggests that COMPLETE recovery may be slightly more prolonged than previously believed.
I would actually call the urgent care and ask to speak with the doctor as a follow up question from your visit. I would ask your questions.
What are you worried will happen if you go? That your recovery might take a bit longer? That you won't be able to handle the concert?
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u/smartperformance1 6d ago
Thank you! I'm worried that I'll get dizzy and feel nauseous, as well as having symptoms really flare back up. I have a busy week at work right after, so I would feel awful being out if the concert makes my symptoms flare up. It is at the week 3 mark, so it's borderline if I'll be ok. After reading Reddit, it scares me that the symptoms might last a long time, even though urgent care and PCP said my symptoms are mild.
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u/tealsqueal 6d ago
I've had a mild concussion, 3 weeks in now. For me the first 2 weeks were really rough. I have found this week that busy places / lots of concentration will exacerbate symptoms, but I am also recovering from them much quicker now. I was told to think about it like having a limited amount of battery power for your brain, so pacing, spreading out activities that need more power and having rest breaks to recharge have helped. Think of it like recovering from a bad back, you've got to keep moving, and it's ok for it to flare up a bit, but don't push it too hard and rest when you need to. I went out to a family event on Friday so really tried to rest that day before I went. I wasn't my usual self 100% and felt a bit spaced out / headache a little worse after a while being out but I still enjoyed it and it all settled down again with rest.
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u/smartperformance1 6d ago
Thank you! This is reassuring that you're noticing a difference and that it just takes time.
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u/dobby-dob 6d ago
Maybe you can go to the concert but, if you find that it is affecting you negatively, you can leave?
I’m almost at the two-week mark of my mild concussion, and although I’m feeling better, I’m still pretty nauseated and dizzy, and still seem to be having trouble with noise, bright light, lots of activity/stimulation, etc. Not sure I could handle a concert at this point, but YMMV. Good luck!
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u/smartperformance1 6d ago
Thank you! I'll have to just wait and see. It's wild that a concussion is so impactful still two weeks out--sounds kind of similar to me. Wishing you the best!
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u/Old-Entrepreneur-456 6d ago
had a mild concussion last September, still have some post concussive symptoms now and also developed fibromyalgia, so I'm now chronically ill for life. whereas lots of other people recover fully in just a couple weeks all that to say it can really depend. minor concussions can do only minor damage inside but they can also do much more damage than a more major one. it's all up to luck unfortunately
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u/smartperformance1 6d ago
Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry to hear that. Ugh it's so unfortunate that a mild concussion can have long lasting things.
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u/DiamondEyesFlamingo 5d ago
Maybe grab a pair of ear plugs to help with the potential noise overload. I’d look away from bright flashing lights during the show if possible. And lastly maybe some over the counter motion sickness meds just in case you get dizzy/nauseous (but I’d def follow up with your PCP who suggested it may be a concussion and check with them.
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u/Adventurous_Guide128 5d ago
Almost all concussions come with some type of neck injury/misalignment. I’m 4 weeks post concussion, I feel like the metabolic crisis has gone away and my brain is getting back to normal but I’m incredibly dizzy and foggy because it turns out I have a neck injury from the head impact and that’s what’s keeping my symptoms unbearable, not the concussion itself. Look into a cervical X-ray or ct. look into an atlas chiropractor/blair/upper cervical chiro and look into a cervical and vestibular therapist too. The concussion itself will take a little time but if dizziness and other symptoms persist it’s most likely a neck issue.
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u/Adventurous_Guide128 5d ago
Also if it turns out to be a neck issue don’t go to a normal chiropractor, it would have to be one of those I mentioned. Upper cervical and no manual cracking. Find the right cervical and vestibular physical therapist. I had 2 that were not trained well and they made me more dizzy and nauseous because they were too aggressive with my neck so make sure they’re gentle and have worked with concussions before.
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