All-Star Experience With Concussions

[acecheermom]

My daughter is 13. She cheers Allstar on a Senior COed R5 team and also at her middle school for the school team.

The school team dropped her at practice Wednesday night. I took her to ER yesterday where she was given a clear CT scan and just told she has a mild concussion.

She has been having severe headaches and nausea. They gave her Zofran for the nausea. She tried to go back to school today but only made it about 1 1/2 hours to 2 hours before we had to pick her up. She is now home sleeping. She's on nap #2 for the day. Sleep seems to be the only thing we've really found that helps her feel better for awhile.

Does anyone have experience with concussions? ER did not give us any indication of how long this should/could last. We've never been down this road before so I'm just wondering what to expect. She's anxious to get back to school and cheer but we've pulled her out for now. She missed her last basketball game last night with her school team. She's missing her first comp with the school team tomorrow. And she missed learning the pyramid with her Allstar team on Wednesday. It's hard to watch her stress over missing this stuff even though I know it is best.

 

[MyGirlCheers]

When CP had a concussion last year, they gave her a protocol to follow. I'm surprised the ER didn't give you something at discharge. Did they do IMPACT testing? With CP, our pedi sent us to a concussion center and they monitored her progress with testing and then, once she was back to normal for her age (since we didn't have a baseline to go by), had a gradual return to activity plan for us to follow.

Hope your CP feels better soon!

ETA: Look at steps 4 & 5 in this link for an overview of the guidelines we followed (ours were more detailed) Concussion Management Model | ImPACT Testing & Computerized Neurocognitive Assessment Tools

 

[EWalsh1029]

Concussions can be pretty severe, even a 'mild' one. I had a girl diagnosed with a mild concussion (base - had flyers elbow to the top of her head) out for 2.5 weeks, I guess it really depends. After the 2.5 weeks she was cleared by her doctor and had to adhere to the 5 day clearance set by our school (maybe state too?) so all in all she was out 3 weeks.

But I also had a girl (base - had flyers elbow to the front of the head) diagnosed with a mild concussion, that was then rediagnosed, that has put her out 2.5 months....

A mild concussion can also escalate to a more severe one. it really depends on the person and situation I think. Our school has impact testing & concussion protocol, and both of these girls had numerous appointments with their physicians.

 

[acecheermom]

They just looked at her, checked her eyes, felt her head, etc and talked with her for a bit. Then they did a head CT. When we left they did give us a stapled set of paperwork but it really is just mostly stuff to look for to bring her back in, and it is says to return to activities 7 to 10 days after symptoms are gone. I don't feel like they gave us any indication of how long this will last.

He just kinda waved her off and said it was a mild concussion. She asked about her comp this weekend and he said "Why don't you wait and see how you feel" I was the one who had to step in and say no way! He then wrote her a note to return to school today so I guess I just naively thought that meant he expected she'd feel better today. Unfortunately not the case.

Off to read the links now. Thanks so much.

 

[Beans100]

They just looked at her, checked her eyes, felt her head, etc and talked with her for a bit. Then they did a head CT. When we left they did give us a stapled set of paperwork but it really is just mostly stuff to look for to bring her back in, and it is says to return to activities 7 to 10 days after symptoms are gone. I don't feel like they gave us any indication of how long this will last.

He just kinda waved her off and said it was a mild concussion. She asked about her comp this weekend and he said "Why don't you wait and see how you feel" I was the one who had to step in and say no way! He then wrote her a note to return to school today so I guess I just naively thought that meant he expected she'd feel better today. Unfortunately not the case.

Off to read the links now. Thanks so much.

You might want to have her checked out by another doctor. How was she dropped? Was it directly on her head? Neck? Was she hit in the head with an elbow when she fell? Did you explain all this to the doctor when you took her in? (sometimes docs don't always ask the right questions. definitely not insinuating that you're a bad momma )

If you don't feel he gave her injury enough attention, take her to another doctor and have it looked at again. If it was a jammed finger, it wouldn't need attention like this. But head injuries escalate too quickly to be taken lightly.

Good luck and I hope your CP feels better.

 

[KPep]

Doctors are still yet to learn a lot about concussions. We are getting there, but we don't have that much technology to help with diagnosis. At least, that's what I learned from the class researchers gave us last winter.

There 4 cases you HAVE to go to the ER: Injury to the spine suspected, aggravating symptoms, new symptoms or loss of consciouness. Other than that, it's not necessary to go. They'll only tell you to stop brain activity (no school, no screens as tv or cellphone) and physical activity.

There is a fifth case: if the patient is not getting better after a week. You then need a clinical evaluation.

The diagnosis is usually based on the SCAT3 (you can look it up), at least it's the protocol here. Before getting back to contact sport, she has to do it again so the physician can check if there is a progression.

 

[Keep_Believing]

@Jfear

 

[Keep_Believing]

I would go get a second opinion.

 

[Cheermom1969]

Please follow up with your regular doctor. I'm quite honestly shocked that the ER didn't give you the concussion protocol to follow. If she's having headaches and/or nausea she is most definitely not better. Competing this weekend would be a big no if it were my child.
My son has had a couple of concussions and it takes time to get better. He had to follow the return to play protocol, which looks something like this:

It is important for an athlete's parent(s) and coach(es) to watch for concussion symptoms after each day's return to play progression activity. An athlete should only move to the next step if they do not have any new symptoms at the current step. If an athlete’s symptoms come back or if he or she gets new symptoms, this is a sign that the athlete is pushing too hard. The athlete should stop these activities and the athlete’s medical provider should be contacted. After more rest and no concussion symptoms, the athlete can start at the previous step.

Baseline: Back to School First
Athlete is back to their regular school activities, is no longer experiencing symptoms from the injury when doing normal activities, and has the green-light from their health care provider to begin the return to play process.

Step 1: Light aerobic activity
Begin with light aerobic exercise only to increase an athlete’s heart rate. This means about 5 to 10 minutes on an exercise bike, walking, or light jogging. No weight lifting at this point.

Step 2: Moderate activity
Continue with activities to increase an athlete’s heart rate with body or head movement. This includes moderate jogging, brief running, moderate-intensity stationary biking, moderate-intensity weightlifting (less time and/or less weight from their typical routine).

Step 3: Heavy, non-contact activity
Add heavy non-contact physical activity, such as sprinting/running, high-intensity stationary biking, regular weightlifting routine, non-contact sport-specific drills (in 3 planes of movement).

Step 4: Practice & full contact
Young athlete may return to practice and full contact (if appropriate for the sport) in controlled practice.

Step 5: Competition
Young athlete may return to competition

Also, I don't want to make you panic, but please read up on secondary concussions:
Second Impact Syndrome | BrainAndSpinalCord.org

 

[CharlotteASMom]

Daughter has had 4 concussions - Go to a concussion specialist! Search sports injuries/concussions. They will get you in ASAP. Don't waste time with doctors that don't specialize in this. We learned the hard way.

 

[laurensfierce2000]

I had a concussion when I was 13 too, so bad that when it happened I couldn't breathe for a hot minute (had the wind knocked out of me), was seeing double in pink and green, I was extremeely dizzy and couldn't feel my right side and could barely move my shaking left side - I was stupid and told my mom I was fine because I was embarrassed (I fell off a flight of stairs haha) and didn't go to the doctor and instead went to my eyebrow and nail appointment (again, stupid, but kind of funny looking back on it) but I didn't experience anything after - maybe it's because I experienced everything right after the fact, but anyways, I really hope she gets better. If she's the one in your icon, she is super cute! I wish her the best and I think right now the main focus should be on how she gets better day by day and take it one step at a time - I'm sure she's a fast learner and right now the important thing is her getting better!

I wish you both the best and I'm sending TONS and TONS of love!! ♥♥♥

Let me know if anything happens

 

[KLNmom]

The ER will only check for a life threatening issue - head bleed, fractured skull.... Its not even a guarantee you will get a CT. The provider will weigh out risk of exposure from scan vs. mechanism of injury/need for further testing. I know in the ER I work at we don't hand out any protocols, just tell our patients/parents to follow up with PCP. Its not that the ER doesn't care, its just the way it operates. ER docs are jack of all trades, master of none. They see so much that is would be impossible to perform at a specialist level for every injury they see. Prayers for a quick recovery but don't rush it. It takes time, even months to recover. I would def see a specialist if she is having these kinds of issues just a few days after.

 

[Mom2Cheergirls]

Please go to a concussion specialist. It really is vital to the recovery and they can also make a huge difference in how the school works with you. My child lost all ability to do math for a while (she had a very minor fall but a horrible concussion). Recovery really entails specific exercises and treatment that needs to be provided by a specialist who closely follows your child. Prayers that you may find one and get in soon and get the help you need.

ALSO FOR ANYONE READING THIS PLEASE GO AND GET A BASELINE TEST FOR YOUR CHEERLEADER. IT IS LIKE A SEATBELT FOR OUR SPORT. You pray you never need it but it tremendously helps after a concussion. Children as young as 5 can get them done in some areas. There are special tests that have been created for 5-10 year olds. Flyer or base or back spot or front spot it can make a difference. We feel blessed my child had one all because a team mate did not and the mom shared how she wished she had one. I can not say in words how important that information was in helping with my child's recovery.

 

[Fiercecheer12]

I was a backspot and had a flyer that was doing a double down and landed or cranked her elbows onto my face and broke my nose (twice in a week) I felt extremely dizzy and nauseous ( I didn't get checked out but I know for sure it was also a comcussion) the pain I felt was terrible I stayed the whole practice which was a horrible idea. it was before a huge comp and I didn't want to sit out because I didn't want to let my team down but I really should of got checked out because I have signs of PCS. Sorry it's long

 

[Fiercecheermom]

All great info above!!! In our high schools, all suspected concussions must be followed up by a visit to your regular doctor/concussion specialist etc. The athlete will not be able begin progressions with their team until they have been released by their primary physicians. SCAT testing is also a great tool for establishing baselines as well.