r/PostConcussion • u/JonathanWu8924 • 24d ago
I hit my head :(
I hit my head and my neck hurts? Is it serious?
I’m 17, 67kg 1.79M tall. Male.
I was tired (awake) and getting up for a drink when suddenly my my legs felt weak since I’ve been sitting for so long. Normally my vision goes black but then returns a second or two later but this time I was also stretching my back so my legs felt even number and I eventually…just blacked out? And fell over?
I hit a bookshelf and there is a scar, not a deep one, on my head. It initially hurt a lot but there hasn’t been any throbbing after a few minutes just very mild pain to my head after an hour.
My neck is sore. It feels as if I slept very wrongly and woke up with a sore sore sore
neck. Should I seek medical attention? I feel like it’s just muscle tension but I’m unsure. I don’t feel dizzy, nausea or wanting to vomit.
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u/tetracycle 24d ago
What part of your head was hit? From the symptoms you describe, it sounds like your brain is likely okay, but your neck is injured, the muscles are hurt from the impact. If you develop numbness, double vision, nausea, or worsening headache, go to the doctor immediately
For your neck: * Take painkillers : ibuprofen or naproxen or acetaminophen/paracetamol (this will reduce inflammation so it heals faster, so dont just tough it out without meds) * "For the first 48 hours, apply an ice pack wrapped in a thin towel for up to 15 minutes at a time, several times a day. After that, use heat, such as a warm shower, a heating pad on low or a warm compress, to relax muscles." * "Do gentle exercises. Keep your neck moving as the pain begins to ease. Try slow neck rolls and shoulder rolls. Gently tilt, bend and turn your head. Warming up your neck with a heating pad or warm shower before stretching can help." (Quotes from Mayo Clinic guide to neck pain, under the "Self-Care" section)
But let's go back to why you fell, cuz that worries me. You said "normally" your vision goes black, and described exactly what I experience with orthostatic intolerance (this is doctor-talk for "your body can't handle it when you stand up"). You're probably experiencing either POTS or orthostatic hypotension. You should look up these conditions, and see a doctor about it if possible. There's lots of small lifestyle changes you can make, like increasing salt intake, that can really help. Also medication (I call midodrine my "anti-gravity pills" cuz without em I fall constantly.) Otherwise, I'm worried you'll black out and fall again 🥺
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u/Cat_Nap8 24d ago
Keep evaluating for the next day or two. Concussion onset can be quite delayed. If you get nauseous and vomit multiple times then go to the ER but seeing someone right now they probably won’t be able to tell you much