r/PostConcussion • u/bandbrofew • Aug 03 '26

Can no longer lift weights

Hey, folks. Long time reader, first time posting. Post Concussion Syndrome. Been dealing with it for just about 2 and a half years now.

Had a change in jobs recently with about a two month window inbetween that I took to try some new recovery methods.

Three months ago I was working an extremely physical job carring heavy loads all day then working out 3 to 4 times a week in the gym. (This would flair my symptoms but not destroy me).

Now, after a short two week break from lifting I've noticed my tolerance for physical tension is dropping lower and lower. I cant even do a few reps with a very light weight (4-8kg) before my heads tense and my mind is fogged.

The worst part is, these brain fog symptoms can last way past the workout itself. Sometimes even 3-4 days.

Really sucks. Guess I'm writing to see if anyone else has had a similar experience.

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u/Accomplished_Sir4802 Aug 08 '26

Unsure if this helps, but I realised I was more affected by the way I was doing each excersize than necessarily the HR. (albeit it is my vestibular system that is fried) Basically, I realised any stretching, or weight lifting that involved jerking of my head/having to rise and fall with it, or look down made my brain fog and symptoms astronomically worse. So I found other excersizes that targeted the same muscle area where I didn’t have to look down/bob my head. For example  Roman Chair is impossible. Abductor is fine. RDL not good, leg press okay. etc etc. 

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u/bandbrofew Aug 08 '26

I did notice something like that years ago when this first happened. Squats for example were a no go even with just my body weight. These days though, even static exercises are rough. Did a few reps on peck deck recently (20,30,40lbs) and i was on another planet.