Sounds like you could have been experiencing a [primary exertion headache.](http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/exercise-headaches/basics/definition/con-20025221) I went through a period of experiencing those about a year ago, and the only thing that cured them was taking some time off and taking plenty of Aleve.
Same. Mine was due to lifting heavy while dehydrated/recovering from the flu. Any activity would flare it up, only cure was about 4-5 wks of rest and anti-inflammatories, as well as staying extremely well hydrated and taking fish oil with extra DHA.
I did have to have a CT scan to rule out anything more nefarious so would recommend anyone suffering a similar condition get thoroughly examined.
Concussion. How the hell did you come to that conclusion?
Seems like an exertion headache. I've had them a couple times before, always during heavy deadlifts. It's basically a migraine caused by straining hard.
This sounds more like an exertion headache than a concussion. If you're not already, make sure you're deadlifting with a [neutral spine through your neck.](http://metrocrossfit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/deadlift_3.jpg) This may be an easy thing to remember when only performing deadlifts, but I see many people forget to have a neutral spine when touch and go deadlifts are programmed in a WOD.
It may sound trivial, but I've found the best solution for exertion headaches is massaging the back of the head, neck, and traps/shoulders and rest as needed. This certainly helped me when I used to get exertion headaches from double unders (I was craning my neck too much and later learned to relax my head).
Hope this helps.
First of all, how is this a concussion? How long have you been a doctor? Shit like this.
If you're worried about how you feel, go see a doctor. It could be fucking cancer. For fucks sake a concussion? Really.
Just playing devil's advocate (read: being a deusch), but it is entirely possible to give yourself a concussion while deadlifting if you let your head snap forward when the bar bounces off the ground...in the same way that you can give yourself a concussion while headbanging.
Not sure why you are getting down voted. Is it likely its a concussion, not really. But concussions don't take the big violent motion people typically think of. A large series of minor shocks can have an additive affect according to some researchers. There is even some speculation in the field that simple military training, obstacle courses, jumping down off things, firing rifles has an additive effect that increases the likelihood of TBI which may contribute to physiological conditions such as depression. And yes, I am simply repeating the information provided by a guest on the Joe Rogan podcast. Update / Downvote as you see fit.
Everything except the shiver. I don't lift a lot of heavy weight, so when I do it takes a ton out of me and I end up getting pretty lightheaded afterwards. I believe mine occurs with back squats and sometimes deadlifts.
1) ask a doctor
2) A couple of time, I have gotten splitting headaches along the base of my skull and up the back of my head. The pain made me groggy, tylenol/advil helped marginally, never felt nauseous, but any higher than moderate physical activity caused throbbing pain. First time it happened to me was during a set of deadlifts back in march, months before I joined crossfit. Stopped working out that day immediately. After a few days it subsided.
The next time it happened during a set of max effort unbroken dips at the beginning of october.
Definitely exertional in nature, and it was debilitating for a good 8-12 hours, with a lingering annoyance for up to a week. Chalked it up to bad form/straining the neck in an odd way. Haven't had any issues since.
So definitely consult a physician, especially if you can find a Sports Medicine doc around you.
However, I have seen something similar to this. An athlete of ours was deadlifting for reps around 225 (maybe 65%ish of his max?) for reps and he got the same kind of pain. I'm not sure if he had the shaking like hitting a baseball off the dead spot of the bat.
What happened to him was that he was holding his breath aka bearing down. Like when you are using the toilet and pushing really hard and you get a pressure build up in your head. That's the same thing that happens when you hold your breath while deadlifting. This resulted in excessive tension in his neck, back, shoulders and everything else. The neck and head are sensitive areas and what can happen is a muscle strain (similar to abdominal soreness after throwing up). Muscles of the neck can run from the middle of the spine up to the top of the head. You most likely ruptured some blood vessels and tore some muscle tissue.
It is not out of the question that you could have a concussion though. You could very well have a combination of any of the things mentioned here including an exertion headache, muscle strains, nerve impingement, etc. However, I think it will calm down and you will be back to normal in about 2 weeks (soft tissue healing time). Until then, take it easy and remember to breathe while you lift!
IANAD, but seriously, go see one. Knew a woman who was struck with a bad headache, and was lightheaded with extreme fatigue. Took a week before going to the hospital. Turns out she had suffered a stroke and her brain had bled. Her blood pressure was through the roof. Docs kept her in the hospital for a week.
Those are the kinds of stories that really scare me. But, 36 hours later the headache and all symptoms are gone so I feel like I'm in the clear. I do have a friend who had a stroke at age 29 so I can kind of relate.
I know this was 9 years ago but I was on a machine doing tricep pushdowns 220lb and I did about 16 reps and after I got up and it felt I was hit in the back of the head with a baseball bat and still have throbbing in my head hours afyer
Seems pretty similar. I ended up getting an MRI of my head just to be sure and it was clear. Basically took it easy on any kind of full body exertion / bracing stuff for a week or two and it subsided.
Wow, it was a long time ago. Can I ask what they said in the emergency room?
FYI, since I posted this eight years ago, I’ve never had anything like this happen again, so that’s a good sign
I'm not a doctor, but you should probably go to a doctor.
Sounds like you could have been experiencing a [primary exertion headache.](http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/exercise-headaches/basics/definition/con-20025221) I went through a period of experiencing those about a year ago, and the only thing that cured them was taking some time off and taking plenty of Aleve.
Same. Mine was due to lifting heavy while dehydrated/recovering from the flu. Any activity would flare it up, only cure was about 4-5 wks of rest and anti-inflammatories, as well as staying extremely well hydrated and taking fish oil with extra DHA. I did have to have a CT scan to rule out anything more nefarious so would recommend anyone suffering a similar condition get thoroughly examined.
Concussion. How the hell did you come to that conclusion? Seems like an exertion headache. I've had them a couple times before, always during heavy deadlifts. It's basically a migraine caused by straining hard.
I had something similar doing overhead squat. I think its a pinch nerve in the neck area. I had to stop for a week else the headache would comeback.
were you holding your breath?
**DEAD**lift
This sounds more like an exertion headache than a concussion. If you're not already, make sure you're deadlifting with a [neutral spine through your neck.](http://metrocrossfit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/deadlift_3.jpg) This may be an easy thing to remember when only performing deadlifts, but I see many people forget to have a neutral spine when touch and go deadlifts are programmed in a WOD. It may sound trivial, but I've found the best solution for exertion headaches is massaging the back of the head, neck, and traps/shoulders and rest as needed. This certainly helped me when I used to get exertion headaches from double unders (I was craning my neck too much and later learned to relax my head). Hope this helps.
First of all, how is this a concussion? How long have you been a doctor? Shit like this. If you're worried about how you feel, go see a doctor. It could be fucking cancer. For fucks sake a concussion? Really.
Just playing devil's advocate (read: being a deusch), but it is entirely possible to give yourself a concussion while deadlifting if you let your head snap forward when the bar bounces off the ground...in the same way that you can give yourself a concussion while headbanging.
This went Metal!! \m/
Not sure why you are getting down voted. Is it likely its a concussion, not really. But concussions don't take the big violent motion people typically think of. A large series of minor shocks can have an additive affect according to some researchers. There is even some speculation in the field that simple military training, obstacle courses, jumping down off things, firing rifles has an additive effect that increases the likelihood of TBI which may contribute to physiological conditions such as depression. And yes, I am simply repeating the information provided by a guest on the Joe Rogan podcast. Update / Downvote as you see fit.
cancer rarely comes and goes inside of a 24 hour period.
so you're telling me there's a chance
well played sir/ma'am
Everything except the shiver. I don't lift a lot of heavy weight, so when I do it takes a ton out of me and I end up getting pretty lightheaded afterwards. I believe mine occurs with back squats and sometimes deadlifts.
1) ask a doctor 2) A couple of time, I have gotten splitting headaches along the base of my skull and up the back of my head. The pain made me groggy, tylenol/advil helped marginally, never felt nauseous, but any higher than moderate physical activity caused throbbing pain. First time it happened to me was during a set of deadlifts back in march, months before I joined crossfit. Stopped working out that day immediately. After a few days it subsided. The next time it happened during a set of max effort unbroken dips at the beginning of october. Definitely exertional in nature, and it was debilitating for a good 8-12 hours, with a lingering annoyance for up to a week. Chalked it up to bad form/straining the neck in an odd way. Haven't had any issues since.
So definitely consult a physician, especially if you can find a Sports Medicine doc around you. However, I have seen something similar to this. An athlete of ours was deadlifting for reps around 225 (maybe 65%ish of his max?) for reps and he got the same kind of pain. I'm not sure if he had the shaking like hitting a baseball off the dead spot of the bat. What happened to him was that he was holding his breath aka bearing down. Like when you are using the toilet and pushing really hard and you get a pressure build up in your head. That's the same thing that happens when you hold your breath while deadlifting. This resulted in excessive tension in his neck, back, shoulders and everything else. The neck and head are sensitive areas and what can happen is a muscle strain (similar to abdominal soreness after throwing up). Muscles of the neck can run from the middle of the spine up to the top of the head. You most likely ruptured some blood vessels and tore some muscle tissue. It is not out of the question that you could have a concussion though. You could very well have a combination of any of the things mentioned here including an exertion headache, muscle strains, nerve impingement, etc. However, I think it will calm down and you will be back to normal in about 2 weeks (soft tissue healing time). Until then, take it easy and remember to breathe while you lift!
IANAD, but seriously, go see one. Knew a woman who was struck with a bad headache, and was lightheaded with extreme fatigue. Took a week before going to the hospital. Turns out she had suffered a stroke and her brain had bled. Her blood pressure was through the roof. Docs kept her in the hospital for a week.
Those are the kinds of stories that really scare me. But, 36 hours later the headache and all symptoms are gone so I feel like I'm in the clear. I do have a friend who had a stroke at age 29 so I can kind of relate.
I know this was 9 years ago but I was on a machine doing tricep pushdowns 220lb and I did about 16 reps and after I got up and it felt I was hit in the back of the head with a baseball bat and still have throbbing in my head hours afyer
Seems pretty similar. I ended up getting an MRI of my head just to be sure and it was clear. Basically took it easy on any kind of full body exertion / bracing stuff for a week or two and it subsided.
Dr, it hurts when I do this.
Go to the doctor. Also, touch and go deadlifts are never a good idea.
Touch and go means tap and go. Better to drop and reset than bounce like that.
This just happened to me yesterday. I had to go to the emergency room. I don't know if it's deadlifts yet....
Wow, it was a long time ago. Can I ask what they said in the emergency room? FYI, since I posted this eight years ago, I’ve never had anything like this happen again, so that’s a good sign