OK, NOW WHAT? Hit Head ...

[ALCapshaw2]

I was sitting on the floor dusting some books on the bottom shelf, leaned back and hit the back of my head (lower right side on the bottom of the skull) on the side of a computer table (1 inch thick top).

As I recall, "there is nothing that can be done for a head bleed", SO, do I just wait and see if I make it or should I go to the ER (I HATE going to the ER... and it's 17 miles away and my S.O. isn't expected back until lunch time)...

AH, the joys of living with Coumadin!
(And YES, I KNOW I wouldn't be living without it)...

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Karlynn]

Al, I guess it would depend on just how hard you hit your head. Did you see stars? Did you feel like you were going to black out? Did it feel like your brain was scrambled? Do you have a headache? Are you nauseaus?

I have hit my head several times over the years, but none of them were hard enough to give me pause to consider if I should worry about it. The latest was hitting my head on the corner of the freezer door as I stood up from looking in the refrigerator.

If you are feeling normal right now, I'd say to wait. If it was a hit that would cause you to consider going to the ER regardless of whether you are on Coumadin, I'd say "go".

 

[tobagotwo]

It's always something, isn't it?

I would say if you've got swelling on the outside, use ice (you are likely already holding a ziplock of cubes to your noggin as you read this).

If you've got an inside leak (You don't, Al. I won't let you.), ice won't help that, and it's questionable whether the ER would, either. It doesn't happen very often, so the odds are against it. You're more likely to have a bleed from being mad about the bump. However, you must do what you feel is best.

Have you contacted someone nearby, who can check on you? If you have signs of wooziness, nausea, or visual difficulties, you want someone else to be aware before they occur.

Keep in touch, whatever choice you make.

Very best wishes,

 

[ALCapshaw2]

I was lifting some books from a sitting position, and when I set them down, my upper body (and head) moved back a couple of inches. It was NOT a HARD hit, more moderate than that. NO stars, NO yelling, not even and OUCH, but noticable.

My S.O. just looked at it and says there is a 'small' knot there, NO color, no visible bruising. There is a persistent 'sensation' in the area that is hard to describe. "Strange" or "not normal" but "not painful" is about as good as I can do. Maybe a little like a "tight muscle headache" in that area.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[geebee]

I would be aware of any bad headaches, dizziness, nausea or sleepiness. If those occur, you should have it checked out.

Otherwise you are probably OK. However, "if in doubt - check it out".

 

[Emma]

AL, sorry you had this accident. I know how worrying head bangs and warfarin are!
I can only tell you what I do with Chloe and bumps. I only tend to take her to casualty if there's a biggish bump there or shes complaining of a headache/showing symptoms etc. Have learnt from experience that all they do is either keep her in and observe her or tell me to look out for any eyesight problems/nausea etc.
I would hate to tell you not to go to have it checked for something to then be not right, but if it was Clo and the bump was as hard as you described, I'd be tempted to wait and see if she showed symptoms and head straight to hospital at the first sign of any.
Sure you'll be fine - let us know how you get on
Love Emma
xxx

 

[Emma]

Just as a side note, Chloe is also always told to avoid watching TV for a few hours after a head bang too.

Emma
xxx

 

[Ross]

I don't know Al, I don't think we are as fragile as most people think. Either that or I have a steel head. Couple of weeks back while getting into my car, I misjudged the head clearance distance while yapping away at the wife. Knocked my head stupid! Pretty chirping birds, ringing in the ears, the whole gambit including external bleeding. I waited the night out trying to see if anything would develop and nothing ever did besides a nice lump and scab. The sun still came up and new day began the following morning, so I must be o.k..

 

[Karlynn]

I misjudged the head clearance distance while yapping away at the wife. Knocked my head stupid! Pretty chirping birds, ringing in the ears, the whole gambit including external bleeding.

And let this be a lesson to all you husbands out there.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

The sensations all subsided over the next few hours. I'm feeling fine now after a nice steak dinner.

THANKS to ALL for your concern, comments, and suggestions.

Getting KNOWLEDGABLE reports from VR.com sure beats waiting for hours in the ER waiting room only to be told to 'watch it and wait' as has happened too many times in the past.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[bvdr]

Hi Al, I just read this thread and am glad to hear you are doing alright. I just want to caution you that you still need to be observant of any mental changes for at least a week. More than likely you will have no problems but be aware that sometimes a very slow subdural bleed can occur and no symptoms show until the accumation of blood in that space becomes enough to put pressure on surrounding brain tissue. This situation is more likely to present itself in people of 65. . Again, it is not to scare you but because I would hate to have anything happen to you. Don't do anything now but if any mental or physical changes happen then do get it checked. There ARE things that can be done ....Burr holes for one. I've seen this situation many times. I think Pres. Reagan fell off a horse once, after he was out of office if I remember right, and a week or so later had a subdural hematoma drained and did fine.

 

[Granbonny]

Thanks Betty

Thanks Betty

I am age 65.. So, if I ever hit my head..will remember your advice...Al.. I'm surprised that you would think ER would make you wait..Something that serious and if they know you are coumadin..should put you first in line....Never been to ER..but, I'm sure my family would make sure I was admittted and sent back fast..I guess it depends on your hospital.. if it happens to me..Hopefully never, during the week..Cardio Office opened..I think I would call his office and have them call hospital for me..( they manage my coumadin).. glad you are doing O.k...bonnie

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Al.. I'm surprised that you would think ER would make you wait..Something that serious and if they know you are coumadin..should put you first in line....glad you are doing O.k...bonnie

OH, were that only so Bonnie.

Remember when my dog pulled me into a tree so hard that and I developed a HUGE hematoma that evening?

Well, I called the Huntsville Hospital's Nurse Line, the nurse spoke with an ER Doc who said I needed to be seen IMMEDIATELY and NOT to drive myself. After seeing the triage nurse, we were asked to go to the waiting area. THREE HOURS later I was called back and after what seemed like another hour, a DOCTOR finally examined my hematoma, told me to elevate my leg and apply warm compresses and sent me home (around 3 A.M.).

It doesn't always work that slowly. Whenever I come in with CHEST PAIN I am taken back very soon after arriving. It all depends on how serious the triage nurse ranks your condition. (This is a public regional hospital and must take everyone who comes in so the lines are always long, especially in the evening. The ER has over 50 beds and is usually full. It is also the ONLY real heart hospital within 90 miles. UAB / Birmingham and Nashville are each 100 miles away.)

I'm guessing the (mild) bump on the head would receive about the same level of concern as the HUGE hematoma on my leg.

I WILL pay attention to any futher symptoms. (Thank You Betty...I know where you are coming from and respect your advice).

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Ross]

And let this be a lesson to all you husbands out there.

Yeah don't talk to those women, all they wanna do is laugh at you in misery!

 

[Granbonny]

Al

Al

I would still think..that any nurse seeing you..when you tell them you are an open-heart person .with valve replacement..on coumadin....would still put you ahead of the many others in ER.....If it ever happens again..and you want to go to ER..tell the Nurse you are having chest pains.. I know I would be..just worrying if I had hit my head.. I'm sure my b/p and heart rate would be up.. ..Speaking of ER'S..I heard that 40 years ago..when I lived in Atlanta..One should go to downtown Atlanta to Grady Hospital on a Sat. night.. to see the many gun-shot wounds, ect..in halls, ect.. I'm sure that is now in any large city.. thank goodness for our small hospital..Bonnie

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Just to let everyone know, I'm still kicking (and sorting, and filing, and cleaning house) this morning. NO headache or other symptoms today although I did have some 'head pressure' last night. Seems to have cleared.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Innercalm]

Ok, Now What? Hit Head

Ok, Now What? Hit Head

I don't know Al, I don't think we are as fragile as most people think. Either that or I have a steel head. Couple of weeks back while getting into my car, I misjudged the head clearance distance while yapping away at the wife. Knocked my head stupid! Pretty chirping birds, ringing in the ears, the whole gambit including external bleeding. I waited the night out trying to see if anything would develop and nothing ever did besides a nice lump and scab. The sun still came up and new day began the following morning, so I must be o.k..

Ross: Can you believe that I am actually replying in the right place?
I saw that you were at the cleveland clinic recently. We are headed in that direction and wonder what impressions you have about that facility?
Susan

 

[Guest]

Rushing to the ER with a minor head injury seems to make no difference over waiting to go when you have no symptoms. The reason is that there can be a very samll bleed that is undetectable for several days. So if you rush and get a "clean bill of health" you could really be getting into trouble. This is one of the biggest problems in medicine - gettin a good report but worsening in an almost undetectable manner.

This is exactly what happened in a murder trial that I consulted on. The guy wasn't murdered, he passed out when he was drunk and didn't remember hitting his head. For those of you who have been around a few years, you will remember that we got an acquittal (I was for the defense).