What If Your Concussion Symptoms Don’t Go Away? | Concussion Game Plan Podcast

Uploaded August 2022 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago

In the final episode of Concussion Game Plan, CLF co-founder and medical director Dr. Robert Cantu rejoins the show to answer one of the hardest questions in the recovery process: what if the concussion symptoms just won’t go away? Dr. Cantu gives his advice for tackling the realities of Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS) and provides hope for brighter days ahead. Esther Lovett lives with PCS and shares her wisdom for adjusting to life in ways that allow her and her brain to be at their best.

Concussion Game Plan, an official podcast from the Concussion Legacy Foundation, is designed to help patients and caregivers navigate acute concussion recovery. The top experts in the field lend their expertise to help guide you through the concussion symptoms you can expect, how long they may last, and how to best manage them. Each episode also features advice from someone who has suffered a concussion and handled the ups and downs of recovery. Concussion can be an isolating, confusing injury. Concussion Game Plan is here to help, and remind you, you are not alone.

Concussion Game Plan is hosted by CLF CEO Dr. Chris Nowinski and produced by Julia Manning and Brandon Boyd. Subscribe to Concussion Game Plan wherever you get your podcasts!

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3:48 - What do you do if you notice your concussion symptoms are not improving after a month?
4:00 - What is the criteria to be diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome?
4:38 - What are some conditions that may predict a concussion might last longer than expected?
7:08 - What are the most common symptoms for post-concussion syndrome?
7:31- What therapy is the best for symptoms more cognitively-based?
8:03 - What treatment is best if your sleep is predominately being affected?
8:30 - What treatment is best for symptoms more in the emotional category?
8:59 - What treatment is best for symptoms affecting the vestibular ocular area?
13:02 - What if the treatment effects are not showing right away?
13:34 - What if the vestibular ocular symptoms worsen while doing the treatment exercises?
14:52 - How can I get help finding a concussion specialist?
15:59 - What if I have been told PCS is not a real condition?
18:43 - What to understand being a family member of an individual with PCS.
19:14 - Why it is important to be supportive as a caregiver of someone with PCS.
19:40 - Why is it important to stay social during PCS recovery?
22:53 - When will I be free of symptoms?

What If Your Concussion Symptoms Don’t Go Away? | Concussion Game Plan Podcast | Episode 8

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You Never Want to See Your Child Get Hurt

USA Rugby players and coaches support #TeamUpSpeakUp

Olympian Carlijn Schoutens wants to see your #TeamUpSpeakUp videos!

Coming to terms with a new normal after concussion

Symptoms of suspected CTE? Dont lose hope.

$20 Questions on Concussion with Dr. Robert Cantu Concussion Legacy Foundation co-founder and medical director Dr. Robert Cantu, answers dozens of questions on concussions and Post-Concussion Syndrome. Viewers learned effective coping strategies and helpful tips on managing symptoms while social distancing. Dr. Robert Cantu is Medical Director and Director of Clinical Research at the Cantu Concussion Center at Emerson Hospital in Concord, MA. 0:20 — Can you improve your PCS symptoms even 5 years after injury? 2:00 — For long-term PCS patients, is it normal to feel like a different person? 2:50 — What should my expectation be for returning back to old fitness routines? 4:12 — How often does pituitary damage get overlooked and misdiagnosed as a mental health condition and at what point should you have neuroendocrine testing? 5:40 — For neuroendocrine testing, what kind of doctor should you see? 7:30 — Jumping/running might not be a good exercises for PCS recovery, what about weight lifting? 8:32 — How can you lower the frequency of headaches even while increasing work-related activities? 9:32 — As someone in my early 50’s just experiencing my first concussion, will my recovery time be longer than someone younger getting their first concussion? 10:14 — Can you explain what you recommend to parents of athletes that have sustained a concussion in a contact sport where they will be likely to receive another concussion. Can you explain in terms of the risks and benefits to both the athletes and the parents? 12:05 — What is the best way to stimulate neuroplasticity? 13:01 — My son died by suicide shortly after his concussion. What is the connection there? Is it possible that the hit to his head made him lose his memory and he didn’t know what he was doing? 14:25 — Can you develop ADHD after a concussion and does having it before a concussion delay your recovery? 16:08 — What has a bigger impact on behavioural, emotional, suicidality type symptoms? CTE, PCS, or concussion? 17:13 — What are some interventions for chronic sleep disturbances due to PCS? 18:37 — How are nightmares connected to brain injuries? Tips to stop them? 20:17 — Do you see many patients that suffer from dysautonomia after a concussion? 20:49 — How does POTS work into those autonomic symptoms? 22:03 — My daughter faints everyday but only after reading/doing math problems. Any advice on what I should do for her or where to look? 23:20 — What do you recommend to those struggling with double vision, blurry vision, or someone seeing shadows? 24:28 — Any advice for building up reading tolerance? 25:28 — What are the recommended settings for cell-phone screens to prevent the triggering of a migraine? 25:51 — What are some strategies for creating a new career path if skill sets and interests change after experiencing PCS? 27:30 — How do you know when to push yourself? 28:40 — Would you recommend biofeedback to any patients? 29:25 — Can you comment on the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy? Is that something that you would prescribe? 31:13 — We hear a lot about the study of CTE, but what about the study and treatment of PCS? Any promising treatments on the horizon for PCS? 32:00 — Diet tips 32:35 — Any tips for prioritizing therapies? How do you maximize the benefit of each therapy while still pacing yourself? 34:06 — Do you have any thoughts as to how patients can tease out whether the symptoms they are feeling are due to this new trauma or due to PCS? Do you have any self-care suggestions to help patients navigate this new trauma? 35:25 — Do you think pediatricians and primary care physicians are being advised to do telehealth concussion assessment and diagnosis? 36:33 — Can you give a short answer on the differences between PCS and CTE but also elaborate on the scenario where someone with a single concussion has new symptoms a couple years after that injury? 38:07 — What is the best way to image the brain for damage? 39:17 — What kind of things can be done to improve memory problems with PCS? 40:20 — Is there any concern that someone would not get back their long-term memory after a concussion? 41:15 — Do concussions, prime someone for existing familial dementias? 42:12 — What role does inflammation play in concussion? 43:10 — Do you have any advice for coping with sporadic crying in the business world? 43:58 — I’ve had a fractured skull and six concussions, lately experiencing short-term memory issues and I’m 70 years old. Is this expected and does it get worse? 45:07 — I now have problems with speech and headaches. Can that be from a concussion that was many years ago? 45:33 — What is your professional opinion regarding brain waves analysis for concussion or PTSD? 46:28 — Any thoughts on supplements to improve cognitive energy? 47:42 — How often is it okay to have caffeine and alcohol with PCS? 49:02 — Why is baseline testing not the standard anymore? 50:25 — What is your favourite concussion related book? 51:00 — General message of hope to anyone experiencing PCS?$

How he found help after suffering two concussions #concussionrecovery #postconcussionsyndrome