Im not long back from A&E. Long story short, partner, rugby, 1am saturday morning, too many cheap Morgans and coke.

Now my partner has had a terrible headache for 3 days solid after taking a very nasty bang to the head, i actually heard the crack. He cannot stand light and has been unable to sleep.

After i TOLD him he was going to hospital, off we went.

After 1 hour (the only A&E dept empty, ever) and a few reflex tests he was told...
"you are severely concussed, come back if the pain gets any worse".

Now correct me if im wrong but shouldn't he have been x-rayed and given a thorough external check over?

Any of your opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Try NHS Direct.  Not sure of their phone number but it should be online or in the phone book.  My sister banged her heard really hard one night and I rang them to make sure she didn't need to go to hospital.  They explained everything to me.

Helen

Yes, he should have had a full neurological exam and an X-ray, especially if he was knocked out even for a second. Tell him to go back to A&E or to his GP in the morning.

NHS Direct 0845 46 47

Has he been sick at all? Has the headache been getting worse? I would definately go back to A&E and ask for him to be checked over again. Concussion is caused by the brain being shaken and I would have hoped his symptoms had begun to resolve after 3 days. There is always the possibility of a slow bleed which is why anyone with a head injury should be observed and return to hospital if symptoms worsen or don't resolve. Let us know how you get on. :)

I would take him back to the hospital and demand they check him over, 3 days is a long time to have a bad headache like that

Hi, sorry ive been so long, had to go to the doctors this AM. HE's been given brufen and co-codamol and 3 days off work.

We're complaining to the hospital in writing. I was absolutely discusted.

If the hospital had said it was severe concussion they would have admitted him ? Severe concussion is strictly 'under observation' I would have thought ? :)

Why only three days off work as well ? Seems a bit funny that is is three days ?

Lucy
xx

I had severe concussion after a car accident and they kept me in for 24hrs for observation. Admittedly this was some years ago, but I wouldn't of thought that procedures would have changed, even with the NHS being in the current state that it is in. :)

The NHS here is in a world of its own.
He was only granted a sick note for work by his doctor (GP) after he went there Tuesday morning.
The Hospital told him to come back if it got any worse.
So, if there was an internal bleed, any swelling, a fracture he would have had to get back tot he hospital in order for them to do anything about him.
Nice if he had collapsed eh?
He only got three days because his GP is useless too. He still has a terrible headache, i am still sitting in the dark and he is taking Brufen and co-codamol (together, which i am unhappy about, under docs orders) and its not easing up.
I give up with the NHS, im going private!

I had concussion after fainting then knocking myself out (always been clumsy :D ) I was kept in for 24 hours, the nurses kept waking me up - very tiring. When I went home I was told not to read or watch TV (or use a PC) for a week. Rubbish, I thought, but it was true. 10 mins of any of those & I had a blinding headache. The headaches finally went, but it took about 10 days of total boredom - I was reduced to watching the fish the pond for something to do! I was only given soluble painkillers - I think they were only disprin or something which I never thought would work, but they certainly helped.  Hope he's feeling better, but it ain't like TV where people get knocked out then climb a 200 ft cliff & kill a few baddies :D

Lol, he's back at work now, still got the headache but is putting up with it.
I think this young doctor wanted a quiet shift, his superiors will have plenty to say when the letter arrives, it was posted this morning.

Thank you all for your help and concern, its really appreciated x

giving cocodamol with ibufen is fine - they work in different ways so can help.

Well its gotten worse. His eyes have blacked, 5 days on from the actual accident. I phoned NHS 24 earlier and they too said "its just a concussion".
It seems that he isnt entitled to an x-ray to set his mind at rest.
To top it all off he has been sent for is anual fitness test today, so is going to be running about with a sore head.

Its getting better and better!

If he hasn't had an xray then just go upto A&E and demand one ! :) They cannot turn you away if you stand your ground.

Lucy
xx

Oh watch them!
This place is in a sort of time warp, it works differently to the rest of the UK.
He's forgotten his poorly head now after last nights episode, its one thing after another, One of the dogs took off (lead snapped) and we sopent 4 hours searching for her. Through snow, mud and fields, ditches, you name it we walked through it!
Shes home safe and sound now! All te extending leads are going in the bin and new ones will be ordered later today.