Diagnosed with subdural hematoma after a fall: What to expect?

Posted by susanfalcon52 @susanfalcon52, Nov 11, 2024

Three weeks ago I had a bad fall. Bruised all on left side. Landed on face and had a black eye and bruising on cheek.
I went about my business - driving, shopping, working. A couple of days after the fall, I had a mild headache that didn’t go away. I told my GP and she said to go to ER. I did, they did CT scan and said that I have a subdural hematoma.
They called it ‘minor’, but I have to return tomorrow for another CT scan.
I haven’t changed my activities since the fall.
Anyone else experience this? I would like to know what to expect.

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Is feeling weak and dizzy 10 weeks after a subdural hematoma to the brain normal?

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Sharon, I’m so sorry that you are suffering so, after the fall, and hematoma! I, too, went through a bad fall, and hematoma, where I lost consciousness! I was lucky that I didn’t have bleeding in the brain, that caused numbness, like what you had! I had a concussion, blunt force trauma, 2 black eyes, and bruising! I had face planted, on a sidewalk, unable to stop my fall! Give yourself time to heal. It was a few weeks, after that fall, before I was able to walk very far. Start out slowly, and don’t go too far, at first, because you have to be able to make it back home! Your recovering from the effects of a bleed will, of course, take a few months, to get your strength back etc. Physical Therapy may be of some help to you! I had physical therapy, for walking and balance, for about 4 months, and it was most helpful! Wishing you the best, as you recover! Take it easy!

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Am so sorry you are going through all this! Did the physicians send you to Rehabilitation or place a Physical Therapy program for you. 10 weeks in the hospital will make anyone weaker, and most assuredly someone that has had a brain bleed. If not, call the office and tell them that you need PT or Rehab services. In my opinion, they should have already known that!

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Profile picture for susanfalcon52 @susanfalcon52

Claudiajoyce,
How long does the procedure take? I’m hoping the patient would be asleep?

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I had an emergency MMA because my 4th CT scan showed increased beeding. I had the scan at 10 am, was in my car driving home and was called by my Neurosurgeon to go directly to the ER! There was no anesteheadiologist available that day so I opted to be awake during the procedure. I had heavy pain meds in my IV. It took about an hour, was not painful and I was in the Neuro intensive care unit over night. I did have a head ache but not terrible. The pains on that side of my head continued for about 2 weeks (and I had sore teeth on that side of my mouth off and on during that time - maybe due to a nerve being effected during the procedure?). It's beeen almost 6 weeks and I am pain-free. Another CT scan is scheduled for next week.

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Profile picture for poco @poco

I had an emergency MMA because my 4th CT scan showed increased beeding. I had the scan at 10 am, was in my car driving home and was called by my Neurosurgeon to go directly to the ER! There was no anesteheadiologist available that day so I opted to be awake during the procedure. I had heavy pain meds in my IV. It took about an hour, was not painful and I was in the Neuro intensive care unit over night. I did have a head ache but not terrible. The pains on that side of my head continued for about 2 weeks (and I had sore teeth on that side of my mouth off and on during that time - maybe due to a nerve being effected during the procedure?). It's beeen almost 6 weeks and I am pain-free. Another CT scan is scheduled for next week.

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anesthesiologist!!

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Profile picture for sharon587 @sharon587

Is feeling weak and dizzy 10 weeks after a subdural hematoma to the brain normal?

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I felt that way for 10 days before my doctor told me to get a CT scan ... have you had one??

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Profile picture for sharon587 @sharon587

Hello I’ve just signed up in order to be able to post on here as I’ve had a terrible time and your story is ringing lots of bells to me 10 weeks ago. I hit my head and suffered a subdural haematoma 15 minutes after that happened I got all numbness down the right hand side of my body and couldn’t stand. Everyone thought I was having a stroke so they blew lighted me to hospital where I spent three weeks They said I had a very small 4 mm bleed that had now stopped. I have had 9CT scans and 4MRI scans in the last 10 weeks but I’m still really struggling. I’ve also been diagnosed with sleep apnoea and I think the sleep apnoea weekend the blood vessels in my head , after I caused the Haematoma. Before this happened I used to work I used to love walking and doing lots of activities now I struggled to walk up my road and feel sick and dizzy trying to get back to the house. I’m so worried this is gonna be me forever. Any advice will be much appreciated am I expecting too much of myself after 10 weeks? I wonder if I should be resting more I’m at home every day resting and doing it. Walk around the house but sometimes I think now I have to go for a walk and I tried to walk up the road and I really struggle , still suffering with dizziness and feeling very weak is this normal? The weakness is terrible. Actually any advice would be much appreciated. I’ve been very low and confused. I’m 50 years old thank you Sharon.

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First, with all your scans and MRI’s it clear your SDH has subsided. Good news the bleed has stopped. My case SDH, far more complex required 2 invasive procedures to stop the bleeding. Try and begin a slow calculated routine for walking. Think baby steps. Your initial injury could have included some neuro bruising that takes a while to straighten out. Choose a good neurologist and ask for a PT referral. And good luck.

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