to watch and wait at home

[stupidheadinjury99]

My toddler accidentally knocked a large metal object onto my head. It hurt (obviously!) and think I may have been briefly unconscious. I then felt very sleepy and sick. I also felt like I had a cold, with salty taste in my mouth. I rang my husband in a bit of confusion and he thankfully ignored my protestations and came home. So not been alone, and he looked after the kids. This happened late morning.

I still have a really sore head and neck, headache and a bit of memory loss but having slept most of the day feel somewhat better. Feel incredibly silly for feeling unwell for something so mundane not a car crash or anything!

I really hate hospitals and don't want to waste time if likely they will spend 5hours holding me only to say go home with someone and rest up (I think this is likely from reading the nice guidelines).

AIBU to rest and stay at home?

I'd call 111 and ask their advice if I were you. Hope you feel better soon!

How large (and heavy) was the object? And do you have a bump?

I’d say go to the hospital though, OP. As you really shouldn’t mess with head injuries

Call 111

A small bump. It was a massive metal floor lamp which hit me on the rim while I was leaning down. Toddler just bumped into it at that moment. Kinda unlucky yet totally boring injury that I just can't quite believe could do me any actual serious harm.

I'm not usually one to say go to the hospital, but you really can't piss about with head injuries.

At least ring 111 and see what they say.

You have concussion. You should seek medical attention in case you have a small fracture or bleed, it can be serious. Call 111 and run through your symptoms

It sounds like you could have concussion, it is best to be checked over. Is there some sort of walk in clinic or something you could go to instead of A&E? If not then I agree with PP and say pop in and get checked

The NHS website lists when you should seek help regarding bumps to the head and possible symptoms of concussion.
I'm not one for suggesting a&e usually but if you were unconscious and have been unusually lethargic today then I would recommend going and getting checked out, especially if your head pain doesn't go away after taking paracetamol. At the very least, I think you should call 111.

The memory loss is a bit concerning too.

This is one of the kinds of things A&E is particularly for. It's not a paper cut. Ring 111

If you were knocked unconscious, even briefly, you need to go and get checked out. While it's unlikely, certain types of head injuries cause an initial period of unconsciousness, followed by a 'lucid interval' where you feel reasonably ok, and then unconsciousness again. And that can be potentially very serious. Please go to A&E tonight.

I agree with those saying ring for advice. Hope you feel better soon.

Get well soon, and maybe remove the large metal lamp as that could have been your toddler it landed on.

Your symptoms after the accident are not normal - they are the warning signs that you should watch out for after you bang your head. The memory loss, sleepiness, sickness and unconsciousness are all serious. You have concussion and you shouldn't have gone to sleep. You shouldn't go to sleep again until you have been checked over. Please go to hospital and don't mess about. Yes it might be fine but it might not - you need to be seen.

Definitely hospital and tell them all your symptoms

Agree you have concussion symptoms - sleepiness, confusion following a loss of consciousness. You need to be checked out.

I can't actually believe that you are asking. Get yourself to hospital, even a 10 year old knows feeling sleepy, losing consciousness and feeling sick are signs that you need to look out for. Stop being silly and go!

Natasha Richardson ignored her symptoms too, please don’t make the same mistake!

How are you feeling did you went to hospital hope you're feeling better

No, please go straight to hospital. A head injury which knocked you out, made you feel unwell and has given you memory loss definitely needs to be looked at immediately.

Please don’t watch and wait, if there is something wrong that could mean you leave it until it is too late to do anything because frequently people who become seriously ill after head injuries don’t get noticeably ill until quite a few hours later by which time it’s too late for intervention. That’s how Natasha Richardson, Liam Neeson’s wife died. She banged her head and refused hospital twice saying she was fine but became very ill later on.

I don’t mean to scare you because the likelihood is that it’s nothing, but you really should get it checked, don’t take a chance.

Oh I see this was much earlier. I hope you went and you’re on the mend.

*BTW Natasha Richardson didn’t ignore symptoms, she didn’t have any.

I stupidly ignored a head injury after a bad fall. Landed on the back of my head in the same spot I'd had a previous brain injury which caused bad concussion for months. Wasn't knocked out but I was extremely dazed and confused. Our local hospital shuts on a night time and I couldn't because I hadn't lost consciousness I didn't bother going to the hospital 20 miles away. I was rushed into hospital a few months later with a suspected stroke or bleed on the brain. I had no feeling in my left side and was unable to stand or walk properly. Luckily it wasn't either of them but the head injury had triggered off the start of hemiplegic migraines and that is why my Dr thought I was having a stroke. Even now 4 years later I still suffer badly from the neurological side effects. I totally lose my memory when I'm overly tired, stressed or upset and I have problems with controlling my temper and emotions. Seriously go and get checked out!!