sickness and injuries

[2dogwalker]

I suffered a bad concussion and a broken shoulder in an accident. Mostly because of the concussion I can not exercise or do much.  Is it better just to not wear the fitbit?  The doctors say at least 4 weeks of quiet is required.

[WavyDavey · Accepted solution]

Hi @2dogwalker,

If it's a Fitbit that has heart rate monitoring, I would probably wear it during the recuperation. The resting heart rate in particular can be helpful to gauge recovery.  You can also use the Fitbit to make sure you don't get too much exercise, by monitoring your steps to make sure you're not getting too many. Best of luck and hopes for a quick recovery.

[WendyB]

I do hope you have a speedy recovery. I'm sure you will be back to stepping when the DR ok's it

Do take care of yourself

[2dogwalker]

Thanks for the advice. Doctor says it will be 6 to 8 weeks recovery. When they took my pulse I checked it against my Fitbit and it agreed with the doctors.

[2dogwalker]

Thank you for the reply. I am really bummed out because I do a lot of activity - walking, gardening, lawn work, yoga etc - and now I have a 6 to 8 week recovery. I can’t even drive so I am at the mercy of my friends and are givers. I would rather be the care giver.

[WendyB]

I hear you. I'm pretty active but have had to slow down myself. Its hard

[Colinm39]

@2dogwalkerTake care with your recovery... In Australia we are having a spate of sport football concussions. They are sidelined for weeks now, because the medical profession is also treating well retired sports people now suffering memory issues etc..as a result of concussions in their playing careers..Back then they hadn't realised the ramifications of no rest etc..

If your Fitbit is a HR tracker I would be wearing that 24/7 to monitor your recuperation as @WavyDavey has suggested..  Here are my results for the last 5 months.  I had observed since Fitbit released these trackers that I could track the onset of illness.  For example in the image below my strep throat symptoms hit me 2 days after the RHR started going up.. Clever nature.... wants to spread the illness.

The incorrect medicine at the start was a disaster, I could hardly walk with cramps in my calf muscles.. I have always been pre-hypertensive 135/75, my blood presure had spiked and my GP was away and the other clinic GP was cautious and changed my medication...... and... the fall where my sleeping HR spiked for the evening.. during the day I was progressively feeling lethargic and cold...

I always plot my average sleeping HR because Fitbit really stress to get an accurate RHR you should wear your watch while asleep.  As you can see the Sleeping HR follows the RHR.

Again take care in your recovery because there will be plenty of time to catchup like @WendyB and me, where we are overcoming issues....

[2dogwalker]

Thanks for the advice.  I do wear my fitbit to bed because I am a sleep walker and if I wake in the AM and have 1000 steps, I know I have been sleepwalking.  I do have alarms on my doors that hopefully will alert other in the house if I try to go outside.  

I think the concussion is giving me more problems than the broken shoulder.  The therapist has given me helpful hints on turning by staring at an object and when my head turns, follow the object with my eye, and when it is out of sight, to pick another object to look at and complete the turn.

Also limit screen time on computer and TV.

[Colinm39]

@2dogwalkerWe are here, even miles away, and don't hesitate to keep in touch with your progress.

All the best again in your recovery...

[2dogwalker]

Saw the orthopedic surgeon today and more x-rays. Doctor was concerned about the compressed fracture in my shoulder, and will wait a month to see if it uncompresses or something, otherwise, it will be surgery. Also he would not rule out a rotator cuff injury. So looks like another month of waiting. Hope I get a chance to enjoy summer. Tomorrow the PT guy comes with all the exercises for the shoulder. The headaches have pretty much gone from the concussion, still a little balance problem.

[Colinm39]

@2dogwalker Good that your on the way and better still that the specialist has a wait and see..

My neurosurgeon is like that.. and mild exercise has cleared all of my lower back issues. I'm now restricted to only 7lb/3kg per hand when carrying shopping and tightening up the core when I move/lift other things. Age related wear and tear. Also occasional acupuncture and physio..

[Michdan1]

I agree there should be an injury or sickness mode so fitbit can automatically dial down the goals and you don't feel like you are completely letting yourself down. When injured one is completely incapable of exercising, depending on the severity and recovery time needed.