Dementia from sporting head injuries.

[mickd1961]

I watched the very interesting and disturbing documentary about former England rugby hooker Steve Thompson last night, suffering early onset dementia at just 42.

We’ve obviously heard a lot about this subject due to the demise of Jeff Astle.

I always loved heading a ball, I’d take a headed goal or a great defensive header ahead of anything else during my own very modest Sunday career.

But......I suffer a lot from migraine and have done for a very long time, the headaches are more regular than ever now.

I’d still go for every header during a match if I was playing now but not in training, the stupidity of practice heading a ball 30, 40 or 50 times in training and in pre match warm ups would be a “no go” for me.

My guess is that although I’ve never had a concussion that I’ve known about I’m pretty sure that nearly 40 years of heading did some damage.

It’s a very good documentary though and worth a look on iPlayer.

[Albionic68]

On the other hand you might not, go for a scan to put your mind at rest. If the worst comes to the worst you'll have a chance to plan for such a future while you still can.

[mickd1961]

On the other hand you might not, go for a scan to put your mind at rest. If the worst comes to the worst you'll have a chance to plan for such a future while you still can.

I would if memory started to fail but it hasn’t.

[Joy_Division]

After reading these posts I was going to post something myself but I forgot what it was.

[Dubbag]

After reading these posts I was going to post something myself but I forgot what it was.

[Albionic68]

I would if memory started to fail but it hasn’t.

If you have genuine concerns it's best to get checked out before the memory starts to fail.

A positive test for anything won't bring your memory back should it start to fail in future but it will give you time to put a care plan in place and sort the necessary finances.

If you're not that concerned there's not much point dwelling on the time you spent heading a ball. Spend the money on a scan or don't. Worry about it or don't.

[mickd1961]

If you have genuine concerns it's best to get checked out before the memory starts to fail.

A positive test for anything won't bring your memory back should it start to fail in future but it will give you time to put a care plan in place and sort the necessary finances.

If you're not that concerned there's not much point dwelling on the time you spent heading a ball. Spend the money on a scan or don't. Worry about it or don't.

I’m a serial user of an MRI scanner over the years 68, I’m always quick to resort to one if I have deep worries.

The thing with any brain degeneration is that it can’t be reversed or mended so I’m not bothering with MRI at this time.

If at any point I felt the need I would take a scan and if I got a bad diagnosis I’d book myself a slot at Dignitas.

I’ve watched my almost 93 year old father in law suffer 15 years of dementia and 6 years as a zombie in a care home......I won’t be doing “suffering” of any major illness.

The point of the initial post was really to highlight how insightful and poignant the programme itself was and that after watching it, if I was any age and still playing now I’d very much limit my heading.

Worth a watch in my opinion.

[Albionic68]

Fair play Mick, having seen my mom and mother in law die slow deaths due to Vascular Dementia and Alzheimer's I completely understand where you're coming from re Dignitas.

Whatever you do in the meantime though I suggest you don't Google search for anything regarding links between migraines and dementias. Don't do it.

[Dubbag]

Doddie Weir has died at the age of 52, the Scottish Rugby Union has announced.
Weir was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in December 2016.

The former Scotland international, who won 61 caps, used his profile to push for better research to be carried out into MND and appealed for improved care to be given to those afflicted by it.

[kettering_baggie]

Dreadful disease, it killed one of my best friends just two years after diagnosis. There really is a lot of sh!t in this World; if God exists, why would he allow people to suffer so badly?