Any experience with Neck injuries? ( Whiplash)

[twinmomplus2new]

I was wondering if anyone had any insight to this?
Back in October my car was rearended pretty badly. I walked away from it but did go to ER for back and neck pain. Killer headache, and feeling sick were my primary complaints. anyway I was treated and released and I am still having neck pain and headaches, And when teh headaches start I get sick to my stomach. For awhile My Doc just kept telling me to take Motrin which I did. But my neck was getting worse and worse..

anyway I started PT. and have been for 5 weeks. I went today and saw the supervisor and she told me. that my symptoms concern her. And she does not feel I was properly evaluated in the beginning of this. Apparently they ddin't take the correct x-rays. And now she will not manipulate my neck until a complete cervical series is done? I am a little freaked out! Any ideas what the bejeez she thinks is wrong here?

 

[Kitty 34]

I would definetly suggest an MRI to make sure everything is OK. I broke my neck years ago and for years all was fine until a while ago it started really hurting. I go to PT now and then which really has helped.

Good luck to you and hope all is fine.

 

[DISNEYFANRI]

hI - I was in a car accident in Aug '03 - totalled my Ford Explorer - like you I walked away from it - thankfully. I was out of work for 8 months due to neck and back pain. I went to PT but found that the chiropractor did better for me.
It a very slow process - I still have residual effects - sitting too long - even being at the computer for too long is painful.

Good luck and if I can help at all just let me know.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I didn't have whiplash but a very very very similar injury from jumping from a high dive into the water and landing at an improper angle. Could not move my neck the following morning. I went to the doctor, got properly diagnosed--given a collar and sent on my merry way. I had NO IDEA about PT. I endured months and months of the most excruciating headaches ever--I went back. Doc says, didn't I send you to PT--no you didn't, checkt the chart genious.

It is a long road. 11 years later--my neck is as good as it gets. Symptoms pop up every now and then. Once "healed"---the thing that keeps me in check is upper body strength. Occasionally I need a massage and occasionally I need a chiropractic adjustment. I suggest both PT and chiropractic---the PT will help strengthen your muscles so that they do not overcompensate for the weaknesses in your neck and the chiropractic to get those kinks out in the vertebrae.

Since my problem is ongoing--I finally got an MRI just to make sure everything is good. I do have a slight reverse curve to my neck area--which explains why trying to tilt my head all the way back is really uncomfortable--but other than that, nothing big.

I suggest getting your full cervical x-rays--which shouldn't be a problem if you are being refused treatment without them. I also suggest really getting an MRI. X-rays do not pick up everything and MRI is sometimes the only way to know the finest details of the problem.

I do have most of my range of motion back--in the first 2 years....I couldn't rotate my head in either direction to look over my shoulder and I can now do it comfortably.

Meds never solve the problem, they just cover up the symptoms. Motrin is not meant for long term use and you can become immune to it requiring higher doses the next time you need it. Anyone who has ever had a neck injury owes it to themselves to get properly diagnosed and treated or face a lifetime of headaches and neck mobility issues.

Good luck and some PD your way for a speedy recovery!

 

[DawnCt1]

I got rearended on the highway at 40 mph. I had cervical spine xrays and two weeks ago, an MRI. My 4th and 5th fingers on my left hand have some numbness. MRI is fine so its probably ulner nerve compression from leaning on my elbow. I thought perhaps that is what it was but when it comes to necks and MVI's it is good to rule anything out. I went to PT for 14 sessions which improved my range of motion but I still get pain and headaches. The orthopedist I went to felt that after four months, anything that "gets done to you" is not very useful and that the best thing is to continue with exercises, which you should learn from a physical therapist. Also I was told that during the cold months pain is increased and in the summer, these things usually improve. The insurance company wants to settle. I told them to call me when I feel better. I don't have a lawyer. It was an accident with traffic stopping suddenly and I was just paying better attention than the driver who hit me.

 

[mtblujeans]

Yep, me too. I got rear-ended about 10 years ago. Like you, I walked away from it but have whiplash (and bulging disc in the front of neck). My DSs were little then and one of them liked to push the headrest down when he would jump into his car seat. That day, the headrest was down and when I got hit, my head went back over the headrest and my neck and shoulders took a terrible brunt of it.

I went through PT and I have gotten quite sedentary over the years. DH & I are discussing joining a health club to change that sedentary life style. I find that massage therapy helps more than the pain killers I have available to me to help reduce the muscle tension 'headaches' and neck and shoulder pain I get.

I broke my back about 4 years ago, now, and the whiplash hurts more than that injury does! Something about muscle strain....once pushed to far they are just never the same!!

I also agree with the MRI. Get the proper evaluation now.