Nikki,

You need to read the information at www.tbilaw.com and www.subtlebraininjury.com Attorney Gordon Johnson has some great advice about diagnostic tests done by the insurance companies/WC company.

I would stay away from the psychiatric hospital.

Maybe a NeuroPsych Assessment by a good NP. But, In CA, the IME NeuroPsychs tend to rely on income from the WC companies so they tend to support the WC companies.

It sounds like your whiplash is far from healed. Just because there are no imageable injuries and you have range of motion does not mean the injury is healed. Head aches from upper neck injuries are very common. Upper neck injuries are very difficult to diagnose and treat except by taking the patient's word that they are in pain. There is rarely a specific injury, more a cluster of symptoms.

My wife just asked what I am doing. I told her about your situation with your 2 year old. She suggested you ask WC to cover 4 hours a day of RESPITE child care so you can focus on healing. You need a break from your duties at home. Was you 2yo in day care when you were working ?

You are doing great if you can get your 2yo to nap for 2 hours a day. My grand will usually only power nap for 30 minutes, and she is only 9 months old.

With all the meds you are on, good understanding of your injury is difficult. You said the whiplash pain is gone. Why then are you taking Soma and Norco ?

What does the doctor think the gabapentin will resolve ?

You case is very confusing to me. Maybe doctors are trying to medicate you to pass time until your case becomes weak and easier to settle. It is not uncommon for WC to set up this "medicate her until she goes away.' protocol. Not in a conspiratorial way but because Industrial medicine is usually based on those medical professionals who graduated at the bottom of their class and could not find better paying specialties. They are good at cuts and broken bones but lousy at the more complex injuries like whiplash and mild head injuries.

Have you been icing your head and upper neck ?

Did you hurt your shoulders ? Often the whiplash causes the shoulders to be jerked, especially if you have a strong grip on the steering wheel. This can result in upper back pain and spasms.

Are you taking precautions about your sleeping and resting posture ? This is important.

My best to you.