Whiplash
 

6 weeks ago I had surgery on my lower spine. I am doing well from that. 1 week ago I was in a car accident and have whiplash to my neck & thoracic. I had pain in my arms and I feel a bit bruised. I am going for an MRI this Saturday. My question is, I am having a neuropathy flare. I have not had one in 3 years like this. It's in upper and lower body & face and all over basically. I am wondering if shaking my spine up did this. I am in pain and taking Mersyndol & Voltaren as needed. I just am wondering if this is a logical cause?

Thank you,
Aussie:)

Yes, flares I think come from the increase in inflammatory cytokines released in response to trauma.

Once this calms down, the flare should too.

Really? Thank goodness!!!!!!!!!!
I have been in so much pain the last 3 days. The flare just started 3-4 days ago and the accident was on Monday the 14th. I was ok the day after the accident, but with each subsequent day my back & neck were hurting more and more and then.... the neuropathy flare. I thought it had to do with my spine. But then I was trying to figure out how neck pain could also make my feet burn. That's when I realised I was having a PN flare.

I will be having an MRI on saturday and I am hopeful I am ok, and no more spine issues. Thank you very much for your response.

Aussie:)

Antioxidants may help with this flare.

200mg a day of Grapeseed extract is one. A quality high performance curcumin is another choice, but more expensive.

Vitamins C and E may help. There are studies showing from Britain done on ankle and wrist surgery and trauma patients that 500mg to 1000mg a day of Vit C prevented RSD from developing.
This is a hopeful thing, and may work for other trauma situations too. (wrist and ankle have many nerves clustered there)

I am so sorry for the accident on top of all you face. My pain doctor for pain and healing also suggested vitamin c as Mrs D stated. I hope you feel better

Thanks guys
 

As we all know the major problem with having PN (especially wide body distribution) is that if you do hurt a limb or your back it's very hard to tell what is pre-existing and what is new. The water is muddy. Lucky for me I have not had a PN flare in 3 years so I know something is wrong. The voltaren calms the flare down.

The fact that the Voltaren works, points to inflammatory response in your PN too.

Please consider using some supplements that reduce inflammation naturally... like grapeseed extract, or curcumin etc.

Very sorry to hear about your recent whiplash - on top of everything else you've had. I was once advised that when taking higher amounts of Vitamin C to make sure and drink plenty of water.

Whiplash can be wicked, but think positively. Was in an auto accident years ago and had the same injuries as you - C-spine and T-spine. With treatment and therapy, the pain did go away.

Best wishes,

Sheltiemom

Would you share this experience with me Sheltie? I am confused as to what I should expect. I will write exactly what has occured.

I had emergency lumbar surgery on 9/2/11. I have foot drop and still my foot does not work properly so I am a bit depressed on that. But even with the surgery, I did not have a PN flare. I have not had a PN flare in 3 years.

Then I have a car accident on 14/3/11. Within 1 week I was in bad pain and the worst PN flare ever. All of me hurts so much. I have ordered the Grapeseed like Mrs. D said. Am afraid of Vitamin C because I take blood pressure meds.

I have prickling pain all over my body top to tail and back again, even tongue and eyeballs. I don't get why the inflammation in my lumbar did not cause my PN flare, but my whiplash did??? I don't have pain releif that works and almost collapsed yesterday from pain. I had an MRI on Saturday and I am seeing my surgeon tomorrow. I will take any opinions on this matter.
Thank you,
Aussie:)

Bye the way I would like to add that with my foot drop, before my operation I was actually dragging my foot. I had no control over it. Below my knee was ice cold. Even after my surgery my foot was floppy and lifeless. I am able to walk again. I am wearing boots (they act as an orthotic) and I can rotate my ankle now. I am unable to wiggle my toes still, but am hopeful that in time I will be ok again. The important thing is that I am walking. It's going into winter down here so I can get away with boots, as I am unable to wear a regular shoe yet.

Yet being the key word here as my goal is to wear a regular show again soon. Some people wish for fame and fortune.

I just want to wiggle my toes. LOL

Have a great day.

Aussie :0)