My accident, symptoms, questions: help please!
 

Okay, I only got my concussion a few weeks ago and I'm obviously still dealing with the aftermath. I've sustained a neck injury apparently to go along with it
(Whiplash)?

I fainted, hit my head, blacked out, woke up with stiff neck and went to the ER because I was having trouble breathing and my neck then felt as if I couldn't move it at all. They took neck X-rays, no fracture or break, and sent me home, telling me to rest. It was actually a god awful hospital but that's another story.
I wasn't in too much pain but a few hours later it hit and (I already have anxiety, depression, and PTSD, as well as an eating disorder basically the cause of my faint..) I had my sister drive me to a different ER. I started going into panic attacks and kept cutting off my own circulation apparently by not calming down.
My electrolytes were imbalanced so they had me in fluids and wanted a CT scan which came back negative, and I was sent home.
The first few days were HELL, I was so anxious i barely slept, I cried a lot over everything as if my life was ending and made my head symptoms even worse at the time.

Since, My regular doctor since has had another cat scan (negative again), and prescribed muscle relaxers, lorazepam, and hydrocodone (which I took twice but won't take again!). All to just take when I need, I've been taking Tylenol when I need it but today I've only needed one, which is amazing.
The muscle relaxers are helpful for my neck stiffness. Which it is still very stiff, I can turn it, but it doesn't want to turn. This last week I got a cervical MRI and I'm still awaiting the results.

I've lurked the forums enough to know this all takes awhile to recover from..Some of my symptoms I don't get though.
I have:
Horrid light sensitivity (sunglasses on 24/7, check)
Ringing in my ears pretty much constantly to varying degrees, as well as some popping
Fatigue like none other
Trouble processing or focusing (UGH I thought trying to do a puzzle would be a good idea, since being on a screen was too much at first, had to lay down, oops..)
Headache (gotten way way better)

And I 'get' those, I guess are normal?
But what scares me is muscle tenseness in other parts of my body, shoulders, random tenseness, tingling in both hands on and off , and some tingling in one of my legs, but mostly my problem is my right arm.

My right arm seems to be getting weaker and I'm losing feeling in it, I don't have as much feeling in my right arm anymore as my left and it's scaring the **** out of me (reason for the MRI) and I get and hope this is just connected to pinched nerves and it works out..

But um.. Also, My face? Randomly it seems that part of my face is going numb. Like on either sides of my jaw/cheeks. What on earth could this be? Has anyone else had this? I haven't found anything on it or where it comes from.

Another thing, in a month I have a family reunion thing I am supposed to fly to (Grandmas pretty old, I'll etc) I've seen a few posts about flights. Up wondering if anyone has advice on that because now I'm also quite fearful about that.

Thank you for reading ❤️

Heartists,

Welcome to NeuroTalk.

It sounds like you are having quite a struggle.

Your symptoms sound like they are neck oriented. Has anybody tried to treat your neck ? In my experience, an MRI is not going to change your treatment. A good physical therapist or chiropractor who uses gentle techniques can likely help. Some gentle traction and mobilization should be helpful. Icing your neck will also help. Range of motion exercises are often too aggressive at this point.

A PT with expertise, not just knowledge, but true expertise with whiplash and concussions would be a good start. A physiatrist (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation) may be a good start to find the right PT and oversee your recovery.

Your eating disorder will make recovery from your concussion difficult. The brain needs proper nutritional energy to heal. The bad blood chemistry of eating disorders can create a big problem. Finding a way to get on a healthy diet will be important.

It will also help to use nutritional supplements. Check out the sticky at the top labeled Vitamins. It has lots of good information.

How long with the flight to your grandmother's be ? There is nothing specific about flying that is a problem but some struggle.

Please stay in touch and let us know how we can help.

My best to you.