Square one
 

Hello everyone, I have been reading a lot of information on this board, however after I read it, seems like I forget what I read.

My story is this. I was rear ended and then pushed into a bus. I don't recall the accident. It happened almost four weeks ago. I have had two ct scans which have come back negative. I saw a physiatrist whom said I had a really bad concussion and cervicagia, put me on klonopin and ordered mayo fascial release. Needless to say, I started the mayo fascial, about a five min. Super light massage with some range of motion, hot pads and electric stim. Each visit made me ten times worse. Neurologist appt. last week, discontinued klonopin, and mayo fascial therapy. He put me on gabapentin 300 mg at bedtime. He said I have post concussion syndrome.

My symptoms are. Severe headache since accident, not a headache person pre accident. Very limited rang of motion in my neck, along with bad neck and trap pain. I experience dizziness with any range of movement, memory loss, grasping for thoughts, forgetting things, foggy, and not at all feeling like me. And overall just very sad. I am a mom three very active girls, one is only 3.

Here is my question. Gabapentin was like a miracle drug first day. Slept like a baby, no pain, headache went from a ten to a four, of course I felt drugged and I do experience a different kind of headache. On day five of taking med, I started feeling like my old self. On Friday, I cleaned a little, baked brownies and did laundry, I was back, I needed to be, it was my daughters 8th bday the next day. Saturday afternoon out of know where, Bang, I was back to feeling like I was just in the accident. What the hell happend. Every symptom came back. Called neuro yesterday he upped the gabapentin to three times a day. What happend.??????

I had a MRI of my brain on Thursday and have a EEG and emv?? Next week.
I have so many questions and no one to ask. Feeling lost.

Paigeman,

Welcome to NeuroTalk.

It is very likely that your neck was starting to heal then you may have slept with it crooked. It is important to maintain good neck posture while a whiplash injury is healing, especially during rest and sleep. You may have also simply over-done it on Friday and Saturday morning.

Don't give up on the neck therapy. Different PT's have different skill levels. I've had myo-facial from different PT's and one was much better than the rest. The range of motion work may have been a bit too aggressive. With good myo-facial, ROM should improve without having to push the limits.

Your physiatrist sounds like he is better than most.

I doubt the EEG and EMG will show anything. Just running up the bill against the driver that rear ended you.

Are you icing your neck ?

My best to you.

Mark,
Thank you, wow they would do that, just put someone through unnecessary test??? I am in so much pain and this headache is at a 9 it's awful. I was told to do moist heat only no ice. I don't think the neck pain is from sleeping wrong honestly, the chiropractor said they are so inflamed that he can hardly touch me.
The headaches and confusion is to much to bear.

I didn't say the neck pain was from sleeping wrong. I meant that the return of symptoms was likely due to aggravating your neck overnight or during the morning activities.

fyi, Moist heat is for injured muscles. Cold is for injured and inflamed joints.

If your neck is inflamed, it needs disciplined posture to not further aggravate it. Try to sleep flat on your back with your head propped between two pillows or some way so your head does not roll to the side. It may help to put a pillow under your knees so you are more comfortable on your back.

The common 'twist the head and pop the neck' chiro procedure is often too aggressive so be careful. I am a believer in chiro but am concerned about the aggressive chiros.

The muscles can be spasming due to cervical joint inflammation. Until the inflammation is reduced, the spasming will not go down.

I would think some gentle traction with neck mobilization would be a good start rather than full chiro adjustments. Whiplash injuries are not just a chiro pop or two and you heal up. The stretched and traumatized ligaments need time to heal. That takes easily 6 weeks of disciplined care and postural behavior.

And yes, doctors routinely over test, often to cover their liability. Other times because someone will pay the bill.

Moist heat for your traps and cold for your neck. Are you taking any anti-inflammatory meds ? Your should be.

Keep in mind, the physiatrist is going to be broader in his approach. The neuro is going to be focused on neuro issues only. Unfortunately, neuros are not often good with concussions. The EMG may have some justification but the EEG sounds odd. Do you have numbness in your hands or elsewhere ?

Did anybody suggest taking fish oil ? Larger than usually doses can be worthwhile. Ask the physiatrist. The scans should mean your brain does not have any bleeding so fish oil should be OK.

Mark,
I think I need to pay you .
The chiro was doing as you said moist heat on traps ice pack on neck, actually the only thing that felt good. He didn't even attempt to adjust my neck , stated that it would take a while before he could do that. I see the physiatrist this week, I will ask about the fish oil pills. I Wil also try sleeping on my back as you suggested. I do usually sleep on y back but do roll my neck to one side or the other. The only other medication I am on now is ibprofren 80 mg 3 times a day...does nothing for me. I really appreciate you taking the time to give me all this information. Mary

Only 80 mgs of ibuprofen ? I usually take a 400 mg dose for head aches. I've been prescribed 800 mgs x 3. I can see why 80 mgs does not work. I did not know it was available in such small doses. The daily max is 3200 mgs. I find that sleeping in a recliner can help when I need to protect my neck.

I am sorry it's 800mg. 3 times a day. Also, no tingling and pins and needles anywhere......recliner sounds like a great idea.

If the ibuprofen does not help, you can try 900-1000 mgs of aspirin with the same of Tylenol/acetaminophen. They can be safely combined (Excedrin is both) and have a very strong pain relief. I was told to take the combo by my doctor. You need to take a break from the Tylenol every few days to give your liver a break.

My best to you.