11 months in and not sure what to do next...
 

I sustained a concussion after a whiplash injury (no head impact) in March 2014, which spontaneously cleared up after about 8 weeks. Three months later (Sept/Oct. 2014) my symptoms returned with the addition. For nine months I pushed myself through the injury, taking on an intense gym routine (lifting and running) along with a strict diet and vitamin supplementation to no avail. I'm now just resting and icing when not at work.

Over that period I tried working with a "Functional Neurologist" who performed the twist and pop method multiple times. I found that during the eye exercise therapy that my neck would pull itself to the left when I moved my eyes to the left. And when I say pull it would essentially pop like the muscles or ligaments were strong enough to hold it there. I have tons of pressure constantly in the back of my head and ears. I'm wondering if it's actually my brain or if its cervical instability thats causing my issues. I'm considering prolotherapy but not sure if its worth the cash as its not covered by insurance. I have a hard time believing its cervical instability considering I had a three month period with no issues.

My right pupil is now significantly larger than my left which was not the case before the injury or during my 3 month joy ride. I've had CTs, MRIs, ect. and nothing.

So my question is, are my symptoms (migraine, concentration issues, mental fatigue, depression, neck discomfort, muscle spasms, etc.) a result of my spine brain, eye or all the above? I'm torn between prolotherapy and seeing a behavioral optometrist and trying prism glasses but not sure either are worth my time or money. Thoughts? Suggestions?

P.S. I'm on gabapentin for the muscle spasms and it does absolutely nothing, cant tell the difference when I'm on or off it

Uneven pupil size is not something to be ignored. Is your doctor aware that you're experiencing anisocoria? In not, see him/her ASAP.

As someone who endured a serious whiplash/TBI, I'd be terrified to allow anyone to manipulate my neck so aggressively.

When you sustain whiplash, it can take a long time for the internal swelling to subside. The swelling can actually limit your mobility and stabilize your neck. As you heal, the swelling goes down. This can lead to instability, especially as you've probably experienced some muscle atrophy. For that reason, some patients report an uptake in their symptoms months after the injury.

As an experiment, put on a cervical collar, for a couple hours, and see if your headache, etc... abates. If so, you may have an instability. If you're lucky, strengthening your neck, with isometric exercises, might be enough to bring relief.

I agree with Hockey. The twist and pop is often way too aggressive. I'm not impressed with a 'functional neurologist' who uses twist and pop.

Do you have access to an upper cervical chiro who uses gentle techniques on the neck ?

An unstable neck can be fine until one bad night sleeping in bad posture or a quick turn of the head or even a sneeze. It takes weeks and even months for the ligaments to strengthen and tighten to stabilize the upper neck.

Prolotherapy will not help if the neck is not aligned and stabilized so the ligaments can heal to support a proper position.

How do you support your head when you sleep ? What position do you sleep in ?

I've seen multiple neuros and no one has an answer for the anisocoria. I've had multiple images taken and nothing. I've tried wearing a cervical collar and it has no effect on my symptoms. The only time my neck builds up with this pressure and slips left is when I move my eyes left and attempt to hold my vision there. I found a nucca chiro who takes X rays and also practices atlas orthogonal, I've set up an appointment for him to take a look in a couple weeks. I've had extreme focus on my posture for the past two months and have been sleeping with cervical pillow for three months that keeps me on my back all night. I feel the issue has to do with my eyes and their working together. I can read and think cognitively but I get fatigued quickly and the headaches set in, its almost like I had ADD now. The muscle spasms come and go but have definitely reduced in frequency and severity from 6 months ago.

My main complaint has been that I have been unable to study or read for a sustained period of time. I'm beginning to think that I may have a convergence insufficiency. Is anyone familiar with this matter after a whiplash type concussion? Has vision therapy or prisms helped? I don't have any balance issues or notable vertigo. I am slightly more clumsy than I used to be before the injury and my hand writing is not always consistent.

I've tried cervical pillows and found they caused too much neck extension. I need a more relaxed position where I push a pillow into the spaces around my neck so there is no drooping. I have no lift to my head. My problem is between C-2 and C-1 and C-0. I need to not put any tension on these joints when I sleep.

What happens when you try to study or read ? How long does it take before this happens ?

You may need to be tested for convergence insufficiency and any need for prism correction. Neither can be diagnosed without the proper testing.

I agree with Mark: get your vision accessed properly. I wear prisms and find them helpful.