Fell back on Asphalt
 

New to forum.
I slipped on ice that was hidden under a thin layer of light snow in my driveway 10 days ago. Landed flat on my back and the back of my head hit the ground hard, asphalt with ice layer and it was -15c at the time. Did not pass out of vomit but felt the impact over my entire skull and was a little dazed. I’d describe it like a big bell ringer sensation. I was also panicked as was alone at the time and couldn’t get hold of my husband initially.

Rested all that day and went to dr the next day due to headache persisting (but not worsening) and bad frontal and side neck pain that had developed from the whiplash.

Dr diagnosed whiplash and concussion. I was tired and slept a lot the first 3 days but then I started waking in night for a couple of hours. Now I don’t have daytime fatigue but am getting a headache most days and dealing with lower and upper back pain for which I am getting physio.

Have been off work a week and going back to my dr today. I have a desk job which is spreadsheet heavy (plus a 45-60 min drive each way with two stops to drop off my young kids).

I as m having rear head pain when lying on my back and it seems to create a pressure headache in my forehead when I do that but I can’t really sleep in other positions due to other aches and pains.

I’d like to go back to work as I feel mostly ok at home. I will see what my dr days but anyone here had a similar experience? I’m doing most things at home and getting a headache in the afternoon or evening mostly.

Rely on how you are feeling, not what some doctor tries to project on you. Get back into moderated tasks. No long intense projects.

My biggest concern for you is your neck and whiplash. Those falls put a strain on C-1 and C-2. Icing and sleeping will a straight head and neck posture is best. Avoid any head forward pillow positions.

You should not be sleeping during the day. That is well understood concussion recovery. It disrupts the sleep clock. Get back to a normal sleep schedule. It is your most important self treatment. An occasional short 5 to 10 minute daytime nap is OK but nothing more.

Try new activities in short stints to see if they trigger symptoms. Listen to your body/brain.

Thank you so much for responding! I only slept the first few days as I was tired and also my back and neck were sore and lying down was the only thing that gave me relief and I invariably fell asleep. Since then I have been back on my normal sleep routine and the odd short cat nap by accident.

My dr suggested go back to work on Monday (2 weeks after fall) and to do half days for a few days. As I feel right now, that seems ok but obviously I won’t know how I am at work until I get there.

I saw my osteopath who, like you mentioned, identified some c-spine issues and worked on c1. After, my neck felt 2 inches longer, it was amazing.

The hardest part of all this is the unknown. I know many people do recover well but I also know people can have chronic issues for years. I will continue to prioritize quality sleep and listening to my body and take it one day at a time.

Don't neglect icing your neck, especially after your DO works on it.