NikkiG PT,

What are you doing to help with healing ?

Your doctor's 6 month prognosis tells me he does not have a good understanding of concussions. What have you been doing to deal with the whiplash ? You head aches may be as whiplash related as concussion related.

Did the other driver have liability insurance ? Sounds like you need a good concussion attorney to stand up for you.

What state do you live in ? Other than a state of pain ?

LOl Mark. Thanks, I needed a smile today.
To help with healing: The doctor put me on Gabapentin. I also take about 10 Norco 10's a day and 3-4 Somas. I am a single mom to a 2 year old so the only time I get to rest is once a day during his 2 hour nap. I do try and do Yoga a few times a week, that seems to help and I get a massage every 3 weeks. Because it is through workers comp, I'm kind of at their mercy. I am going for a psychiatric consultation (7 hours) at a psych hospital in Long Beach, CA (close to where I live). AND on mhy first visit with the neurologist he told me that any symptoms after 6 months usually is "in the head". At the time, I thought nothing of it. But now as I get closer to that 6 month mark it makes me question my sanity.
The pain from my whiplash lasted about 1 week. I went to PT for about 2 weeks. And then the ortho doctor cleared me so, in the eyes of my workers comp insurance, means that it is resolved.
The other driver has good insurance, thank goodness. I do have a great attorney. But the problem is that I am getting my treatment through workers comp. My attorney has opened a case with her insurance but theres not too much that can be done until I go back to work....or at least that's what I have been told.
I am slowly getting more depressed. It's difficult to be the only person there for your child, and not be able to be there for him. Especially at such a young age. It breaks my heart when he tells me, "mommy be nice" because I have to ask him not to play so loudly or that I can't play with him. So I guess I just feel like I need to get a more normal life back for him.
Thank you all for your opinions/words of wisdom.

When I was about three months into pcs I read a good case study about a woman who didn't get enough help after her injury. And then for the next five years she just kept on trying to push through and her pile of life problems just got larger and larger until she finally went back and got some help.

I decide I didn't want to be that person. Get the rest and the treatment that you need NOW.

Su Seb

Nikki,

You need to read the information at www.tbilaw.com and www.subtlebraininjury.com Attorney Gordon Johnson has some great advice about diagnostic tests done by the insurance companies/WC company.

I would stay away from the psychiatric hospital.

Maybe a NeuroPsych Assessment by a good NP. But, In CA, the IME NeuroPsychs tend to rely on income from the WC companies so they tend to support the WC companies.

It sounds like your whiplash is far from healed. Just because there are no imageable injuries and you have range of motion does not mean the injury is healed. Head aches from upper neck injuries are very common. Upper neck injuries are very difficult to diagnose and treat except by taking the patient's word that they are in pain. There is rarely a specific injury, more a cluster of symptoms.

My wife just asked what I am doing. I told her about your situation with your 2 year old. She suggested you ask WC to cover 4 hours a day of RESPITE child care so you can focus on healing. You need a break from your duties at home. Was you 2yo in day care when you were working ?

You are doing great if you can get your 2yo to nap for 2 hours a day. My grand will usually only power nap for 30 minutes, and she is only 9 months old.

With all the meds you are on, good understanding of your injury is difficult. You said the whiplash pain is gone. Why then are you taking Soma and Norco ?

What does the doctor think the gabapentin will resolve ?

You case is very confusing to me. Maybe doctors are trying to medicate you to pass time until your case becomes weak and easier to settle. It is not uncommon for WC to set up this "medicate her until she goes away.' protocol. Not in a conspiratorial way but because Industrial medicine is usually based on those medical professionals who graduated at the bottom of their class and could not find better paying specialties. They are good at cuts and broken bones but lousy at the more complex injuries like whiplash and mild head injuries.

Have you been icing your head and upper neck ?

Did you hurt your shoulders ? Often the whiplash causes the shoulders to be jerked, especially if you have a strong grip on the steering wheel. This can result in upper back pain and spasms.

Are you taking precautions about your sleeping and resting posture ? This is important.

My best to you.