I'd be really careful about allowing anyone to manipulate your neck. Your whiplash is almost certainly a factor is your headaches. There's the possibility that swelling in your neck has caused muscle atrophy. That, in turn, can cause instability. Sometimes gentle isometric exercises can help with that. It is also very important to pay attention to your posture, including when you sleep.

My neck damage was obvious, but often it can be hard to detect. Mark from Idaho is better versed in the diagnostic tools and treatments available.

mm,

Your chiro has a good point. But, you need to be sure he uses gentle techniques. The twist the head and pop the neck adjustment can be too aggressive for many of us. Plus, once you get adjusted, you likely need to ice to help reduce inflammation. Then, you need to maintain good posture, especially during sleep and rest so you do not stress the C-0, C-1 (atlas), and C-2 joints.

999 out of 1000 MD's will reject the value of chiro so disregard the neuro's comments regarding chiro.

My chiropractor did wonders for me following a car accident. He stated that I sprained my back from my head to the center of my back. He was amazed that I actually walked in the door. He used more non-invasive ways to get me as well as possible. He also taught me exercises to help with the recovery process.

Listen to your chiropractor. This is exactly what they specialize in and most of them are great.

Musicmafia,

How goes the continued treatment with Indomethacin? I have never heard of it but hope it works! My neuro just prescribed this to me for relentless stabbing, mind scrambling headaches that have returned. I feel as bad as I did months ago. It's a rather bad and scary setback.

Thanks to everyone for taking the time to comment and I apologize for not visiting here more often. The PCS has put me behind in every aspect of life and I just can't seem to catch up. I'm sure you all can relate. Here's an update:

I stayed on the Indomethacin (50 mgs in the PM) and it seems to have helped reduce the frequency and severity of the headaches. It helps me sleep a little better, without making me feel groggy the next day. None of the OTC anti-inflams worked for me but this seems to help prevent some of the smaller headaches rather than treating them after the fact. That said, if I get over-stimulated, I still pay the price. All in all it seems to be a good maintenance med for me.

Feeling like I had two injuries (both causing headaches) I went back to my chiropractor and he re-started the neck adjustments and my back-of-the-head headaches decreased by 50% immediately. (My over-stimulation headaches are usually side/temple and top of head). I have continued adjustments every week or two.

I still have occasional bad flare-ups when the headaches go ballistic, probably from overstimulation. I keep the painkillers on hand for those but onlyn have to resort to that a couple times a month.

Had a follow up with my neuro. He was concerned that I am still having headaches and cognitive issues after almost 6 months. He suggested several meds, some of which were antidepressants that I had taken in the past (SSRI, TCA) which I refused based on past experiences. He then prescribed Topamax 50mg at bedtime and said it would help with sleep and headaches. I decided to start with 25mg and have only taken it for 3 nights. All 3 nights I slept poorly and had bad dreams. My cognitive issues are 10x worse and I am extremely fatigued. Headaches are same. It's hard to imagine that such a small dose would do this to me. I guess it's possible something else is causing it but I cant take it and plan on stopping the Topamax and re-starting my old meds tonight to see if I can get back to where I was before.

Thats it for now. I hope you all are doing better and thanks again for all your help and support.

mm,

Have you have any kind of sleep testing ? Bad days cognitively can be caused by poor sleep. Either poor cycling or poor breathing or a combination. For me, bad dreams were related to poor breathing during sleep. I had Central Sleep Apnea caused by neck/upper cervical inflammation.

Indomethacin (Indocin) messed me up cognitively. I got easily disoriented with it. I had to stop it.

MM,

Thanks for the update...seems generally pretty upbeat and that takes us a long ways!

Bud

I just thought I'd add that Sumatriptan has helped me. It's meant to treat migraine headaches.

http://www.drugs.com/cdi/sumatriptan.html

no ive never done any sleep testing but from what my wife says the apnea is probably there and ive had cervical inflam as well.

my body often reacts strangely to meds. 3 days of tyhe topamax was intolerable for me. feeling "better" back on the indo but only take it at night so i'm less affected by day.

Is this the pharmaceutical version of 5HTP which Ive seen as a supplement? Anyone have any experience with the supplement?