davOD,

Thank you for the reply. It is very encouraging to hear others chime in. It’s been about 15 months for me, and I can tell that it is all just getting started. I feel like I am being set on a better path with all of the advice here, though. The setback I had a few days ago, which increased headaches/neck pain/vertigo, was a little discouraging. But, when things like that happen, I just come and read the stories here about how it happens to people all the time. I feel less “guilty” for these upsets afterwards, and they are no longer as frightening. I know I most likely just upset my neck or dislodged crystals in my ears. It is nice to know that my brain is fine.

My 17 year anniversary is just around the corner.?1/2/2007......I always want people to know we are not alone. Millions suffer TBIs every year, some recover just fine, and like myself, every moment of every day I am reminded. Questions are good, and trying different things is even more important! Good luck I will keep reading and watching your progress.

Oh goodness, I am sorry to hear that you have been suffering for so long. It’s extremely sad how these injuries can afflict people for such an extensive duration of time. But, it is nice to know that there are people who have found ways of working around their symptoms no matter where they are in their progress, and providing some guidance to others who have just started their journey.

Feel free to message me if you ever want someone to talk to! Always looking to make new friends. The same to you, I hope you can continue to feel better and better.

UPDATE: Got the PT/Vestibular therapy and dietitian referral so that I can make the next steps in recovery.

Just wanted to give this small update since those were things I said I was trying to do. Glad I could accomplish that, but I think I may need a new PCP already. The guy is adamant that I am going to “work myself into a disability” by not returning to work and school while injured. I pushed myself through two semesters of college + working weekends during the beginning of this concussion. I absolutely was not educating myself, trying to learn where my tolerance was, ignoring my body’s signs, etc. I care about the quality of the work I do, not just about doing it. Whether it is from the concussion or whiplash, trying to use my brain, especially to write, causes pretty bad headache flare-ups. I don’t think I will be jumping off that cliff again.

He also said that whiplash causes brain damage, and that there are too many people who get on disability (which is irrelevant) because they, for lack of better words, are too weak to overcome chronic pain.
Yikes.

Thank you.

Get rid of him asap! Ridicules, surprised he didnt call you a welfare queen also! What a jerk! With my injury I would of lashed out and gave him an earful!

Thanks for the update

I definitely will be looking for a new PCP.

I was a little shocked, to say the least. I am far too passive to ever lash out at anyone, but the thing that really made my jaw drop was that he said he bets I like the sympathy card, and for people to acknowledge how much pain I am in. I get that he doesn’t know me personally, but before my injury, I was going to school, doing work from 3:30pm-2:30am, and working over hours on weekends. I literally wasn’t eating or sleeping because I was so addicted to stress, and some friends had begged me on occasion to relax. I’ve said before, the only good thing that might come of this injury is that I might finally learn to take breaks in my life.

My weakness/fear of failure complex could never, haha.

No worries! I am so happy to update others.

Also, how might a concussion/whiplash affect vision?
I’ve been seeing a small bright flash of light in the center of my left eye for a little while now. I am guessing it is from my neck, but my understanding was that whiplash ocular issues were more in line with blurry vision. Wanted to ask to see what causes that, especially since it is a new symptom. I’m assuming it is nothing to worry about, but I am curious about the science again.

EDIT: I went to my first PT appointment. I’m not sure of the different techniques that a physical therapist uses, but he just gently pushed on different sections of my neck and back. It was interesting - there was lots of cracking that came from my neck. A little sore afterwards, but that is to be expected.
He shared that there was a girl he worked with who, after a car accident, recently made a full recovery and went on a vacation. That was nice to hear.

What causes muscle weakness/eye weakness or numbness after whiplash? Had another incident of whiplash (sudden braking), so just wondering since this symptom has increased. Like before, it is all on the left side of the face, just worse. I know it is neck-related, but I’m wondering what muscles or otherwise causes it. Thank you, as always

Also, wishing you all a merry Christmas Eve/Christmas + happy New Year, or whatever else you might celebrate!

Maybe trigger points. In your muscles.
There are many websites with info, charts and how to treat them yourself

Right! Thank you, Jomar. I’m gonna look into trigger points.
I hope you have a lovely holiday! You’ve been so helpful.