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Constant never-ending headache for 1.5 years straight after whiplash
Asking for any insight here because no doctors have been able to help me. Diagnosed with chronic daily headache/chronic daily intractable headache. Never-ending headache that varies in severity (but has never stopped) alongside blurry vision, burning eyes, light sensitivity, floaters. I have many medications with no change: muscle relaxants, antidepressants, nerve pain meds, blood pressure meds. 6 physical therapy sessions (massaging upper neck severely increased headache and neck pain following day), and tried neck injections in lower neck/upper back area (no improvement).
After whiplash, had headache rest of day. Then for a month had bad neck weakness (when laying down, can’t lift up head) and neck pain in general especially with movement like rotation, then all that seemingly improved after that. Then I started getting bad light sensitivity, blurry vision, and burning eyes. 3 months later the never-ending headache began, I don’t know of the specific day it started, I can only approximate the month. A few months later I began getting floaters for the first time also.
Currently my neck has some weakness when looking down, like my head can’t support itself fully. And a lot of neck tension and sometimes aching pain. However the headache pain is much worse. My headache is pressure and painful aching, when at a lower pain level, it is often replaced with a pressure pain instead of the aching pain. I don’t have any nausea, I have never had a migraine before, and have no prior history of headaches.
First brain mri showed I have Cerebellar tonsillar ectopia by 2.5 mm, deviated septum and mucous retention cysts in maxillary sinuses.
Second brain MRI showed 3 mm gliotic focus in the right superior frontal lobe gyrus subcortical white matter.
Neck MRI showed canal stenosis and foraminal narrowing, minimal annular bulging from C3-4 to C6-7, and minimal hydromyelia of the cord at the C7 level, and the orthopedist that went over this with me also pointed out one facet joint looked arthritic.
Next I’m waiting to try facet joint steroid and nerve injection to see if that improves anything. I want to get a lumbar puncture when I get into new neurologist to check for increased intracranial pressure or other causes. Not sure if cervical instability is likely, could try to get into a place that does cervical motion x rays and different kids to check for that.
Anyone with any knowledge of what I should get tested for to figure it out or what it could be? Feels like I will have to live like this and it is very hard to do so with a debilitating permanent headache.
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I think it would be good to get it done with contrast. My new orthopedist is a spine surgery specialist so hopefully they can help me figure out the issue. My last one was pain management. I'm not sure if I should see a neurosurgeon as well to check if its my brain instead. When I was rear ended I was stopped with my breaks on, and did not see it coming.
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2 ReactionsI went to the hospital later, when I began having the symptoms interfering with my life greatly. I was on the way to work during the accident, so I didn't want to lose my job and continued to work, and thought I would be fine. Never filed a police report, I do have all the drivers information (drivers license picture, phone number, license plate, DOT number/company, etc). I tried one large firm but my case wasn't accepted, I might try again somewhere else, but its difficult since I didn't have much support.
Unfortunately my family doesn't really care or believe me, I am not supported by them. I have brought up disability when I was at my worst, and potentially suing, but it didn't concern them. I do have the support of my boyfriend who understands my situation (as best he can), however. Or else I would definitely need to try for disability since I can't hold a job like this, and even then I doubt I would qualify. But I am still planning on trying to start school this spring and don't want to go that route unless I have no other choice. I tried a large firm for suing the company but my case was denied, I might try again somewhere else but I was hoping to get a clear diagnosis first too, which it seems like isn't going to happen anytime soon.
You certainly could have a formidable legal case against the semi-truck driver, should the statute of limitations not be up, and if you have information, about the driver, license plate, and company owning the truck! It’s important to remember that should a person be involved in an accident with a big semi-truck, in particular, and, generally, as a rule, that injuries may not be noticed initially, and then become a problem some time, after the accident! So, therefore, personal liability information, insurance information, license plate numbers, and company ownership name, must be obtained, by the two affected drivers! The semi-truck driver, obviously, took advantage of your possibly traumatizing circumstances when he did not want to give you any information. Should you ever encounter another similar accident, a good rule of thumb would be, to immediately call 911, and ask for law enforcement to come immediately! Many states have laws, that state insurance and personal info. needs to be exchanged between drivers, in the case of an accident! My daughter did the same as you, one time, and suffered serious injuries, where the driver, at fault, who rear-ended her, gave no info. and law enforcement was not called to the scene of the accident! Good luck! I’m so sorry to hear about the pain you are going through!
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Was your car damaged and did you need to file an insurance claim under your insurance to repair the damage? You may want to talk to the police and ask them if you could file a report today. You could use the information you have saved from the accident and if you have an insurance claim for repair. Talk to your insurance company to see what they would recommend. Keep trying to talk to multiple accident/injury attorneys to see if they could tell you if you have a case. Call the DOT to ask about filing a claim against a licensed semi-truck driver. Call the company and talk to someone in their risk management department about the accident and how to file a claim against the company’s insurance. Do you have any pictures from the day of the accident that are date stamped?
Your spine specialist is likely to help diagnose your spine issues but a neurologist who specializes in brain injuries/accidents may be needed since spine specialists won’t be able to help. You may also need an ear nose throat doctor for your deviated septum and any other related issues.
Have you seen an eye doctor for your eye issues? You should see an ophthalmologist.
You should call social security disability to ask about qualifying for benefits. You could get a disability attorney to help you determine eligibility and file a claim.
https://casperlaw.com/blog-disabled-by-22-can-young-adults-get-ssdi/
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