Whiplash Injury - Need some advice about injury and other people's experience

curious101 on 23/03/2020 - 00:37

Hello everyone,

Wanted to get some perspective from people who have been in a similar situation. Around 4 years ago, I had an accident and a driver ran into my car at over 100 km/hr, while I had to completely stop at a highway. Since then, I have been having pain in trapezius muscles (back of the shoulders). I have sought consultation from orthopedic surgeon and physiotherapist, and they asked me to do some exercises, which I have done on and off, but it hasn't helped me at all. I have never had any concrete information from them, they are always on the fence and are wavering - so I don't have absolute faith in them.

Initially the injury just started with minor discomfort and in 3-4 months became an ongoing condition. When I am lying on bed,or when I wake up in the morning (for 5-10 minutes) I don't feel any pain and feels like I never ever had an injury; so I still have a feeling that it might not be a permanent damage.

So my question is:
1. Has anyone else had a similar accident, injury or pain ?
2. Did it every heal ?
3. My diet is bad and I am 15 Kgs overweight, has anyone else gotten rid of such pain by improving their diet and weight ? If the pain is caused by muscle inflammation for example.

Guess I am after some real examples of recovery/non-recovery, not sugar-coated words of comfort or false hope to plan my life ahead. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Health & Beauty

Comments

  • ozhunter on 23/03/2020 - 00:58
    +2
    1. My diet is bad and I am 15 Kgs overweight, has anyone else gotten rid of such pain by improving their diet and weight ? If the pain is caused by muscle inflammation for example.

    Not sure, but it's something to try. If it doesn't help, at least you are just healthier in general.

  • icejester on 23/03/2020 - 01:17

    100km/h hit seems pretty high impact
    at that speed I'd say whiplash injury could take several months to heal
    if you haven't had an MRI, get an MRI to see if there's any changes
    but I have heard of whiplash injuries taking 6-12months to heal

    • curious101 on 23/03/2020 - 01:35

      Thanks icejester, would you know if it was a complete recovery ? Did they do any of the exercises or diet change ? I have only been asked to exercises like - rolling a ball with my shoulder against the wall. I am not entirely convinced with the physio's view, it didn't help at all, but he encourages me to keep coming back to him.

      • nandystam on 23/03/2020 - 09:48

        Get an MRI, I had a whiplash injury from a bicycle accident. Much lower speed and have a slightly prolapsed disc in my neck. Not a doctor but based on the speed of impact it is likely you have some kind of internal damage.

        A GP can request a bulk billed MRI based on suspected cervical spine trauma, and a whiplash injury is a perfect example of that.

        For the best outcome you probably need a treatment plan that includes hands-on therapy and exercise. You should be able to claim through TAC?

  • Donaldhump on 23/03/2020 - 01:28

    did you sue their insurance? easy coin for you and the lawyer
    go on some heavy metal forums, they all have whiplash

    • curious101 on 23/03/2020 - 01:42

      Thanks, I did agree for a settlement, and at the time was pretty happy for the 16K payout (8K injury compensation with lawyer taking 50% cut - pro-bono arrangement) for minor discomfort when I was 27 at the time. But since 3-4 months after the accident, it became a lot worse.

      • elgrande on 23/03/2020 - 04:58
        +3

        Pro bono should have been free… not 50%!

        I think you settled way too low..

        • curious101 on 23/03/2020 - 07:50

          My bad, 'no win, no fee' arrangement.

          • ihbh on 23/03/2020 - 08:35

            @curious101: Wow, what a waste of society resources. That's what keeps CTP premiums high.

            • curious101 on 24/03/2020 - 00:41

              @ihbh: I agree, actually the guy gave me discount on the fees, their overall fees to manage the case was 20K, but there was some clause that they don't take more than 50% of the fees.

  • dogboy on 23/03/2020 - 10:32
    +2

    I was in a similar accident when I was in my early 20s. Taxi hit a stationary vehicle going in excess of 70km/hr and I got whiplash. Am now in my 40s.

    Did it ever heal?
    Yes and no. The initial injury healed but I get recurring neck and shoulder pain in the same spot when overly tired or stressed.

    Does improving diet/weight help?
    I found losing weight didn't particularly help but going to the gym did. Strengthening back and neck muscles through exercise definitely helped manage it.

    • curious101 on 24/03/2020 - 00:42

      Thanks for sharing the insights.

  • [Deactivated] on 23/03/2020 - 11:19
    +1

    My father-in-law also had whiplash which was slow to resolve following a car accident.

    He received physio treatment for a couple of months following the accident which assisted with improving his range of movement as his neck had initially completely seized up but he still experienced upper back & neck pain along with daily headaches.

    He then saw a chiro and the treatment worked better for him than physiotherapy - his pain gradually reduced along with the headaches over the course of a year. Treatment included infrared sauna (for inflammation) and he also saw a dietician to overhaul his diet as he used to eat alot of red meat (daily).

    Sharing the above as this is what worked for my FIL however everyone is different.

    Consider other treatment options as it doesn't sound like the physio is working.

    Hope things improve for you.

    • curious101 on 24/03/2020 - 00:43

      Thanks Kajke for this, infrared sauna, will explore that option.

  • hbspark1 on 23/03/2020 - 12:13
    +1

    As a chronic back pain sufferer due to an accident in my early 20's I can say it never really goes away. Every individual is different, I never got a payout and the cost it has had on has been huge. Physio, meds, chiro are the $$ figure and plenty of mental stress as well.

    I can say that it worth exploring your options, I find that strengthening the muscles and keeping them active helps but not crazy active to the point where its in pain again. Also for me, chiro helps and performing all the exercises given. Keeping healthy with foods with help the inflammation as well. I have found that you can't just expect the pain to go away on its own.

    It's a hard mental barrier to break to think that the injury might have changed your life forever and you might have residual pain which you may have to consider normal for the rest of your life, it's all about managing it and changing your lifestyle.

    Definitely get an MRI, most doctors don't want to provide the service but you have to push them

    Good luck to you, I would get private healthcare to help with the costs of physio or chiro or whatever works.

    • curious101 on 24/03/2020 - 00:55

      Thank you, yes I will sort out the private healthcare soon.

  • Austaurean on 23/03/2020 - 12:48

    Im 8 years down the track from being rear ended at a red light in an 80 zone..

    Still have ongoing issues. Sometimes minor, other times severe and for months on end.

    Still hurts to dry my feet, put my shoes on, play with my young kids etc, cant jog or run.
    Get numbness in my hands, feet, loss of strength.. i could go on, but i wont

  • babymilky on 23/03/2020 - 15:39

    and they asked me to do some exercises, which I have done on and off

    Not sticking with the exercises could potentially be a problem, consistency is key, but it also depends on what exercises they've given you. i.e just rolling on a ball to release the muscle is unlikely to do much good unless you are actively exercising the muscle. Have you done any strengthening exercises?

    When I am lying on bed,or when I wake up in the morning (for 5-10 minutes) I don't feel any pain

    Sounds like poor posture could be influencing this, do you sit at a desk/drive a lot? does your chin poke out? rounded shoulders?

    1. Did it every heal ?

    Given the time frame, there is unlikely to be any actual damage to the tissues where you're experiencing pain. It is more likely to be central sensitisation due to poor initial care of the injury. Please note im not saying the pain is in your head, it is definitely real, however it is likely more your body reacting to the discomfort at an abnormal level.

    3 My diet is bad and I am 15 Kgs overweight, has anyone else gotten rid of such pain by improving their diet and weight ? If the pain is caused by muscle inflammation for example.

    Again, could have an effect. Muscle inflammation is unlikely as generally acute injury is required for a proper inflammatory response. Lack of exercise is more likely to have a negative effect on the situation. It will never hurt to eat cleaner and get to a healthy weight and id highly recommend that.

    I would suggest trying a different Physiotherapist that specialises in chronic pain management if possible.

    t. Physio

    • curious101 on 24/03/2020 - 01:24
      +1

      Thanks a million for taking out time to comment, your entire analysis was brilliant. Guess I am a little shy with the physio and didn't ask these questions.

      But thank you again.

      • babymilky on 25/03/2020 - 12:01

        No worries mate, chronic pain is a tough thing to overcome. Dont be afraid to ask questions, information is your friend, especially with a condition like this. Also dont be afraid to change practitioners if one is not working for you. You need to find the right physio for YOU.

        • curious101 on 25/03/2020 - 13:48

          Sorry, if you don't mind me asking, could you please PM me your details if you are still practising, if you are closeby, I will like to get some sessions from you.

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