Neck Pain Following Car Accident

[JKJ]

I was in a car accident on Sep 19th.  Now I continue to have bad neck pain which radiates down my back and sometimes shoulders.  Sometimes also have pain in the back of my head.  I was checked out at the hospital after the accident (CT scans) and they said all was well...gave me some pain meds and sent me on my way.

Normally I go to a VA hospital since I'm a veteran; but now I have the opportunity to see a "real" doctor since the other persons insurance will be paying for all of my medical bills (the lady turned left in front of me).  I just don't know what kind of doc to see?  A pain clinic?  A regular doc?  Any suggestions???

This is my 2nd car accident in 3 months.....last one, I was rear-ended and had back problems which had just healed up........until now!!!!  I swear my car must have a huge "HIT ME" sign on it!

[Rhealy]

Amason? how are u dealing with ur pain from a car accident?
I was rear-ended over two years ago and the pain in the pack of my neck is unbearable.  I've had injections, chiro, pt.  I had an MRI and Xrays and both showed up normal. I saw an orthropedic surgeon today and he basically told me there is nothing else i can do and have me some type of ib profin.  I cannot live like this anymore, I'm 21 and I have a long life left and I don't want to accept what he said.  Have you done anything i've missed treatment wise?

[amason]

I also was in a car accident, Jan. of 08. I see a chiropractor 3 times monthly for almost 2 years. I have soft tissue damage which does not show up on an MRI and a bulged disc, which did show up on MRI. See a physician and ask him to set up an appt for an MRI and then see an orthopedic surgeon if anything does show up on the MRI.  If you have to deal with insurance adjusters, don't forget to let them and the physicians know about pre-existing injuries from your other accidents. This will help your case.

[JKJ]

well my appt was worthless.  all the doc did was refill one of the scripts and tell me "i think you have whiplash"........(gee, no **** sherlock)....remember i'm dealing with the VA here. then she said to come back in 3 months.  that was it!  oh, she did look at the CT scan report from the other hospital and said "well according to this report, there isn't anything broken".   duh.

so i have to figure out waht to do from here.  obviously the VA isn't going to be of any help.  since it was the other drivers fault...my medical will be paid by her insurance...do i cold call for a real (civilian) doc?  call the pain clinic?  i'm so lost.....

[LLWB]

I would ask your doctor to send you for an MRI, which is better to diagnose a herniated disc or muscle damage.  Without knowing the cause of the pain, it's hard to say if massage therapy, or other type of PT would be best for you. I would NOT go to a chiropractor without knowing if there is damage to your cervical spine, as it could make it a LOT worse. Good luck. Pain Managment doctors are usually used for long term chronic pain, hopefully this won't happen to you.

[JKJ]

thanks.  each day gets more and more painful...which really ***** because i thought each day would get better and better.  i have an appt tomorrow with a reg doc (my prime care doc is out of town for 3 weeks!).
i'll try to start a daily journal of what is going on....thats a good idea...thanks!

[january43]

First go to a regular doctor.  You may find the PIP insurance requires you to start with the basics.  Keep copies of any reports the doctors get for your file and document your pain and inability to function frequently (using your computer makes this pretty easy).
You can also have massage therapy if your doctor RX's it-many massage therapists specialize in post accident recovery and will directly bill the insurance company.  You might also get some help from a chiropractor--accidents can really shake the whole body up and if you are stiff and uncomfortable, tense muscles etc, both the massage and chiro could be helpful to your well being.
Before you embark on a pain clinic journey, make sure you are aware of the dangers of opiate therapy.  It works but the body can seriously suffer from it.
Good luck and good karma on your healing.
Please IM me if you want or need more support/information.
hanuary43