Post op whiplash

[KerriC1]

Hi all. I have some concerns and needed some direction. I was involved in a rather serious accident where I was hit by a speeding semi truck which overturned and totaled my car. long story short it was a miracle that my daughter and I survived let alone walked away. But I suffered from a concussion and whiplash. Emergency room did a cat scan and said that was good. Can't get into neurologist any sooner than April 7. I'm 20 months post op and have CCI and high ICP. Was just curious how dangerous this could be after the surgery. Thank you for any advise

[KerriC1]

Hi Selma. Yes I have both the report and the disk. Technically there are 3 herniations. C-4 is a small herniation, c5-6 is a large herniation resulting in moderate bilateral stenosis, and c6 c-7 is also a decent sized herniation resulting in moderate bilateral stenosis. So on top of all of it I have to be concerned over these issues now.

This was why I was so concerned about the surgical site simply because I knew immediately after how badly I felt and I still don't know what if any damage was done to the area. Thank you for your help, I know I need to speak to an NS regarding this, I'm just trying to get through the initial part of this first.

[selmaS]

No worries I  totally understand wanting some feedback from others in a similar situation before talking with the Dr...it helps to not feel so all alone in it.....
Do keep me posted on your progress.

BTW- I have bulging disks as well and of now have yet to do anything about it, but I am not having issues as a result either.

[KerriC1]

Not sure if this is gonna show up twice, it disappeared on me the first time. But I had an MRI and results were 2 herniated cervical discs which explains the added misery I've been feeling. I haven't had the brain MRI yet but probably will in the future. I'm concerned of the surgical area especially since no one commented on it particularly. Just the herniations. So this just adds to an already weakened area..... now what?

[selmaS]

Do you know which disks they are? It is possible that a fusion may be suggested....but  I am not a medical professional and not sure what else they may offer.....I pray you get some answers soon.

[KerriC1]

Sorry, that should've been testings not tastings...

[KerriC1]

Yes I'm using heat. In fact I have this clay thing that you warm in the microwave and I can kinda mold it around my neck and shoulder. It helps some but never enough.....

And I just really don't wanna be on this diamox if I have to continually up the dose. I don't even know the max dosage. I'm afraid I do need some tastings to find out the cause and effect. I'm trying to contact the NS but haven't heard back yet

[selmaS]

Also try soaking in a warm tub,,,,it may take time but the heat and continued exercises will help those muscles.

[selmaS]

  Hi sorry I am late getting back to you....I know what you mean I am not a fan of meds or increasing them, I would rather they do testing to see if there was another way to help with the symptoms....sigh.....

  Are you using heat before  and after stretching the muscles?

[KerriC1]

And I forgot to mention that all he wanted to do was up the diamox to 2000 mg a day. That seems excessive to me and I don't wanna take that much. I told him he helicopter sound was back in my ears and he said sometimes you reach a point where your body gets used to the dose and it needs raised. When is enough enough?

[KerriC1]

Thank you Selma. I have been stretching my neck muscles as much as I can possibly withstand to keep everything from tightening excessively.

My neurologist didn't seem to think an MRI was warranted bc the cat scan seemed ok. He said the hardware showed it is in place in my cervical spine but said nothing about the mesh in my head. And as far as CCI he said it didn't show any further damage??? That was my red flag bc I had a flexion/extension X-ray and I know that or the MRI are the only real way to diagnose it.

And so now I'm confused. And I'm worried bc I don't know how whiplash affects a post op chiarian. They're just brushing me off

[selmaS]

  The most important thing to be doing is any neck and shoulder exercises that you did post op to help keep the muscles from twisting the other way....use heat as well to keep the muscles from getting too tight.

I had whip lash too....and I know it will get worse if left alone, untreated...so keep the muscles moving.

Keep us posted on your progress.

[KerriC1]

Thank you both so much. It was terrifying. I was so certain we were gonna die honestly. After the first impact our airbags deployed but deflated quickly and I knew the trailer was still coming. All I could think was I needed to hold my daughters hand so she wouldn't die alone. It was very traumatizing. And still is

Selma, I had whiplash prior to surgery and did do PT for it but they didn't really know how to treat a chiarian so I just muddled through it by myself mostly. I was just so scared this would make an already bad situation worse. Back to having spinal fluid pouring from my nose again and it scares me. I'm hoping neurologist orders the MRI

Lasel, I really hope this didn't make things worse too. You know it seems like things just pile up. Just prior to all this I found out I'm partially deaf in my right ear and somewhat in left. Sensorineural hearing loss. I'm thinking somehow all this relates back to chiari and it's friends..... and I'm sorry I didn't respond to you're message, I too didn't see it!!! I hope you're doing well. Or as well as you can be.

Prayers to all of you guys. I have a new outlook on so many things now

[lasel22]

Hi Kerri, I'm so sorry to hear of your accident and glad that you and your daughter are ok.  I hope the accident doesn't make your CCI worse.  An MRI would indicate that, but you would need a specialist to know how to measure for that.  I was told by my NS that recovering from a concussion would take much longer for me than a non chiari person.

BTW, I responded to your message from a while back.  I had a few messages but never received an email that i had gotten them so i never checked.

[selmaS]

  Hi...so sorry to hear about  the accident, it must have been very scary....but am so glad to hear you and your daughter did not have any major life threatening  injuries.

  I would suggest you get a MRI...just be advised the whip lash itself can cause issues...PT may be able to help you with that.....but make sure the PT tech knows about ALL your conditions first.

Just remember to contact your Dr with any new onset of symptoms/issues should they arise.