Motor Vehicle Accident cause MS relapse?

[Suze2]

I was the driver of my van when a guy in a car blew through a stop sign and t-boned my vehicle, which resulted in having my vehicle written-off.  I was in shock at the time of the accident and was injured...lower back and knees and a wicked case of whiplash.

I was fine before the accident.  I never took a sick-day at work.  I was active and busy all the time.  But I couldn't get better after the accident.  

I recently discovered the possibility of having MS when the Neurologist wanted to send me for MRI of the brain and spine.  I had the MRI's done this past Wednesday and will be given my results in a couple of days.  

My question is:  Would a traumatic experience cause a Multiple Sclerosis Relapse???  

I didn't know I had MS, if I do.  The insurance company is trying to get out of taking responsibility for my current condition.  

If anyone can shed some light on this topic for me, please contact me at your earliest convenience.  

Thank you!

Suze2

[Super_sally888]

Hi Suze

Welcome.  I'm sure some others will respond.  Yes, an injury / traumatic event or severe illness have been known to trigger MS.

However, with your history of severe whiplash injury they also need to rule out other things - such as brain injury caused by the accident itself (the forces involved in whiplash could cause widespread microtrauma to the brain).  If it is caused by the accident itself, then it should improve over time (can take 12 months + to get maximum recovery, depending on the extent).

However if it is something like MS, normally would see a pattern of exacerbations followed by recovery...  

Please post some more details about how long ago your accident occurred and what symptoms etc. you are having. How old are you?

It will be very important for you to see a neurologist and get properly evaluated.  Hopefully then they can work out how to proceed.

Lot's of helpful people on this forum....

Sally

[Johnny Utah]

  My neuropsychologist was much more concerned about previous head trauma than my neurologist. I had suffered a head injury years ago, did something stupid and smashed my head on the bottom of a concrete pool. That was the only time in my life I really thought I was dead. We discussed it at great length and he explained what happens in the head at such a time. I'm sure your neurologist can do the same.

  One thing I know in the US. Doctors do not like to get involved in speculation. If they can prove something the will stand behind their findings. If not, good luck getting them to say much. There is a real fear in this country that if you say something was caused by something, then you may end up having to say it in court. They would much rather treat the symptoms than try to figure out what actually caused them. At least in my area. An attorney can always find someone to state that this happened because of that, I just don't know if I trust doctors attached to attorneys much, and I certainly wouldn't rely on one for treatment.

  You said you recently found out you may have MS, and you mentioned having a recent relapse. Have you had symptoms before that caused you to believe you had MS? Is it a relapse or new symptoms since the accident?

  MS develops over time and can take years to manifest itself. If your MRI comes back with indications of MS, like lesions, it may or may not be MS and more testing would be done. I would think that if the MRI indicates lesions than it might be possible for an accident to trigger an episode. Stress is not your friend and can trigger a lot of medical conditions.

  Keep us posted on your results.

  Johnny

[Tarpot]

I was involved in a head on collision in Oct. 2002. Prior to this I was in perfect health.After the accident I have  problems with dizziness, off-balance,neck restrictions, tingling to forearms and hands and weakness to my legs. I was diagnosed with MS in Jan. 2007. I am a male 53 years old.Now the insurance company is saying that all my problems are related to MS and not the car accident. I think differently and believe that the MVA did not cause my MS but exasperated it. Maybe I had MS 20 years ago and it was just dormant until the accident triggered it. I can give u more details if and when I get a reply to this.
Tarpot

[TonkaSpirit]

For sure any traumatic event can trigger MS symptoms.  I was involved in a car accident in June and am still fighting off balance issues, speech problems, and numbness/tingles throughout my right arm. I keep forgetting simple things also, but the worst part for me I think right now is my speech problems.  I am starting to get embarrassed about it now, and am avoiding talking to people besides my family.  I feel really dumb when I cannot say or think of the right word, or worse that I say the complete wrong word in its place.  I know that I am not dumb inside, but it's like things are mis-firing
from my brain outward.  My body is over electrified, overly sensitised.  Good luck to everyone.
Terrie

[Suze2]

I went to see my neurologist for results on the MRI's.  She told me there was only one white spot on the brain MRI and everything was normal on the spine MRI.  She wouldn't say anything about her findings, except that she wasn't concerned about finding just one spot.  She's sending me for an EMG--to test the nerves in my hands and feet.  I'm waiting for someone to call me with the appointment date and time.

The car accident happened in April of 2007.  I know I'm lucky to be alive, because during the accident I thought to myself, "this is it, I'm not going home".  The other driver claimed full responsibility and the police charged him.

I'm 43, going on 44 years old--in January.  I'm 5'8" and weigh about 146 lbs.  I was physically fit when I was in the car accident.

Here's a brief history of the health problems I've had over the years:

1970--at the age of 6--hit by a drunk driver when I was crossing the road
1978--tonsils taken out
1981--apendix taken out
1983--1st baby born
1986--2nd baby born
1992--severe dizziness, vertigo, unable to stand; diagnosed with a virus
1993--3rd baby born
1995--4th baby born and severe vertigo, etc, including vomitting for 7 months
1996--diagnosed with Meniere's Disease
1998--dizziness came back for 3 days
2000--severe lower back pain came out of no where
2003--diagnosed with degenerative disk disease (yeah, whatever)
2004--convinced my OBGYN to remove my uterus and cervix and was better within a few months
2007--car accident; shock, injured lower back and both knees, and really bad whiplash, etc.

Over the years I've had many different little problems with my circulation; couldn't even play tennis without blowing out a blood vessel, etc.  

I was physically well after the hysterectomy and before the car accident.  I was strong.  I wore ankle weights to work nearly ever day and wore them throughout the day out into the community.

As a result of my current condition, I was terminated from my position--because my employer felt with my injuries I would not be able to do my job anymore.  (That's another issue--wrongful dismissal)

If anything--I think I had more babies than my body could handle.  On the last one my OBGYN told my husband he was getting fixed, because he didn't want me to go through it anymore.  

Since the accident I've had so many problems....lower back pain, numbness and tingling in both hands hands, more severe numbness and tingling in both legs--knees down to bottom of feet, left foot feels like it's tied up tightly, super sensitivity and pain with orgasm (sorry!), vision blurry, memory foggy, night vision problem escalated, sit too long and I get severe musle cramping from my feet to my head--literally in my head above right temple.  I could go on and on, but I'm tired of complaining.  I just want these problems to go away.  

The insurance company made me go see their doctor (independant medical examiner) the day before my MRI's.  Due to the fact that I was working fulltime before my accident, I am paid 80% of my wages--I have a feeling they're trying to find a reason to stop paying me, by trying to find something that was wrong with me prior to the accident.  I am unable to function in my current condition.  I will not be able to find work, let alone do it.  Our family cannot afford for my benefits to be taken away.  

If I've forgotten to mention something, please remind me.  

Thank you so much for your input!!!!

Suze

[mrmoose123]

I can sooooo relate to your problems and I am sooo glad I just read this string of blogs before I head off to bed.  It has been a while since you wrote what you wrote but I guess you just never know when things will help a stranger.  I have been living in pain since a car accident I was in on January 26 2008.  I am a 36 year old extremely active, single woman who works full time and has never broken a bone or been in an accident in her life.  And the day before the accident I ran a little under 6 miles.  I have not run since.  I was sitting at a stop light and rear ended by a woman who was simply "not paying attention" as she put it where I then proceeded to smack the person in front of me, causing me to have a double impact.  I was in total shock, had horrible whiplash and have a herniated disk in my neck.  I was out on medical leave from work for 3 months.  Was just about to go back to work and found out I had contracted blood clots in my legs which kept me bed ridden for another month or so.  All the while experiencing on going migraines which I never experienced since January and quite frankly used to make fun of the people who said they had them... I used to think they faked it to get off work.  Now I get it.  I had ALOT of apologizing to do.  I get about 4-6 a month as well neck and nerve pain running down my left arm.  I now have new nerve pain running all through out my body which I am guessing is MS.  Have not gotten the official diagnosis but I have become my own doctor and have gotten so good at this having alot of time to do research and learn through others experiences and by listening to what my body tells me each day in all of its misery.  As it fights through its battle and side effects of the many drugs it's trying to break down.

Since my accident, I TOO, have had sooo many problem, pain, numbness, tingling, sensitivity, shooting pain in left arm into hand , numbness in fingers, shooting pain in forehead right above right eye, travels down along left side of face into jaw into ear, shooting pain in lower leg where clots are, forget words, stiff and can't sit or stand for too long, don't know about the orgasm thing- yes i know, but hard to get a date when you're feeling like **** and whining all time- but I have heard that orgasm just increases the pain ALOT- and blah blah blah.... I have alot of great friend but many have just gotten so sick of it and slowly have drifted away from me.  I get it.  Oh well.  I can't expect them to understand.  But what a shame that we have to be the ones to experience this.  Yep, I could go on and on too....
I am to the point that I sit here and stare at the phone and have no one left to call because I just think, they all must think, how on earth could she still be in pain after 7 months?  
I have a lawyer.  I am so glad that God put some great people in my life that gave me some great advice right away and I just took action right when this all went down.  I had all my ducks in a row and long before I started to lose my sanity and feel depressed.  
I am on Topamax now currently on 100 mg.  I have mixed feelings about this drug.  It has some major side effects.  But I have only been on it for 3 weeks and yes I have slept ALOT but I want to give it a fair shot because I have great things about its long term advantages.  So for now I sleep alot and act alot like a ditzy Paula Abdul, it's pretty funny.  But it's getting better.  I just keep thinking hey, this is a hell of alot better than that rip roaring migraine.  And I'm losing weight.  I'll give it another day.  3 months I'll give it.  
So Monday I go back to my Neurologist who is just awesome.  I wrote all my pain and symptoms down.  I have been doing this since the day of my accident.  Im kind of thorough like that.  I just know how this stuff goes down.  I can see someone trying to tell me I'm making this stuff up.  And it may be too soon to really say, but my guess is going to suggest running some tests for MS.  Now I've already had 4 MRI's and a CT scan.  But at the time I think they were looking for different things.  So my best guess is another scan of some kind.  And something to treat my spasticity.  Which is another thing I self diagnosed.  It is this muscle contraction that I am doing unconciously (especially while I sleep) and it causes me so much pain) all part of the nerve damage and the MS.  My mother thinks I'm crazy.  She thinks what I am experiencing is just side effects from the drugs.  I told her its not, its something bigger than that.  I diagnosed the blood clots.  She laughed so hard when I suggested it.  The next day they admitted me into the hospital.  I called her tonight and she said "there's no way it's MS" I said, "You'll see".  And I'm not upset.  Honestly, I'd rather just have an answer that is difinitive instead of saying "well it might be"  this wishy washy **** is what keeps me losing hope.  I try to stay positive.  I think its humanly impossible even for the most positive thinking person to be joyful and hopeful at all times... especially when you are in pain.  For me, my bad days (pain-wise) outweigh the good, and i'm sorry, but it is so hard to just grin and bear it when your body there's reminding you you feel like ****.
Weee hooooo
Midnight  off to bed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Momzilla]

Hey, Mister!

Welcome to our forum!  I'm glad you stumbled upon us, but I'm very sorry about the accident which lead you to us.  When you're body isn't quite up to par and others in your life don't quite understand this,it can feel isolating.  We all understand this, and can be here for you.

What an awful accident, and subsequent health troubles!  I am a migraine sufferer, too, but only lately, myself, in the last few years.  They are terrible headaches to have.  I take Topamax, too, as well as another medication, Verapamil (for 'complex migraines," but that is another very looong story).  Topamax can be hard to tolerate at first, but is cinsidered a very, very good preventive drug for migraines.  I hope it ends up working for you.  Did your doc titrate it up slowly (increments of 25mg every two weeks) for you?  If not, ask him/her to try that instead.

Spasticity is a pain in the butt -- sometimes literally!  Someone will correct me if I'm wrong here, but it means something is wrong in the spinal cord.  There has been some damage or compression by injury or disease. Your doc should prescribe physical therapy to stretch your muscles when you're ready, or muscle relaxants, like Skelaxin, or Baclofen.  (Do I sound like a doctor, or what?)

As for having MS, it sure sounds like you've been right about your body so far!  But, I wonder if you might have shown some kind of evidence of MS PRIOR to the accident which would have indicated a sign or symptom.  It's absolutely true that a traumatic experience will bring on an exacerbation or relapse of MS, but it will not cause it.  Most patients will, after having a traumatic experience or injury, look back and say, Oh, yes, I did have vertigo and tingling or numbness for years, and thought nothing of it until the accident.  Is this the case with you?

I wish your mother wasn't so dismissive.  Loved ones can be that way.  Sometimes it is because they just don't want something to be wrong with the people they love.  Like in the case with your blood clots.  Try not to let it hurt you.  Easier said than done, I know...Believe me, I KNOW!!

Please let us know the testing goes, and what your neuro says.  I'm so happy you found a good one!

Feel better!

Momzilla*

[cassnbruce]

I too am a car accident victim suffering severe back pain that shoots down through legs, numbness in my hands and feet, and muscle twitching. I was hit in 3 directons, first the guy who ran the stop sign hit me in the drivers side front panel,which pushed me into a telephone pole head on, then he did a 360 and slammed into the rear end of my car. I had just had my daughter 7 weeks before my accident and had lost the baby weight by the time of the accident. Since then I have gained 20 pounds and some of the doctors that i have seen seem to either think it's because I am a little heavy or just wanting the drugs. I did however find a great pain management doctor after a few years of arguing about how bad the pain really is. My doctor put me on 45mg of morphine a day and that too isn't completely helping with the pain. I have 2 kids ages 3 1/2 and 5 who unfortuneately don't get much play time with me and were in the car with me along with my niece who weren't hurt badly thank god. My son just ended up with a huge bruise on his forehead which the ER didn't even check his brain for bleeding which his pediatrician screamed at them for when I took him into his office the next day because he was screaming in pain all night. I too will probably be losing my job because after 3 years of suffering through the pain and then breaking my arm in January my employer decided 3 weeks into working with a broken arm that I couldn't work til my cast was off, since then my doctor has kept me off because of the severe pain in my back because work won't let me come back with any restrictions whatsoever. Never mind the fact I worked with one arm as a nurses aide taking care of residents that required full care so they wouldn't be short! Instead once i could actually use my hand some they laid me off and took all my vacation days, sick days, and FMLA days away when they did it. I honestly think some employers get a kick out of screwing their best workers that don't call off all the time, slack, and go above and beyond for them. I've come to the point that i don't care if they let me go or not because my sister said she'd hire me at the Gertrude Barber Center taking care of the MR in residentual homes. My husband and many around me don't realize that just because I don't sit around and complain non stop that I am truely in excrutiating pain and am not faking for the drugs. I was very hesitent on taking the morphine until my doctor advised me that i can't be overdosed on it as long as I am having pain and he started me out on only 15mg. after trying all the other possible drugs for pain other than the hard ones like OxyContin. I did suffer severe whiplash from my accident also, at one point I felt like i was on fire all the time because it was so bad in my neck, then a chiropractor helped ease it, although I do still have some neck pain at times also. My doctor thinks that i have nerve damage around one of my discs which is causing the majority of my pain. However last summer I started having tremors and my actual family doctor sent me for a MRI and found a white spot on it but didn't seem concerned and didn't request a follow up like your supposed to in one year to rule out MS. And they didn't figure out what was causing the tremors, they're not as bad as they were, but i do still seem to get small ones at times. I do believe that they will some day figure out that it's more than just nerve damage in my spine and may find out that i ended up with MS as a result of this accident. When I go for my next physical I am going to try talking them into a follow up brain scan just to make sure whether or not i have it. My lawsuit for my accident is still pending due to the doctors still trying to find out what all is wrong and what they can do to help me with the pain, hopefully it'll be closed soon though because I have a family to take care of and unemployment only covers the bills.

[moonwave]

Wow. I am so glad I found this place. I was rear-ended merging on to a highway a couple of months ago--by a 6000 pound Chevy Tahoe--and have not been the same since.

Right away, I had severe pain in my neck and back, and a headache from hell. The guy who rear-ended me brought me aspirin.

I was tested for MS a few years ago, so I know the insurance company won't cover the symptoms I've had since--bells palsy, bladder incontinence, pain everywhere, fever, chills, nausea. Been to a neurologist had 3 hours of MRIs done. No one can "find" anything.

I am so exhuasted. People have about a 3-month tolerance level for you talking about your physical pain, I've noticed, even if it's for 5 minutes in conversation. This is so frustrating. Do you know how many times I've spent an hour listening to girlfriends moan about a guy they dated for 3 weeks? Aaah! But talk about the pain shooting through your head and abdomen and no one wants to hear it. Even the energy healer I go to told me it was just "ego attachment." Really helpful.

The truth is that there are people who have experienced chronic pain and illness and those that have not. The people who have not almost never "get it." I think it's important to seek out people who have and can support you!

[cassnbruce]

I so hear you on how people treat those of us who suffer chronic pain. I've even had ignorant doctors tell me lose some weight and the pain will go away. At the time of my accident and the beginning of my pain i was only 150 pounds and had just had my daughter 7 weeks before so i was just getting to my pre baby weight from her although i still had 20 pounds to go from having my son 22 months before her. Some doctors and even family and friends can be so heartless when it comes to us saying anything about our pain or that nothing is helping. I've been on morphine for almost a year and it doesn't help most of the time but if I say anything they all act like i am a junkie, which believe me i can live without it since it doesn't hardly ever work.