Struggling with a Post-LP type headache...Deja vu

[Sarahsmom46]

I was in a car accident 2 days ago and although no one got seriously hurt, I did wake up with a headache yesterday morning that has been pretty continuous since.  It feels so much like the post-LP headache I had last February.  

Also, My son is wondering if people with MS react differently when they get in a car accident and if it could bring on an relapse.  Geez, just one more thing for me to worry about, but I told him  I'd ask you guys to see if you might know.    

On top of everything going on, my husband is home safe and sound but he ended up getting sick enroute. Poor guy.

Thanks for any info you guys can pass on.

Julie

[roncart]

Hi, I am so glad that you are doing better. I am glad that you took our advise and got checked out. One rule I always live by anymore and that is you know your body and it will tell you when something is wrong!! If only we would always listen!!!! Get well........ roncart

[HVAC]

I hope you are recovering. You have been through a lot physically and emotionally in the last few months. I am thinking of you.
Alex

[Fluffysmom]

I've been rear-ended twice, and I didn't get a headache and stiff neck the first time until the next day, and it was pretty bad.  

The second time I got rear-ended, I made sure that I got all the insurance info from the other driver, and called my agent in case I woke up with that pain again and needed to go to the doctor.  The first time, my insurance got a little fussy about the fact that I had been in an auto accident and didn't claim it as such.

You live and learn.

I'm glad your son was so helpful getting all the insurance info squared away and all that.

I'm glad you're feeling somewhat better, and that you've brought us all a lesson in "mindfulness".  I hope your headache eases up soon.

Hugs,

Kathy

[Sarahsmom46]

That is very good advice and something I will take from this experience.  Another thing I learned is that when you get in an accident, even though you think you are ok, you should go in and get checked out.  When I got that head pain the next morning, I still went to work loaded up on ibuprofen not knowing why it wasn't working.  

Thanks for the feedback.  

-Julie

[michelleric]

I am so sorry for the concussion, but am glad you went to the hospital and got checked out. I will be thinking of you, and hope you will feel better soon. Take care of yourself, and be "mindful" of your symptoms. ( I was told that today, thought I would pass it on...)

Michelle

[Sarahsmom46]

I am reading your messages now after just being discharged from the hospital this afternoon.  Romcat and Quix, you both were right that I had a concussion. There was somthing they saw in c-spine, not a defined fracture, but told me to come back to ER if the LP-like headache starts again.

However, the doctor did see that  I was having great difficulty with walking and asked what was going on.  I told her that I have recently been diagnosed with MS and she said "that's it, we are admitting you"!  I had a flare going for a couple weeks now, even the neruo at the NIH the previouse week noted it, but I didn't want to be on steroids and thought I could wait it out.  Well, this car accident really threw me for a loop and we had to do something.  

I will write up more in my journal for anyone who would like to read and maybe learn from my situration.  I think this incident will go along with my "hot tub" event last November where I just didn't pay attention to things that all of us with MS or MS-like symptoms SHOULD PAY ATTENTION TOO before it gets us into trouble.  

Thanks again for your great feedback as usual.

Love to you all,

Julie

[Quixotic1]

I agree with Roncart.  This may be a concussion, and she's right about whiplash motions being able to cause a severe headache, if not an outright concussion.   BUT, if the headache has the positional qualities of the post-LP headache it may be more serious.  If the headache is worse when upright and better when you lie down, then you might have a fracture in the base of the skull and have a CSF leak, just like in the post-LP situation.

If the positional things are true then this could be very serious, and you should NOT ignore it.  I assume there has been no clear liquid dripping from your nose or ear....seriously.

At any rate given that your brains are scrambled anyway, you should report this to your PCP and follow their instructions.

Quix

[roncart]

Hi, I just wanted you to be aware that what you could be suffering from could be a concussion. I have had the lp headache and a concussion and I can tell you they are identical in the way they hurt. I do not know if you hit your head but that isn't even necessary. If you were jerked around at all your brain still can be rattled in your skull and that is all that is required to develop a concussion. I had always that that you needed to hit your head but it was explained to me that any jarring of the head can cause the brain to hit the skull. If I were you I would call my doctor and tell him what is going on. Best wishes.. roncart

[essdipity]

How's it going today? Hope you're much better.

Hugs,
ess

[Wobbly]

Hope you feel better soon, take it easy

thinking of you
wobbly
undx

[rendean]

Here is a link to motor vehicle accidents and relapses

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Multiple-Sclerosis/Motor-Vehicle-Accident-cause-MS-relapse/show/328333

Ren

[rendean]

Just sent you a note regarding hubby making it home safely, guess Laura and I are on the same wavelength tonight.

As for a flare, both of my neuros told me any physical or mental injury or stress could cause an exacerbation of symptoms or a pseudo- flare. In fact , they both sent letters to my employer stating this.

Perhaps the tension and excitement of hubby coming home as well as the car accident has brought back some of your symptoms. Sorry this is not a solid answer but the only one I have.

I can say my paresthesias seem to intensify when work is especially stressful, i.e. just before a trial and the attorneys like to share their stress with their subordinates :-).

I hope your headache resolves soon and hubby feels better as well!

In my thoughts,
Ren

[Sarahsmom46]

I remember people talkiing about relapses after accidents too, but who was it and I wonder how long ago those discussions happened.  

If anyone can recall the discussion, please let me knwo.

[Lulu54]

Julie,
Funny you wrote this because I just sent you a PM on that very topic.  I remember several people here talkiing about their symptoms flaring after a traumatic injury such as a car accident.  I sure hope that's not the case with you.

feel better,
L