Whip Lash What helps?

Might be an idea to keep a record of how you feel; you might then, even though you still feel awful, be aware [although you have mentioned it]that things are slowly improving. I know it's nothing like having a car crash but I had a fall off a stile when out walking one day; for ages afterwards when I got up from lying down I felt dizzy and I had to actually hold my head in place. At the time I thought I'd never get better because it seemed to take such a long time.

I can sympathise very much, we had a car run into us ( didn't look and drove from a side street) I took the impact on the passenger side! Husband got me out of the car, the other driver was ok. Police fined her on the spot and she got penalty points for careless driving. This happened 12 weeks ago, I am now realising how much pain I was in ( whiplash and soft tissue damage) it takes time I have been advised at least 6 months. I couldn't move my neck or shoulder, but can manage to move a bit more. But I couldn't face sitting my final exam and had to postpone it for the time being.
Only now we are starting to feel slightly better as husband had delayed shock. Hope this has helped you a little. X

Michelle Your accident sounds very similar to ours. Both cars were travelling very slowly so that at least lessened the impact. The other driver was a taxi driver and he is going to court soon we have heard, that is unless he pleads guilty which he probably will.
In Germany with an almost new car and us being the innocent party, we automatically get a lawyer financed by the other's insurance as there are huge sums of money to be sorted out. This has meant no hassle at all. Everything is done for us and whether I will get compensation depends on how successful he is.
I'm realistic and at an age when such things never really get 100% better
and I have to admit this last week has brought an improvement.
Thanks.

I had a car accident almost 20 years ago where a car ran into the side of ours at speed through a red traffic light. I was the driver and therefore took the impact on the right hand side.
I was paid a fair amount of compensation at the time and the other driver was prosecuted for "driving without due care and attention", should have been dangerous driving in my opinion!!
I am still suffering from the after-effects of the whiplash, and even took muscle relaxants this morning due to an interesting new pain down the left side of my neck!

Pester your doctor if needs be, they often don't take whiplash seriously enough. I am sure that early intervention may be the key to avoiding very long-lasting problems.

You never know when a health system stops prescribing things. You never get to know why. I suppose it is financial as they were overprescribed and people just threw them away. Of course they couldn't be used twice either.

The posts have been very realistic and it has helped me lot. I feel more patient and am more realistic. I was due to fly on holiday in September and we have postponed now until October. That has eased the tension.
I've just got to be patient and not worry. Easier said than done!

Sorry to hear that. I had my fall in March wore the collar for a week or so taking it off to eat, sleep etc Still had some symptoms for a couple of weeks and tended to put it on when I got tired and headachey. I just know when I put it on my headache eased. I do Tai chi anyway so I think that helped. One thing I did have was some dizziness which I think was related to the whiplash. I can see that wearing a collar all the time might weaken the muscles but I think wearing it gave my neck a chance to recover and as I am a bit reluctant to take painkillers really helped with the pain. Best of luck. I know it feels like a long dark tunnel sometimes, but recovery is possible it just takes a little longer than we expect.

Yes I think massage will be the thing. Yoga and Pilates all things which I have done a lot of in my long life but I feel I want to keep my head and shoulders upright at the moment. I didn't like Pilates at all.

I never had a neck collar. They are no longer prescribed in Germany. Apparently you have to prevent the neck muscles becoming weak.

Sympathy from me MargaretX - people laugh about whiplash and criticise compensation claims, but anyone who has experienced it will agree, it's miserable.
A good physio will give you exercises that do help, but you have to do them regularly over a longish period. Massage will help, as will yoga/pilates or alexander technique - good luck

Were you given a neck collar at any time? I had a fall- slipped and went straight back , banging my head and jerking my neck. I was given a plastic collar. When I saw it I thought "There's no way I am being seen in that!" but the relief when I wore it converted me. I wore it most of the time for a couple of weeks then from time to time when my head/neck ached. It really helped.

Have you tried ice packs Margaret? I find them invaluable for any head or neck pain.
Whiplash is seriously incapacitating as I well know.

I think it has helped tp read your posts. I feel so alone with it dragging myself about. I do drive to the shops but am better when I'm walking.

I'll try the exercise but acupuncture must wait as my contact is on holiday. The orthopaedic doctor Xrayed me and he thought it would be better for me with my back bone which shows wear and tear, to leave things alone.
To be honest compared with the first few weeks when I had problems walking, I am getting better. We have got 38°C heat in Germany at the moment and sit in darkened shuttered rooms. I just felt really down this morning!
Thanks all.

I had a whiplash injury two years ago after a car ran into the back of us at traffic lights. I think it was about six weeks before I started to feel less stiff and sore down the left side of my neck and shoulders. I was prescribed ibuprofen and told to take paracetamol as well. Our GP also did a few sessions of acupuncture.

One exercise he told me to do was place my hands together as though in prayer, bend my head until my forehead rested on the tips of my fingers. Press hands firmly together then slowly stretch my arms forwards keeping my hands together and my head bowed.

I think it helped but it takes longer than you think to get over whiplash.

Margaret we had an accident similar to yours. The impact was on the left, so as I was a passenger I got most of it. I had pain on turning my head to the right, in the neck and shoulders, for at least 2 years. Over 20 years ago now, I still remember it.
But the worst thing was that I lost my confidence over driving for ages. I used public transport, or went on my bike to work.

OMG I am sorry but when I saw the headline I thought for a moment this post was about Sado masochism.

MargaretX Aside from my flippant remark at your thead title I do hope things improve soon Feeling dizzy and headachy is really horrible. Have you thought of trying accupuncture or such like?

It's supposed to help with pain and stress. I had some good results for that with bad tension headaches.

Have you thought of seeing a cranial osteopath? I've witnessed and experienced amazing results. Very gentle, but very powerful effect on the whole of the body.

My son-in-law suffered terribly with whiplash after another car went into the back of his. He had severe back and arm pain, headaches, many hospital visits, it was months before he felt right. I get angry when I hear some insurance companies say there is no such thing as whiplash. I hope your situation improves Margaret.

I have seen my GP twice and an orthopaedic doctor. There is nothing more they can do. I take muscle relaxents. Headaches, nausea and dizziness are a sign of whip lash. Internet sources say it can take 6 months.
The shock of the accident has now gone away and the car is repaired.
I feel the trouble is that it is not a natural thing to happen. The body is not prepared for a an immense jolt from the side while remaining seated throughout. Maybe the body just has to heal itself and it takes time. I'm now getting impatient

I hate to say it but 2 months is no time at all. Definitely see your doc.

The compensation is because whiplash can cause long term problems. Sometimes people think they are ok but problems develop much later.
You should see your gp really.

A tension headache doesn't sound like whiplash does it? wouldn't that be muscular? I wonder if you are still suffering from the shock of the accident happening. Definitely see your doc, I would say.

Did you see a Dr at the time of accident? Similar thing happened to my son and he was given exercises to do and it was impressed upon him to carry on doing them for a while even after he thought he was better.

It seemed to work for him.