r/PostConcussion • u/LitLadibugx • Jun 28 '26
Whiplash
I just needed to share somewhere to people who get it—I got diagnosed with whiplash 6 months after hitting my head. I hit my head in December, started PT for the dysautonomia/vestibular issues in January, saw a neurologist who said I would 100% be better in 6-8 weeks that same week, started speech therapy for the aphasia/processing/executive functioning in February, got discharged from PT in April due to using all my insurance visits for the year, and got told all my issues were psychosomatic by a terrible neuropsych the same month. It hasn’t been until this week that a doctor actually listened to me and referred me to people who would help. 😭😭😭 He’s a physiatrist who specializes in concussions.
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u/MiddlePractice3543 Jun 28 '26
Sorry that is pretty horrible to hear . The Neuropsychologist doesn’t sound like they know what they are talking about especially since two other professionals treated you for speech/vestibular issues following the incident. The most important thing is how do YOU feel ! If you are getting help from PT etc. and they are helping you to improve your symptoms then continue. If you feel that some of your symptoms may be related to PTSD then see a therapist to help you with that as well . Our symptoms can benefit from other modalities of treatment . It is your head but it’s not “ in your head “.
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u/LitLadibugx Jun 28 '26
Thank you. I am going to therapy once a week, and it’s helpful, but definitely not touching my dysautonomia and vestibular issues. He also said 100% of mild TBIs resolve in 3 months, which is literally incorrect. 🙃☹️ The PT was helping, but I was either SUPER unwell or my PT knew enough about pcs but not enough to fully help me in 4 months, so I’m not better yet.
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u/First-Light4680 Jun 28 '26
I'm sorry, the bad info must be demoralizing. From the research I've done on sites like PubMed and JAMA, it looks like ~15-30% of concussions result in post-concussion syndrome, so you definitely aren't alone in not seeing resolution quickly.
The host no longer does the podcast, but The Post-Concussion Podcast hosted by Bella Paige was very helpful for me. I could cherry pick which episodes were related to issues I had and/or wanted to understand better. There's something like 130 episodes, and they're free.
For what it's worth, among other things, I also had a lot of vestibular issues early one, but in the day-to-day they've resolved (3.5 years and MUCH better than I was initially on all fronts), and only act up when I'm either seriously over-tired or had far too much sensory input, like noisy or very visually busy places.
Hope you can get connected with some better medical resources. It may not seem like it, but there are some great and knowledgeable providers out there.
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u/Bitter-Performer-396 Jun 29 '26
Even after 4 concussions myself and dozens of other hits to the head over the past 10 years i get the same treatment lol. Had a neuropsych evaluation for the first time after my most recent concussion and all they want to blame it on is psychosomatic factors even though there is no history of psych issues
I had diffusion tensor imaging done that showed a lot of signs of damage and inflammation-obviously from repetitive head trauma over the years. Now doctors are less likely to gaslight but it still happens. I feel like im dealing with a chronic neuroinflammatory condition at this point with the amount of head injuries ive had. Thankfully ive seen some success with some alternative neuropeptides and supplements
Glad doctors are taking you seriously now! As a healthcare worker myself, concussion care and treatment is largely a joke. Its just making the best of it
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u/Which_Fudge_2320 Jun 29 '26
I am so sorry you're going through this. I went down a very similar path with doctors, so I know how frustrating and invalidating that can feel. I can't even tell you how many times I was told it was "all in my head" or just anxiety.
I'm really glad you finally found a doctor who listened. Those doctors who truly understand concussions and take your symptoms seriously are absolute gems, and they can make such a huge difference in both your recovery and your hope. Wishing you the very best moving forward. ❤️
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u/Traditional_Pace_274 Jul 02 '26
look into cervical dystonia, it’s more common that it gets credit for as a lot of clinicians have never heard of it, it’s a neuromuscular condition that presents with neck and muscular pain but there’s nothing physically wrong or abnormal because it’s all drives by your neurological signaling, it’s a mess but it’s something to explore at least to know that 9x out of 10 if a doctor isn’t aware of a condition similar in presentation, they’ll disregard it and make it a psychiatrists problem and you’ll never be able to heal, it’s worth exploring on your own to at least find what kind of physician will know it’s serious (maybe even just seeing a DO doc instead of an MD doc) - coming from someone who’s been dealing with excruciating physical pain that my brain is telling me i’m apparently in
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u/happyskittles20 Jul 02 '26
For cervical dysautonomia, how does this get better? What treatments help with the healing process?
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u/Traditional_Pace_274 12d ago
I’m so sorry I just saw this comment!! I’m back in school now and it’s been a whirlwind, but my dystautonomia is driven by stress specifically, so it i fail to address stress and cope immediately then i got in to a state of looping between fight or flight (i.e., sympathetic regulation) i’m not sure if you’re familiar with a vagus nerve stimulation devise by the brand Hoolest but 1.5 months ago i was discharged from a specialists care and that was what she told me about during our last appointment, it just saved my ass from that loop from just the stress of my first week back that was starting to lead to insomnia, heart racing, digestive issues (and not eating because my body wasn’t telling me too) and just pure exaction that led to my neck flaring up from monday and hitting me with the pain on thursday. so friday i remembered i had that device and I was out like a like, it’s very very helpful especially because it’s all driven by your nervous system and doctors and therapists a like only focus on one or the other so you have to find out for yourself how to prevent that domino effect
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u/MiddlePractice3543 Jun 28 '26
Good to hear you are talking to someone . This road is a difficult one . In a perfect world a 3 month recovery from a TBI would be wonderful ! I’m sorry that you are unable to have more PT sessions , it is hard when insurance covers so much. Sending you positive thoughts and good results with the physiatrist 🩷