I often come here to see what you gusy are saying about symtoms, treatment, etc... and its been pretty encouraging. (thanks)

I was hit from behind Feb '08 pretty hard (totalled, etc.) with no broken bones, no herniated disc, not bulging anything. Nothing major to show up on any tests except fluid on MRI. I'm thinking, "Great!". Well, I continue with therapy, all I have to do. 5 months after, still not back to normal. Dull pain in arm at times, reaching up sort of pinches in neck/shoulder, still have these knots in upper back and trap especially, cramping or soreness around shoulder blade and crazy long headaches resulting from these things. Also, sleep was NOT the same... waking up several times in the night, lots of discomfort, frequently pretty painful. Well, now its been almost 14 months and while I'm not near handicapped, these things are still here. I don't suffer everyday, I'm very lucky. But, these things are HERE! The headache I have now I've had for almost 3 days with the soreness and the knot in my trap shooting up into my brain and sometimes I think I'll go NUTS trying to figure out if I'm just whining. I sometimes actually wonder if I'm just weak because I'm getting back into my exercise regimen (even though jogging ceases with the horrible pinching in my trap)and I'm in no way unable to perform daily activities, but sitting on my couch, unloading the dishwasher, lying in bed, common things are a constant reminder that this 'thing', whiplash, injury, whatever is still there. I don't know if its active, maybe its just the stain of the injury, but I'm not imagining it. (yes, I stretch, do the therapy exercises and all)

Can someone please just tell me if they understand this? And is this at all medically accurate? Most sources mention recovery after 6 months! If someone can say, 'It'll be here for a while, just suck it up', I can do that because then I'll know that I just live with pain somedays, discomfort often. But if this is not how its supposed to be, I'd like to know that I've explored all options... AND I'm not whining.

Thanks for any input.

solerin,
I still have pain after 5 years. But like you I do all I can
to keep going. One of the best things I have found is deep
triger point massag. it is a little painful but wow does it help.
I am sorry I can not give you anymore info then that. But the triger
point has really helped me to live a more abie-normal life then the
pain pills do. Yes I still have to take pain pills if I am going to
have a busy day. But I can get by with aleve on plain days. And
that is a big step for me.
^i^

I have pain after 6 years....prolo, IMS, and ETPS a home electronic accupuncture machine help me. The problem is the ligaments were seriously damaged along with other areas. If you are still in pain it is biological not psychosomatic so don't let them get away with that

Shoulder and Back Pain are common because these areas are vulnerable to injury, such as sprains and strains. Other disorders that may cause back pain include herniated disc, degenerative disc disease, pinched nerves, scoliosis and sciatica. There is no way to avoid shoulder pain entirely. There are ways to make it less likely, though, such as regular stretching and taking proper advantage of ergonomically-designed furniture and office equipment.

I've been battling effects from my 2 mva's in 2000. It goes away and comes back, reminding me that I still have an injury. Like my neck. I had the nerves burned in my neck 3x's-one year apart from 2002-2004. The 3rd one was a charm and the pain stopped entirely until about 3 days ago, woke up with neck and shoulder pain.

At first, I thought I had slept on it wrong, but 3 days later, it's back (pain mgt doc told me the nerves grow back but I was hoping in my case, I was cured). I've had a neck ache that goes into my shoulders past 3 days 24-7 and followed by a really bad headache by end of the day.

One thing, Solerin, I remember my neuro doc telling me is that it's good to have xrays or an mri right after your injury, but most likely they will come up negative. He said it's best to have it repeated in 6 months because most injuries of the neck don't show up til months later. In other words, whiplash is not like a break or a fracture which shows up immediately. It takes time for arthritis to develop, bulges to happen, etc.

So, if you had an mri over a year ago (I think that's what you said) or even 6 months ago, it wouldn't hurt to have it repeated so your doc can compare where you were 6 mths ago to what shows up now.

Good luck, peace and love
donnaC