My aching back (and neck)

On May 2 I was rear-ended at a stop light. I was driving a postal vehicle and was hit by a F150 pick-up. I heard brakes squealing and thought "Someone's gonna get it" BOOM! I flew up from my seat and was slammed back down. I was wearing a seat belt, a worn out seat belt that was just a touch better than no seat belt. lol! I got hauled off by ambulance to the ER. It really rang my bell...I had a hard time forming answers to questions though I had not hit my head. I've been off work ever since and it looks like it will be awhile before I go back. I started PT today. My neck is a mess and she didn't even get to my lower back today. The massage felt pretty good n but stretching my neck every which way was killer.

I'm seriously thinking of suing the driver for my pain and suffering. Has any one here ever done that and was it a horrible experience? I know that he did not do it on purpose, that things happen, but he certainly wasn't paying attention to what was going on to hit a big postal vehicle in front of him. They're kind of hard to not notice. All I know is that I was having a great day, heading back after my work was completed and now I'm in pain and have a CONSTANT headache. Can't even pick up my cats now.

First thing that goes through my mind is.........were they on their cell phone? I'm so sorry you're going through this.

A very close GF was just rear-ended last week. She is Ok, other than being stiff and sore. But she had just bought a new car last year and the car took a bad hit. She was rear-ended so hard that the impact forced her car into the car in front of her. She thinks the woman was on her cell, but doesn't know for sure. She was stopped at a red light....how do you not know that the light is red??? (I'm glad my GF is OK, but she was coming to visit us in a couple weeks....for the first time in years....and now she can't come down. That is sad. We're hoping now to get together this coming fall.)

I was in a bad accident many years ago when I was t-boned at a red light. The guy never stopped for the red light and smashed right into me. And he didn't have insurance. He called us that night to profusely apologize and he begged us not to turn the accident into our insurance company....said he'd pay us in installments. Um, no. Not going to happen. We turned it in and it took him about five years to pay it off to the insurance company. I don't know how it works for pain and suffering, but I imagine it would have to go to court and it would be quite a lengthy process. But I don't know.

I hope you feel better. It may take awhile, especially with your neck. Please be careful!

I don't have any experience, but I'm so sorry you are going through this. I hope you feel better soon.

I feel for you!    In September 2008 I was in a car accident. Similar situation, only I wasn't wearing a seat belt because there was no extension and the regular seat belt wouldn't fit me.  I had very bad whiplash that also rang my bell as you described.  Headache, foggy thoughts, nausea, etc.

I didn't do the PT because it has been my experience that for me, PT doesn't work very well. I get to a plateau where I am still having pain, and heat, cold, TENS just stop working.

For me I find a chiropractor to be much more effective in getting my pain sorted out faster.  They do not "Crack" or "Snap" your neck. They use a hammer-like device along certain parts of the spine, and I am completely pain free for a period of time after a treatment.  Over a week or two the pain free periods last longer and longer.

In Manitoba, there is only "no fault auto insurance", which means you can't sue for "pain and suffering".  The best you  can get is paid medications, sometimes transportation if your doctor deems you not able to drive or take a bus.  If you can't work, you can't even collect income. You go on employment insurance disability.

I hope you feel better soon.  Don't dismiss a chiropractor though.
 

Well, it's been decided for me. I received paperwork from USPS that pretty much tells me that I have to sue. If I don't retain my own lawyer (and they recommend that I do so for my best interests) they will proceed on their own. I will only receive 20% of a monetary settlement and the USPS will receive the rest to off set my medical bills and wages. Well, this will be uncomfortable....the guy that hit me is on my route. It's out of my hands though.
 

To both  spudsmom and winchester.  Sue and have the cell phone records subpoenaed. They will show the exact time of all calls and texts.

I am so sorry Spudsmom for what has happened to you. I wish you a full recovery. I have had two accidents with people hitting me and it being their fault. Both times, they paid doctor bills and one paid to fix the car. The second one, the car was totalled and they paid me for the car. The second time, a lawyer handed the case for me as my knees were injured and I had to do some PT.
First, I pray for your full recovery, then recovery of damages and what is rightfully owed you. I would discuss it with a lawyer. The one who helped me said no charge unless I get some recovery money.

I have had 2 back surgeries in 2005 1 week apart cause I developed an infection and got ECOLI. I was out for 45 days in the hospital. in ICU. 

I have always had back problems since I got married in 1978. (Maybe my husband is my pain.lol )  And then in 2008 the car wreck broke my leg and my neck. I will always has this pain.

spudsmom said:

Well, it's been decided for me. I received paperwork from USPS that pretty much tells me that I have to sue. If I don't retain my own lawyer (and they recommend that I do so for my best interests) they will proceed on their own. I will only receive 20% of a monetary settlement and the USPS will receive the rest to off set my medical bills and wages. Well, this will be uncomfortable....the guy that hit me is on my route. It's out of my hands though.

 

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It looks like you really have no choice. for a quick(er) recovery!

Natalie_ca said:

I feel for you!    In September 2008 I was in a car accident. Similar situation, only I wasn't wearing a seat belt because there was no extension and the regular seat belt wouldn't fit me.  I had very bad whiplash that also rang my bell as you described.  Headache, foggy thoughts, nausea, etc.

I didn't do the PT because it has been my experience that for me, PT doesn't work very well. I get to a plateau where I am still having pain, and heat, cold, TENS just stop working.

For me I find a chiropractor to be much more effective in getting my pain sorted out faster.  They do not "Crack" or "Snap" your neck. They use a hammer-like device along certain parts of the spine, and I am completely pain free for a period of time after a treatment.  Over a week or two the pain free periods last longer and longer.

In Manitoba, there is only "no fault auto insurance", which means you can't sue for "pain and suffering".  The best you  can get is paid medications, sometimes transportation if your doctor deems you not able to drive or take a bus.  If you can't work, you can't even collect income. You go on employment insurance disability.

I hope you feel better soon.  Don't dismiss a chiropractor though.
 

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As a Massage Therapist for over 20 yrs. I agree with Natalie. I think Chiropractic can help a lot! I have worked for some, & been to some as well. I used to trade w/ one & miss it!!

I think the device Natalie is referring to is called an activator. (like a trigger point to the muscle, to try & get it to release, so the spine can naturally align.. .I think that's the idea,If I remember right.... Natalie?)

 With your neck being so stiff & sore, it's probably the best way for you, at least for now. For me, I don't feel like they are moving anything, so I like a good manual adjustment. Check with your insurance to see if it will pay for Chiropractic. If it does, it may also pay for massage, if the Chiropractor you go to has a Therapist there.

"I'd work on you, if you lived here!"

Good luck & keep us posted!!

Angels mommy said:

As a Massage Therapist for over 20 yrs. I agree with Natalie. I think Chiropractic can help a lot! I have worked for some, & been to some as well. I used to trade w/ one & miss it!!

I think the device Natalie is referring to is called an activator. (like a trigger point to the muscle, to try & get it to release, so the spine can naturally align.. .I think that's the idea,If I remember right.... Natalie?)

 With your neck being so stiff & sore, it's probably the best way for you, at least for now. For me, I don't feel like they are moving anything, so I like a good manual adjustment. Check with your insurance to see if it will pay for Chiropractic. If it does, it may also pay for massage, if the Chiropractor you go to has a Therapist there.

"I'd work on you, if you lived here!"

Good luck & keep us posted!!

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Yeah, I think that's what it is called.  My chiropractor uses it on my neck and down my spine. Then he does manual adjustments to my upper and lower back and pelvis.  He does not manually adjust my neck, or anyone's for that matter because of the risk for dissecting an artery in the neck through manual adjustment.

Wow, Natalie, that is interesting because I had something happen almost 9yrs ago to me, that Dr.s blamed on Chiropractic, but I never thought so, because I have gotten chiropractic off & on

for yrs. & it's not like it happened right after, or even a day after an adjustment.

Nov. 7th will be 9yrs ago that I had a mini stroke. Thank God, I had no lasting effects, but it was scary!!

My signs were,  a big dull headache in my occipital ridge area for a week, that wouldn't go away. Also my erectors up the back of my neck were SO tight, like they were holding on for

life, & wouldn't relax, or let go even a little!  I was in the hospital for a week. So many CAT scans & MRI's, but it was found through an ultrasound on my neck.

There was a tear in the right coratid (sp?) artery behind my right ear, going down my neck. Because of the tear, my body tried to block the tear, & that's what happened.

Before then, they couldn't figure it out (other than from possible chiropractic) because all my numbers were good. Cholesterol. B.P. etc..

I really hate to think chiropractic caused, or contributed to that happening, (I was also doing yoga once a wk), but, we will never know for sure.

I am just very thankful that I had no side effects. Any paralysis I had, went away w/ in 12hrs of having it. I am also thankful that I was not out driving, (was getting ready to run some earns),

but was here at home.

When I see others who have had full strokes, I realize how Blessed I am!!!!

I have been to a chiropractor long ago and I didn't think it helped me at all. I feel there is no reason to try again.

I met with my attorney for the 1st time today. I feel pretty confident that he's going to do well for me. I am really uncomfortable about suing anyone but he's going to be sued by USPS with or with out me. I am still in tons of pain. Just sitting in the lawyers office going over all the paperwork has sent me to my heating pad and a pain pill. I can't work in my yard, I had to have my husband get cat litter and cat food because I can't lift the bags or boxes. It is just a pain in the butt....literally! I'm just really not liking any of this.

I'm glad you feel confident about the lawyer, but so sorry you are in so much pain.

I'm sorry you are in such pain. I know you hate to sue, most do, but you deserve the care you need!  Good luck, keep us posted.

Went to the Dr this a.m. My sciatic nerve is pinched or inflamed so a new pill has been prescribed for the nerve pain down the right leg. It seems that most of my pain is on my right side. My neck and shoulder on the right side are a knotted up tight mess, and my lower back on the right side is a mess too. So, I'm off work for at least another 2 weeks. I feel like I'm just complaining too much. Sorry! I did have some good news...I got a pay check today. It's not as much as I usually make, but way better than nothing.I'm thankful for that!
 

Yes, that is good news that you got a check. I do still believe that chiropractic can help, mainly for that pinched nerve. The discs that are pinching it can be adjusted to free up that nerve & you would feel so much better.  Just FYI.  Defiantly keep the ice on it.  As long as there is inflammation, stay away from heat. (except an Epsom salt bath  ) Heat may feel good for a little while, but it will only inflame it more, if already inflamed, & will hurt more later. I'd stick w/ cold until you know for sure, the inflammation is long gone.

 Hope you feel better soon!  

A pay check is always good! I really hope you get some relief soon.

Angels mommy said:

Yes, that is good news that you got a check. I do still believe that chiropractic can help, mainly for that pinched nerve. The discs that are pinching it can be adjusted to free up that nerve & you would feel so much better.  Just FYI.  Defiantly keep the ice on it.  As long as there is inflammation, stay away from heat. (except an Epsom salt bath

 ) Heat may feel good for a little while, but it will only inflame it more, if already inflamed, & will hurt more later. I'd stick w/ cold until you know for sure, the inflammation is long gone.

 Hope you feel better soon!

 

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Thanks for your input. I'm thinking chiropractic help would be beneficial, also. The cracking and popping in my neck and shoulder when I turn my head tells me that some manipulation would really help. I am not adverse to chiropractic help at all. I really think it would help to have some. I think I'm going to insist that my Dr. prescribe some pretty soon.