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charliebubs
22-06-2008, 04:27 PM
I don't think I've mentioned on here before that I was in a car accident in February. It involved 4 cars and I was kind of in the middle, which meant that I got hit from behind and pushed into the 4x4 in front of me.

It was my first car accident and all pretty horrible. I was shaken up at the time and was seen by the paramedics that came to the scene of the crash, but I didn't go to hospital.

Since the accident I've had pretty much constant head aches and pains and have had a couple of migraines, which I was never prone to before. My doctor fobbed me off with pain killers (which pretty much knocked me out for a few days) and said that it was just basic whiplash and would sort itself out.

6 weeks after the crash I wasn't any better and went back to my GP who then decided to refer me for physiotherapy. I've been having physio once a week since the end of March and am still no better :(

My physio is a really lovely lady and has been a great support to me, as I've been getting quite frustrated at not feeling better!! A couple of weeks ago she referred me to see a private orthopaedic specialist and surgeon (I have private health care cover through work).

My appointment with him was last week and he has diagnosed that I've damaged the nerves at the base of my skull - where my scalp meets my neck and this is the cause of the headaches etc. They're called the occipital nerves.

He sent me for an MRI scan, which I had yesterday, and has booked me into hospital for a procedure which involves me having a general anaesthetic and then getting steriods injected into the occipital nerves :shock: :shock: :shock:

It's a week tomorrow.

As if the thought of having needles into the back of my head wasn't enough - he's also told me that the steriods can cause side effects including weight gain, acne, rashes, swelling and (my personal favorite...) growth of facial hair :roll: OH JOY!!!!

However, if it stops the constant headaches and pain a small beard will be worth it!!! :)

I'm relieved that the end is in sight anyway, as it's been ongoing for months now. It's also taught me that people are very dismissive of "whiplash" injuries. I must admit that I probably would have been one of those people before too. You hear so many tales of people saying that they have whiplash after a car accident in order to make a personal injury claim and I think that because of those people the few of us that do have genuine injuries get overlooked as it is presumed that we're crying wolf :mad:

It's not fair, but c'est la vie I suppose.

Incidentally, I am putting in a personal injury claim but will not be looking to reach any kind of settlement until I am actually 100% better. The money isn't what's important to me.

So, please think of me next Monday, 30th June, when I'm having injections into my head :o :cry: :o :cry:

and I promise to post a pic should I grow a beard!!!!! :-D :-D :-D

angieh
22-06-2008, 04:33 PM
Definitely will be thinking of you charliebubs - so glad you have managed to keep your sense of humour. It's horrible that you have had to suffer so much before finding out what's the matter. I am so glad that you got good support from your physio - that was really good news.

And sure a little goatee won't make any difference with your Catsey friends! :-D

Very glad they are doing the steroid injection under anaesthetic - when I had a frozen shoulder I was told the steriod injection was just done into the joint with just a local. No wonder I didn't go near my doctor!!!

charliebubs
22-06-2008, 04:38 PM
Thanks angie!! :)

I'm glad you won't think any less of me with a goatee!!!!! LOL :lol: :lol:

And I'm bloomin' glad I'm having a general - I don't think I'd go in if it was just a local!!!! :?

I take it you didn't have the steroid injections then?!

dandysmom
22-06-2008, 04:39 PM
OMG, Charlie, I'm so sorry to hear of this! Had no idea you were having problems; hopefully the injections will do the trick and you'll be pain-free! Will the rather awful side effects wear off after the steroids are out of your system? I'll mark the calendar to send calming, healing and non-hairy vibes by the boatload!!

xxx

charliebubs
22-06-2008, 04:45 PM
OMG, Charlie, I'm so sorry to hear of this! Had no idea you were having problems; hopefully the injections will do the trick and you'll be pain-free! Will the rather awful side effects wear off after the steroids are out of your system? I'll mark the calendar to send calming, healing and non-hairy vibes by the boatload!!

xxx

Thanks so much Eileen. :)

Yes, I think that the effects should wear off after about 6-8 weeks insofar as the swelling and bad skin etc. I'm not sure with the facial hair and weight gain though :? :? :roll: :roll:

Erin
22-06-2008, 04:45 PM
Oh Charlie how awful,im so sorry you are having to go through this. Will be thinking of you next week,I hope everything goes well and that you will soon be out of pain,take care hun xxxxx

angieh
22-06-2008, 04:47 PM
No, I didn't Charlie! My best school friend (known each other 40+ years now) had a frozen shoulder and had the injection and told me about it - so I played heap big chicken! The frozen-ness passed on its own but took about 18 months.

Kim
22-06-2008, 04:48 PM
Oh Charlie, I'm so sorry to hear all of this, how awful for you. Will be thinking of you. Take care. x

Kazz
22-06-2008, 04:56 PM
How terrible sorry to hear you news be thinking of you take care Karen

Mags
22-06-2008, 05:36 PM
Sorry to hear about the accident and your resulting pain and discomfort Charlie.

I hope these steroid injections do the trick .......... don't worry about the side effects, just get yourself free of pain :)

I've had steroid injection for a frozen shoulder on two occasions, didn't have anaesthetic either time ......... didn't have any side effects either..;)

Will be thinking of you next week, take care. x

Elaine
22-06-2008, 05:46 PM
Dear god Charlie, you have been in the wars. I hope the surgery helps and I will ofcourse be thinking you xxx
I am holding you to the promise of pictures should you grow a beard though;)

Fran
22-06-2008, 05:50 PM
Charlie, I hadn't realised that you were so injured in that car accident :( I will have everything crossed for you for next week. Please let me know how you are x

Moli
22-06-2008, 05:57 PM
Will be thinking of you Charlie......xx

alexgirl73
22-06-2008, 05:59 PM
You'll be in my thoughts and prayers Charlie ((hugs)) xx

charliebubs
22-06-2008, 06:34 PM
Thanks so much for all your kind words :)

Fran - I was trying to be a big, brave girl and not make a fuss!!! lol ;) ;)

PoshPuss
22-06-2008, 06:45 PM
Dear Charliebubs, I'm wishing you well for the injections on the 30th too. My OH suffers with head pain from cervical spondylosis and arthritis, it's chronic pain and very debillitating so anything you can do to relieve it has to help.
As for he side effects of the steroids, I'm sure they can be monitored and managed, you have a great attitude by the way :D, and of course your mates here will encourage you and make you smile :-D :-D
Just concentrate on getting better, thinking of you, Nette x

MrsH
22-06-2008, 09:02 PM
Hope it all goes well at the hospital for you, don't worry about possible side effects though, just think of the pain relief!

babycakes
22-06-2008, 10:29 PM
Charlie your post was in good humour at the end but could see it was to mask how worried you are... Bless you. The are giving you the side effect for the worst scenario cos these days they have to but that is the effects of long term steriod use.

You will get pain relief at least and we will be thinking of you X

Fran
29-06-2008, 03:16 PM
Good luck tomorrow Charlie, I'll be thinking of you x

Mags
29-06-2008, 03:18 PM
Hope all goes well with your injections tomorrow Charlie..

dandysmom
29-06-2008, 04:10 PM
Will be thinking of you tomorrow, Charlie; best of luck at getting pain relief.....

angieh
29-06-2008, 04:53 PM
Good luck Charlie - hope they manage to sort you out! It'll be worth it to be pain free.

Let us know how you get on, won't you?

charliebubs
29-06-2008, 05:55 PM
Thanks guys.

I am getting a little nervous now, but I know I'll be in safe hands. I'll let you know how it goes. :)
xx

debbie1512
30-06-2008, 07:17 PM
sorry to hear about your accident i have to have fj injections in my back after they did the epidural wrong 3 times this is done after anaesthetic and these have steroids in them so i know what u are going through
take care
debs
xxx

Mags
30-06-2008, 07:18 PM
Hope it all went well today Charlie.....:)

Fran
30-06-2008, 07:19 PM
Thinking of you Charlie x

charliebubs
02-07-2008, 09:14 PM
I'm back!! :)

I'm not sure yet whether the injections have worked, as still feeling stiff and sore, but keeping everything crossed that they did :)

The orthopaedic surgeon did say that they don't work for everyone and I'm going back in 4 weeks to see him and tell him the outcome for me.

I'm back home with my furbabes now anyway, and that's probably the best medicine for me!!! :lol:

Fran
02-07-2008, 09:28 PM
Glad to here all went well Charlie and that you are back home safe and ok. Hope the injections work for you, fingers crossed. I did text you earlier but you haven't replied!

take care x

angieh
02-07-2008, 09:37 PM
Do hope they work for you. Fingers crossed.

dandysmom
02-07-2008, 09:40 PM
Fingers crossed here that they'll alleviate the pain....(((hugs)))

Mags
02-07-2008, 09:45 PM
Hope the injections start working for you soon Charlie....

bobbie3917
02-07-2008, 10:12 PM
glad it all went well
fingers crossed that it worked and that all is now ok

Fran
08-07-2008, 09:53 AM
How are you now Charlie? Do you think the treatment is working?

Jac
08-07-2008, 10:07 AM
Sorry I missed this Charlie. I hope they work for you but dont feel bad if you dont notice an imediate difference as they can "stir" things up a little before they kick in so to speak.
Hey you are always welcome to my veet!!!:lol:

charliebubs
08-07-2008, 10:38 AM
Thanks Jac and Fran!!

I have to say that the constant headache is still there and actually does feel a bit worse at the moment :(

I have been assured that this is normal in some people though and that it can take 2-3 weeks for the steroids to take effect.

I was hoping I'd be one of the ones that gets immediate relief - but I'm not that lucky!!!!

dandysmom
08-07-2008, 04:23 PM
Ouch, sorry! I was hoping the same for you.....hang in there, Charlie (((hugs)))

Fran
08-07-2008, 04:55 PM
Still got everything crossed here for success Charlie x

charliebubs
24-07-2008, 09:53 AM
Hello all,

Just a quick update to say that the steroids have finally taken effect!!! Woo hoo!!!! :)

It got worse before it got better, but the constant headache and pains have gone. I still get the odd twinge and a bit of a pins and needles feeling in the back of my head, but I'd say 97% better!!!! :) :) :)

I'm back to see the orthopaedic specialist a week tomorrow for a check up and prognosis for the future.

Fran
24-07-2008, 09:58 AM
Super news Charlie, woohoo!!! :smt026 :smt026 :smt026

Jac
24-07-2008, 10:27 AM
Charlie that's great. I'm really pleased. When you go next week ask how many times you can get the steroids.
I personally can only get it three times. I've had two and saving the last one for the winter (when I'm at my worst)
Mine lasted about three months but some people can get 6 months out them. Good luck and remember I have veet:lol: . Jokes aside, I developed a moustache:oops: no kidding. It came in really dark:oops: Hence the stash of veet.

angieh
24-07-2008, 12:29 PM
So glad you are relatively pain free Charlie - you must feel tons better. Hope it lasts as long as possible.

Grete
24-07-2008, 01:02 PM
Really good news Charlie, you must be so relieved! Hope it lasts a good long while :)

charliebubs
24-07-2008, 01:13 PM
Charlie that's great. I'm really pleased. When you go next week ask how many times you can get the steroids.
I personally can only get it three times. I've had two and saving the last one for the winter (when I'm at my worst)
Mine lasted about three months but some people can get 6 months out them. Good luck and remember I have veet:lol: . Jokes aside, I developed a moustache:oops: no kidding. It came in really dark:oops: Hence the stash of veet.

Does it get worse in the winter? That's interesting.

I'm not sure if there is a limit to how many times I can get them, not financially anyway as I have private health care through work. Unless there is a limit for health reasons, which I suppose there could be!?!?! I'll def ask him - thanks for the tip. :)

I have been reading on the net about the procedure I had and it seems that the majority of people get 6-8 months benefit from the steroids before the pain returns. :(

I was warned about the possibility of facial hair, but, touch-wood - I haven't grown any...............yet!!!!! :-D

dandysmom
24-07-2008, 04:12 PM
Woo hoo, Charlie, I'm so pleased, that's great news! :smt026

Mags
24-07-2008, 06:01 PM
Great news Charlie....:D

Jac
24-07-2008, 08:52 PM
Does it get worse in the winter? That's interesting.

I'm not sure if there is a limit to how many times I can get them, not financially anyway as I have private health care through work. Unless there is a limit for health reasons, which I suppose there could be!?!?! I'll def ask him - thanks for the tip. :)

I have been reading on the net about the procedure I had and it seems that the majority of people get 6-8 months benefit from the steroids before the pain returns. :(

I was warned about the possibility of facial hair, but, touch-wood - I haven't grown any...............yet!!!!! :-D

I was told It was a massive amount of steroids and he was only to give me three injections a year. Unfortunately mine only lasted about 4 months and remember I was getting double one at each side. Yes I gained weight and got a little hairier but the relief was great.
Good luck Charlie long may you be pain free