Opinion on pain & neurological symptoms

[SherryLou]

My 14 year old daughter was injured in a strange accident in Jan. of this year. While sitting on a treatment table face down in a doctors office a car crashed into the building striking the table she was on which in turn threw her into the air and she hit the wall then the floor. Shortly after she began having pain in her hip and xrays showed a misalignment of the hips one side higher than the other which causes one leg to be longer. Also she developed vertigo, seeing spots and vision blacking out, numbness in extremeties on both sides on occasion. She recieved every test possible MRI of spine and neck, MRI of brain to check for brain damage due to concussion, and EEG to check for possibility of mini seizures, all tests came back normal. In the last several weeks she has had no numbness and the vertigo seems to be getting better as well. However, she still has the misalignment of the hips, one leg longer and her hip makes a clicking noise. Also, she has severe migraine headaches at times which cause her to vomit. And pain in her neck, back and hips most all the time. I have become frustated at doctor's lack of empathy and also acting as if this traumatic event has not had any signifcant change to her body. She is in pain often and takes Motrin all the time to deal with it. She is only 14 is all this pain normal after 3 months. And still no real diagnosis as to why. Anyone with similar problem or solutions, where we should go to get a diagnosis and or treatment would be appreciated. I live in Raleigh NC.

[californiasunflower]

I am so sorry that this accident happened to your young daughter.

Do you have health insurance where she can have a PET scan which shows the brain much better, any problems done to the optic nerve, and intricate blood vessels? They probably ruled out subdural hematoma, etc.

It takes a long time for trauma to heal. Has she seen an orthopedic physician for her hip?

I am concerned that she is using Motrin for pain. That in itself can cause stomach/intestine problems for young individuals (internal bleeding).

Does she have cervical inflammation? That can generate the migraines. As long as she has cervical inflammation, she will have the migraines. Does she have a neurologist? If not, it is time for her to see one right away and to have continued monitoring until she is much, much improved. Hopefully, you'll find one that is very sensitive to your daughter's needs.

Have you had her eyes checked by an ophthalmologist? Keep watch on those especially if she has any blurred vision. What I've learned, I would have her eyes checked every six months for the next three years at least. Have her inform you of any visual problems such as "flashing spots", "blurred vision" that does not resolve after a migraine, and when reading--"trying to see around a spot" that does not resolve after a migraine, any floaters that appear (dark little spots in her eyes--especially if they form a web pattern---hopefully before this happens she'll have had the exam). Anytime you have a head injury, always inform your eye doctor. The medical community is aware that trauma can affect the eyes. Particularly when it is frontal or directly to the eye. However, they don't seem to correlate any back of head or neck trauma as the cause of eye problems that might occur a year or so later. There are incidences where patients have had trauma, whiplash, and end up later with eye problems.

I don't know if a neurologist will prescribe these medications for a 14 year old. You might read about these drugs but I've heard for spinal and joint pain that BEXTRA is a good reliever. It is very expensive though. A combination of Celebrex with Soma (muscle relaxer) will help with severe inflammation caused by a traumatic accident.
Zanaflex is a good muscle relaxer and can also help with migraines. Zomig can abort those painful migraines and allows the patient to continue functioning without drowsiness. A combination of Zomig and Amerge (non-drowsy too) is also good. The neurologist may prescribe taking a Zomig at the first onset of the migraine, followed 2 hours later by an Amerge tablet. Very effective. For nausea and vomiting, the first step is taking a phenergan (suppository: necessary to be able to take the oral medications for migraines and/or hip pain).

I think you need a sensitive medical team of a neurologist to treat her head/spine/migraines and pain, orthopedic physician to treat her hip, ophthalmologist to monitor her eyes, and physical therapist. There are doctors who are sensitive to their patient's needs and I hope she gets the care she deserves. This kind of trauma takes time to heal. She may be contused to the bone in some areas.

[Angel77]

Hi hon! I think I can help you here! I have the same problem from falling from a horse and I'll tell you, untreated, it only gets worse! I went through chiropractic and a massage technique called structural integration...it hurts like crazy, but it was the first time I didn't hurt.

Now, for her symptoms, completely normal for what she's going through, this doc's just an idiot. It's called: pelvic unleveling; malpositioned pelvis; malrotated pelvis, etc. also, is her sacrum tender? The spot right above her butt crack (sorry, don't know the technical term) but it is tremedously painful. It's listed under: sacroiliac joint dysfunction; sacrum pain; sacrum ligament dysfunction; and a few others. She may also have pains on the pubic mound....I found out when I was pregnant that it's not one piece! Mine seprated! It causes pain that can shoot down the crotch area, the thighs, and even radiate into the tummy area, where about the ovaries are. It's listed under: pubic symphesis dysfunction; pubic sympheseal separation, etc.

Look all these up and you'll find all her problems are related to the problems in her hips. You'll also notice that people in car accidents that suffer any kind of pelvic trauma are more at risk than most for head trauma and lasting neurological defecits! It's awful and worse when no one will listen to you or help you. I know from experience. My brain injury went undiagnosed for ten years and I've subsequently developed narcolepsy as well.

Please take your daughter to a pediatric hospital that specializes in trauma cases. They'll likely be the most familiar with this.

I will look back over the sights I have bookmarked on my computer and e-mail the mods to see which ones I can give you. They have great advice and will give you a full description of what she's going through. I know this is scary, but hang in there. The vertigo is normal this long, but is indicative of a problem that could be long term or life long. But, once you get a diagnosis, you can go from there. You also have time on your side. Brain injuries and other neuro probs can make great strides in the first year and upto the second. After that, upto the ten year mark, there will be slight improvements, although not as large or noticeable as the first two years.

I still suffer from problems, but again, it's 11 years now, post-injury. Are you suing for the damage done to your daughter? If you are, don't accept a settlement unless it also covers any life long care that she could need, related to this. Also, request a neuropsychological evaluation. It will tell you where she has any deficits neurologically and they will document it and start a treatment program for her. This is extremely expensive, but well worth it.

What is the status of your situation right now? Are her bills being covered? If so and you're still getting nowhere with the docs, ask for a patient advocate, most hospitals have them but won't tell you because they cost them money and get you more services. They act as a go between with you and the doctors and make sure they are listening to you and getting your daughter what she needs.

Again, I'll check back often and post those sights ASAP. Good luck and take care of yourself and your daughter and we'll be talking soon.

[SherryLou]

Thank you for all your help. My daughter is being monitored by a Neurologist but he reccomended Nuerontin(not sure of spelling), I think its called, a seizure med to take every day for the migraines, and she is not keen on taking a drug every day and I am not sure that is what I want for her either. As far as the PET scan, can that still be done? MRI and CT scan were normal. I thought PET scan had to be done within two months of injury and we are now at 4 months. I will continue looking to find doctors who are sensitive to her needs but in this area not sure if there are many. We are in Raleigh NC. She is seeing a Chiropractor as well. She did see an orthopedic doctor, but the xray he looked at was taken at the emergency room and it was of her lying down, the Chiropractor took it standing and it looked entirely different, showed misalignment. Also, the chiropractor noted the hip misalignment by measuring her legs when lying down one foot sits higher. After several adjustments to her spine it aligns but only just goes right back shortly after, will this be this way forever? Also, the Orthopedic said she had popping hip syndrome, will it go away in time?

[californiasunflower]

I can understand your concerns about the neurontin and taking a medication regularly. I'm not familiar with taking it myself but I know from others who do it is effective. If the neurologist recommended that then I would certainly consider taking it because it is probably going to help her keep the migraines under good control. You could research the possible side affects to be aware of if she experiences any that the doctor should be notified about.

With regards to the PET Scan, it appears you're more familiar with the criteria than I am. I just know it reflects more imaging than the CT or MRI and suggested it if she wasn't improving and her vision was disturbed too. Things hard to discern-- even with the MRI ability-- show up better on PET Scan. Just a suggestion especially if she gets any visual problems.

I am glad she is in the care of a neurologist. That's certainly going to help her get well! Keep us informed. I know this must be awfully difficult on you to have your child experience having to heal from traumatic injuries. Sending lots of hugs!