Pain from Car Accident

Hi Everyone,

Got into a car accident last night. A car made an illegal turn and crashed into us. My mom and I was in the car. I know it's only 24hours since the accident but the pain is really unbearable. I also feel sad and depressed and starts crying. Not sure why. I'm suffering from depression already and thing is just making things feel worst. I have to wear a neck brace because I got a lot of whiplash. Pain in my neck, head, shoulders, back and chest. I also got my right knee injured.

My therapist is out of the country for a month. She will not be back until the end of April and I really feel as though I could of used her right now. Relaxing doesn't seem to help. I tried distracting myself but it doesn't work. I keep getting flashbacks and feel scared and frighten when I'm alone which I am most of the times. I leave the light on in the night because I'm scared and sad. I feel a bit hopeless.

Not sure what to do. Any advice please?

Thanks

Well of course a car accident can bring on a lot of things...and our emotions go out of control with that...
But gettingby had some great suggestions, maybe look online into getting relaxing cd's, to help...
Did you have to go to the ER? you might want to go and get your knee checked out as soon as possible by a doctor...
Hope your Mom is okay...many many well wishes to you both...
Put some ice packs on your knee...(for any injury for the first 24 hours you need to use ice)
Sure hope your feeling better soon...

My therapist was doing DBT with me before she left. We started approximately 2 weeks ago. So, I have my distractions and relaxations plans. I've tried both but it doesn't seem to be working. The relaxations techniques makes me frustrated and brings back flashbacks for some reason which makes me scared, while the distraction plans does not distract me. It gets me depressed. I would usually use work (job) as my main distraction since this usually works, but I can't work right now.
I'm allowed to remove the brace once I lie down. However, I can't sleep even though I'm on meds.

I was actually coming from swimming classes when we got into the accident. For the past 2 1/2 years, I kind of lost contact with the 'outside world'. I stopped doing things I once enjoyed. So I decided that I've always wanted to learn to swim, so I did that. That was my first lesson and it will be my last as well.

Yes, I was in the ER. However, the accident happened around 6:30pm. I didn't get treated until 1am. My mom is ok. She got treated before me because she was having more pains, etc...
The doctor recommended Olfen Gel to rub on my knee. I didn't put ice because it was in a lot of pain and I didn't know. It's just swollen now and purple-ish/blue-ish in colour.

Thanks

Thanks Karen

Use ice packs on your knee they should help...and I agree with the others in that
you should go back to the swimming, it will help you get over some aspects of the accident as well...
Maybe try to distract yourself with a good book...or a movie...
Hope your doing better soon...many many well wishes...

Get a MRI first hon. In 2008 I was in a freak accident. A jeep hit me while I was in the cross walk, with my light. I was treated NOT in ED (aka ER) and was misdiagnosed by paramedics, my Primary On Call doctor, a week later I still hurt real bad and could barely walk. I went to Urgent Care for a second opinion. Medics and Primary missed sprained ankle, sprained wrist, twisted ankle, twisted wrist. Still have severe pain in my pelvic area. I had chiropractor treatment. Last year, I had severe adnominal pain and had to have an emergency mri... my mri showed I had a healed pelvic fracture. The only reason doctors can figure out why I was given some relief of pain was the fact I had the chiropractor, and he was always adjusting me aka putting that bone in the right spot so it healed correctly, thank goodness. Seriosly if you are in that much pain, get a second medical opinion.

Thanks Smurfy and Chartreux.

I visited my private doctor who explained a couple of things to me.
He also gave me additional meds to help my knee which seems to be working. I can now walk a bit on it and the colour (blood clots) seems to be clearing up. I think it will just take some time to heal now. However, he did give me another medical so I cannot work for a longer period now.
He also explained that my neckbone is straight which can result is some serious pain if not now, later on in my life. Apparently its suppose to have a curve. That's something new i learned.
The neck brace is suppose to come off by the end of this week.

I started getting some serious chest pains. But I guess it's just the after effects.

I have to visit the doctor again tomorrow.

Thanks again.

My girlfriend has a straight neck too from a car accident. I know it gives her a lot of pain.

I hope that you feel better soon. Thanks for posting.

Hugs, Karen

Thank you hon...

I hope that your pain meds work for you. I am going to be trying to ask for something stronger next week. My pain meds don't get it anymore, they help, but I am still in a lot of pain.

My girlfriend gets pain in that area and in her back. She is stubborn though and wont go to the doctor. I will talk her into it though. I think she needs chiropracter or something. Her daughter stretches her neck and gives her back massages. lol... lucky her...

I hope things work out good for you.

Hugs, Karen

I use to take sleepytime tea when I could not sleep. It helps a lot and is all natural. Also exederine pm worked good for me.

I now take ambien, but that is a prescription medication.

Also there is calm's forte. That is another good one. Have you tried melatonin? That will help me for a few days. But then I go back to the ambien. It is basically so I can take a little vacation off of the ambien so it will keep working for me.

Best wishes,

Hugs, Karen

PS There are a few pain killers like vicodin, that actually give you energy, so it doesn't help for sleeping. Percocet keeps me awake too. I hope you find what works for you. You need rest...