Think I have whiplash do I need medical attention?

[StarCourt]

A car drove into the back of me a couple of hours ago when I was stationary at traffic lights.
I had just turned around to check on my dog who was on the back seat ( on the way to the vets) when i felt a huge jolt.
I'm in a fair bit of pain from my neck and the area around my shoulder blades and my left arm is painful and a bit tingly in my fingers. My thumb hurts particularly, I'm also feeling very stiff and weirdly my ears are whistling.
I imagine I've probably got whiplash but should I be seeking any kind of medical attention?
I've got a horrible feeling I'm going to be sore tomorrow.
The dog however is fine (according to the vet)

Well I called 111 who wanted to send me an ambulance out!
I refused so they recorded that I was going against their recommendation and then got my local Badgers out of hours service to call me too.
They've said I def need to be seen but I need to sort it tomorrow

Not sure why you asked us really.

@Hodibiddy because I've never had anything like that happen before and whilst I was in some pain afterwards it wasn't horrendous.
We are in a pandemic and see horror stories every day about ambulances not arriving or taking hours and hours to arrive for people with actual life threatening issues. Plus im a single parent. If I go to hospital it will ça se problems.
I called my GP this morning and they will 'try and get a doctor to call me today'. No urgency from them so who is right?

'Cause' problems

IME gps will advise painkillers and rest. This is really not good advice. You need physio as fast as possible. This is expensive which is why the advice to go through your insurers is really important.
My dd is still having physio 6 years after her accident. The compensation, but at least she got some and it paid for a couple of years.

That should say that the compensation ran out years ago but at least she got some.

@endofthelinefinally actually when Badgers called me back last night they said the same. Chances of physio on the NHS are remote at the moment and advised me to take it up with my insurance

You wont get any physio on the nhs atm. I need physio for a long term condition and I only get a phone call and an emailed exercise sheet. I do my best, but it isn't the same as seeing the physio in clinic.

The thing is, you don't know if you will have long term damage or not. You cant always tell.

I had a similar car accident, i was stationary at a junction and a car drove into me and my car was written off. I had whiplash. I reported the accident to my insurance after swapping details with the other driver. My insurance firm started a personal injury claim and arranged for me to see a Dr and have 4 months of physiotherapy for my whiplash. All claimed through the other drivers insurance. The physiotherapy made a massive difference. You need to speak to your car insurers.

Don't take a settlement from the insurance company - they may ring up and offer one.

12 years ago I got hit by whilst stationary and have had years of rehab and physio but it still persists.

I'm lucky that I was sleepy on painkillers when the insurance company phoned with a goodwill gesture - at the time I thought it was a minor injury and was considering going skiing the week after. Tell your insurance and get their advice - they may arrange private physio

What's Badgers, op?

@PennyFleck it's the name of the out of hours service in my area

Usually worse next morning and 2 weeks to be over worst of it, 6 weeks for full recovery

I’ve had it 3 times. The first time l was off work for 3 weeks in agony. It never fully went away. That was 34 years ago.

The second time caused me endless problems for 4 years

The last time was the easiest one.

I have a long thin neck and was hit from behind by a Ford Sierra when l was driving a very small Mini ( not like they are now) it hit me with such force that my stylish 1980’s Alice band flew off and landed on the back window.

All whiplash accidents are not the same.

@thickthighs73

No I am not medically qualified -- As I said, I've had whiplash many times in life, starting age 17. Skiing, skating, cycling... My understanding is that any ligament injury you get < age 19 is prone to recurrence. So from my person experience of how to manage it, I suggest support one's head as you move around. This helps me.

Don't mind or care if OP tries other things.

I take it you have photographed the damage to your car from all angles and videoed it prior to trading it in? Just in case it’s later required.

I went to a private physio for something else this year. It was £50 just in case that’s helpful. He said the advice my gp had given my for my (different) injury was wrong and that it would have been better for my outcome if I’d contacted him first. I believe this as I was previously Tod the same thing re my whiplash. So I too would recommend a private physio asap just to check you’re doing the right things.

@Elieza it doesn't look particularly damaged unless there's something underneath I can't see

They probably tried to send an ambulance because of tingling in the hand being a red flag for stroke.

[quote lljkk]@thickthighs73

No I am not medically qualified -- As I said, I've had whiplash many times in life, starting age 17. Skiing, skating, cycling... My understanding is that any ligament injury you get < age 19 is prone to recurrence. So from my person experience of how to manage it, I suggest support one's head as you move around. This helps me.

Don't mind or care if OP tries other things.[/quote]
Then you shouldn’t be attempting to give medical advice ? some people take information as gospel, and can do more harm than good.

hahaha.
So MNers shouldn't tell each other ...

... that GPs are woefully ignorant about menopause and therefore their advice should be completely ignored unless they recommend HRT because HRT is solution to everything meno-related

... that a runny nose as single only symptom is a good reason to take a Covid LFT

... how to interpret their thyroid tests

... whether to go to A&E or not ...

I mean, sure, I'm all for no one ever again making health-related suggestions on MN, but is it only Whiplash care you'd like to say "you shouldn’t be attempting to give medical advice" in response to?