finally someong cared

[Guest guest]

Well, it has been over 2 1/2 months since the fisrt pain in my neck

started. No biggie. A few days later the pain was severe and went

into my shoulder. Went to Military doc, told muscle strain,

given ultram 2- 4xdaily for 2 weeks. He sent me to PT as well.

Well, I had a fall off a chair that didn't make it any better, GOT

WORSE. Went back (same doc) and he put me on ultram 1- 2xdaily. (?)

well, did as prescribed. Not better getting worse, pain down arm and

numbness back of arm and outside of right hand. Saw my Rheumy and he

put me on ultram 2-4/6 hours with refills. I was still haveing pain

in the base of neck-upper back between shoulder blades.

Well, I went back for a third time, he took x-ray. Radiologist said

it was normal. So he sent me to another doc, a neurologist. He

ordered a CT and it came back two days later. This was last week. He

got the report on Thurs. and that morning his nurse called to say I

needed to get an MRI done in the morning. I did. Results were in

yesterday and I saw him today.

CT showed an extensive bulging disc. The MRI on the other hand,

didn't go down far enough to determine just how much damage was

done. (cervical MRI but only did to the C5.) I will now have to have

another MRI closed thoratic. (sp) He is sending me to a specialist to

see if surgery is required for this disc, since PT and ANSAID's

didn't help.

I can't believe that the base doc didn't catch on with what was

happening. On my last visit to the Base doc, he treated me as though

I was only there to get pain pills. (addicted) yeah right! As if I

really want to add more pills to the pharmacy I already take every

day. No offense guys but if I had been a guy he wouldn't have thought

twice about running other tests and helping me manage the pain. He

never gave me any help with the management. Barly able to function at

all.

Well, now I know that I am not making the pain up in my neck. I have

a seriously bulging disc at the C7-T1. I guess I will have to look it

all up on the internet because I am not to familiar with that type

medical problem. I need to see what type of treatments are available.

All I want is to be able to clean my own house without all this pain.

I already have some pain doing it without this new developement.

Sorry for the novel.