Chronic Pain Support Group
Physicians and professionalsdefine pain as chronic if it lasts longer than three to six months and is persistent. It's distinct from acute pain that is a direct result of injury or trauma. This support group is dedicated to those suffering from chronic pain. Discuss treatments that have worked for you, find advice for your specific experience, and find support. You're not...
So I had an appointment with a neurosurgeon this morning. I was really hoping there'd be something he could do to help me. None of the pain management things I've had done have given any benefit and for the most part each one exacerbated problems. Well, our appointment lasted only 6 minutes or so.
He pulled up the MRI images of my lumbar spine and my neck and immediately determined there were no things that surgically needed to be done. He pointed to some degeneration in the discs in my lumbar region and slight bulging in a few of the neck discs, but said that there was no nerve impingement he could see. He said the spinal cord appeared to have plenty of room. When asked why I have so much tingling and numbness that happens in my arms and hands, he said to see a neurologist and get an EMG done to test the nerves in my upper extremities. He said carpal tunnel could explain the hand symptoms. He had no input on why my headaches have gotten progressively worse and I have such pain across my upper back and shoulders that radiates down my arms.
I just can't understand what's going on. Carpal tunnel doesn't explain the upper body issues. I've seen neurologists before, I don't know if I've had an EMG, but since the neurosurgeon found nothing of significance, my parents are extremely hesitant paying for me to see a neurologist. I had a neuro briefly, but she left on maternity leave and I've looked into a couple other possible ones...but I am starting to agree with my mom that it's probably pointless. She also wants to stop doing the pain management things like injections since those never do a dang bit of good.
Nothing is ever found and nothing ever helps. I feel extremely depressed and hopeless right now. I feel like I'm just nuts and there's really nothing happening with me physically. I feel pain, but with no physical reason, it sure lends towards it just being psychological. I don't even know what doctor or who to turn to next. I've seen rheumatologists, neurologists, endocrinologists, pain management doctors, neurosurgeons, chiropractors, acupuncturists...all with zero relief and few to none answers or explanations.
I mentioned submitting my records to Johns Hopkins to see if they could help me and my mom just said she'd think about it. She said she doubted they would be able to do anything to help me. I asked her if I should just give up then, just accept that I will never have an answer to my pain and symptoms and I will never find adequate relief for them. She was silent. I hate this...I'm tired of hurting all of the time and having nothing ever be wrong. I guess it all is just in my head. Sorry this is long...thanks for reading it.
~Megan~
He pulled up the MRI images of my lumbar spine and my neck and immediately determined there were no things that surgically needed to be done. He pointed to some degeneration in the discs in my lumbar region and slight bulging in a few of the neck discs, but said that there was no nerve impingement he could see. He said the spinal cord appeared to have plenty of room. When asked why I have so much tingling and numbness that happens in my arms and hands, he said to see a neurologist and get an EMG done to test the nerves in my upper extremities. He said carpal tunnel could explain the hand symptoms. He had no input on why my headaches have gotten progressively worse and I have such pain across my upper back and shoulders that radiates down my arms.
I just can't understand what's going on. Carpal tunnel doesn't explain the upper body issues. I've seen neurologists before, I don't know if I've had an EMG, but since the neurosurgeon found nothing of significance, my parents are extremely hesitant paying for me to see a neurologist. I had a neuro briefly, but she left on maternity leave and I've looked into a couple other possible ones...but I am starting to agree with my mom that it's probably pointless. She also wants to stop doing the pain management things like injections since those never do a dang bit of good.
Nothing is ever found and nothing ever helps. I feel extremely depressed and hopeless right now. I feel like I'm just nuts and there's really nothing happening with me physically. I feel pain, but with no physical reason, it sure lends towards it just being psychological. I don't even know what doctor or who to turn to next. I've seen rheumatologists, neurologists, endocrinologists, pain management doctors, neurosurgeons, chiropractors, acupuncturists...all with zero relief and few to none answers or explanations.
I mentioned submitting my records to Johns Hopkins to see if they could help me and my mom just said she'd think about it. She said she doubted they would be able to do anything to help me. I asked her if I should just give up then, just accept that I will never have an answer to my pain and symptoms and I will never find adequate relief for them. She was silent. I hate this...I'm tired of hurting all of the time and having nothing ever be wrong. I guess it all is just in my head. Sorry this is long...thanks for reading it.
~Megan~
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This is not true for everyone --- not true for every situation, but there was a time, when, if I had not gotten away from the doctors and some of their remedies, I would have NEVER healed. Believe or don't.
I'm not a person of faith at this point, so even though it's hypocritical of me - facts always matter to me - and they have proven that prayer can heal people in some cases, when doctors can't.
Good luck to you.
I think Jen has an excellent suggestion about a therapist. Stress is a huge contributor to pain. It is real and needs real attention. A therapist can help you identify the things in your life that you can change that will help you feel better.
And yes look into insurance. Most states have low cost insurance for children and students. If you are in school talk to your college health department. They often offer low cost care especially counseling. They may even have group therapy for students to help them deal with stress.
I hope you can find some answers. But remember that sometimes the answer is no, that isn't the problem. Ruling things out can be as useful as finding a cause.
I know you already see a Pdoc and Tdoc so you have the Psychological covered, keeping with that when your dealing with all that you are is important, and you've stuck with it.
Jen pointed out several good points. Just because they don't want to operate doesn't mean you don't have injury or a reason for pain. Getting the EMT might be a good next step. I'm pretty sure if you've ever had one, you'd remember it, they're not the easiest test in the world, but they can show nerve injury or rule out non-nerve injury. Carpal Tunnel can cause more pain/nerve tingling than you give it credit for, so that's something to get checked out.
Don't give up, your not crazy and I really don't think all of this is just in your head kiddo. The rest of what I have to talk to you about I'll shoot you in an email.
Hang in there,
Kat
I may have you confused with someone else so forgive me ...are you one of the people who were looking to get off medications to see where your pain was coming, I ask as I had a lot of issues couldn't get a dx for almost 6 yrs more meds. things seem to of been feed off one another and side effect stopped my GI track, caused nerve pain I couldn't explain and upper right side pain that felt like I was being stabbed went off of things bit by bit and now I'm off everything and I feel better than I have in yrs.
just thought I'd throw out what I went through but as always talk to your doctors or make sure to do your homework before removing or changing a medication
best of luck
tori
When I read your post I saw a red flag about the neurosurgeon you saw and that is he only spent 6 minutes with you on a first appointment. It is typical for a surgeon to spend anywhere from 15 to 30 mins with you on a first time visit. I want to tell you something from my first experience...not to scare you but something you can use as an example with your mom.
I had an MRI at my local hospital because I had been having slurred speech and right sided weakness. Radiology read the report and I was discharged home. I continued to get worse and the docs I saw there told me I needed a psychiatric eval. I got mad and went for a second opinion at JH with Dr. Daniele Rigamonte. I was told I had a stroke, was in surgery for a shunt within 24 hours.....
I say this to tell you that if you continue having pain do not let anyone persuade you not to get a second opinion or to stop after one neurosurgeon. Yes, it is costly to get another opinion but at what cost? Because I had a stroke I could have had a bad outcome with no intervention had I given up at that point.
I want to encourage you to at least get a second opinion and if Johns Hopkins is where you want to do that it is an excellent choice because there are wonderful neurosurgeons there. Don't give up and in the meantime Jen and the others had wonderful suggestions as well. You have alot of people in your corner on here so chin up hun....we will help you through this!!!
((((((((((((((((((( gentle hugs)))))))))))))))))))))))
Beth