I was in an auto accident back in 2000. since then have suffered the most ungodly type of headaches. I am not sure how I have kept my sanity though the past few years but I have.
My accident (which was not in any way my fault) happened as I was on my way to work. I was just starting into a new job ,it was my 2nd week. this job offered health insurance. which I did not have at the time ,and still dont have.
I was working two jobs, a single mother with two teenage boys at home.
a driver in another car,buzy talking on a cell phone, sees the green turning arrow and goes through the light ,thinking he has the right away, Me I'm turning left on the green arrow,I was the third car from the light, I never seen him coming, well I'm sure you get the idea.
I did have a witness who stopped, only one in the middle of the afternoon during the heaviest traffic of the day.
the police finally came and took statements, and asked if I needed an ambulance , I refused the ambulance , it was the first mistake I made.
I did go to my doctor that same day, I was hurt but really didnt know how bad.
the headaches started almost immediatly but I thought it was from hitting my head on that plastic thing that the seatbelt comes down from. I got pain medication from my doctor. and went home and the next few weeks after tried to get back to normal.
I must say I've learned alot about how the insurance companies work and also how doctors treat people who do not have a regular health insurance co.
I went through PT and have had some testing done.and was told I have two herniated disks, but what I hear is headaches arent considered to be a serious injury.
I think well I sure wish you'd get one of these "not serious" headaches and see what you think then. Its been over three years and the headaches I get feel like this:I always have one but the worst ones usually starts around the neck and its like blowing up a balloon, the pressure gets so intense that I really think my head will explode. The only thing I can do is go to bed turn off the phone and cry.
the insurance company hasn't paid anything on my medical since 2001 and I lost the job I was starting back then so I never got the health care. the second job I had was independent work ( I worked at home) for electronics company.but it was only part time, I only was making 100.00 a week from it.
My house went into forclosure my leased veihicle was reposest , I had to go to some of the help sevices here just to get food in my house, My two sons were both trying to help, they had jobs working at fast food. but only allowed so many hours a week, they were still in school.and I was in so much pain that i wasnt any good to anyone.I eventually lost even my part-time job, My boss said I was forgetting things and my personallity wasnt the same.what ever that was suppose to mean.
so now, the Doctors that Ive seen say you really need to go to a nuerologist,
but I have no insurance and cant even get an appointment with one because I dont, I'm told they need to do testing and without health insurance the cost would be to much.
My oldest son turned 22 today he is doing ok. my younger son is 20 and now married and in medical school.I really am glad they are doing well. it was hard for them at home.
I do have a lawyer for the auto accident and hes ready to settle, because headaches arent considered an injury and I cant prove a thing I will only get a few thousand, I lost all I had back then, I had to file bankruptcy to try and save my house,I did lose it.
I am now engaged to a wonderful man who has been helping me, I live with him. so its not all a tragidy.
I just really want my life back the way it was , and thats not a possibility, and if those of you who suffer as I do could tell me how to resolve the pain with out medication or a doctor ,I am listening. thank-you

HI. I'm probably not going to be much help, but I can tell you what I do.

I started getting extreme headaches after an accident too. And like you, I refused to go to the hospital. I thought I was fine. Until a couple of hours later when I could feel a twinge on the left side of my neck.

I don't have any insurance either, but I was able to go to a chiropracter for a little bit and bill it to the driver at fault's insurance.

Anyway... Mine feel like a vise is squeezing the life out of my head. I either soak in the shower, lie on a heating pad, or get my b/f to massage it. Maybe you can get your fiancee to give you massages from the shoulder blades up to relieve some tension. Often I found that it wasn't so much in my neck as it was a muscle farther down that was causing the pain in my head.

Mine got better. It's been about 6 years now. I still get 'em, but I can cope better. If all else fails, go to the emergency room. They have to treat you insurance or not. And usually if you are unemployed/without insurance, you can fill out some papers and get the bills paid for.

It really is awful how you are treated if you don't have insurance. It's like you're nothing but a bother to them and you should just find a hole and crawl into it.

Good luck finding your solution. Just wanted to let you know you aren't alone.

could tell me how to resolve the pain with out medication or a doctor ,I am
listening.
Pray for a miracle. What you want has not been invented.

Headaches & migraines are 2 different symptoms. You need to see a Neurologist that specializes in headaches/migraines.

What the hell is your lawyer doing? :confused: If the auto accident was not your fault, he should have been referring all your medical bills to either your auto insurance or the other insurance company for payment. You should not be worrying about how your auto related injury medical bills are getting paid. Your atty should be making sure they are getting paid. That is what he is getting paid for.

Part of YOUR SETTLEMENT is going to your attorney as his/her fee! Did you know this? :eek:

Doctors now have payment plans & give out sample medications for people who have no health insurance. DO NOT BE ASHAMED TO ASK FOR FREE SAMPLES.

Check out: Free Medications (http://www.needymeds.com)

Yes I know he is taking a very large part, I already settled part of the case last week.still waiting to settle with the other drivers insurance co. As for why arent my medical bill being paid I wish I could explain that one ,when I filed bankrupt back in 2001. a very big part of it was medical. they stopped paying . I fired my first lawyer and hired another,and it seems it just gets worst thats why I'm trying to just go on from here. I am trying to find empoyment now and hopfully I will find a job with health insurance. but the lawyers I have incountered thus far look at how much of your money thier getting and not how they will help you.

I am so sorry about what you have had to go thru!!:( I also had a car accident that I did not seek emergency room attention for. I live in Michigan as well--no fault insurance sucks!! I means no one take any responsibility. And getting car insurance to pay medical bills is like trying to get blood from a turnip!!
I threw my arm up to protect my face when the windshield shattered (don't remember doing it-only remember bringing arm down after car stopped) and I hyper extented a muscle under my shoulder blade. That in turn caused alot of problems with my neck and upper shoulder area and gave me absolutely blinding headaches. I finally found a massage therapist who knew shat she was feeling that managed to get the muscle to straighten out an lay properly and with ice packs and repeat visits for a short time I was able to help it heal. I still get headaches when I sit or lay wrong and pinch the muscles and if I spent to much time on the computer typing. The Dr's checked for herniated disc in my neck and there were none. The 3 MD's I wnet to after the accident were also not able to find the muscle that I injured and it took me 6+ months to find out what the problem was. My accident was in the fall of 2000.
There is a non-profit legal company in either Lansing or Detroit-try to find it. They may be able to help you and get rid of the leach lawyer that is only worried about his cut of the settlement. Good luck.

Thanks so much for your input and I will check into non profit help, I would love to have more info about the massage therapy you recieved, is it expensive and how did you find the GOOD one ? again I have no health insurance but would pay resonable fees if it would make me better. thanks

tmrlittlebit, why did your insurance company stop paying your medical bills?
If I were in your shoes, I would file a claim w/the Michigan State Insurance Commissioner to find out why your insurance co did not pay your medical bills. You do not need an atty for that. Just call them up & they will mail you the paper work (one page form).

It just doesn't make sense that you had to file for bankrupsy because your ins co stopped paying your med bills (unless you are not telling us the whole story :confused: ). Sounds like you have a valid claim against your ins co & the Ins Comms will protect your rights.

Good Luck

Do a google search for "non profit law firms Michigan" the one on the bottom of the page is the one I am aware of. (starts with Smith in East Lansing). As far as a good massage therapist I asked friends and she used to work in PT in the hospital. She charges $25 per 1/2 hour or $40 per hour. Pretty reasonable as far as I'm concerned. I still go about every 2-3 months, or when I have overdone. She works wonders with migraines. I agree with Mz. Migraine--call or write the insurance commission.
Good luck!!!!!!!!

The reasons my insurance company stopped paying is my main complaint was severe headaches,the sent me to have a medical exam done with one of those doctors ,whos main goal is to say you are fine, and the doctor said he doesnt even deal with headaches, so insurance company said its not a serious injury that can be treated , told me to take an asprin and get on with life. my frustration has been beyond anything you could possibly imagine. I have one more court hearing coming up, and this one will settle this once and for all. I'm praying for enough money to cover some of the medical costs for the Michigan head pain and neoro center in Ann Arbor I will need 3000 just for the intial consult and testing.
I have come to the conclusion the best way to resolve this is to sue for the money, and go seek a program that deals mainly with headaches.
I tried to get the insurance company to cover this testing , and even had the pain center contact them , the insurance company will not cover this. so now I wait to be heard in a courtroom where I pray a jury will understand.

Tmrlittlebit, apparently your ins co had you IME'ed (Independently Medically Examined) & found that your injuries (headaches/migrains) were not directly related to your automobile accident. This happens when the IME Dr is not a Neurolgist. I hope your attorney brings this matter up in court.

Good luck to ya in court. If your "new" atty is worth his/her grain of salt, you should get way more than $3000 to cover your meds. Pain & suffering, inconvience, loss of consortium, loss wages, job loss, etc. also come into play here from what you previously posted. Atty wants to make sure he/she gets his/her percentage of the deal too! :D

thanks so much , I really hope this attorney isnt a bump on log also, I'm sure the end result will tell.