Kittty Kat
04-14-2006, 01:05 PM
I am 37 years old and I have suffered from back problems my entire life. My pain started when I was about 9 years old. I was playing with my brother and my wristed popped during a cartwheel and I have litterally been in pain every since. I was taken to the hospital (3 days later) and it was checked for dislocation, fracture, maybe even a hair-line crack, but when it all came back clean it was declaired a 'ploy for attention'. Over the next 2 years the pain worked up my arm to my my elbow, my shoulder, across to my spine, and down to my hips. During these two years I was dismissed, belittled, and punished for being whiny because I looked 'just fine'. No one even bothered to concider that my left side being 1/2 smaller then my right side might be important. My left foot is 2 sizes smaller and 1/2 inch narrower then the right. Appearantly that normal because nature isn't perfect...everyone is 2 different sizes.
When I was 22 my right knee began to hurt to the point that I couldn't walk. One doctor told me it was a fungus, and one doctor told me to take more calcium. A chiropractor finally realized I had a problem and began treating me. He said my knee was falling apart because of the pressure on my spine and pelvic due to the difference in sizes.
After 2 years of chiropractic ajustments with no improvment, this doctor told me I just didn't want to feel better and refused to continue treatment.
I went to my MD and asked for an arthritis blood test and was told "You don't look arthritic." I asked about Fibro-Myalgia or Lumpus (because of the constant bone and muscle pain) and was told "You mother had those and they aren't genetic...so you CAN'T have them." I was told to improve my diet.
Next I tried a neuoligist. He order a full body MRI. 45 minutes in that tube was so painful I couldn't walk out of the office. I can't lay, or stand, or sit, in one postition for more then 5 minutes at a time...but they said I was just emotional because of my clausterphobia. I don't have clausterphobia...
The NS said I had a thingy called a Tethered Cord and a bulging disk and he could just go in and 'nab it' and I'd be right as rain. I took exception to his wording...added to the fact that (14 years ago) they could only offer me a 50/50 chance of success and I would be flat on my back for 8 weeks...so I asked for non-surgical alternatives. He left the room, saying he would be right back and 20 minutes later his nurse chased me out saying he'd gone to lunch.
I asked around about this 'tethered cord' thingy and only one person had ever heard of it. It's when you're pregnant and the baby's umbillical cord is too short...
Stop...not pregnant...not even sexually active...
I gave up for about 10 years.
I excepted that I would always be in pain. I excepted that a good day was a day I could work with a pain leval of 5. A good day is when I only have to take 600mg of over the counter pain killers at a time. The alcohol every night helped me sleep a bit. Next thing I know I have a drinking problem.
Now I allow myself 1 4-pack of wine coolers a month and 25 200mgs of IB prophin a month. I have to life work with that. I have no choice.
I started a new job a year ago and met a woman with hip displaysia. She recomended her D.O. to me and it turns out almost everone in the company goes to him. So I'll give him a try.
He examined me and said "Wow...a genuine leg lenth difference. Don't see that too often." He ordered a spinal xray and full blood work. 3 weeks later he calls me at 9pm to say my cholesteral is excellant, I don't have Arthritis or Lumpus and I have some 'narrowing' in my low back. He told me to make an appointment so we can go over it and start 'working on my pain'.
The soonest appointment was a month away.
My appointment was at 3pm and I sat in the waiting room till 3:50. He walked in the exam room at 3:55 with no xrays. I asked what 'narrowing' meant and he said it was when the vertibrae compress. What's that? It means they can't move correctly. An ajustment will help.
I don't want an ajustment. They don't work and they make it hurt more.
I told him I have having intense pain in my shoulders and knees and my right foot. He said that was nerve pain and an ajustment would relieve it.
I gave in.
He pulled my leg, pushed my shoulder, turned my head and said "All better!"
I didn't feel any better.
"It takes a few days. Call me in 3 weeks or so IF you feel more pain."
HUH???? I'm in pain now!!
He walked out.
I got in my car and the cloock said 4:04pm
I just started crying. 30 years of pain and this thinks he can cure me in 9 minutes?
I went home and threw a dark in the phone book and called that chiropractor and said I wanted to pay for an entire visit of just talking.
Within 45 minutes this man said I was classic, text book Tethered Cord Syndrome (and I never mentioned the NS 14 years ago) but I need another MRI to back it up.
But unfortunatelly I need an MD to order for me because my insurance doesn't take the word of a Chiro-Quack-tor.
Sorry this is so long. I'm out of patience, frustrated and in pain.
When I was 22 my right knee began to hurt to the point that I couldn't walk. One doctor told me it was a fungus, and one doctor told me to take more calcium. A chiropractor finally realized I had a problem and began treating me. He said my knee was falling apart because of the pressure on my spine and pelvic due to the difference in sizes.
After 2 years of chiropractic ajustments with no improvment, this doctor told me I just didn't want to feel better and refused to continue treatment.
I went to my MD and asked for an arthritis blood test and was told "You don't look arthritic." I asked about Fibro-Myalgia or Lumpus (because of the constant bone and muscle pain) and was told "You mother had those and they aren't genetic...so you CAN'T have them." I was told to improve my diet.
Next I tried a neuoligist. He order a full body MRI. 45 minutes in that tube was so painful I couldn't walk out of the office. I can't lay, or stand, or sit, in one postition for more then 5 minutes at a time...but they said I was just emotional because of my clausterphobia. I don't have clausterphobia...
The NS said I had a thingy called a Tethered Cord and a bulging disk and he could just go in and 'nab it' and I'd be right as rain. I took exception to his wording...added to the fact that (14 years ago) they could only offer me a 50/50 chance of success and I would be flat on my back for 8 weeks...so I asked for non-surgical alternatives. He left the room, saying he would be right back and 20 minutes later his nurse chased me out saying he'd gone to lunch.
I asked around about this 'tethered cord' thingy and only one person had ever heard of it. It's when you're pregnant and the baby's umbillical cord is too short...
Stop...not pregnant...not even sexually active...
I gave up for about 10 years.
I excepted that I would always be in pain. I excepted that a good day was a day I could work with a pain leval of 5. A good day is when I only have to take 600mg of over the counter pain killers at a time. The alcohol every night helped me sleep a bit. Next thing I know I have a drinking problem.
Now I allow myself 1 4-pack of wine coolers a month and 25 200mgs of IB prophin a month. I have to life work with that. I have no choice.
I started a new job a year ago and met a woman with hip displaysia. She recomended her D.O. to me and it turns out almost everone in the company goes to him. So I'll give him a try.
He examined me and said "Wow...a genuine leg lenth difference. Don't see that too often." He ordered a spinal xray and full blood work. 3 weeks later he calls me at 9pm to say my cholesteral is excellant, I don't have Arthritis or Lumpus and I have some 'narrowing' in my low back. He told me to make an appointment so we can go over it and start 'working on my pain'.
The soonest appointment was a month away.
My appointment was at 3pm and I sat in the waiting room till 3:50. He walked in the exam room at 3:55 with no xrays. I asked what 'narrowing' meant and he said it was when the vertibrae compress. What's that? It means they can't move correctly. An ajustment will help.
I don't want an ajustment. They don't work and they make it hurt more.
I told him I have having intense pain in my shoulders and knees and my right foot. He said that was nerve pain and an ajustment would relieve it.
I gave in.
He pulled my leg, pushed my shoulder, turned my head and said "All better!"
I didn't feel any better.
"It takes a few days. Call me in 3 weeks or so IF you feel more pain."
HUH???? I'm in pain now!!
He walked out.
I got in my car and the cloock said 4:04pm
I just started crying. 30 years of pain and this thinks he can cure me in 9 minutes?
I went home and threw a dark in the phone book and called that chiropractor and said I wanted to pay for an entire visit of just talking.
Within 45 minutes this man said I was classic, text book Tethered Cord Syndrome (and I never mentioned the NS 14 years ago) but I need another MRI to back it up.
But unfortunatelly I need an MD to order for me because my insurance doesn't take the word of a Chiro-Quack-tor.
Sorry this is so long. I'm out of patience, frustrated and in pain.
Sponsor
Kittty Kat
04-14-2006, 01:25 PM
I guess I forgot to mention some of my other syptoms. Sorry...got carried away complaining.
I don't have the lack of bladder or bowles, but I have to pee more often then anyone I know. The only people that beat me are pregnant woman. Sometimes I feel like I have to pee 5 senconds after I just finished. Sometimes I go and feel like I can't empty my bladder all the way.
I'm extremely sensitive to cold. I can barely tolerate 72 degrees. 95 is much more my comfort level.
I can't ride a bike, I can't sqwat, or do constant bending or lifting. I can lift up to 40lbs, I just can't lift it from the floor. I have constant pain in my neck and shoulders but the only low bain pain I have is if I lay on my back for more then 10 minutes or spend more then 3 minutes bending over. Then I get this burning pain like a vice around my ribs and stomache. It vanishes within seconds after standing up.
I don't have tingly feet or hands, but my thumbs fall asleep almost instantly when I carry small objects or try to write with a pen.
I have hyper reflexes in my legs. They're so big that my entire body jerks when my knees are knocked.
My oddest symptom is that the bottom of my right foot always ALWAYS itches.
Lately I just can't seem to sleep. I don't nessecarily wake up in pain (though I'm in pain fairly shortly) I just can't sleep.
I don't have the lack of bladder or bowles, but I have to pee more often then anyone I know. The only people that beat me are pregnant woman. Sometimes I feel like I have to pee 5 senconds after I just finished. Sometimes I go and feel like I can't empty my bladder all the way.
I'm extremely sensitive to cold. I can barely tolerate 72 degrees. 95 is much more my comfort level.
I can't ride a bike, I can't sqwat, or do constant bending or lifting. I can lift up to 40lbs, I just can't lift it from the floor. I have constant pain in my neck and shoulders but the only low bain pain I have is if I lay on my back for more then 10 minutes or spend more then 3 minutes bending over. Then I get this burning pain like a vice around my ribs and stomache. It vanishes within seconds after standing up.
I don't have tingly feet or hands, but my thumbs fall asleep almost instantly when I carry small objects or try to write with a pen.
I have hyper reflexes in my legs. They're so big that my entire body jerks when my knees are knocked.
My oddest symptom is that the bottom of my right foot always ALWAYS itches.
Lately I just can't seem to sleep. I don't nessecarily wake up in pain (though I'm in pain fairly shortly) I just can't sleep.
Kissa
04-14-2006, 05:03 PM
Hi Kitty and welcome to the board, while you may not get all the answers you seek it's a great place for moral support and understanding. I'm sorry to hear you are suffering so much, it appears you been through so much through the years. I too have suffered from chronic pain since a child as a result of an experimental hip displasia surgery that caused OA and things only went downhill from there with OA in many parts of my body along with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome.
In addition to getting a proper diagnosis for your problems it is probably just as important since you've suffered for so long and on a daily basis to seek out a Pain Management specialist who may be able to help ease some of the suffering that you're going through. While it's not a cure all, it never is nor is it intended to be, it can give you somewhat of a quality of life.
Barbie
In addition to getting a proper diagnosis for your problems it is probably just as important since you've suffered for so long and on a daily basis to seek out a Pain Management specialist who may be able to help ease some of the suffering that you're going through. While it's not a cure all, it never is nor is it intended to be, it can give you somewhat of a quality of life.
Barbie