Just joined up

How folks. Been reading posts on your site for quite awhile. Put off joining the conversation for a few reasons. One being that I had a "suit" going against the guy who crashed into me and destroyed my back and my life. Didn't want to end up saying something that could somehow "hurt" me in the "land of perverted justice"

Unfortunately, turns out I had a lousy lawyer, so I got screwed anyway, and I couldn't have screwed myself any worse than he screwed me !!

Was diagnosed with herniated L4/L5 w/radiculopathy after a MVA a few yrs. ago. Been in pain ever since. Seen a few useless doctors who were no help. Just took my $ and wasted my time, basically.

Did the "decompression" & P/T (couple of times) - neither helped.

Facet block injections made me lots worse for quite some time.

Went to a PM place, after requesting a script for an EPI from my (had no clue about what to do) neurologist.

The epidural caused severe back pain for for several days, and unbelievably severe neuropathy in both feet and ankles for a couple of weeks (literally felt as tho my socks were filled with needles !). Also got a, thankfully, short -lived and mild case of shingles Then I thankfully, went back to being in just the serious to severe pain I had been in prior to the EPI !!

What a ride.

I was looking into how to diagnose Arachnoiditis and looked at your search here @HW to see if any of you have had such a diagnosis. The search turned up blank. I guess it is even more under the radar than i thought.

I also read an article on British websites yesterday that researchers at the University of Southern Denmark discovered that maybe 20%-40% of cases of chronic back pain are caused by a previously unknown bacterial infection that can be treated with an antibiotic regimen. Something about the bacteria getting into injured discs.

If this turns out to be legit, it could mean so much to those (of us) who have suffered so much, with not much hope for help from back injuries.

Anyway, even tho I have not previously joined/ posted, I have read your stories, cried over some of your sufferings, and prayed (and will continue to do so) often for you.

Post Edited (If I Was Me) : 5/8/2013 3:22:53 PM (GMT-6)

Hello If I was Me & welcome to the forum. Wow, what a story you have to tell, pretty much everyone that comes to the forum all have a story to tell. From reading your post it sounds like you pretty much have been put through the wringer too.

You are interested in learning about Arachnoiditis, here is a reputable website to check out, I think you will get your answers there. Its called SpineUniverse.com, it has I guess every ailment known to man concerning the spine. They do have some excellent info that will probably help you.

Sorry to hear that you had a rotten atty, I guess its like anything else we run into there is one in every bunch. It really makes you wonder who you are suppose to trust some times, the ones that are suppose to help are the very ones that stick the knife in the back. At least with that part behind you, you can concentrate on getting you better.

Anyway, just wanted to pop on & tell you welcome aboard. Take care...Susie

Just wanted to pop in and welcome you aboard. Glad you found us but sorry you are hurting so much. Hope you are able to find some solutions to your terrible pain. I know it's not easy but try to hang in there. Keep posting with us and let us know how you are doing.

Suzane

Wanted to thank you folks for welcoming me to HW. As I said, I've been "lurking" for quite some time.

nvrthesame98 - I think you might be right about encephalitis playing a role in your migraines and spine issues. Did you get a spinal tap when being diagnosed ?

As to the arachnoiditis, I've done research on it, I was just looking to see if anyone here had been diagnosed with it and if so, how that came about.

It's a very scary thing. Seems that it is caused by spinal injections and surgeries - any invasive back treatment - even some women who got epidurals for childbirth ended up with it. It is rare, I believe, but a very serious - no cure- debilitating condition. And my understanding is that since there is no cure, a lot of doctors don't even diagnose it and just keep it under the radar, so to speak.

Purgatory - I'm guessing that you/your lawyer(s) have filed suit, so you do not have to worry about the statute of limitations ?
I wish you all the best in forcing the medical ppl who caused you so much suffering to be held accountable. I've heard that it is very hard to successfully sue those in the medical field even when they have been seriously negligent. I wish you well, and I do pray for you.

"my" (and i use that word very loosely) lawyer just wanted to settle quickly so that he could get a decent amt. of $ for doing basically no work. Which he could then use for the cases he was actually going to do some work on - the cases worth a million or more ! Much more $ in his greedy pockets !

After speaking with him, when he tried to convince me to settle for lots less than I should get, I was convinced that he would basically be useless. I could have fired him, and gone looking for another lawyer, but I've been in serious pain for almost 4 yrs., I'm tired and out of "fight". So I settled just to be done with it (not that I'll ever be done with the effects of the car accident) and to be done with him. Hopefully Karma gets the evil ppl at some point.

Anyway, thanks again for the welcome. I hope that I can be somewhat encouraging to the folks here on HW. As I I've lurked, I've been really impressed at the encouragement and support that you folks give each other. I doubt that there are more compassionate ppl than you ppl here on HW

Hello If It was Me!….

…I wanted to give you a warm Welcome before I fall asleep here! We are so glad you found this support forum, and I'm sure you will enjoy the members.

Again Welcome!

SE