Have neck, thorasic and lower back pain for the last 6 months......

Hi everyone. This is my first post. I had CT scans, Xrays and MRIs done, and the Doctors can't find ANYTHING wrong. They found some levoscoliosis and dextroscoliosis in my thoracic spine, but the doc said, that's no reason for the pain. I been taking meloxican and flexorill, pain Doc game me some muscle relaxer injections and last week facet block injections.... the pain still there, in my lower neck, upper thoracic spine and power back. For the lower, i just did therapy and I have my good days and bad days but more bad days than good. The pain is not constant on the thoracic, but when it comes, is like someone is stabbing me on the back and twisting the knife. The neck pain is almost constant and when is bad, I feel numbness in my arm, forearm and some fingers on my hand. I was told that there's no pinch nerves on my neck or back. I'm very, very frustrated. I don't think the docs believe me. I wish we could switch bodies for a day and then ask him, how it was. I been stretching my thoracic, neck and LB, also doing some strengthening exercises. Heat, cold, tens unit I had tried all.

The worse part is that I'm falling into depression because they can't find anything wrong and I don't want to live the rest of my life like this. Is anyone here with something similar? Any ideas on what else can I try? Any help/suggestion will be really appreciated.

Post Edited (30plusretlaw) : 5/8/2014 3:02:07 PM (GMT-6)

It is rough when there is no clear cut reason for your pain. It is also not uncommon for this to happen. Many people here have gone years before finally getting a diagnosis, and some unfortunately never do.

Don't give up. Keep plugging away. Do everything you can to get to the bottom of this, including finding a doctor that will take you seriously.


Depression is very common among people with chronic pain. Do not be afraid of it and if need be seek out professional help in this area too.

Thanks for the replies. Let me explain a little better. My pain is because a fall, down the stairs, at work. I was taken to the emergency room in pain. The trauma Doctor took x-rays and a CT scan and told me that everything was ok, no broken bones or nothing out of the ordinary. I was in pain while in the gurney with the neck collar, in the wooden platform . Once he came back, he told me, that I could go home. They put pain meds in the IV and I felt ok, came out walking normal. Once I sat down in my wife car, my thoracic and neck started hurting, not to mention my lower back(I already have surgery in my lower back L5-S1 fussion)

So he was the first doctor that saw me. The next day, the doctor we have to see, for works mans comp read the report and send me home with no restrictions, more meds and an Ice pack. The second one that told me that I didn't have anything.

When I started to drive 3-5 hours at a time, my pain went from manageable / able to sleep, to very painful / not able to sleep. The pain didn't allow me to sleep more than 2-3 hours, even after taking ambien and a muscle relaxer. Then, having to work 9-12 hours driving, it was getting dangerous. I was fighting sleeplessness every night. I was send to an Orthopedic doctor, that order MRIs cervical, thoracic and lumbar(minor emergency clinic). All the reports from the MRI place came ok. I did some therapy for the lumbar, didn't help much, I did therapy for my lower back, and that help, but still hurts.

To summarize. I seen 3 doctors (the one from the minor emergency clinic, didn't do much). I seen the reports and they didn't find much. Now, I'm seen a pain management doctor, that the Ortho refer me too. Had facet blocks last week but , unfortunately didn't help much. Sitting here, writing this, is causing a shap pain in my left thoracic area. This is frustrating. I would give all the money in the world for a pain free body.

Post Edited (30plusretlaw) : 5/7/2014 3:29:43 PM (GMT-6)

My hands are tied. Is very frustrating and my state of mind is not helping. They pick the doctors and everything else. Right now, I am in a lot of pain. I was feeling good this morning, but seating at the computer kills me.

Welcome 30plusretlaw !

Do know every state has different laws re: workmans comp.

Do NOT believe anything 'they' tell you - check the state's WC online site & forums if you have not already done so.

DO everything WC asks - jump thru ever hoop.

RECORD every communication w/date, point of contact & summarize info.

I give that advice based on over 10 yr of experience w/ them..
From the beginning, after about 7 months of WC being cooperative, there was a period of 4-5 months of WC not approving anything- dr appt, meds, etc, - would not even return any phone calls.

Pain took over my life, misery 24/7, sleep was rare. Until I experienced chronic pain, I had no clue how horrible life could be.

So I interviewed several attorneys & I engaged the services of one .

In this state, I was then no longer allowed to speak w/WC once that happened. 'Their' lawyer & mine chat & slap each other on the back when there is a hearing BUT they do know the laws, the ins & outs -I do not.
Another advantage is that emotions do not play a part in decision making. Pain & depression make me nuts!

Even w/attorney, it took over a yr to get some tests, even longer to have procedures done, therapy approved (then denied), meds/ refill sometimes not approved, leaving me in withdrawl as well as pain. I say this to let you know it was not all smooth sailing, even with an attorney. I sit here, unable to work, no income, waiting ( a long time) for a hearing date which may involve a settlement.. I have absolutely no idea of when, or how much.. whether I will lose my home, etc.

Throughout the years, about a dozen of 'their' doctors examined me.
They each called me a liar, in writing', in varying degrees: however
one, that I chose, one with a great reputation, did NOT.
He took time to explain to me that injuries like mine (per my mri, ct & xrays) could cause one person no pain, the next one would feel great pain & yet other paralyzed. Finally someone did not try to make me feel crazy or deny my pain existed!

And also that tests can show no injuries yet that person can feel intense pain.

I 'curse' the doctors & other professionals who, when they do not know/ do not have answers won't just say so: instead they blame their patients.

There are other posters on here who are also WC folks. Please let me know if I can help you.

ER doctors usually look for obvious signs of trauma. WC doctors often appear to be the bottom of the barrel when it comes to doctors. They seem to be working for either WC or your employer and they do everything they possibly can to find for your employer or WC.

AS suggested I would speak with an attorney and hire my own doctors. It may be the only way to get to the bottom of what is going on.

30plusretlaw said...
I was told that there's no pinch nerves on my neck or back. I'm very, very frustrated. I don't think the docs believe me. I wish we could switch bodies for a day and then ask him, how it was.

 

Man, I'll tell you I bet just about everyone on here has felt the same way on numerous occasions, not just with doctors, but family members and friends.  Having them look at you and thinking you must be faking it, I don't see anything wrong.  Come walk a day in my shoes and tell me how you feel after barely being able to bend over and pick something up due to a hurting back, or barely able to twist, stand up, etc...

 

I hope things work out for you.

You are correct that WC docs do have an agenda, which is to benefit the employer, and not protect your health.

If it were me, I would hire an attorney for my own protection.

The people you are forced to deal with can wear you down, emotionally as well as physically,....lawyers who specialize in WC injuries,-- this is all they do, and they're equipped to protect you. It also keeps "you" out of the equation when it comes to being put on the spot answering questions or feeling forced into situations.

They are versed in ways we are not....and that will work to your benefit.








M.