Ok, so long story short, two and a half years ago I was in a car accident. A few weeks later I began getting horrible migraines. I was constantly in pain. I also had neck and shoulder pain. I saw plenty of doctors, my primary care doctor, a migraine neurologist, chiropractor, neurologist (who as a jerk), and a Pain management doctor. I had multiple spinal injections, chiropractic care, massage therapy, physical therapy, medication, and more. I had been told I had Disc Degerative Disease (mild) and Whiplash. Once I was done with these treatments, my doctor diagnosed me with fibromyalgia. She didn't run any tests, but felt that my pain ws muscular, so she put that name on it. I am still to this day on Ultram, which is used to treat the pain.
Really the only thing that actually helped was time. The pain became less severe and less often, though I still get flare ups. It's hard to tell what causes flare ups. I know the change in weather can cause it, and my monthly period can as well. Sometimes sleeping in the wrong position causes it, sometimes it appears for no reason.
Well this last flare up is a doozy. I am on my 8th day of terrible pain and can no longer take it. usually my flare ups will last up to three or so days, but over a week? That has not been the norm.
I can feel the pain and pressure in my neck. Almost like a burning pain. It hurts to touch and it hurts just sitting there. It honestly feels like nerve pain that's deep inside. My neck and shoulder muscles are sore as well, so I keep my massage pillow on them periodically, along with some heat. Then I've got the horrible, tension-like headache as a result of the neck tenseness.
My question is I am about ready to see another doctor. I have given up hope for too long. I still get pain and I am tired of masking it with medicine, I want to try at it again to see why I keep hurting and fix it. So what type of doctor should I seek out for help? A rheumatologist? An orthopedic doctor? I have no idea. I feel like I have muscle and nerve pain in the neck/shoulder area that causes the headache.