Hypoxia and Medicine

is it possible that these doctors are refusing to recognize and treat my pain? (kinda long sorry)?

Sorry this may be long but I really do need some advice, or some thoughts/explanations on this. I am 26 years old, have a 2 year old boy, and a husband. About 8 years ago I was involved in a car crash, but was really unwise about it and did not seek medical evaluations about it. (I was in shock and did not feel any pain at the time) Since then I have maintained a chronic pain in my left neck/shoulder area. The pain alters forms from time to time: dull aches, sharp pains, burning, tingling, numbness, weakness, concentrated nerve pain deep in my muscles, shooting pains all the way down to my pinkie. This pain strangely enough fluctuates in levels ranging from about a 4-5 on EXCELLENT days.. some days--stretches of time it can be up to a 9. When its 9 its excruciating. I do not have to be doing anything for my pain to be effecting me. Just sitting down hurts. Needless to say it makes it difficult to be productive around the house or be active with my child. 4 years ago I went to the doctor, and she took an xray and said that she saw evidence of arthritis in my spine. Shortly after that I lost the insurance, and since then could not afford to go back to her. I went through this discount program clinic place, and have tried to get help through them. For some reason no doctors in this program will say that I have arthritis or will even acknowledge my pain as anything other than psychological. This is increasingly frustrating as I am unable to afford any other kinds of health programs right now, and cannot seek other opinions out side this system. I have seen more than 5 doctors, taken countless xrays, mris, cat scans, even an EMG test. (that EMG test was really questionable though as during the beginning of the test, they said that it seemed i was "borderline arthritic" but refused to accept this as they moved the probes around untill they got a normal reading) Is it likely that programs like these (available to low income people) are unwilling to treat people with chronic- non life threatening conditions? I am sick and tired of being treated like I am crazy for my pain. These doctors say that I am "too young" to be experiencing this. anyways, after weeks and weeks of unsuccessful PT, I tried a Chiropractor. He insisted that I get another Xray, and he said that he saw something wrong with my C6-C7 disc. How can the Chiropractor and the previous doctor see something that these doctors do not? The Chiropractor only helps short term, no actual healing going on there, just short term relief. I am constantly stretching, obtaining therapeutic messages, use heating pads/patches, ice, menthol cream, sleep on a good bed, stay active, work on my posture, try to eat right, exercise, taking Tylenol/aspirin/neproxin does nothing for me. Nothing takes my pain away. I am fearful that I am flagged as some sort of drug seeker or something, but medication is the last thing I want. If I could do some surgery, burn nerve endings, do some sort of numbing shot, some sort of localized specific nerve blocker, RATHER than a life long regimine of opoid medication, and take the problem away once and for all i would in a heartbeat. Are any of the above treatments viable as a true long term relief? Please thoughtful answers only and thank you for reading all of this.. Please help!

Public Comments

1. yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes you are being treated very unfriendly for a real and painful condition. your story almost matches up perfectly with mine, FIBROMYALGIA. learn that word well. i had finally gotten a diagnosis in nov of 09. even knowing what it is, doctors arnt much of a help. they will still look at you crazy and some would rather watch u slit your wrists from the pressure of having too much pain or pop you full of antidepressants and sedatives too keep you from going crazy in pain, when what we all really need pain medication and pain therapy, because this pain is real. it seems almost sadistic how some of these doctors are treating honest but ill people like you and me. some doctors have made me feel so lost and hopeless that i gave up at one point, but then i realized with the right support, this is a condition you can fight and even conquer. just do as much as you can to learn about this condition and dont give up. best wishes