What should I do?

Question

I was in a hummvee accident in iraq in Nov 2004. I had lower back pain since then. Now I've been told I lost some feeling in my left leg and my upper back is real tender so if you touch it hurts. I got an xray from the VA hospital and they say part of my lower spine was missing. I went to military doctor and they said everything was normal but I hurt more when I do exercises or stand and sit for long periods of time. Its been 2 years and it still hurts everyday even if I even stopped medication cause it doesn't work. I'm in Germany now and thinking about going to the doctors over cause they pretty can find anything and keep you in the hospital til they find out whats wrong unlike back in the states.

Answer 1

You should keep checking into it until your pain stops or until they find what is actually wrong. If/when they do find what is wrong PLEASE follow all their directions to get well (100%) before resume normal duties. It is quite possible you have a soft tissue injury (not at all serious, but can be majorly painful). Soft tissue injuries take forever to heal because people start doing whatever as soon as they start to feel the least bit better and they abandon the therapies suggested by their docs. This results in re injury and it's a cycle...

Answer 2

Keep pushing the Dr's to find out what's wrong. Sometimes Dr's have "diagnosed" what's wrong with you based on your injury, what a textbook says they should do and what type of pain you are "supposed" to be in. It's easy for them, they don't have to actually work to find out what is going on. Keep looking for a dr. that will sit down with you, listen to what you are saying, I mean really listen, and then take the time to check you out well. Don't settle for less than what you deserve. There will be a certain amount of "pain" when you do exercise after an injury like you describe, but a lot of pain isn't normal. Only you can determine what is too much pain and what you can tolerate. Look into physical therapy if you can. Try to avoid becoming addicted to pain killers and muscle relaxers. I know they help take the edge off and it seems so easier that way - but I have seen first hand how devestating they can be for someone in the long run. Your body will build up a tolerance for them and soon you will need more and more to get the same effect that worked with one or two in the beginning. A doctor won't prescribe as much as you will need at this point. You will either be scavenging to find pills, forced to try other drugs that might or might not work, and at some point will have to face trying to kick them all together, which is a whole other subject. Just keep pushing for someone to help you and don't accept anything less. Just keep asking yourself, "If my mom was here, what would she demand for her child?" and go from there. Good luck

Answer 3

I don't want to correct you, but in my opinion you're just not well informed about your injury. Your statements are not that clear.
Part of your lower spine missing?
Mechanical or trauma injuries to the back are either acute or chronic.
You have a chronic condition, most likely some degenerative spine disorder. With physical therapy and stretching you may get good results and manage this condition. Other therapy as in acupressure and chiropractics may help as well. Even though there is numbness that does not mean nerve damage other conditions as muscle spasm and trigger points can mimic nerve damage.
Get a good exam and try the therapy you'll feel better in time.

Answer 4

I'm a nurse. I think you should get this looked into. I feel because you discontinued the medication, you are experiencing the pain. I would seek the advice of a doctor where you are and ask for another medication. You might have to try different ones until you find what will relief you of this discomfort. I would try some OTC ibuprofen for your pain. Ask for a muscle relaxant, those usually works the best. All the best.

Answer 5

First thing is go to your primary care physician every week so that your pain is documented at lot and so they realize that you actually are in a lot of pain. The wheel that does the squeaking is the wheel that gets the grease. Also you can't just go to the hospitals in germany. Your PMP needs to give you a referral but if they do send you to the german hospital rest assured they will take very good care of you. They have been wonderful to me and they are very thorough and its actually a good thing that they might not let you go until they fix you because then you will be fixed.

Answer 6

Ouch.
You may have to find a spinal specialist. 2 years is a long time and you would now be considered to have "chronic pain" and there is help for that. Go to medical in Germany, ask them about a specialist. Just because you are stationed there does not mean you have to see a military doctor.....may have to pay out of pocket...but there are specialists out there. You shouldn't be walking..... you may rupture a disc, slip it or may have a crushed one......get a tenth opinion if you have to. You only get one back.
Good luck and take care

Answer 7

Forget the doctors, check out a good chiropractor, massage therapist and accupuncturist. I had some major back and neck issues, these folks were the only ones that could help me.

Western medicine has it's good points, but often it is lacking. Be proactive with your health, do the research and take care.

Answer 8

request a medical board this will include Dr's from all branches of the armed forces. its you're right to ask for one tell them you wanna do physical therapy for pain management.