In serious pain please help!?

Question

I am at the end of my rope, I can't take this anymore. I was in a pretty bad car wreck in Jan, in which I sustained a neck injury. The only problem is, it's all soft tissue damage. It took me six months to go back to work! Now, I'm seeing a neurosurgeon/pain specialist who thinks I'm a drug addict or something because of my age(22). This pain is ruling my whole life. My "pain doctor" won't do anything. There are days I can't get out of bed (today). I'm in tears. It hurts and nothing I can do helps. I've tried everything known to man (OTC) and still no relief. I am already suffering from depression because it all and I can't take this pain anymore on top of that. Does anyone have any suggestions? I know I could go to the ER or something, but that's only temporary and going into an ER basically for pain meds, tends to throw up red flags (I know, I work in an ER). Please help me!

My doctor is supposedly "the best" in my area. I've been through PT, Massage therapy, and a Chiropractor!

Answer 1

I suggest you see a different pain specialist. There's got to be a doctor who understands that your pain is real and that you need medication to function. You may have to see several doctors before you hit on one that understands. Being that you work in a hospital you should be able to find out what doctors are sympathetic.

consider going to an acupuncturist, many people get incredible results from acupuncture rather than western medicine.

start taking one tablet, twice daily of calcium and magnesium this does help with the pain.

For today drink lots of Chamomile Tea this will help relax you and that will help relieve some of your pain. You can purchase this at most supermarkets and natural food markets.

Answer 2

Mommanuke hit it on the head.
You need someone who will provide you with psychological support as well as medicine/manipulation.
Your current 'pain specialist' seems to be adding to the problem, instead of helping. A healthy state of mind, provided by someone who believes in your situation will go a long way to resolving some of the pain.
You have obviously taken anti inflammatory mediciation, though continuing with pain relief meds alone 6 months after the event, says that you should definitely seek a new source of professional advice. Remember that not all medical professionals are the same - if they don't appear to give a damn about you - then that is probably the case - just find another one.
You will feel better soon.

Answer 3

Wow. That sucks. Find a doctor who believes you and go from there. You shouldn't have to be in pain all the time. If you have the money, find a good acupuncturist and see if it works. It worked for my mom after her back surgery (maybe placebo effect, but still...). For some people it does nothing and for some it's the only thing that helps. It could be worth a shot- most pain meds can really mess you up if you take them long-term anyway. At the very least you'll get someone who believes you and wants to help. Feel better!

Answer 4

I don't suggest going to an ER. Go to a specialist somewhere. They can usually get you high quality therapy and may even have you on special treatments outside of the office. I had a concussion and suffered a head ache for over two months. Going to the ER just wasn't doing it. They have to specialize in EVERYTHING to work there so couldn't help my specific need. I went to a doctor about and hour away and in literally two days the pain subsided.

I really wish you best of luck. Keep icing.

Answer 5

I'm so sorry you're in such pain! I am not a doctor but these tips may help a little. Try this roll on gel called Biofreeze(you can order it online) it can help ease the pain a little. Also have you tried going to a cairopractor or an acupuncturist? Perhaps you should if you haven't already. I really hope you get good answers to this question and feel better soon:)

Answer 6

I would see a chiropractor. They can work wonders even for tissue and muscle damage - which is what I have (23 yrs old). They may be able to provide you with some relief - and they teach you exercises and stretches to do to continue your therapy at home to speed up recovery. If you regular doctor tells you that a chiropractor won't touch you...don't believe them, check one or two out in your local area.

Answer 7

Been there!! You need to find a doctor who's not afraid to give you heavy pain meds. Call around or ask around for doctors who will give you MSContin and Fiorinal W/ Codeine. I saw over 70 doctors, until I found one who could see how much pain I was in. So now, thanks to the meds, I'm close enough to Pain-free. You also need an anti-depressant. Celexa would be good for you. Look in the Yellow Pages under physicians, and look for pain specialists. When you go see them, tell them EVERYTHING! That will help them decide which meds are best for you. What city are you in? E-mail me. You might need to find a doctor who knows Dr. Maurice Gregory in Las Vegas.I promise you, there are a lot of doctors who WILL give you what you need. You just have to search. Your local library could help you. Call and ask for "reference". They have all the resources to get you an answer. I'm very serious about that. You also should try an anesthesiologist. If he/she can't help you, he should be able to refer you to a good doctor. Just ask him for names of doctors who aren't afraid to give pain meds. Try some of my ideas, and E me if you have questions. Good luck to you, sweetie. I will say a special prayer for you tonight. Lynn :)

Answer 8

There are a couple of things you might try. Acupuncturists have done wonders with soft tissue pain - and it might work for you. You are absolutely right that taking pills for pain doesn't do anything to correct the sitution. Give it a try - it can't do any harm.
good luck to you

Answer 9

I have similar problems from when I was a teenager. I don't even "work" anymore and I'm in my 30s now, and I'm afraid to work because I don't know when another flare up will hit and therefore can't ask off in advance + I have pain and stiffness almost daily and just have to deal with it. It is an even rougher ride through the severe flare-ups. If you know that you know it's soft tissue damage, can you afford to get special scans to diagnose and detect the damage in the soft tissues as proof?
I have migraines from my neck damage, but I finally found a doctor who can see joint damage on my neck, and after all these years. Some days I pass out from the pain and can't function at all. Those days I can't get out of bed, I can't even get on the computer or take care of myself and my child, it hurts so bad and I can even get sick and don't think straight. Have you been on celebrex? That works great for me after I've been taking it awhile but I'm not supposed to take it due to the risks. Other medications that help is to keep taking pain medications and keep them in my system. You can try taking 2 different painkillers with muscle relaxants. I try to fight taking medicines, but when I take them long enough, I have to keep switching around because I get used to them. I even drink at times, but that wears off too.
Ask your doctor to help you come up with a plan to go back to work if you want. Amitryptilline (spelling?) and some other meds is what my neurologist gave me and told me it is an antidepressant and muscle relaxer but it didn't work for me. Use biofreeze and rub-ons. Do warm water therapy. Try heating pads and ice packs. Figure out what methods work best for you. Be careful of the physical therapists and chiropractors you go to; even referrals to a particular one may not prove to be the best one for you, sometimes you'll be referred to the right one right away, and sometimes you'll be referred to the wrong ones. You might could go to pain management groups where you learn how to live with the pain if you can't get rid of it. try electric stim, ultrasound, massages with medicine.
If you have enough hours of work, you might be able to get on disability so you can focus on your recovery or how to live with it. There are some new technology devices that I have seen on t.v. that are supposed to limit people's pain, but I don't know what they are called. From the show they seem to work, and you can take them with you; it has something to do with currents in your back and messages sent back and forth from and to the brain about pain signals. I don't know if this device is out yet, but if I had the money, I'd try to get it. Look up soft tissue damage, car accidents, and fibromyalgia. There was a yahoo answers post that asked if anyone had fibromyalgia from a car accident. Get that checked into.
I know this might sound funny, but another thing you can try is a faith healing. Call a church that believes in a hands on laying of hands and will do that. It does work for some people, while others it goes away to come back or decreases the pain. You could give it a try, what have you got to lose.
Hope you are feeling better.
P.S. Here is something I am looking into, as others have suggested as answers to my question on advice for chronic pain and exercise to get into shape:
http://www.praisemoves.com/testimonies.htm
People on there are claiming it helped them.

And another site: http://www.christianyoga.us/

Answer 10

Your pain specialist is a crock! Get a new doctor, preferably one whose specialty is psychiatry. He will be able to evaluate you properly for addiction, treat your pain, and treat the depression caused by chronic pain.