Question about neck pain?

[Bummer Knees]

I was in an auto accident December 07 and received neck injuries.

I have problems with headaches and until recently using a tens unit has given me relief, and lately I get get little or no relief from using the tens unit.

The diagnosis given to me after the accident is tramatic myofacitis.

I had a x-ray after the accident and it showed DDD.

I haven't had a MRI as the medical part of the insurance policy is maxed.

I do use Jayne's suggestion of rice in the sock for heat and cold but right now not much is helping.

Any suggestions?

[Still in Limbo]

http://www.doctorsexercise.com/journal/myofascitis.htm

Above is a Site that May be able to Help Bummer!

[Bummer Knees]

Thank you Still In Limbo I will check it out.

I had 2 weeks of physical therapy 12/07 and it was mostly massages.

I hope to learn some exercises I can do.

[MJC]

I have a few questions for you. You say you suffer from headaches. Is this the only thing your are suffering with? Do you have an shoulder and arm pain? Do you notice any weakness in your grip and strength in your hands and arms like when you are picking up even so much as a plate of food or attempting to put away dishes in your cubbard? Any numbness or tingeling in your arms or your hands going real numb on you like even in your fingers? All of these can be signs of nerve compression involving a disc problem? Just a few questions that I know would tell you that there is more going on than what your diagnosis is. I hope that your answers to these questions will be "NO." If you have any of the above symptoms then I would suggest that you definately need the MRI. Because if they are yes then I truly feel for you as I have been there. Wishing you the best and may God Bless you.

Cajun Hugsssssssssssssss,
MJC

[Bad Boy Bad Boy]

I would need to know, where the muscle tension starts, and then the travel of the headache pain. Is it coming from the rear of the neck, along the ears, and then goes up the back of the skull. Or is it, in the forehead around the eyes, and then to the ear, or ears.

[Bummer Knees]

MJC
I do have the symptoms you mentioned, The weakness in the arms and hands, a weak grip. I also have bilateral carpal tunnel and will need surgery.

I use a kitchen tool to remove the lids from jars, laundry soap, and other items do to having a weak grip. The doctor tested my grip strength and on the left side I am a 18 and the dominant hand a 9, out of 60.

Tonight I cooked supper using casarole dishes and had problems removing the dishes from the oven due to arm & hand strength.

Bad Boy
Most the time I can feel the headaches comming on, the tensing of the muscles in the back of the head, sides of the neck, tops of the shoulders, and between the shoulders, and most the time if I use the tens unit early on I will get some relief.

Yesterday was different along with the pain in the back of the head, I also had the pain in the forehead & eyes. A tens unit and medication did not help yesterday.
I was also having lots of nerve pain down the right leg yesterday.

[sparkey]

Bummer,

Be very careful with taking things hot out of the oven like you mentioned or you could hurt yourself very badly. I have dropped many things because of losing my grip such as coffee cups etc. Please use two hands when doing something like that or have someone else that may be nearby do it for you. I always have my husband take hot things out of the oven for me as I do not trust myself with holding onto things without dropping them.

[Bummer Knees]

Thanks Sparkey

This part of live is so new to me, I didn't realize how weak my hands and arms were until cooking yesterday.

Hubby has been doing most the cooking lately.

[vickinat]

Bummer,
You really should get an MRI, even if you have to use your regular ins. to get it, or make payments. As you know I had a car accident and among other things had a neck injury. The X-rays were ok, but as my pain continued and kept having daily headachs from the back of the neck area up thru to the forehead, and increasing arm and hnd pain, my Dr. ordered an EMG/NCS and an MRI. The MRI showed amny herniated discs, annular tears, protrusing discs, DDD and nerve impingements. My Dr. tried all the differant methods to take care of my pain, but ended up having a 2 level Anterior Cervical fusion a year ago. The Dr. told me he wanted to do a 4 level, but did'nt want me to lose that much ROM, and said that the other discs will probably need done eventually. I was just so pleased that this made my headaches go away. I only get one every now and then since then.
Love
Vickie

[Bummer Knees]

Vickinat

The auto insurance medical has been maxed and there is a lien due to unpaid physical therapy bills.

My health insurance has written a letter to the adjuster requesting a letter of denial from the auto insurance. I received a copy in the mail yestereday of the 2nd letter sent to the adjuster.

If the adjuster writes a letter of denial I believe my health insurance company will pay for medical treatment. Do I have that correct?

My primary doctor has me on muscle relaxers and says that should take care of any problems with the neck. Not helping, still having the headaches.

I hired my work comp attorney for the auto accident, I do believe it is time to schedule a meeting and discuss this with my attorney.