I Believe I Have Severe Nerve Damage

several years ago I had a traumatic injury where I busted the tendon that goes from the bottom of the nose to the top of the upper lip. I saw a doctor and was told nothing serious had happened, just let it heal. I didn't have insurance at the time or any money. I wanted some tests done but I didn't have a lot of options.

not long after the injury I started to get twitches on my neck and face, mostly on my neck. I then started to get twitches down my spine, on my arms, everywhere.

At first the twitches were once and awhile but as the years went by they became more frequent. I also started to notice that as the twitches became more frequent I started to experience body atrophy in those areas. At first it was minimal, almost to the point that I didn't believe it myself but after awhile it was obvious to me that there were major changes going on and I knew it all had to do with that initial injury. The atrophy effected everything from my face, to my back and torso to lower extremities. I was pretty convinced that I had busted a nerve and that something was sending all the wrong signals throughout my body.

I didn't have a regular MD or a family doctor so I waited until I got insurance and then saw an MD. The first MD I saw I explained the situation to him. He seemed way more concerned with how many alcoholic beverages I drank a week and if I was eating a balanced diet than all the symptoms I had described to him. It must have taken 4 doctors visits going through the same textbook questions and meaningless(to me anyways) questions about my cholesterol or drinking/eating habits before I convinced him to refer me to a neurologist.

Once at the neurologist I was put through a couple of tests. I had an MRI of the brain and a Nerve Conduction Velocity Test (NCV). When both came up negative I was pretty upset. I was hoping that something would be found and that the ailments could be corrected.

I had subsequent visits with the neurologist and it became obvious to me that he didn't believe me. At one point he said "you're a perfectly healthy man" and slapped my knee.

It was one thing for me to notice the changes in my body but it was another to explain them to a doctor that had no history with me to compare the then and now. I went through 3 more doctors with the same results. It was a tedious process and it went nowhere. It was obvious that some of the docs I had seen were looking for a textbook name to this strange ailment when none existed. It was a routine of blood tests and waiting for the results.

I don't know why but I gave up. I wish I hadn't but I did. I guess I hadn't yet realized that the symptoms I was experiencing weren't going to stop.

Over the next 4 years I went about my life and the symptoms got worse, much worse. Over time the twitches became more frequent, the atrophy got much worse. It affected my face to the point that my features changed, it affected my head to the point that it got smaller , it affected every orifice of my body right down to my genitals. Everything. It's changed me so much I don't recognize myself.

After 4 years of letting this affliction continue to riddle my body I'm back seeking medical attention. Finding that understanding MD could make all the difference. I'm not looking for a magic pill. I never have been. I'm looking for anything that will stop this process so I can start to rebuild my life.

So I guess I need advice. Anything that can push me in the right direction whether it be the type of specialist I should see or certain tests I should demand. If you have any advice at all don't hesitate to respond or contact me. Or if you know of any health professionals I could contact and perhaps email I would appreciate that as well.