Hello Stacy,

WELCOME to this remarkable forum.

It really hurt to read your post and only get a feel for the pain and frustration that you have had and are still going through.

May I ask if you have gone to several neurologists/spinal surgeons for their thoughts, or to just one doctor? Something(s) is not right that is for sure.

I have not had the situation that you describe, however, I hope that if someone has had a similar situation that they will respond to your post.

RichT

Thank you for the reply. I have been to several ER's and docs who have ruled our surgury yet they cannot tell me whats wrong. I guess its just a matter of time before someone figures it out.

Stacy

Hello Stacy,

Thank you for the additional information.

Stacy, would you be interested in seeing a spinal doctor in the Boston area, or one in the Washington DC area?

RichT

Sorry it took so long to get back to your comments but it would be hard to travel to those area for treatment.

I recently had a trip to the docs and they are looking now towards the foods that I am eating. I feel that its just something to do since they don't know whats causing the pain or how to help. Almost nine years now and the fustration doubles on the days I can't move. The meds dont work, the therapy did not work. At least if they found something, they can treat it. They are going in blind and the giving up part it becoming more clear to me. Anyway....needed to just get some of this out so I guess I did. Thanks,

Hello Stacy,

Sorry to read that you are still in pain.

Again, if I may ask, have you been to a neurologist/spinal surgeon for their advice and counsel.

You only talk about "docs", which leads me to believe that perhaps you have not been to a neurologist/spinal surgeon. A medical spinal specialist with "MD" after his/her name.

Am I correct or not?

Yes I have been to a spinal surgeon who said I did not need surgery. I have been to practically 7 ER's, and countless other docs. I have not been to a neurologist because every other doctor said its muscle related. I probably should go to one since I have seen every other type of doc. I guess that will be the next step.

Hello Stacy,

Thank you for sharing some more information with me. I am glad that you have seen a spinal surgeon.

GREAT that you now plan the next step to see a neurologist. I truly hope he/she will be able to help you.

May I chat a bit about ERs? I don't know how ERs are by you, but here they are SOOooooo rushed and their main concerns are the really big life threatening cases. Our experience with ERs is that they will take any immediate steps that need to be taken, but then you need to see your own doctor or a specialist for the medical difficulty you are having. Does that at all sound familar with the ER situation by you?

Back to a neurologist - Stacy, try to find the very BEST neurologist that you can. Talk to others that have seen a neurologist for their recommendation. Call the hospitals for their recommendation for an excellent neurologist. Even call the offices of the sports teams to find out the name(s) of the neurologist that they use for their players.

Make an appointment with the one at the top of your list, and then make an appointment with the second top one on your list. I know you have seen a number of doctors already, however, another opinion can be very helpful.

You have not mentiioned whether you have had an MRI. If not, I would hope the neurologist would recommend that you have one. Hopefully it would at least tell(show) you if there is a spine/nerve problem or not.

And if the doctor also things you have a muscle related problem, then ask him/her for the name of a doctor that specializes in that area.

I wish you the best. Please stay in touch and let us know how things go for you. I truly hope that you can find a solution to the severe pain that you have been experiencing for far too long.

RichT

stacy i feel your pain i am 21 and recently started experiencing upper back pain and bouts of it can be quite stressful and painful. i had blood work done and an abdominal ultrasound and my doctors have told me its posture but i want a diagnosis not just to be told "its posture related" let me know what you find out

what about like acid reflux or digestion problems? that causes pain in that area too! or at least for me it does...in between my shoulder blades it kills me!