QuestionHello, I am a 40 year old female with severe back pain. I had a car accident in 1995 in which i was the back seat passenger. I was in the process of putting on my seat belt after a rest stop when the accident happened. I flew out of my seat and hit my head unto the front seat. I felt some fluid leaking down my ears,and the pain was horrible, however, i was so scared that i refused treatment. At that time I was in nursing school and didn't want to miss any days. I cried through my pain and severe whiplash, and turned my whole body when I needed to turn because I couldn't turn my neck alone. I never got rid of the pain and years later, saw a rheumatologist who informed me that i had fibromyalgia. I was placed on flexaril and lidocaine patches. These were temporary fixes,the pain was still severe and my GP informed me that fibromyalgia is just a diagnosis that is given when the doctor cannot find anything else. My X-rays were ok just some mild readjustments. I saw a chiropractor who cracked my spine, for one week i could not touch the floor without severe pain, shooting up my spine so i refused to see another one. Now, nine months ago I was in a almost deadly car crash. I was hit in the rear and spun around in a 360 degree. I hit a parked car and kept spinning. After the crash there was no pain. Hours later it was unbearable, an X-ray of my neck showed up normal but the pain got worst. I have foot drop of my left leg, my left leg gets numb sometimes,my sciatic nerve gets pinched, there is soreness around c5 of my spine. my neck and shoulder muscle are tight and painful, when I turn my head around i hear grinding like sand, I have headaches every day that cause pressure behind my eyes, it sometimes cause my vision to be blurry, i have confusion alot and am very forgetful at times. I cannot concentrate like i am used to and I get very dizzy and nauseated. Given my past Hx and present symptoms can you tell what it might be? Thank you.
Answerneck pain, motor vehicle accident, fibromyalgia, staten island auto accident, staten island motor vehicle accident, staten island whiplash,
Hello Shonna,
First let me say that I am very sorry for your condition and all of it's pain.
Next, let me say---- whenever you (any of us) are injured-> it is best NOT to 'tough it out'!- you state "......I had a car accident in 1995 in which i was the back seat passenger. I was in the process of putting on my seat belt after a rest stop when the accident happened. I flew out of my seat and hit my head unto the front seat. I felt some fluid leaking down my ears,and the pain was horrible, however, i was so scared that i refused treatment. At that time I was in nursing school and didn't want to miss any days. I cried through my pain and severe whiplash, and turned my whole body when I needed to turn because I couldn't turn my neck alone. I never got rid of the pain ......"; CONGRATUALTIONS on your work as a Nurse!
Nursing is a rewarding career- I am sure you have helped MANY people!
"..... i was so scared that i refused treatment...."- never, NEVER be afraid of the Doctor, of an appropriate evaluation!
You state your pain has NEVER stopped since this automobile accident- ".....I never got rid of the pain ....."; perhaps this accident causes Vertebral Subluxation, or Cervical Discopathy - - - did you see a Doctor of Chiropractic after that accident?, Have you had Xrays, MRI, EMG testing?
You state: "....I never got rid of the pain and years later, saw a rheumatologist who informed me that i had fibromyalgia. ...."; see- https://health.google.com/health/ref/Fibromyalgia ; did this Doctor perform blood tests, a thorough physical, Xrays, EMG, MRI testing?
The Diagnosis of Fibromyalgia- did you ask this Doctor how that diagnosis was arrived at? Fibromyalgia-> Please see: http://www.amazon.com/Medications-Treatment-Dizziness-Fibromyalgia-Conditions/dp... , see also: http://www.askdrjohnson.com/
".....I was placed on flexaril and lidocaine patches......"- These medications are PAIN medications and can COVER UP the pain, but they do not get to the root of the problem, the CAUSE of the condition. Please be aware of the RISKS of pain medications- my Staten Island Pain patients get this following information:
PAIN
Pain is a 憆ed light on the dashboard?
RED LIGHT = Trouble !!
Pain is your body telling you that something is wrong. Think you should listen??
That RED LIGHT on the dashboard of your car-
-- do you ignore it until the car breaks down,
or do you get it checked and correct the problem?
Pain,
pain in your body-
-- do you ignore it until your body breaks down,
or do you get it checked and correct the problem?
Pain,
do you cover up the pain by taking a painkiller?
Take a painkiller,
mask the pain,
and allow a problem to progress in your body?
Pain Killing medication??? = 16,000 deaths ( probably under-reported )
DEATH ! ? ! ? better watch out on those medications!!! ]
NOTICE ON PAIN RELIEVERS:
Label changes ORDERED by FDA; the FDA announced proposed label changes for OTC over-the-counter pain relievers to include the potential for stomach bleeding and liver damage (FDA news 206- 207; 12-9-06) ;
SIXTEEN THOUSAND DEATHS: "Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are effective medications for the treatment of many chronically painful medical conditions. However, it is estimated that 25% of all serious adverse drug reactions involve NSAIDs, with more than 100,000 hospitalizations and 16,000 deaths occurring annually due to NSAID-induced gastrointestinal (GI) events."----- http://hhc.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/13/6/468 Home Health Care Management & Practice, Vol. 13, No. 6, 468-475 (2001) Motrin, Advil = NSAIDS
The American Heart Association issued a scientific statement recommending medical doctors change the way they prescribe OTC pain relievers from a first choice to an alternate of recommending non-pharmacologic treatment (AHA statement 2-26-07).
NSAID Acceleration of ARTHRITIS; an important side effect of Aspirin and other NSAIDS is that it will inhibit cartilage repair and accelerate cartilage destruction ( Journal of Rheumatology, 1982; 9: 3- 5 ). Many times people take NSAIDS for the pain of Arthritis, not realizing these drugs may make the underlying condition worse. These medications cover up the pain, and cause the problem to worsen.
http://rinf.com/alt-news/business-news/prescription-drugs-kill-300-percent-more-...
= An analysis of 168,900 autopsies conducted in Florida in 2007 found that three times as many people were killed by legal drugs as by cocaine, heroin and all methamphetamines put together. BE CAREFUL WITH THAT MEDICATION !!!
It was reported in 2000, that 700,000 U.S. citizens die as a result from medical causes (iatrogenics). Of course, other records and statistics had the number above the one million mark. Whether 700,000 or one million people, that's a lot of innocent people dying from visiting a hospital and trusting a medical doctor.= http://www.dherbs.com/articles/iatrogenics-99.html
Pain can often be the result of the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.
Vertebral Subluxation is actually a quite common condition. Doctors of Chiropractic look for pathological conditions which may require referral to other specialties, and also look for 慡ubluxation? Other disciplines look for pathology, but overlook the importance of alignment and movement in the spine which affects our nervous system (the master control system- ALL health disciplines learn this). VSC- 慡ubluxation??can be the cause of many symptoms and conditions.
Only a Doctor of Chiropractic will evaluate and treat for VSC, as well as other pathology.
The course of VSC is highly variable. Some patients with VSC literally cannot walk, yet other patients with similar test findings may be able to run marathons or lift heavy weights. Some patients immediately develop symptoms related to the VSC, some patients take years to develop symptoms. Some people suffer for only a few days with pain and symptoms, some people suffer for months. Some people recover in days, some take months or years, depending upon severity of the condition.
A subluxation interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system (the master system which controls and coordinates all function within the body) and may cause various other conditions, symptoms and problems.
The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position. When subluxated, joints are in a stressed, vulnerable, compromised condition. Subluxation may cause Arthritis, Disk Herniation, or aggravate such conditions.
Vertebral Subluxation cannot be corrected through chemicals (medicine), stretching, yoga, vitamins or physical therapy alone. Subluxation- a neuro/skeletal/muscular- mechanical- problem requires a mechanical correction- - - a manipulation, best performed with the chiropractic adjustment.
Dr. Victor E. Dolan, Doctor of Chiropractic; Diplomate, American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians; Diplomate, American Academy of Pain Management; Certified Clinical Nutritionist (IAACN);
FIRST Chief of Chiropractic in a Hospital in New York State (DHSI); As Seen in PREVENTION Magazine , Invited to Colorado Springs (Olympic Training Center) to Care for USA Olympic Athletes 2010 , Chiropractor to the Championship NYPD Football Team, and the PSAL High School Football Champions (Curtis)
I hope you find that information helpful.
You state "..... was placed on flexaril and lidocaine patches. These were temporary fixes,the pain was still severe and my GP informed me that fibromyalgia is just a diagnosis that is given when the doctor cannot find anything else.....":
Pain patches-- be careful of these- see above.
'These were temporary fixes', no,,,, these were NOT temporary "FIXES", these were painkillers that covered up the pain, and did NOT address the CAUSE of the pain.
'the pain was still severe'- well,,,, yes,,,, once the pain pill wears off, the pain comes back. Actually (see above), sometimes the pain pills allow the condition to WORSEN, and you don't know it--- because you are on the pain pill!
".....my GP informed me that fibromyalgia is just a diagnosis that is given when the doctor cannot find anything else.....", well, this is true.
There is no Blood Test, Xray, MRI, EMG, EEG, EKG, no test that PROVES fibromyalgia. I also tell my Staten Island Fibromyalgia patients (people suffering from fibromyalgia) that the diagnosis is one of elimination- you rule out "other stuff", and when nothing is left- give the name "fibromyalgia".
You say; "....My X-rays were ok just some mild readjustments....."- I do not understand this..... your Xrays were Okay? the Chiropractic Doctor said that?, the Medical Doctor said that?, were Xrays the only test taken--- or were other tests performed (MRI, CT, EMG, etc.)?
".....just some mild readjustments....."- just some mild readjustments?, I do not understand.... readjust what?- take new Xrays?, re-adjust what? I do not understand this portion.....
"....I saw a chiropractor who cracked my spine, for one week i could not touch the floor without severe pain....", this is not uncommon.
Your problems started in 1995. FIFTEEN Years ago your problems started (".... I never got rid of the pain ....."). FIFTEEN Years of allowing a problem to continue to progress, to fester, to gain momentum, to continue to degenerate.
It is no surprise that you were sore after your first adjustment.
Imagine NOT exercising for 15 years, and then going to the gym for a good workout,,,, I bet you (anybody) would be pretty sore !!! Making changes in the body may make the body talk to us-- soreness!
This soreness leads you to say; "....so i refused to see another one..."; you choose NOT to see another Doctor (of Chiropractic).
The Doctor you went to may have been to ambitious, to aggressive in his/her first treatment. But being sore for a week is not a surprise, and there are MANY different techniques that the same Doctor could use, or a different Doctor colud do a different technique.
There are many specialties in Chiropractic, just as there are many specialties in Medicine; see- http://www.acatoday.org/pdf/ApprovedChiropracticSpecialtyPrograms.pdf , perhaps you can find a Doctor with a Chiropractic Specialty more in tune with YOUR specific complaints....
Is some cases, knowledge of what treatments the Doctor may provice is VERY important:
"Death by Medicine" (1) is an eye-opening paper published as a Web exclusive in the March 2004 issue of Life Extension, a monthly magazine dedicated to "up-to-date coverage of the latest scientific and medical breakthroughs from around the world." As the grim title suggests, the paper explores the hazards of conventional medicine in the United States, analyzing and combining the complete published literature to date regarding injuries and deaths attributable to medicine.
In their introduction, the authors note: "Never before have the complete statistics on the multiple causes of iatrogenesis been combined in one paper. Medical science amasses tens of thousands of papers annually - each one a tiny fragment of the whole picture. ... Each specialty, each division of medicine, keeps their own records and data on morbidity and mortality like pieces of a puzzle. But the numbers and statistics were always hiding in plain sight. We have now completed the painstaking work of reviewing thousands and thousands of studies. Finally putting the puzzle together, we came up with some disturbing answers."
The "disturbing answers" the five researchers uncover are an indictment of the entire American medical system:
* "The total number of deaths caused by
conventional medicine is an astounding
783,936 per year."
* "The number of people having inhospital, adverse drug reactions (ADR) to
prescribed medicine is 2.2 million."
* "Richard Besser, of the CDC, in 1995, said the number of unnecessary antibiotics
prescribed annually for viral infections was 20 million. Dr. Besser, in 2003, now
refers to tens of millions . of unnecessary antibiotics."
"The number of unnecessary medical and surgical procedures performed
Annually is 7.5 million."
* "The number of people exposed to unnecessary hospitalization annually is 8.9
million."
* "It is evident that the American medical system is the leading cause of death and
injury in the United States."
The authors are especially concerned that "(a)s few as 5% and only up to 20% of iatrogenic acts are ever reported." (It must be noted that these reports on MEDICAL failure are compiled by MEDICAL personnel, and therefore these statistics a probably BIASED in favor of medicine, with poor outcomes being omitted or dismissed from the research. The statistics are probably LOWER than the reality.)
They also project that the costs associated with deaths caused by medical interventions total approximately $282 billion per year, and estimate that the costs for unnecessary hospitalization and medical procedures total $16.4 billion per year.
As if this information isn't startling enough, the paper goes on to review the drug industry world. The authors discuss the dangers of many types of drugs and how their overuse is affecting our health and our environment, Next, they discuss the dangers of surgical procedures, the lack of error reporting and unnecessary hospitalization. The paper concludes with a discussion of how women are mistreated by medicine, and the dangers awaiting the unsuspecting elderly: "A total of 20% of all deaths from all causes occur in nursing homes."
The complete text of "Death by Medicine" can be found online at www.lef.org/magazine/mag2004/" mar2004_awsi_death_01.html.
More than 150 references and an extensive appendix support the discussions and conclusions presented in this paper. While many will find it quite disturbing, every health care provider and every patient should read this paper.
Reference
1). Gary Null, PhD, Carolyn Dean, MD ND, Martin Feldman, MD, Debora Rasio, MD, Dorothy Smith, PhD. "Death by Medicine." Life Extension March 2004 (Web exclusive).
I hope you find the above research helpful.
".....Now, nine months ago I was in a almost deadly car crash. I was hit in the rear and spun around in a 360 degree. I hit a parked car and kept spinning. After the crash there was no pain. Hours later it was unbearable, an X-ray of my neck showed up normal but the pain got worst......", the motor vehicle accident of 1995 is now compounded by the accident of 2009/2010.
Motor Vehicle Accidents (MVAs), auto accidents cause MUCH spinal trauma in the USA. These MVAs often result in spinal conditions such as Vertebral Subluxation, Whiplash, Herniated Discs, and more.
You seem unhappy with the pain medications not properly addressing your condition(s) and dissatisfied with 'traditional', mainstream medicine; I would recommend the licensed, accepted ALTERNATIVE: safe, effective, gentle chiropractic. See this website to help you find a good Doctor in your area: http://www.lifechangingcare.com/find.php
".....Now, nine months ago I was in a almost deadly car crash. I was hit in the rear and spun around in a 360 degree. I hit a parked car and kept spinning......"- sad to say, this is very similar to the history given to me by many of my Staten Island Auto Accident patients. The Chiropractic Doctor sees many patients with similar stories.
"..... After the crash there was no pain....."- often pain CAUSED by an MVA does not start til hours, days, sometimes WEEKS later !!
".... Hours later it was unbearable...."- a common presentation in any Chiropractic office.
"....an X-ray of my neck showed up normal but the pain got worst...."- WHO looked at the Xray?- a Chiropractic Doctor?, a Chiropractic Radiologist?, usually an automobile accident will have tell tale signs upon an Xray, but only specially trained professionals may find this evidence of damage.
".....I have foot drop of my left leg, my left leg gets numb sometimes,my sciatic nerve gets pinched, there is soreness around c5 of my spine. my neck and shoulder muscle are tight and painful, when I turn my head around i hear grinding like sand, I have headaches every day that cause pressure behind my eyes, it sometimes cause my vision to be blurry, i have confusion alot and am very forgetful at times. I cannot concentrate like i am used to and I get very dizzy and nauseated....", all of these signs/ symptoms could be traced to your MVAs. I have Staten Island Motor Vehicle Accident patients with some and ALL of these same symptoms.
Usually these complaints respond very well to a safe, conservative, gentle regimen of Chiropractic care. I hope ths information I am giving you gives you pause for thought, and that you consider seeing your local Doctor of Chiropractic.
".....Given my past Hx and present symptoms can you tell what it might be?.....", back to the beginning-- Fibromyalgia is a constellation of symptoms, not really a 'diagnosis'. There is no specific test for fibro, but ALL of the signs/ symptoms of fibro usually respond very well to conservative, natural treatments such as Chiropractic.
".....Given my past Hx and present symptoms can you tell what it might be?......", your diagnosis COULD be 'Fibromyalgia' ( a group of symptoms, CAUSED by your musculoskeletal insults), Herniated disc, chronic sprain strain, myofascitis, vertebral subluxation.
I recommend you see your local DC (Chiropractic Doctor), perhaps Chiropractic will be appropriate to ALL of your care, some of your care, none of your care. Referral to another appropriate specialist can be made for concurrent or sole care of your complaints.
You say, "....Thank you.....", well,,,, I say - THANK YOU- to YOU for your question. I hope the above information helps you with your healthcare decision making and moves you towards les pain and greater health!
Many people have access to these ALLExpert.com ques/ans - THANK YOU for your question; I may even direct a few of my Staten Island Auto Accident patients to read (and learn) from this Q-A !! I also have video / information available at http://www.siautoaccident.com/
Again Thanks, and
Good Luck in returning to Good Health !!!
Dr. Vic Dolan
