Question
i had a RTA in October of 2003, went to the local A&E and was sent home to take paracetamol for whip lash,i had pain in my neck in my back between the shoulders and in my lower back, my hands tingled and swelled, pain radiated down from my neck through my shoulders and down my arms even my fingers hurt. i also had pain from my lower back through my buttock and down my right leg. After many visits to the GP i was referred for an MRI and my disc was herniated into the spinal cord at C5,6 i also had another MRI on my lower back 18 months after the accident and was told i had 3 bulging disc and similar problems there.
I had my op Oct 2005 and since them my symptoms have gradually got worse, the pain is often unbearable in my shoulders and hands, and my mobility is very restricted with the pain in my lower back.
I have now been referred to a neurologist.i wondered how he can help me.
The most frustrating thing of all is that many of the health officials i have had dealings with act as though they do not believe you.

Answer
Hi Adela-

I'm afraid anything I could say towards your possible outcome would be speculation-- which won't actually do you any good (it'd just be a guess)

What I can do is tell you one thing absolutely: if you don't feel you are being well-treated, by which I mean paid attention to, listened to, explained - get a new doctor.  I'm not sure what constraints you have financially or with insurance, but do whatever you can to get to a doctor who you feel is trustworthy.  It is not something to take lightly- and a good doctor will understand that.  If you find one dr you like, perhaps the neurologist?, ask him to recommend someone- or vice versa.
Doctors see alot of people in pain and sometimes it is easy to forget that they are individuals- that's my guess anyway- but it's not an excuse for neglecting your care.

Sorry I can't tell you more about your specifics, but I hope you find someone to help you, and in the meantime- Good Luck

Leslie