After the April accident, I had a "mental standstill". I was not paralyzed or in a lot of pain, but I could not lie down or sit without an urge to keep walking or changing positions. Following is the symptom and diagnostic path as I remember it (in order).
- 5th accident/stay up all night
- Discover back tooth has cracked off
- Go to dentist and they file tooth down, then everything on right side of my mouth until I can see the dentist for reconstruction
- Go to hospital because neck and lower back really hurt after about 2 days - make connection to rear accident that was really just a bumper bend
- First x-ray of back shows some L5-S1 herniation
- Go to Dr. and tell her (PCP associate) I'm having an anxiety issue. Feels like blood rushing to my head when stress is introduced.
- Get anxiety meds from Dr. Zawisa and he prescribes a neck brace to take pressure off if I have to sit down/work. (I figure out later that the neck brace held the neck in an unnatural posture for too long and often neck braces can do more harm than good). The smartest thing to do is see an atlas chiropractor ASAP so they can try to get the neck back in to a curved natural position and get pressure off of nerves, veins, arteries, spinal chord.
- Get first MRI per Dr. Zawisa of neck - cervical herniation slight c3/c4 area
- Go to chiropractor - get range of motion back in neck
- See Dr. Berman (dentist). He gives me a referral for TMJ but I can't get in for 2 months because I have no history of orthodontal problems (thus I'm a new patient)
- Wrists going numb, severe dizziness lying down and sitting for more than 20 minutes
- It becomes difficult to type, or do computer work for 20 minutes. Reflux issues and tinnitus (tone in one ear) start, but I don't realize it's reflux. It feels like after I eat a meal with extra MSG or salt. It is like an upset stomach
- Sent to pain specialist for cervical block in neck
- Block works for pain for about 2 weeks, but some dizziness still there upon sitting. I am able to enjoy a friends' birthday party on a boat. Injections are recommended, but cost $1100 out-of-pocket, and I can not continue paying $1100 every 2 weeks.
- Get eyes, heart, carotid arteries, and ears checked to make sure it is not any of these things
- Take blood sugar regularly and it is in within normal ranges
- TMJ diagnosed by Dr. Spolyar (excellent orthodontic practice in Clinton Township, MI) and treatment with an occlusal guard (retainer with one side built up) started - immediate relief of some symptoms like radiating arms
- I am given a referral to see a TMJ physical therapist, but am turned down by 3 offices because this is accident relate. I start to search for cheaper alternatives.
- I see a TMJ massage therapist. There is marked relief but the visits are $190 apiece for 1 hour, with no path for reimbursement from either State Farm or Golden Rule (my health insurance company). State Farm has turned down all claims at this point
- See the State Farm doctor for verification/rebuttal of symptoms. State Farm still turns down claims, and I have to come up with an answer for stopping the degeneration while I still have enough money to treat. I joke that 98% of my med. expenses are for diagnostics, leaving 2% for treatment.
- I am told by State Farm (after about 6 months) that only my primary insurance plan doctors are covered. This is the first I've heard this. They were very friendly at the beginning of the process and I was told by Heather Graham, my processor, that medical bills and 80% of my income would be covered. To date, not a dime has been paid toward either. I meet a man who looks like a Nightmare Before Christmas experiment and he tells me this is how the insurance companies work when there are more than one: they deny everything for 18 months - passing the bills back and forth - then they are no longer liable for payment after the grace period. I retain an injury lawyer because this is clearly not something I can handle myself.
- I am having trouble with medication ( - this can lead to suicidal thoughts for some people so I immediately sought help). There are 9 categories of anxiety medication and sometimes people have to switch until they find one that their system tolerates, more info can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anxiety_medications.
- I know 1/2 of the country is on meds for one thing or another, so now I feel like I'm one of the gang. I am sent to a psychiatrist to make sure I'm taking the best possible meds. We talk about anxiety and I confide that I've started hoarding. I also have nightmares that my hands stop working entirely, and I fear that when I go to sleep I'll have a stroke. I am told that anti-anxiety meds have an anti-depressant component. I explain that I have nothing in the world to be depressed about. However, I am worried because I am losing control of my hands, and I feel like I'm having strokes at night. I feel like I want to be in control of what happens to my body. The chemicals seem to suppress good and bad emotions and thoughts. The idea of suicide seems only a utilitarian efficient choice. I don't think of anyone else. It is as if my self-preservation and connection to other people is just something I've hung up on the off-season closet for the time being. Obviously, this is not like me.
- I clearly need a med change and only psychiatrists can prescribe these meds. The psychiatrist suggests that some of the issues may be psychosomatic. I hope she's right. In the mean time, if I do have a stroke while sleeping, my kids will have shoes that fit and soup and crackers until they graduate:) I also stock up on embarrassing things they might need - feminine products and bras for my preteen daughter. I figure my hubby and the internet can handle my son's issues when the time comes...we made that deal before he was born:)
- I do a web search for TMJ therapy that is reasonably priced. I find www.borerchiro.com and make an appt. to see them. They do atlas adjustments only. The atlas bone is seated at the top of the cervical spine. If it is not aligned properly, it can inhibit flow of veins and arteries through the neck. Mine is twisted on the scale to the severe point. It is measured in degrees. With the atlas adjustments, the rest of the spine lines up like a Slinky.
- A day after the atlas diagnostic consultation (xrays taken, no treatment at this point), I completely lose feeling in my hands - not pain, but cramps in my wrists start radiating from the neck, down the arms, to the wrists. I go to the hospital thinking I need neck surgery - I have a 3-day stay, and another MRI shows my neck is a little more herniated. They inject me with Demorol in fatty tissue to stop the spasming. Pain goes away immediately and I have my first whole nights' sleep since April. However, I can't stay on Demerol. It slows digestion and can damage kidneys. After 3 days and new meds I recover enough to go home.
- I see the chiropractor for atlas adjustments. I get some immediate relief from migraines and strain, and my wrists are not as bad. I continue (and still do) treatment as recommended - a 12-24-month course of treatment to relieve stress on the neck. It is also pointed out that I have "military neck" and Dr. Borer hopes to reposition the neck to it's natural curved posture.
- I continue orthodontic treatment as prescribed - top and bottom brace. At the end of treatment my teeth will be rebuilt to hit together at optimal points (back teeth) and I will have a night time occlusal guard (retainer).
- I get some passive back therapy (heat and ultrasound) from Dr. Lewerenz's office. This helps the day of therapy, but I have symptoms w/in 48 hours afterwards...until about 3 months after therapy. At that time I'm feeling a little better, and Tim enrolls with Blue Care Network. Dr. Lewerenz is no longer covered.
- I think I have a handle on things and don't go to the hospital again for a while
- I am starting to feel better, but not accomplishing anything. I do a little at a time all day until I drop in to bed and take Zoloft to go to sleep immediately (instead of stare at the ceiling wondering when the stroke will come).
- I can't sit for more than 20 minutes. The specific issue is keeping my head in a certain posture (especially looking at a computer screen). Laying on my back makes my head feel like a pendulum. Other people say "the room spins", but for me, it's like someone's twisting my neck and back of head back and forth while my face stays in place.
- I continue atlas adjustments for a year. Recently and the heat reading is not very bad at all. I have more stress in the neck and more pain than ever, so I start doing a little more digging.
- Dr. Zawisa refers me to a rheumatoid specialist after RA Factor reading is 24 (should be 0-20). Specialist tells me to take Vit. B and D and go out in the sun. My other RA numbers (from blood tests) don't show anything significant. The rheumatologist also says carbs are evil and I should only eat veggies and meat. I start juicing, high protein, and vitamins. I feel better in some ways. He says I don't have inflamed joints, etc., and to come back only if new symptoms arise.
- In November my wrist numbness and neck strain begin to worsen to about a 4 of 10 on the pain scale. (Numbness is considered a sign of pain). I have been looking for a job I can do that is not at a computer, stressful, or sitting for long periods.
- It seems obvious to me that I am deteriorating. This is where my friend Marie feeds me a bit of information (see higher blog entries).
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