AngelStar
Jun 3, 2008, 01:06 AM
Hello everybody. I’m sorry that this is long, But I like to be detailed because I’m desperate for help. My problem started in 2001. I took a nasty fall on a patch of ice at my hairdressers. I wasn’t in a lot of pain, so I went to work that night. I was waitressing at the time. I was working 14-15 hour shifts, and I’m sure that didn’t help. But the pain didn’t kick in real bad until a couple of months after the fall. I went to the walk in clinic, where I was told it was just strain from waitressing and being on my feet. Given some pills and sent on my way. After a while it didn’t get any better, so I went to my family doctor, where I was told the same thing. Within a year, I had been to 3 doctors, 2 orthopedic surgeons, a neurologist, and a physical therapist. I was no better. Almost a year after the fall, I was in such awful pain that my girlfriend took me to the ER. They finally did X-rays, and I was told I had a stress fracture of the L1 vertebrae. They also told me it should have healed.
Now, in between then and now, I have also been to 2 Chiropractors. The most recent one told me I was just out of alignment. I did go through treatment – but it didn’t help. She took X-rays, and told me the fracture had healed, and that wasn’t the problem. I am in so much pain, and I just feel like I’m out of options. I just don’t know what to do. The pain goes right through my back. Earlier, it was my upper back. Now it’s my mid to lower back. I don’t even know how to describe it, really. Sometimes it’s a deep, burning pain. Sometimes it feels like I need to stretch – but that doesn’t help. I mowed the lawn yesterday, and now my back is in knots. I can’t afford a lot as far as going to the hospital, because I have horrible health insurance. I’m at the point where I need a second job, but can’t do much. I can’t go back to waitressing, because I fear my back can’t handle it. But I also can’t handle sitting at a desk for 8 hours like I do now.
Anybody have any suggestions? Do I go to the hospital anyway? Or do I go to my family doctor and tell him I need X-rays and such done? He’s the type to just give you a pill and send you on your merry way. Thanks to anybody who can offer any help!
Now, in between then and now, I have also been to 2 Chiropractors. The most recent one told me I was just out of alignment. I did go through treatment – but it didn’t help. She took X-rays, and told me the fracture had healed, and that wasn’t the problem. I am in so much pain, and I just feel like I’m out of options. I just don’t know what to do. The pain goes right through my back. Earlier, it was my upper back. Now it’s my mid to lower back. I don’t even know how to describe it, really. Sometimes it’s a deep, burning pain. Sometimes it feels like I need to stretch – but that doesn’t help. I mowed the lawn yesterday, and now my back is in knots. I can’t afford a lot as far as going to the hospital, because I have horrible health insurance. I’m at the point where I need a second job, but can’t do much. I can’t go back to waitressing, because I fear my back can’t handle it. But I also can’t handle sitting at a desk for 8 hours like I do now.
Anybody have any suggestions? Do I go to the hospital anyway? Or do I go to my family doctor and tell him I need X-rays and such done? He’s the type to just give you a pill and send you on your merry way. Thanks to anybody who can offer any help!