TY- I have the exact same things going on. I haven't had a good nights sleep since uh I think December. I too fall asleep on the couch every night on myl eft side but then I force myself upstairs to bed. I get so frustrated and so does my husband because I can't cuddle up with him anymore. I can't lay on my back at all! I can't lay on my right side or my stomach either! I seem to be stuck in one position and one position only and I also need a pillow under my arm to help with my shoulder pain.

I have been dealing with this excruciating pain since December but been passed around like a football with Doctor's. I'm so angry and upset! Nobody listens to me! I tell them exactly what's going on but every doctor I've gone too has a different opinion and a different answer.

My problems originally started last April with headaches, and minor arm pain. I saw a neurologist who only did a head MRI and wanted to put me on medication for migraines. I didn't take it cause I didn't think that was it. Of course I didn't bother going elsewhere so I just dealt with it until it got unbearable.

In January I saw another neurologist who looked at me for carpal tunnel. He did an EMG and saw some weird things but couldn't put it together. He then thought maybe I had MS so he ordered an MRI of the brain and C spine but before he got the results he already determined I had thoracic outlet syndrome and was going to treat me for that with nerve blocks and trigger point injections. Ok, here's the good part...he never told me the results of my MRI of the C spine! Instead I've been through 3 months of nerve blocks and trigger point injections with ABSOLUTELY NO PROGRESS! Actually I am worse now than I was 3 months ago.

I pulled all my records to go for a second opinion and had a shock when I read my MRI report. Then I had 2 other neurosurgeons say all my problems are due to my spine (degenerative disc disease) but of course they said I'm so young to have these problems and surgery is not recommended. But ok, now I have this problem and I guess I'm stuck with it for a very long time. But in the mean time I'm getting no treatment, I'm in pain and I'm scared. I'm really scared that the neurologist i was seeing really missed this and possible made things worse. I can't even get him to return my calls. I'm now sitting here wondering what the heck to do. I want the pain to stop and I want my life back. I'm scared that I'm going to have permanent nerve damage. I have such terrible numbness, tingling, pain and weakness. Everyone just wants to pass me to someone else. I have been on the phone trying to find another Doctor to see. I'm lost...I'm starting to feel like I have no hope for this.

I did actually get two appointments for next week now...one with an orthopedic spine specialist/surgeon and a rheumatologist. I don't know but somebody better take this seriously and SOON! I'm now having bladder and bowel problems too and problems walking.

I was almost ready to head to the emergency room yesterday but no point in that cause they don't do anything. I've been there twice since all this started and they say "go see your Doctor"

Well that's it for now..sorry for the long note...maybe some of you might have some suggestions.

I'm also very worried about rheumatoid arthritis..I hope I don't have that!