Hi all
I'm desperate for others to talk to. I think my family is tired of hearing about my aches and pains. I'm a 34 year old female, my husband is deployed overseas.
In December, I had an MRI done that showed that I have 2 bulging and protruding discs in my lower back (caused from me falling hard on ice skates a few months prior).. The neurologist said that I didn't need surgery and advised me to start physical therapy. Well I went to 4 PT appointments and the pain seemed to go away, so I quit.
Here I am, 4 months later and I'm overwhelmed. 3 months ago, I started getting this pain, that felt kinda like a dull stinging pain behind my left ear. Every time it comes back, it is always in the same place. I seem to have started to get headaches more often, weird headaches. Not severely painful, but I feel as though my head is full of pressure.. My anxiety disorder has come back after 10 years of being gone.. If I get nervous, my arm starts throbbing.. I went to the E.R last month for 'arm pain, dizziness, and nausea'.. I thought I was having a heart attack.. But every time I've gone to the doctor with chest pains or something, they tell me my heart and lungs look perfect..
Could this all be related to the discs in my back is the question? I have heard something about compression headaches? Anyone heard of these? I'm so terrified that I have a brain tumor or something.. I am scheduled to have a CT scan on my head next week to see what is going on.. My doc tells me if it comes back normal, she is sending me back to the neuro.. I'm going insane.. As we speak, my head is bothering me..

[I went to the E.R last month for 'arm pain, dizziness, and nausea'.. I thought I was having a heart attack.]


When you fell while skating , did you catch yourself with arms & shoulders?
If so were those sore for any length of time?
You might see about getting back to PT again and ask for a revaluation for neck, arms, shoulders and c spine.

Welcome,

I'm not overly familiar with compression headaches, and just hope the CT helps pinpoint what's wrong.
I agree with JoMar, about getting back into PT.

hi,
I was married to an airman years ago, and he never was deployed, but he did go tdy a lot. I wasn't sick back then (in the late 80's) but I was young.
One thing I discovered was that many of the wives would get together, and there were several support groups right there on base for just this sort of thing (ok, maybe not specifically including your pain issues, but you may be surprised).
If you are feeling alone, overwhelemed, and depressed, you can be sure that some of your sisters are too.

Um one question, are you seeing base docs, or are you going civillian. You may be eligible to see an off base specialist because you yourself are not actually active duty (even though your HUBBY is deployed! that is soooo wrong, but it can be used to your advantage if you research your options.
Good luck sweetie,