This is a long history (well, the timeline, anyway). Two car accidents in the late 1980's, once hit by a car while I was stopped at a light. Again as a passenger in icy conditions. My sister stopped the car, the one behind her slid right into us at probably 40mph. My PCP gave me a few muscle relaxants and that was it. No xray or MRI. 2001 someone hit me again, but lightly. Bad enough to damage my car but again, I didn't seek medical treatment. And yes, another one in 2008, this time by a large pickup while my head was turned. I tried to get treatment but was told by a neurosurgeon that he didn't see any cause for my pain.

I've worked as an underwriter for, geez, 27 years. It was all paper files until 1999. Once everything was computerized I developed a lot of hand pain that doctors could not explain. Poor posture didn't help, of course. It continued to get worse every year.

My husband & I moved in early 2010 and repainted most of our old house and then the new house. A lot of lifting, as well. Enough that I tore my rotator cuff & had that repaired. And may I say that was excruciating! Slept in a recliner for 3 months and hurt for over a year. I went back to work 2 weeks after surgery.

Last May, I got up, went into my office (employer had most of us working at home) and had difficulty raising my arms. The pain from my neck/back all the way to my fingers was horrible. The closest fit to that sort of pain was thoracic outlet syndrome, but that was ruled out. So I had to resign from my job. Now, the pain is greatly improved, but only because I don't DO anything. A little light housework & that's it. My husband does all the driving, lifting vacuuming, etc. Not working is hard - we miss the income and I hate being dependent on anyone for anything, even my husband.

The pain is a constant dull ache - there is never a time that it is completely gone. Can't sit in a straight back chair for more than an hour, same with standing or typing.

So there you go, folks! My MRI results are in another post. EMG is normal. Any opinions on what could be wrong are welcome. The doctors at a loss. Myelopathy, maybe?