Hi all

Well I had another Doctor appt yesterday which was well needed. I had such a bad flare up from the 2 hour drive in snow and ice on friday. I've been in so much pain since that I was ready for anything that might relieve pain. The flare up was in the scalene muscles which was causing a mess. He did some injections yesterday and those mucles were so jumpy I cried. But boy I felt better for about 2 hours afterwards. I still feel a little better than I did but once the lidocaine wore off..well pain returned. This flare caused a little set back but he thinks overall I did make some progress. He went over some of the areas that he injected and the muscles have relaxed some. He said that shows this is working. It's working SLOWLY he said but I am making progress in baby steps. It's just going to be a long road. My muscles are a mess but he feels if I cooperate and work on treatment..I will recover. I don't know...at the moment I question everything. It seems like anything can cause flare ups ..especially driving. The Doc said this is just the beginning and not to get frustrated. Easier said than done though. I am trying to hang tough though! 2 weeks ago someone went to shake my hand and oh my did it HURT! I also couldn't brush my teeth without crying or put salt on my food just last week and I can this week so that must mean something! I guess there is some progress to be noted. of course I want this to just all go away but know that's not going to happen.

The Doctor was hoping to get me started on therapy but he said not yet. The muscles are still too tight and knotted that stretching will cause extreme pain and possibly permanent damage. He wants to see now if the muscles are going to relax from these injections and stay that way or will they keep tightening back up. He wants at least 10 days now before doing any more injections. He wants to see in those 10 days what progress I make or what setbacks occur. If I don't make progress or I flare up again ..he needs to take a different approach. I do agree on that. He doesn't want my treatment to be only injections...it can't be. The injections help but are they just temporary pain relief? Not quite sure on all this. I guess we'll see how this goes. I know yesterday I felt pretty good until the lidocaine wore off. I actually slept better last night though so maybe this helped. I am better this morning so far...I'm actually typing! I'm on the laptop which is easier...I jsut can't hold my arm up. The Doctor put my arm up yesterday and WOW...it went numb and tingly .showed problems in the neck.

i still have pain in my elbow and forearm...all the way to the hand. that hasn't got better. I guess it's all going to take time. I am stubborn and trying real hard to keep my chin up. I can do this I think. I can't take pain meds and I don't want to rely on any anti depressants. I just want to stay away from those. I'm going to start looking for someone to talk with (pain management) hopefully that will help.

I also posted a message in the workmans comp section about what happened with all that. Things are straightened out. The Doc never said it wasn't work related. He was just going by PA law which states he has to bill my primary insurance. The insurance companies are the one's who battle it out regarding payment. He has to continue billing my insurance while treating me. He said of course the claim was denied...they want me to just go away. Well I'm not going anywhere!

I really hate to go looking for a second opinion because the lawyer said this Doctor is one of the best around. Also, he is on my side and I don't want to change that. I went to the wc doctor (ortho) who agreed with his treatment and referred me back so will that be the case with anyone else. I keep getting told that this is just the beginning and it's gonna take time to heal. My head is in a whirlwind...not knowing what to do anymore.

I am kinda worried about working. Going back to my employer I don't think will happen. they don't care about me or any other employee. I haven't even heard from my boss or anyone. All I got was a letter setting me up for termination. I was told that I was now on "unpaid medical leave" for only 12 weeks. I know that I'm not going to be able to go back to what I was doing which caused all this mess. I asked for ergonomic support and couldn't get it so they will tell me I can't do my job. I can't end up like this again!! NO WAY!! They are not supportive and they too just want me to go away. So now what am I going to do. The Doctor and lawyer keep telling me not to worry about working...that I can't now anyways. I can't even drive let alone work at a computer all day! But easy for them to say..they have an income..I don't. I know they want me to focus on getting better but I sure do have a lot on my mind. This is way more than I bargained for.

Well I can't type anymore.....I need to take a break then I'll be back to do some research on this tens unit thing. I'm still learning about TOS and what all is involved.

I really want to thank all of you for your support and suggestions. I haven't done a whole lot of research or anything for that matter. I've been in so much pan that I can't hold a phone or sit at a computer. It's hard to get going on all this. I'm working at it! It's very hard! Pain is getting the better of me and I'm not liking it! I gotta start fighting but don't know where to begin!

Off to a hot shower....talk to ya soon.

I replied on the WC thread.

PT can only consist of ultrasound, heat, and massage if the dr rx's it that way.
and at PT place that is close to your home so driving so far isn't an issue.

I went to 3 PT places and only 1 therapist was poor {a rookie -didn't know much about anything}
The others didn't move on with stretches until my pain was reduced to a 1-2.
My chiro does ultrasound, LLLT, INF stim {better than a TENS} and any adjustments needed now.

I second that...ultrasound, heat, and stim...on a bad day that might be all my PT does, and I have been working to get better for a year.

PT can also be done at your home by a home care agency if your doc will be willing to document that you are homebound due to pain with driving.