Cures/help for back pain and crushing left arm pain

[bluenimue]

Hello,
I am diagnosed with diabetes, upper and lower back pain, Juvenile Rheumatoid arthritis, epididymitis, high blood pressure, depression, and a possible MS disorder. I have symptoms of peripheral neuropathy even though this hasn't been added to my list of diagnosis. I have excruciating crushing and burning pain running through my left arm on a nonstop basis. I feel pain all over but the arm back overshadows the rest of my body pain and I have to do something to get rid of it. It is interfering with my daily life. I take pills for my heart, diabetes.
The neurontin pills don't really help the pain..just helps the shaking I have at night. The doctor has tried me on Darvocets, Tylenol 3 with Codeines and none of those pills ease the pain..just makes me feel groggy and dizzy. I sometimes break out in sweats.

In 2006, a MRS was done on my lower back and
the doctor told me that detioration of the spine was occuring. In 2008, I had an x-ray taken of my lower back and the doctor said nothing abnormal was found. My doctor sent me to a pain center and the pain doctor gave me 4 cortisone injections in my cervical spine. He said the pain in my left arm was definitely caused by a problem in my cervical spine. He recommended an MRI to my doctor.

The first shot helped me regain mobility and lessened the pain in my arm from an average of 8-10 down to a 3 or less.
However, after a month the pain returned.
My doctor said I cannot have an MRI done because my medicaid will not cover it if I had an mri done in 2006. However, the MRI I had done in 2006 was on my lower back. I read that x-rays are very different from MRI's. I read that an MRI is necessary in order for docotrs to find out if I have a slipped disc,etc. My doctor gave me a slip to get this x-ray done but I have had arm pain since 1987. The pain has subsided at times and most of the time the doctors I visited in the past accused me of not having pain at all. My pain is invisible and it is getting worse. Sometimes, I feel like like chopping off my left arm so I don't have to deal with this anymore. I never get a normal nights sleep and I don't feel like waking up in the morning because I don't want to feel the pain.
Can you help me get rid of this pain?
Any advice will be appreciated.

This letter was typed by my home care nurse because I have extreme numbness in my hands and I can't type for long periods of time.

[Toomanyadvil]

Hi Bluenimue'
'
         I'm so sorry your having such a terrible time getting the tests you need and the treatment that would help your pain.
     That is the worst thing about living in Chronic Pain, its invisable. To everyone we look normal and healthy. But if we could just make the pain visable everyone we need to stand up and take notice would. Its so frustrating I know.

      Have you tried calling your insurance company personally to ask them to explain why you can only have one MRI and why they wont cover another especially if it's for a different area?
You may want to get on the phone with them and ask them to explain exactly what the deal is. If you had a broken neck would they then allow an MRI?
If they refuse you can always remind them that is something serious is missed because of this then they are the ones who are taking responsibility.
In some cases, you do have benefits to cover more MRI's that just once every few years and they just dont feel it's nessesary.
Insurance companies have DR's on there staff to work in "proving" that patients dont need certain tests and prosedures and that it would only be a needless expense.
Chances are your DR has already spoken to there DR, but hearing from the patient themselves and putting the responsibility onto them can put a different spin on things once and a while.
But I suggest only taking that approach after it is clear that they are refusing to cover another MRI and that its obvious your getting nowhere with them.

My advice to you is to tell your DR that the medication isnt working and keep telling them until they listen. Tell them you will be happy to try ANYTHING that they think could help.
I used to be really shy with my DR's, I would never ask for what I needed. I would be so afraid they were going to say no and I would make them angry or be seen in a bad light if I pushed too hard.
. But someone taught me that I need to speak up and keep talking until they listened because I deserved to get the treatment I needed. Worst case senario they drop me and I find a new DR that may actually treat me in the way I deserve.

You may want to consider starting a pain journal. If you cant write it ask your home care nurse do it. Write in it whenever you feel you need to.
Add what number your pain is throughout the day. What you can and cant do, what makes the pain worse/better. And especially what the pain actually feels like.
That may be really helpful to your DR as they can see what its like for you on a regular basis.

I know you said the pain management DR did the injections but are you still seeing the PM?
Either way try and get an app whenever you can and tell them you would like to talk about what your options are. Tell them the pain is getting worse and show them the journal.

I hope you can really get all of this sorted out and get everything you need to start feeling better and get the answers you deserve.

Were always here if you need to chat or anything.

TMA

[bluenimue]

Hello Toomanyadvil,

Thanx for the advice.
I was thinking of calling my insurance company.
My pain management doctor recommend an MRI.
My main doctor is afraid of me getting billed for the MRI so it
wasn't ordered. The upper back x-ray will get done this week.
However, I plan on scheduling an appointment with a neurologist
soon. It could be a bone spur or slipped disc or?
Prolotherapy sounds good but I want to discover all my options first.


Thanks again for your advice

This letter was typed by my home care nurse because I have extreme numbness in my hands and I can't type for long periods of time.

[Toomanyadvil]

Please keep us posted as to how it goes.
I dont know too much about slipped disks or bone spurs but I know there are alot of other members who have had experience with them who will probably be along in the morning!

I hope you have a low pain night!

TMA

[Mollyrae]

Hi. I am sooo sorry for the chronic pain and the terrible time you have experienced with your insurance co. My advise  would be to go directly to your clinic and ask them if they have a charity program that might cover the MRI. Most clinics do. My Husband was in need of surgery and this happened at a time when we were financialy strapped. After filling out a bunch of paper work we found out that he qualified. I urge you to do this. Please take care. Mollyrae

[bluenimue]

Thanks for the charity advice. I will bring this up to the MRI clinic.

Bluenimue

[Toomanyadvil]

Yes that is an awsome suggestion and if you can find a not-for profit hospital they usually have something called a "charity pool" in which if you qualify like mollyrea has said you can get the treatment you need.

All states have not for profit hospitals. But if you live in NY there all not for profit and will All most likely have these types of programs.

I hope you find that you qualify and can get the help you need!

TMA

[bluenimue]

I called my local MRI office and the medical assistant said that their charity program only covers those who have no medical insurance coverage. I asked her if there is a different program out there or does this apply to all offices? She told me that
this applies to all offices because my doctor would have to fill out a request slip
for this charity coverage.


So, I cannot apply for this because I am on Medicaid/Health Plus.
But its good to know that programs like that exist out there.
I made phone calls to a couple of pain doctors but they don't
accept Medicaid. I live in Michigan and if anyone can recommend
an excellent pain clinic that can help me manage my pain problem
until I get my back fixed that would be great.

I will keep you posted..

This letter was typed by my home care nurse because I have extreme numbness in my hands and I can't type for long periods of time.

bluenimue

[Toomanyadvil]

Hi Bluenimue

     I'm sorry that you didnt qualify, but as you said it is good to know that they exist.
Have you tried calling the medicaid office and asking for a list of DR's that may accept the insurance.

There is a web site that looks like it lists different providers or has a search of some kind for different providers in Michigan
http://www.michigan.gov/mdch/0,1607,7-132-2945---,00.html

Pain Management DR's are mainly anesthesiologists that specialize in pain if that help in the search, though I dont know if it does.

I'll try to look up a few more things and post them if I find anything.
Hope this help a bit.

TMA

[Toomanyadvil]

Hi again!

       This is a search I found, though I think Medicare came up but I asked for a combination of DR's so some may be medicaid also. There search brough uo 207 pain management DR's in Michigan. It will take some time to sort through but maybe you'll find some in your area you didnt see in the phone book that you can call and ask about.

http://www.medicare.gov/Physician/Search/PhysicianSearchValidation.asp?MCG_UNIQUE_ID=20080709012752468&From=1&CookiesEnabledStatus=True&Type=STATE&SpecialtyGroup=906%7CPain+Management&Specialty=105%7CPain+Management&ParStatus=B&Submit=Continue+%3E

I'm sorry its soooo long!
And this is the sites home page that I got it from:

http://www.cms.hhs.gov/center/physician.asp

I hope it can be some help to you,

TMA