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Thoracic back pain continues 2 years after MVA

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sonjaward
sonjaward

So I was rear-ended on October, 1st 2015 and my back has never been the same since. It hurts 4-5 days out of the week and I can't do half the stuff I used to be able to do without being in a lot of pain. I can't even sweep!! rolleyes I used to be super healthy, with no back pain ever and now I've put on quite a bit of weight because I can't do much anymore. When I try to lay flat my back instantly stiffens up and I have a hard time getting back up. 

I've been to multiple different doctors and even been to the ER a few times since the wreck because the pain gets so severe sometimes. I've had to quit jobs because I my back would hurt so bad from doing whatever the job was. About a year ago one doctor recommended I get an MRI but she wouldn't send me off for one because I didn't have insurance. One doctor said I might need surgery but NONE have told me what's wrong with my back. And now my lower back is starting to hurt when it used to just be my upper back. I'm now in the process of getting disability for my Bipolar and they listed my back as well. 

Has anybody ever had severe pain years following a MVA? Did you need an MRI to diagnose what was wrong and how did they treat your injury? I'm hoping I don't end up needing surgery because I don't have insurance and can't afford it. 

0 likes, 2 replies

2 Replies

  • amkoffee
    amkoffee sonjaward

    Posted

    Your situation sounds very similar to mine but I've been at this for 13 years. You will not be able to get a diagnosis on your back until you get an MRI. There's no real other option. Not even a regular x-ray will show everything because it only shows bones and spaces between bones. An MRI looks at soft tissue and will pick up things like bulging or herniated discs, degenerative disc disease and things like that. Since you don't have insurance this is going to be tough. Additionally it's a very very hard to get disability for mental illness and although that seems unfair, that's what I've been told. And I doubt they'll consider your back since Iyou don't have a diagnosis on your back. I'm afraid you may be in a catch-22. If you can afford to do it you might go see a physical therapist one time and ask him to show you some exercises and stretches that you can do to help your back and then you can do them on your own so you don't have to keep going. I wish I had better news for you but I felt like I needed to tell you the whole truth.

    • sonjaward
      sonjaward amkoffee

      Posted

      Okay thank you for the advice!! I actually got appointed a lawyer for my disability case so hopefully *crosses fingers* things go well. I should hear something soon about that. I recently signed up for a income-based clinic I’m just waiting on my appointment. I have one on the 5th but it’s for my broken foot. Yay for that as well. Between my back and foot, I feel like a broken machine with no mechanic to fix me honestly. 
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