Way Back

My medical problems started on December 21, 1989 when a faulty machine guard gave way and hit me on top of the head with such force I felt like my head was pushed down between my shoulders and I could feel the pain go all the way down my spine!  Everything went black.  I literally saw all different colored stars.  I asked a fellow employee if she saw what happened and she said No.  I called my supervisor and she said, Great!!! The company had just been bought!!!  I was shocked that she seemed more concerned about that than my well being.  I had severe migraines.  I went to the doctor and x-rays were done of my neck.  They showed nothing.  I was given pain killers...600mg 4x a day.  My youngest son was only 10 months old.  The migraines continued EVERY day.  Several more x-rays were done of my neck and head.  They revealed nothing.  I was eventually told it was all in my head but still given pain killers. Uuugghh!!!  I went to a chiropractor and he cracked my neck which gave me instant relief but the relief didn't last long.  I was having adjustments done every other day.  Periodically, I could feel my left sciatica hurting a lot.  It got to the point where the chiropractic adjustments weren't helping.  I was still told the migraines were all in my head and pain meds were given.
In 2005 I went to an orthopedic doctor because I was having problems with my left shoulder.  He noticed I was holding my neck and was having a hard time turning my head.  He asked me what was wrong with my neck and I told him I didn't know.  I had migraines and my neck hurt since December 21, 1989.  He told me x-rays were in order.  I told him they wouldn't show anything because none of them had over the years.  He told me they had to be done for insurance reasons.  The x-rays were done and he came back in the room and told me I was right.  They showed nothing.  He then asked me if I ever had a MRI.  I said no and he said I needed one asap!  The MRI showed the disk between C3-C4 was crushed!  I told him for years I was told the pain was all in my head.  He laughed and told me, "It isn't in your head.  It is in your neck!"  I love a doctor with a sense of humor!   I needed surgery.  I was sent to a neurologist (not the one I have now) and he said as long as I was walking, talking, and breathing on my own, he was NOT going to do surgery because it was too risky.  I could become a quadriplegic or die!  I was referred to 2 other neurosurgeons and was told the same thing.  In late 2007 I went back to the orthopedic doctor for my shoulder.  He noticed I was still holding my neck and having problems turning my head.  He asked if we had found a neurosurgeon and I said No...Silly them didn't want to make me a quadriplegic or kill me.  He looked at me and said they had just gotten an orthopedic doctor in their practice who specializes in spinal injuries.  He asked if I would be willing to see him.  Of course I would see him!  The worse he would tell me is No...not like I hadn't heard that before!  lol
That orthopedic doctor looked at my MRI and asked when did I want to have surgery?  I was so surprised!  I told him after the holidays.  The day before my surgery, I had an appointment with him.  He told me the risks of surgery...I could possibly be a quadriplegic or die.  I told him if he made me a quadriplegic, he better finish the job because I would not do that to my family and friends and it would not be fair to me to live like that.  I also told him, he would not let any of that happen!  I also sent 3 thank you cards....1 for my primary care physician who I had for a few years (I stopped going to the 1 who told me the pain was all in my head) because on a moment's notice I could call his office when the migraines were so excruciating I couldn't stand it and he would give me a shot to relieve the pain, 1 for the orthopedic doctor who found my problem, and 1 for the orthopedic doctor doing the surgery.  I wrote in them, "Win, lose, or draw, I know you done your best!!!"  I also thanked each one for the special things they done for me.  Surgery was done January, 2008.  The moment I woke up from surgery, the migraines were gone!  Praise God!!!
They say the human body can only feel 1 major pain at a time, boy do I know that!  After my migraines were gone, the pain in my left sciatica was showing itself big time!  If I squatted down to pick something up, I had to pull myself up...I didn't have the strength in my legs to stand.  When I went in for 1 of my check ups for my neck, I told the orthopedic doctor.  He ordered x-rays of my lumbar vertebrates.  Nothing.  A MRI was then ordered.  It showed S1 was crushed by L5!  Another surgery was in order.  I was told since S1 had been crushed for so long, it probably would never rejuvenate.  Surgery was done in August, 2008.  My sciatica still hurt so I started seeing a fantastic pain management doctor.  He done a series of injections in my sciatica and finally I had relief! 
I am paying for that work related accident physically and financially big time!!!  Worker's Comp in Ohio closed my case.  When I called and told them the correct tests were finally done and what they showed, I was told Too bad!  It wasn't my fault MRIs were not done in 1989!  If you feel something is wrong and a doctor tells you it is all in your head, go to another one and another one and another one til you find the right one!!!  If you get hurt at work, report it and seek medical help immediately no matter what the company says!!!  It is YOUR body and YOU are the one who will pay physically and financially if you don't keep seeking help NOT them!!!
Many blessings and lots of love to ALL of you!!!