Posted on Sep 21, 2014
Since I was hurt I have had severe problems with my neck and back but they say they find nothing. Has anyone else had this problem?
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Medical Retirement
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 3
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SPC David Shaffer There are a lot of questions in my mind. First of all - I think reaching out is a smart thing. There are a lot of folks that have had various injuries here - I'm hoping you'll find someone that will help you. My question - was this a military or civilian injury - did this happen while you were in service? The only reason I ask is for clarity in my own mind. I deal with men/women like yourself regularly and it helps me focus on where I can guide the person to get the assistance they need. While it seems there should be no difference in how you are treated for your injury and pain, it happens.
Based on what I have read, I really don't know enough to give you any ideas. But, then again, this is a public forum and I don't WANT you to put anything more than you have already. While I'm far from a TBI expert, I know that any sort of brain injury is never a good thing. If you would care to contact me privately, perhaps, and I only promise perhaps, we can find some solutions that will work for you. Again, I'm not a doctor....but we can try.
Based on what I have read, I really don't know enough to give you any ideas. But, then again, this is a public forum and I don't WANT you to put anything more than you have already. While I'm far from a TBI expert, I know that any sort of brain injury is never a good thing. If you would care to contact me privately, perhaps, and I only promise perhaps, we can find some solutions that will work for you. Again, I'm not a doctor....but we can try.
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PO1 (Join to see)
SPC David Shaffer That simplifies the question. Now, I'm assuming you're retired medically from the military and have access to Tricare / Prime?
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SPC David Shaffer
PO1 (Join to see) Yes I do have Tricare but have never used it. I have used the VA for everything since my injury. It's all I can afford.
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SPC David Shaffer
PO1 (Join to see) Yes I do have Tricare but have never used it. I have used the VA for everything since my injury. It's all I can afford.
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PO1 (Join to see)
SPC David Shaffer Well, if all you have is Tricare, but not Tricare Prime then it's another matter. If you have Tricare Prime I would suggest using a civilian specialist in your area (or Chicago) to see if they might be able to come up with something. I've had to do it on more than one occasion. For example, my shoulder. The VA told me for over 18 months there was nothing wrong with me. A specialist (using Tricare Prime) found the issue in less than an hour. Same thing with my knees. I realize money is an issue. Perhaps you can get some further assistance through Wounded Warrior....
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Depending on the problem, it may not show up on imaging (MRI, CT, Xray).
Have you seen different specialists? (orthopedist, neurologist, neurosurgeon, physitrist, physical therapist) Based on their training, doctors are trained to look for different things, and so one specialist may notice something that another specialist will miss.
Have you seen different specialists? (orthopedist, neurologist, neurosurgeon, physitrist, physical therapist) Based on their training, doctors are trained to look for different things, and so one specialist may notice something that another specialist will miss.
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SPC David Shaffer
I copied the response I wrote to SFC Mark Merino. It's a lot to type this early ;) .I was injured over five years ago. I was in a coma for two weeks. I suffered a severe TBI. It was a closed head injury. I injured my frontal lobe, the parietal lobe and the temporal lobe of my brain. Brain bleeding and swelling. I broke my hip, tailbone, and my collar bone. I have been to every type of Doctor and still see a Neurologist, psychologist, and other doctors on a regular basis. I have had every type of image and scan they can do.
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SPC David Shaffer
I have been to every sin gle specialist the is. None have done anything for me and I refuse to go through physical therapy agin since I have been through it so many times I know everything they want me to do. I have even visited speech therapy. I actually thought about going to school for neurology, psychology, or to be another type of doctor since I have read so much and studied so much since my injury. I hope I can get some assistance on here from someone who suffers the same as I do everyday and maybe they found the RIGHT doctor that actually helped them. I hate to post anything about my injuries usually because once someone hears what injuries I sustained they usually talk to me like i'm an idiot and treat me differently since most people with my injuries don't function as good as I do. I feel more comfortable posting or asking a question here because it's all other service members and veterans, most of who suffer injuries (TBI/Pain) like I do given the nature of our work.
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LT Jessica Kellogg
I did not have a TBI, but did have a back injury.
I definitely hear your frustration; it took 11 months and numerous specialists for me to find the right doctor to diagnose the problem in my back. And there were days when it felt like no one believed me. For me, seeing a physitrist was the key (it's a very small speciality, focused on physical rehabilitation without cutting)
Also, the website http://www.patientslikeme.com is a good way to track your symptoms. There's a message board there too, but I haven't used it.
I definitely hear your frustration; it took 11 months and numerous specialists for me to find the right doctor to diagnose the problem in my back. And there were days when it felt like no one believed me. For me, seeing a physitrist was the key (it's a very small speciality, focused on physical rehabilitation without cutting)
Also, the website http://www.patientslikeme.com is a good way to track your symptoms. There's a message board there too, but I haven't used it.
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LT Jessica Kellogg
I would also encourage you to keep an open mind about physical therapy. Depending on the extent of your injuries, sometimes it is beneficial simply to keep you moving and active to prevent or slow down further injury, rather than trying to fix problem.
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Details? Traffic accident? Whiplash can last for months and it is pretty much muscle strains. I walked around for 15 months in agonyand was told I was fine. When they rotated the images of the MRI instead of reading the report they said "Holy S!@#" and left the office. Another 2 neurosurgeons came in and said "Holy S!@#" and left the office. 24 hours later I was on the operating table saying "Holy !@#!"
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SPC David Shaffer
I was injured over five years ago. I was in a coma for two weeks. I suffered a severe TBI. It was a closed head injury. I injured my frontal lobe, the parietal lobe and the temporal lobe of my brain. Brain bleeding and swelling. I broke my hip, tailbone, and my collar bone. I have been to every type of Doctor and still see a Neurologist, psychologist, and other doctors on a regular basis. I have had every type of image and scan they can do.
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SFC Mark Merino
My God! How can they dismiss your pain with such extensive injuries? I swear, sometimes if they can't find a piece of rebar sticking out of your head everything is A-ok.
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