For 20 years I have suffered from nerve pain in my right shoulder near my neck. After 10 years of trigger point injections in my shoulder blade I had an ACDF, which was a failure, and then a laminectomy on my C-5-6, 6-7 eight years ago and was told I would eventually need surgery on upper discs. After seeing my neurosurgeon three times since with additional sciatic nerve pain, pain management doctors, meds, nerve blocks, trigger point injections and epidurals, he informed me that my C-1 and L-5, S-1 were compromised but he couldn’t help me.
I have been seeing an incredibly qualified massage therapist for 20 years. I see him every week and sometimes twice. If it weren’t for him I don’t know where I would be.
In the last 3 months I have developed painful digestive issues after NEVER having digestive issues, dizziness when standing or when I’m talking with my hands when sitting or standing, nausea, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing meat and pills, and increased nerve pain in the entirety of right side of head affecting my eye, jaw and neck and shoulder. I have limited, painful mobility in my neck. I scream out in pain from my neck and spontaneous nerve pain throughout my body.
I spent 10 hours in the ER 3 weeks ago after the onset of the digestive issues mentioned above followed up with an endoscopy. Started medication for gastritis and told to call if I didn’t get better. I now have an appt with the GI doc to look at my pancreas a bile ducts.
Five years ago I was diagnosed with Stage 2 Triple Positive breast cancer fueled by estrogen. I began 20 rounds of chemotherapy, bi-lateral mastectomy, 5 years of Letrozole, an estrogen inhibitor which itself caused bone and joint pain. As of two weeks ago I was considered cancer-free which meant I could cease the Letrozole. Symptoms from it may linger for who knows how long.
Prior to my Breast Cancer journey I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia.
So many of my symptoms from each of the above overlap and I feel like I’m losing my mind as well as my quality of life. I spend 80% of my day on my back with ice packs from my neck to my lumbar. I sleep with an ice pack tied around my neck.
Four weeks ago after my massage therapist had been researching my condition with intensity he suggested that I may be suffering from Vagus Nerve Dysfunction. NOT ONE of the plethora of doctors I have seen in the last two months have mentioned the condition. Neurologist, neurosurgeon, cardiologist, gastroenterologist, primary physician, internist, pain management doctors. Not one.
My massage therapist recommended that I try to get an appointment with Mayo in Jacksonville as I live in Mobile, AL. Any recommendations as to my best chance of them taking me on? I am desperate.
Thanks for letting me vent.