Hi Jenatsky,

this is a real problem.

We have private hospitals here but you need private health insurance.

Unfortunately last year when this problem started I didn't have private health insurance because there were the public hospitals which are free for residents. So I thought that I would go to the public hospital in order to be treated. I soon found out that they are always packed and there is a minimum of 3 year to wait for any orthoapedic and neurosurgery.

In December 2022 I signed up for private hospital cover that costs me $230 Australian dollars per month which is a lot for me that I am not working. I have been providing medical exemption certificates to get government assistance to get by. Here they pay you around $1200 per month, it is not a lot but is better than nothing. On May 7, I will be eligible for the old age pension.

The problem with my new private health insurance is that there is a waiting period of 12 months for pre-existing conditions before they pay anything. Therefore if I go to private hospital they would accept me, but I would have to pay out of my own pocket. I wouldn't have enough money to cover the private hospital which would be very expensive.

But with my case I have the Transport Accident Insurer that would pay for the private hospital. I don't know how to get hospitalized because I would have to request for an approval of private hospital expenses by the private insurer.

Jenatsky, having been a professional nurse for many years, why do I feel a constant excruciating stabbing pain around the left of my cervical spine between C7 and T3 vertebrae roughly, then to the left between SCM and Trapezius muscles at the same level?

How can I relieve that stabbing pain? Is the stabbing pain caused by nerve, muscles or both?

Can a gentle remedial massage help?

The stab started 2 weeks ago on both sides and it is unbearable. If I could get rid of that, I would be much better. The left is much more painful.

Thanks.

Alfred