Cervical Spine And Sciatic Nerve Symptoms Exaggerate Years After Injury

Jak · March 1, 2009

I separated from the army in 1997 and was awarded 20% disability for low back pain by the VA. Many years later, my symptoms have reared their ugly heads more vicious than ever. Set aside from my episodes of "undiagnosed endometriosis" my military service years were relatively uneventful as far as injuries go except for one incident which resulted in the VA rating.

In 1994, I incurred an injury while participating in an "indian run" at PT. As opposed to the normal PT uniforms, we were dressed in full BDU - kevlar, rucksack and all. I was running downhill at a cautious speed and got knocked into and knocked down by a fellow platoon member who had tripped on a rock, fell and landed partially on top of me. Nothing really happened after that - we both got back up and finished the indian run. Three days later, I went to sick call thinking I tore muscles in my back and was experiencing sharp pain that ran down my leg. I relayed the story to the technician who inspected me and diagnosed me with muscle tension and soreness. I was prescribed 500 mg of generic tylenol and sent off with a profile for light duty and temporary profile for PT for 3 days.

To make a long story short, my back pain turned into a permanent profile which included pain in my knees and feet. All of my treatment is in my records with exception of the event that caused the injury. In 2003, my pain alleviated to a point that I couldn't treat myself with methods that I had been taught in physical therapy (in the military) and with finally having health insurance I sought out medical treatment that is continuous up to the current date. Through an MRI, I was diagnosed with cervical injury from C4-C6, bulging disks, arthritis, and degenerative disk disease to include diagnosis for "military neck". This isn't the end. Three weeks ago, the pain from my lower back starting acting up. I was sent for an MRI on my lumbar and the pain specialist thinks the pain is from my sciatic nerve. I'm still awaiting the MRI.

I don't think I have any problems showing where I incurred the injury but my problem is that from 1997 to 2002, there's no records of any treatment for me. The reason is simple: I didn't have health insurance and I had no idea what services were available to me from the VA. Had I known, I wouldn't be posing this question now.

The pain management doctor believes that the reason my neck injury hadn't shown up for so long was due to my body "prioritizing" what needed to be treated and the pain intensified once I had my twin sons. I was told that many women don't even know they have neck problems until after their pregnancy due to the constant stress and unnatural positions that our arms, shoulders, neck and back are placed in while holding our babies. Once I had my neck treated, my lower back flared up again. This has been the constant cycle since 2003. I've been on some (what I consider) hardcore medicine such as vicodin for the last three years. I have a hard time dealing with the pain and dealing with my twin toddler boys. Take a moment to read my post on infertility -endometriosis and add those symptoms to these. Between everything I've gone thru, I have bouts of panic attacks, periods of migraines, can't sleep without medicine, constantly tired, moody. At least once a week, my husband has to stay home from work to help me with my sons. Those are the days that the pain and moods are at their worst and I need bedrest.

What are your thoughts? and also, now that I'm aware of VA medical services, should I forget the pain doctors and return to the military for treatment? Again, your thoughts and suggestion are appreciated!