The Vent

[DeadPoolX 9]

You see the thing is, I'm really iffy about chiropractors. Maybe if I had sustained an injury such as yourself, krikit, in an accident hen I would be willing to go to one. But I don't know the cause. I just woke up and it was like this The worst part was that Monday morning when I woke up I was fine. It didn't start to kill my until about an hour later out of the blue. It is possible I pinched a nerve ors omething like that, but I just wish it would go away.

I also was thinking about other symptoms, because of course with a stiff neck always comes meningitis scares. But I'm fine besides the excrutiating neck/shoulder pain.

On my right side I have a chronically sore rhomboid muscle. I used to be a big volleyball player and pulled it when I was about 16. Now that I work on a computer all day, it often acts up.

It feels like that, sort of, on my other side now, just with the added pain in my neck.

Any advice on what I can do personally to help? I've got Asper cream I rubbed in last night and that made it feel a bit better.

My dad -- who is a neurologist -- claims to see many patients who've been injured by chiropractors. Apparently, quite a few in that business don't know what they're doing. If you find a good one (that's been highly recommended by someone you know and has went to them), you'll probably be fine. However, going to one that is virtually unknown to you may not be the wisest choice. Instead, I'd recommend a good massage therapist and perhaps something like Aleve (naproxin), which is a fairly safe NSAID. Advil is also an option (ibuprofen) but I've found Aleve to work better overall. Both are over-the-counter, so you won't need a prescription for either.

A quick test for meningitis is tucking your head into your neck. By this I mean lowering your face so it's pointed downward and as close to your body as possible. If your neck is exceptionally stiff and hurts while doing this, you might have meningitis. I want to emphasize that this is not a perfect or 100% accurate test by any means, so if you find the above occurs, don't panic. Many cervical conditions can mimic this.

The good news is that if you've had this problem for a while, it's highly unlikely that it would be bacterial meningitis. That can easily kill someone within a week if medical assistance isn't given. Viral meningitis is usually considered less serious than the bacterial form and generally won't kill as quickly; however, it can cause a lot of damage so treatment is definitely needed. Bacterial conditions are also more easily treated than viral ones.

The best way to find out about meningitis is to see a neurologist and possibly have a spinal tap, although I'd recommend doing the latter only if absolutely necessary. My dad claims spinal taps don't hurt and that all you feel is pressure, but I have trouble believing that. When someone sticks a needed into your spinal cord, it can't feel good.

[Lili 3]

I recommend putting some "Tiger Balm" on it. It is an ointment that you can find in most health stores. It is really good. When I hurt a muscle or something similar, I use that.

Do you have dizziness? Problem to stand up? When I was younger, I woke up one day with my neck hurting like non other and me just passing out everytime I would stand up. It appears I had two vertebrae going in opposite direction.

I hope you have nothing serious but definitely go get it check out!

[Carlawarla 1]

Someone should really tell Amanda that we've been trying to help and comfort her here! I'm reading all these posts and wondering where the heck she is! Must be feeling better I guess!

[trailmix 77]

Someone should really tell Amanda that we've been trying to help and comfort her here! I'm reading all these posts and wondering where the heck she is! Must be feeling better I guess!

[thetreble 19]

zippidy doo dah! I'm here you guys!

I'm feeling muchos better! Still stiff to some degree but nothing like it was originally.

I had a MASSIVE scare in the middle of the night. My brother in law was running up and down the stairs at 1am trying to find something and I thought it was a robber! My husband got up with the dog to find out what was going on. My BIL was like, "oh I'm just trying to find my work badge...I can't find it.."

I was like, it's 1am and I live in a basement. Please do not run all over the house because I assume something is going on!

Any ways, got back to sleep after that.

I'm glad you guys were worried about me..it shows me that you care! Aww shucks.

And for all that asked, I left the magic bag in for 2 minutes! Guess 30 seconds would have done the trick. It took me about 1 hour to clean out the microwave and smelled kinda bad.

[Krikit 1,163]

Ugh. I've exploded a heating pad in the microwave. What a mess. Glad you're feeling better, Amanda.

[thetreble 19]

Cheers me dears.\

I think my stiff neck could have to do with womanly problems. My hormones are out of wack and I have had physical signs of this. I assume everything is related when things go wrong in your body.

[Necrotica 0]

Ok, vent dump...

I've been feeling very panicky ever since we applied for getting the duplex. I'm sure now that it's a combination of major change, money issues, the daunting task of packing (especially with health and back issues), and everything else, most notably the fact that I can't get private health insurance because of my health issues, and I can't afford to be on my husband's employer's plan (they want $490/month premiums). So, I'm screwed. I KNOW that my issues can be taken care of if I just have a couple of visits to a GOOD doctor and maybe a good specialist, and I could be rid of whatever has been wrong with me for the past two and a half years, but nooooo. IF I can even find an insurance provider willing to take me on, there's a year wait for preexisting conditions! #### THE AMERICAN HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.

That, and my husband spends WAY too much money, and if it doesn't stop, I will be transferring all the bills into HIS name so my @ss will be off the hook if we end up too far behind. With his full-time job and my part-time one and not having any kids, there is absolutely NO reason why we should be scraping by and being late on bills like we have been the past few months. He and I have only had an actual argument maybe once or twice in the past year, and we have discussed this issue before, but if this does not change, there's going to be a BIG one!

[thetreble 19]

That, and my husband spends WAY too much money, and if it doesn't stop, I will be transferring all the bills into HIS name so my @ss will be off the hook if we end up too far behind. With his full-time job and my part-time one and not having any kids, there is absolutely NO reason why we should be scraping by and being late on bills like we have been the past few months. He and I have only had an actual argument maybe once or twice in the past year, and we have discussed this issue before, but if this does not change, there's going to be a BIG one!

Right on, sistah! If he is a chronic spender, get him a thump! I used to spend a little more than moderately and since married have cut back dramatically with more responsibilities (car loan, bills, etc.) There is no reason to scrap by if you don't have a lot of huge responsibilities.

[Carlawarla 1]

Ok, vent dump...

I've been feeling very panicky ever since we applied for getting the duplex. I'm sure now that it's a combination of major change, money issues, the daunting task of packing (especially with health and back issues), and everything else, most notably the fact that I can't get private health insurance because of my health issues, and I can't afford to be on my husband's employer's plan (they want $490/month premiums). So, I'm screwed. I KNOW that my issues can be taken care of if I just have a couple of visits to a GOOD doctor and maybe a good specialist, and I could be rid of whatever has been wrong with me for the past two and a half years, but nooooo. IF I can even find an insurance provider willing to take me on, there's a year wait for preexisting conditions! #### THE AMERICAN HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.

That, and my husband spends WAY too much money, and if it doesn't stop, I will be transferring all the bills into HIS name so my @ss will be off the hook if we end up too far behind. With his full-time job and my part-time one and not having any kids, there is absolutely NO reason why we should be scraping by and being late on bills like we have been the past few months. He and I have only had an actual argument maybe once or twice in the past year, and we have discussed this issue before, but if this does not change, there's going to be a BIG one!

Necrotica, I was waiting for you to post here. I know things aren't going so well for you. I hate how the healthcare system has screwed you around. You know from reading posts here that us Canadian's are always talking about it. Some people might say it's the insurance part of the system, but quite frankly, I think that's just a way to shift blame. The system is the system, and everyone is a part of it. I've had nurses and Dr.'s say things about the insurer, but I never see them out protesting in the streets for change in that part of the system! I appreciate that you're the American in this relationship and don't try to defend it.

Anyway, I know the move, and the money issues certainly can't help your stress level, which in turn impacts on your physical and mental health. I think in the long run, your move will be beneficial being closer to your friends and paying less for your accomodation. As far as the money issues go with your husband, talk to him now before there is an arguement. Communicate, communicate, communicate. Don't talk about ultimatims, talk about fixing this issue together.

Hugs

[DeadPoolX 9]

When applying for healthcare insurance, you must lie to them if you have an illness or require medication from the start. Health insurance will not cover any pre-existing medication (which is part of the reason to have it!) and any illnesses you may have had beforehand.

So here's what you do: When they ask if you're taking medication, say no. Only say yes if the drugs are very cheap, in which case they may not have a problem with it. Healtcare companies can tailor your coverage, so if you take psychotropic medication, they may decide your coverage won't apply to psychotropic drugs, but will apply to other medication -- that's why it's important to keep your medications to yourself and not tell them ahead of time. When they ask about pre-existing medical conditions, say there are none. If you've had anything like the flu recently and it's on file, simply say it was a one-time issue and you do not have a recurring health problem. They'll work with that.

Once you are accepted, then you may use it to get medication and cover procedures. They cannot drop you after they've accepted you (which is why you can be covered for expensive procedures and then kept on).

You might think what I'm suggesting is wrong, but it's the truth -- right or wrong. I know a close friend who was denied health insurance by every provider simply because she gets migraines. In every other way, she was extremely healthy. She was still denied since that'd mean paying for her prescription migraine medication, all of which can be very expensive. As an example, one Relpax pill is $23.

You cannot be honest with them. If you are, you will not get accepted unless you have never had a health problem and take absolutely no medication.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

This isn't completely true - if you had coverage before you started your new coverage here in the US and can provide them with proof you can be covered. I have a pre-existing condition and they initially denied me but told me if I had proof of coverage up to my coverage with my husband they would accept me. I was still covered by my former employer for 30 days after my last day of employment, so I obtained a statement from them, submitted it and was approved. When my husband's employer shifted to a new provider I had to submit proof of previous insurance coverage again before they covered me, but we did and I am covered. Canadians are covered by their Provincial health plans so those can be argued as coverage if an insurer tries to say you are ineligible for a pre-existing condition as you are technically 'covered' by your Provincial plan before you move. If you need to, get interim coverage for the time your coverage in Canada ends and you are accepted in your spouse's or your own coverage in the US. (fyi - the two insurance companies we have dealt with are BCBS and Cigna).

Edited November 21, 2008 by Kathryn41

[Carlawarla 1]

This isn't completely true - if you had coverage before you started your new coverage here in the US and can provide them with proof you can be covered. I have a pre-existing condition and they initially denied me but told me if I had proof of coverage up to my coverage with my husband they would accept me. I was still covered by my former employer for 30 days after my last day of employment, so I obtained a statement from them, submitted it and was approved. When my husband's employer shifted to a new provider I had to submit proof of previous insurance coverage again before they covered me, but we did and I am covered. Canadians are covered by their Provincial health plans so those can be argued as coverage if an insurer tries to say you are ineligible for a pre-existing condition as you are technically 'covered' by your Provincial plan before you move. If you need to, get interim coverage for the time your coverage in Canada ends and you are accepted in your spouse's or your own coverage in the US. (fyi - the two insurance companies we have dealt with are BCBS and Cigna).

Necrotica is the US citizen, her husband is the Canadian.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

I *puffy heart* Carlawarla's advise always.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

This isn't completely true - if you had coverage before you started your new coverage here in the US and can provide them with proof you can be covered. I have a pre-existing condition and they initially denied me but told me if I had proof of coverage up to my coverage with my husband they would accept me. I was still covered by my former employer for 30 days after my last day of employment, so I obtained a statement from them, submitted it and was approved. When my husband's employer shifted to a new provider I had to submit proof of previous insurance coverage again before they covered me, but we did and I am covered. Canadians are covered by their Provincial health plans so those can be argued as coverage if an insurer tries to say you are ineligible for a pre-existing condition as you are technically 'covered' by your Provincial plan before you move. If you need to, get interim coverage for the time your coverage in Canada ends and you are accepted in your spouse's or your own coverage in the US. (fyi - the two insurance companies we have dealt with are BCBS and Cigna).

Necrotica is the US citizen, her husband is the Canadian.

yes, in Necrotica's situation, it doesn't help - and that sucks.