I understand where you are coming from! Although I have never been in a car accident, I have had acute back pain since about 1997! They say I have degenerative disc disease, whatever that means. Sounds like my discs are like dissapearing, or just fading away! I have had 3 back surgeries, and now they tell me I have another Herniated Disc. And I have torn my ACL an medial maniscus in each knee, and they said I was too young to have knee replacements. So, they just "fixed" them!  They were "supposedly" done arthoscopacly (sp?), but I have a large scar on my right knee/leg from one of the surgeries, and I walk with a cane, a brace, and wear some special shoes. They are called "shape ups".  Now, I can't wear any other shoes, or I come home in SEVERE PAIN.  I go nowhere, meet no new friends, and all my "friends" have slowly stopped calling or visiting.  Why would they want to hang out with a cripple?  I know there are people worse off than me, but I was in such good shape all the time, until I was considered "Disabled" in 2001. I receive disability income, which barely pays the bills. My neurosurgeon says I MIGHT get some relief if he took the hardware out, but there's no guarrantee, and I refuse anymore surgery! I was a certified pharmacy technician in a very busy hospital during the day, and went country western dancing, 2-3 times a week, when I was well.  I would dance at least 6 hours straight, and have a blast!  And, I LOVED my job too!  Now I just lay in bed and watch TV all day, except to go to the store or a Dr.'s appointment.  It's a really boring life, and I'm so sick of it!  I have much more to say, but they only allow 2000 characters. Good luck, Bonnie

Trauma can cause soooooo many things to go wrong in the body, it's unfortunate  that alot of docs  and people do not realize how agonizing constant pain is, i know iv'e been suffering with Lymes Disease for over 40 years all because they told me there is no such thing around here "CENTRAL CALIF." not counting all the other things that happened including being hit by a car back when i was a teenager, so i feel for you for i too struggle every day just to cope with all the aches and pains "SORRY FOR YOU" but maybe there will be hope for you down the road don't give up possitive thinking and alot of research which you have to do yourself can go along way. I know it works i have come along way because of doing my homework and always looking for new hope. Sure hope this helps you in some way or another and if you want write back to me and we can chat moreabout helping yourself, GOOD LUCK, MARGIE. 

I went over the 2000 character limit, so what I wrote got deleted.  I was too verbose.

I want to welcome you to the Doctors site.  I have met a WHOLE lot of friends here and I hope you and I can be friends.  I have had extensive contacts with paramedics because I have a whole lot of things going on, such as severe chest pain, possible stroke last year.  My last stroke was in 1980.  I also have Lupus, fibromyalgia, arthritis in my feet and ankles and other maladies.  I had a REAL problem with the paramedics in November of last year when one of the newbies said "Now, doubt you feel better since we told you there's nothing wrong with you?"  That was when I had the severe TIA and they did NOT transport me to the hospital.  I've also been in a couple of very serious accidents, one when I was driving and one when Dad was driving.  It wasn't Dad's fault.  I'm just a survivor, I guess, because I really shouldn't be here, but I'm so glad I am.

My email address is annes144@q.com.  I hope to hear from you when you can because I want to keep in contact with you.  Again, welcome you to the site.  You'll LOVE it.

Anne

I vote that she has Fibromyalgia and needs to visit a Rheumatologist who actually treats Fibro. (Guaifenisen Protocol Rocks...if one has Fibro, but only for the brave.)