Question: I have had Thoracic pain due to an accident on the back of a snowmobile which was an old XXXXXXX Deere going approx. 70 miles an hour with a blockage to moguls as the driver was 6'4 and I am 5'3 and 110 lbs. I crashed up & down for over an hour in Pittsfield which is well known for it's trails. I was out of work for more than a year and have been going to physical Therapy for the past 20 + yrs. After 13+ MRI's I was told that I had nothing wrong with my back however, since then my back has been guarded and unable to stop convulsing (for lack of the correct terminology). I am now Disabled and have had constant neck pain at the base of my skull. I am seeing an ARNP who provides me with meds. but I am 52 yrs. old and cannot hold my head up. I know I definitely have spinal stenosis between C5-6 and C6-7 which looks pretty bad as I have a pictures. I've recently had to take an ambulance to the E.R as every muscle, joint severely hurt as well as I could not hold my head up. A back Dr. told me that I had Peripheral Neuropathy and referred me to Mass. General Hosp. who denied me as I am already seeing a Pain Nurse Practitioner. I can't write cards, letters and frankly think (know) I have a very XXXXXXX problem (especially at th base of my skull) and no one will see me as I'm being seen by a Pain Nurse. I cannot deal with this severe constant pain and don't know what to do. Can somebody help shed some light on my situation and mostly help me to know where to go and what to do or help ? I'm beginning to think that I'm going to die and have been misdiagnosed for a long time. I'm thinking it's a tumor at the end of my spinal column or cancer but I know I cannot go on like this anymore.

I definitely have spinal stenosis in my cervical area where the area appears almost completely pinched. No one will see me as I am being treated by a ARNP at the pain center. It is very painful to hold my head up and I have been on m uscle relaxants ( flexeril and Baclofen) which don't seem to help at all and I have to write you short messages as sitting at the computer always makes my condition worse. How can I see someone without lying to them and telling them that I've not been seen for this, in order to get a REAL second opinion. I am also on anti-depressants and feel that there is no quality of life for me. It seems as though I am living out my life in constant pain and it's a long slow death ahead of me. I am very spiritual and try to meditate but I am constantly noticing that I hold my breath without thinking, due to the pain. I have to make myself breathe ! My hands shake, also due to the intense pain. I have lost4 pant sizes as I have no appetite but do drink a lot of water daily. Is there a surgery that can be done for me or do I continue to cry and feel like a vegetable ? I've had 31 shots of botox around my head for what I thought were the beginnings of a migraine but my neck pain continues. Please help, no one knows my pain and lately, I find myself just asking God to take me so the pain will be gone.

My follow-up question was where in my area can I find a good Neurological Surgeon ?