My journey began late July 2006. It was 3am and we were on a ruck march. This means walking fast/running with 50 pounds on your back, along with a weapon. I had tripped while running and jammed my shoulder and sprained my hand. I moved on. Within the next week I ignored the pain, pumped up on pain killers to complete the training.

When I arrived at my new duty, I went to the clinic because it hurt to move my arm and shoulder. Icy hot was all I was given along with limited duty. After a few more days, I returned. I recieved a Cortison shot, in their hopes that I would be able to move my arm without pain in a day or two. No such luck. I returned countless times, seen countless physical therapists. Nothing worked. This went on for 6 months. I was transfered to a new duty, and the same. So many x-rays and MRIs, but nothing was revealed.

3 more months of just having to suck it up, I completed this portion and ended up home. 2 more months pass I decided to see my old doctor. Finally, some answers. He sends me to a neurologist. A month later, I have my appointment. He does the once over, including how I walked, sat, responded to slight pain stimulus. My prognosis was at around 70% and a script for some meds.

Sounds hopefull huh?

I saw him for a total of three times. My prognosis went from 70% to maybe 50% to let’s try to get you to 20%. And the different types of meds he gave me didn’t work. I refuse to see him anymore. This was all in late 2007 to July of 2008.

Since then I have just dealt with this on my own. No useless meds, no treatments. It took 13 months just to get a diagnosis.

I am trying to get some type of treatment, because it is getting worse. Not only have I lost nearly all use in my arm, but I am losing the battle with my leg. It’s getting harder to walk, and even harder to run. I used to enjoy going to the gym for about 2 hours. But time has brought this to an hour, to even less.

I did, however, recently returned to see the doc. He has recomended that I seek facilities that specialize in my condition, provide intense physical therapy and psycological support.

3 years, 1 month, and about 8-18 days since I was injured.