Q. I have been suffering from back pain for the past two months. I have tried several treatments. Any ideas? I don’t have a history of back pain. I started to experience pain in my shoulders, neck and upper back about two months ago. Prior to the condition I started to work out with a personal trainer, but I felt good for three months, so the doctor and I don’t think there is a connection. I tried many types of massages, chiropractic treatment, and Acupunctures. I also went to an orthopedic MD. The doctor prescribed Arxocia for ten days and another round of Arxocia pills . I still have pain in my shoulders and neck. Any ideas what can I do. The doctor says it’s nothing serious and that it’s called upper back pain and that it will pass with time. Any ideas to ease the pain and treat this?

Q. How can I get my doctor to believe me about my back and neck pain and the numbness in my hand? My doctor referred me to a pain clinic and I waited 2 months for the appointment. So i went to the appointment and the doctor was very short with me and asked me why I was there even though I had just given my complete history to his nurse 5 minutes earlier. i said I wanted to know what was wrong with my back and if it could be fixed. He said we don’t do that here and looked at a cat scan of my neck from a year and a half prior and an x ray of my back from 4 months prior. He said there is nothing wrong with me and told me to have a nice day. i asked if he could at least send me for an MRI and he gave me a prescription for one and said his nurse would make the appointment for me. I’m still waiting for the appointment. The other thing is is that I am on medicaid and filed for disability because I can not work. I just can’t find a doctor to help me. I’m very frustrated.

In 1976, there was an outbreak of swine flu at Fort Dix. This virus is not the same as the 2009 outbreak, but it was similar insofar as it was an influenza A virus that had similarities to the swine flu virus. There was one death at Fort Dix. The government decided to produce a vaccine against this virus, but the vaccine was associated with neurological complications (Guillain-Barré syndrome) and was discontinued. Some individuals speculate that formalin, used to inactivate the virus, may have played a role in the development of this complication in 1976. There is no evidence that anyone who obtained this vaccine would be protected against the 2009 swine flu. One of the reasons it takes a few months to develop a new vaccine is to test the vaccine for safety to avoid the complications seen in the 1976 vaccine. New vaccines against any flu virus type are usually made by growing virus particles in eggs. A serious side effect (allergic reaction such as swelling of the airway) to vaccines can occur in people who are allergic to eggs; these people should not get flu vaccines. Individuals with active infections or diseases of the nervous system are also not recommended to get flu vaccines.