pain management support group

Hi, I just signed up to maybe get some advice as to getting my doctor to take me seriously.

About a year and half ago I started getting sharp stabbing pain in my right shoulder joint ( don't remember an injury however I was moving at that time). It would come and go and didn't last for very long so I didn't seek out any care for it as I thought it was nothing more than aging and being hard on my body. Over time however the pain has traveled down my arm and into my hands. The beginning of this year though while at work my right arm went numb and I started to get severe weakness to the point of dropping a tray of food at the restaurant that I worked. Even now somedays I can't even pour myself a cup of coffee with my right arm, it hurts and just doesn't work, no strength or grip.

At that point I went to the ER and was told I would need to see a neurologist, which I couldn't due to no insurance. I lost my job as I was considered a liability (no one wants a waitress that has intermittent numbness and weakness and pain to potentially drop hot food on the customers).

Now because of no income I've been granted state health insurance, but it seems the assigned doctors office (never been able to actually see the doctor, they give me to the nurse practitioners) act like they don't really believe that I'm having any problems. I was prescribed vicodin and prednisone at first and no tests. A week of taking those medications I went to the ER with bad side effects, not sure which medication caused it, but I had bumps on my tongue my neck had swelled visibly from the outside and it was hard to swallow and hard to breathe. ER doctor said it was normal and to continue the medications.

I did not continue the medications, and instead started myself on a course of benadryl (I've seen allergic reactions before and my sister whom is a RN said not to take them if that was the reactions). So I followed up with the PCP office. The NP that I saw that time started in on not getting anymore pain medications and then started grilling me about going to the ER for more pain medications. It took me some time and showing her that I still had a full bottle of pain meds before she even wanted to know why I was following up. At that point I was told it is just muscle spasms and a possible strain and prescribed flexerall and ibuprofen 800. NP did say she wanted me to get an ultra sound and after 2 weeks the referral has not come through. None of the medications have provided any relief at all and I won't take the prednisone or vicodin because of the reaction I had while taking them.

Now I'm starting to get that same sharp stabbing pain in my right hip. I'm afraid however of going back to the doctors office to seek help. I don't want to take medications if they cause bad reactions, and I was begging the NP to help me find out what is wrong and how to fix it. Her response was I may never find out.

So how do I get the doctors and/or nurse practitioners to take me seriously and get tests ordered, instead of just throwing pills at me then treating me like thats all I want? Am I just doomed to deal with this for the rest of my life?

I'm just frustrated that I'm not able to do the things I would like to do because of the arm feeling weak, fatigued and in pain. I can't play ball with my 12 yo son, and it is started affecting my marriage. I just want to get better and would love a good nights sleep.