Back problems / Employer problems / Disasability?

[klwass]

I had laminectomy/discectomy L4/L5 last Noveraber. I have now determined that I have extra sensitive nerve roots, more so than other people, and they are inflamed. It's hard to get better when you never get a chance to rest, know what I mean? I have continued pain down both legs to my feet, I would say pretty severe.

As part of my job last week, I was asserabling a test setup that required me to bend down, get down on one knee, etc. Almost impossible and really painful. I am on Gabapentin and Percoset and have been maxing out on the Percoset to just get through this work. My boss is well aware of my problem, but he claimed there was no one who could help. I have info that there were people who could help, but I think he remains obstinate out of principle - he doesn't want to look bad for not getting me any help, so he continues to insist there is no help available.

It looks like I will have to continue on this work that requires me to bend over, get on one knee, for at least another week, maybe two. I've been thinking about the following options:

1. Suffer through another week or two of this work and hope that it does not make my pain level any worse. I'm thinking this option is not going to work.

2. Go to my boss's boss. This will impact my relations with my boss and could impact my career. I'm also inclined not to go with this option.

3. I've been thinking about just going on disability for 4 to 6 weeks. What would this require? With some calls and/or visits, I could ask my Primary Care Physician and my Neurosurgeon to agree to recommend that I require rest to allow my nerves to heal. In your experience, how difficult is this? Any advice on how to go about doing this?

Thanks for any advice.

 

[AnnD]

Most people in your situation would I think get a note from their doctors that would put them on light duty for a certain amount of time ...whatever the doctor thinks is long enough for you to heal...although it should be healed by now and this is what you just might have to live with. You also you might suggest to the doctor that the pain medication is not strong enough and you would probably benefit from a pain patch so you can at least do your job. I don't think you would qualify for a disability yet because you have not tried enough things nor do you know if this is a permanent situation or temporary but you should not be in such pain after 6months. Good luck.

 

[Sixty8rs]

I had to quit my job, I was a machinist and could no longer dea with the pain. I am in the process of waiting for a hearing on my disability case that has been rejected two times. Disability, unless you have something thrugh the employer, is a very long and drawn out process many times I am fnding out requires a lawyer.

 

[Baybreeze]

You should definitely ask your doctor about the temp disability, at least there will be a record of your issue somewhere in case your employer suddenly lets you go or something. There are laws regarding people with all different disabilities and the workplace. So having a record with your doctor might help, plus the doc might just say you should be out a while to rest or whatever. I have alot of spine problems and other issues, including severe damage to my right ankle tendons plus arthritis in that ankle for which I have to wear a large, rigid brace. It does help alot with my pain in there. However, I have problems finding shoes to fit it in and the most comfortable to wear it with are wide width sneakers. I was lucky in that my most recent employer allowed us to wear sneakers and casual clothing in an office so I had no problems there. But they are now going out of business & I along with most of the company was layed off. I was very worried about finding a new job b/c I hobble due to my back and partly due to my ankle, plus worried how I would find business type shoes to wear! I did find some shoes that I was able to fit my brace in while in the store. I wore them once but my back pain got worse and I couldnt walk in them too far, so I don't think they will really work too well. I saw my podiatrist recently and mentioned all this to him. Right away he said there are disability laws, etc...and that if sneakers are the best option for me, he will give me a note so that I can wear them anywhere I might work. (I would, however, get the least bulky sneakers I Could find that would probably be all black or somethign like that). So you might talk to your doctor about your issues at work and see if there is something he can do like writing a note for your restrictions, etc.

Also, you can go to your local office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services to get help. I was referred there by someone in re-employment services b/c I told them I cannot have a phyiscal job or anything standing up. I met w/ a counselor and had to provide any medical recorRAB related to my conditions and after all that, they found me eligible for their services. They can also help you with issues at your job or help you find a new job if you ever need one. They also help people get things on the job to help them do their job (like special equipment, special arrangements, etc.)

As for the temp time out of work, all you have to do is ask your doctors about it and if they agree, you'll have to get forms from your employer's HR department and you & your docs will have to fill them out. I had to do this when I had surgery...and the paperwork was sent back to my HR Dept., who mailed it all to wherever it had to go. So I would say talk to your doctors about it first. Make sure they know that you are concerned about your job. However, even if you do get out of work for a few weeks, what will happen when you come back? You'll have to do the same work again and what if it aggravates your back again anyway?