Lower back pain and really confused

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nosaints
You have a good boss you have to think of yourself first if you go back before you are ready it could get worse I had a friend who had to get an attorney to fight for her do what you feel is right for you
 
Myofascial pain and rose4me are giving good advice. My husband had an OTJ in 2006. It was a herniated disc L5-S1. It became almost a full-time job just trying to deal with employer, worker comp insurance, doctor, etc.

Neither one of us had ever used an attorney - didn't believe in frivilous litigation. But, we finally realized his need for proper medical attention was not frivilous, so broke down and got an attorney. Most state laws cap the amount an attorney can retain at 25%. And it is well worth it.

Our attorney immediately made a request to the state WC commission for my husband to change doctors. Evidently that is a request you have the right to (once only), but most people don't know that. And, your employer and WC insurance company are not going to tell you that. He also found my husband wasn't getting the correct weekly benefit.

My husband got the proper treatment. Unfortunately, it was surgery, but because he got the proper treatment, he has no residual problems, and our attorney was able to get well over his 25% in benefits.
 
Hi, I hurt my back a few months ago at work. I have lower back pain and pains that run in my legs to my feet. The MRI showed 2 broad based bulged disc (L4-L5 and L5-S1). I picked my own doctor and he would like to do some kind of shot in my lower back. Since the back injury happened at work, workman's comp is involved and they turned down the treatment my doctor wants. They made go see a doctor they choose and it didn't go well. I explained to him where the pain is and also about the leg pain. He made me lay down and bent my legs and all kind of other stuff. I really didn't have much pain when he did it just some pulling sensation. so this doctor wants me to go the Phyiscal therpy and back work. The strange thing is that later that same night I started having the worse pains running up and down my legs. pains in my foot that felt like nails beinging stabbed in heels and pains all over my foot. So the legs pains were delayed. Is that wierd? I've had to call my doctor and he called in some strong medications for the pain in my lower back and some for the pains in my legs. I even had pains in my left arm and that was something new. I'm so confused and I know that I don't describe my pains well. Can someone help and I would really rather go with the treatment my doctor wants with the shots to help with the swelling in the back to releive the pain first and then start Physical therpy. I think his treatment would be better. If anyone has any thoughts or suggestioned please help. Thanks
 
Forgive me with the 'back transplant' remark - I was going for clever - but things don't always read in the mind like they sound to us when we write. I am not making light of your situation - I know it is fresh and very painful. Wishing all the best for you!
Rose
 
You are getting good info. from the posters here. I remeraber having to decide on getting council or not. I held out as long as I could. W/C seemed like they weren't out for my best interest. They seemed to complicate things more than anything. 5 years later they still do it. But I learned 6 months into my back injury at work that having a lawyer was the way to go, especially if you arent familiar w/ the W/Comp system. Even if you were its still a bear to tackle yourself. Workers Comp. was put in place to protect the employer, not so much the injured worker.
Like the above poster said , keep a journal, of pain, whats hurting, Dr. that you saw , dates & time, mileage that you get reirabursed, etc.. Any doctor you see affiliated with workers comp. or one they send you to, arent looking out for your interest, which is getting you back healthy as much as possible. I think you did the right thing in getting your own Doctor. I've been going through the proccess for 5 years, had a micro-D that failed, and now Im looking to get a 2 level fusion soon, L4-S1. I go for my lurabar discogram in 8 days....G/L
 
nosaints, I'm really sorry you're going through this nightmare.

You sound like a very trusting person, and while that's very admirable, you also need to make sure you're getting your medical and financial neeRAB taken care of.

For WC doctors, it's very common that they minimize your condition and try to get your back to work before you're ready. Also, the WC system often takes months to approve back surgeries and other expensive treatments, and these often require litigation to get approved. Unfortunately, the WC system takes advantage of trusting people and you need to watch out for that.

The shots work sometimes, but often the relief is temporary. Don't try going back to work before you're ready to. You'll be the one in pain suffering if you do - the doctors and WC people won't feel your pain.

I really hope that conservative treatments like injections and PT are able to get you back to work, but be prepared that sometimes these treatments can require months or even years to get you to that point.

I think this has also gone on long enough that you need to realize that your situation may be more serious and potentially require surgery eventually, and it's also possible that you may not be able to go back to work. While these scenarios certainly aren't what we hope will happen, it's important that you prepare yourself in case this does happen. This was one of the hardest realizations for me to come to - I was always healthy, never had back problems before, then wham my life changed. I've had 4 spine surgeries and my doctor is already talking about a possible 5th. I've always been a very responsible, hard worker, and it's very unlikely at this point I'll be able to return to work.

I know you trust and get along with your boss and hiring an attorney feels like you are betraying that trust. However, is that trust worth WC dropping you on a technicality a lawyer could have prevented and throwing you into financial distress? Many of the critical steps involved in taking care of your future medical and financial neeRAB have to happen now. WC attorneys often take 25% of your earnings, but that's far better than getting nothing. It's a free consultation appointment to go talk to a WC attorney, and you don't have to sign on with them that day. I would encourage you to have a consultation and ask the attorney to explain if or why they think you need to hire them at this stage.

I wish you the best as you continue this path, and know that we are all here to talk to and ask any questions to.

Cyber hugs going your way!
 
When it comes to back treatment make sure they get the right diagnosis! Even if you have to resort to litigation if Workman's Comp won't cooperate.
 
I don't want to upset my company or my boss. They are holding my job for me until I can come back. My boss is getting mad at workman's comp and has called to fuss at them. That is why I'm not sure about lawyering up. This is such a mess...
 
I forgot to mention that I'm relly concerned about the delayed pain that I got hours later after the doctor moved my legs around. Is that normal?
 
Delayed pain is normal. With the disk issues you report, it is not unusual at all to feel like you do. Keep a journal if you don't already - it is interesting to look back over time and note, that you are better, about the same, or much worse than before. It will help you to keep the events organized in your mind and it also is helpful if you choose to litigate, in order to get the best care for your back. I have never heard of a back transplant. You only have one spine - be proactive. I am sorry that you are experiencing so much pain though - it is uncharted waters for you and a bit overwhelming too.
Keep us posted on your progress - there are many in these forums who have had all the same issues as yourself, surgeries and recovery too. Their input is so valuable.
Rose
 
You guys have given me a lot to think about. I guess I am a very trusting person and this all seems so overwhelming. I will consider what everyone said and I really want to thank you all for the time you've taken. Take care :wave:
 
Hello nosaints I have chronic lower back pain and now after some years sciatica. I had a very similar thing happen to me at an emergency department where the doctor pulled and prodded me over and over. Now I know that he was looking for specific types of reactions for problems that may need instant attention like surgery so they are not really looking to diagnose the injury just make sure you are not in an immediate serious position so obviously this doctor was not really helping you with the injury you have and it is not nice as I know what it is like. I was unable to walk for nearly 2 days afterwarRAB but I was released from hospital as being fine. So I think you need to see a different doctor, one who is there to help you with the problems you actually have. I really feel for you it is terrible to go through. So Just understand that he was only concerned that you may have needed surgery and was not there to really act on your behalf by the sound of it. I hope you can get to see another doctor that can be there for you and to help you get back to work.
When I first applied for a pension they gave me this doctor similar to the one you saw first and I really don't know where they get them from. It is like they only employ doctors who are going to find excuses to send you back to work as is with the least cost. So I had to fight for my rights. Eventually I had to reapply and the next doctor put me strait on the pension. She was a completely different person to the first. So if you have to fight to get another doctor I would if I were you. This is just my opinion as you say you don't want to upset your boss. But if he is decent he will understand and stand with you.
I hope this helps a little to see how a lot of us have had to fight for what we have now. I wish you well and hope to see you here again, hopefully with better news.
Allan
 
nosaints,

You need to contact WC before you have any treatments/procedures/surgeries/appointments to verify ahead of time that they will pay for it. Otherwise, you may end up paying the bill for medical care you receive that they don't authorize ahead of time. WC is notorious for dragging their feet and not approving treatments, then requiring you to sue them in order to get a needed treatment paid for. Before you have your injections, make sure WC agrees to pay for them. It may take weeks or months before you have their decision. The injections typically cost $1,000-$2,000 each, so you don't want to be stuck paying this bill.

Again, if you have an attorney they can help you navigate this maze - that's what they are being paid for and in the end will help you sleep at night and help get you the care and money you need and are entitled to.

Myofascial Pain is correct that you are hiring the attorney to deal with the WC company, not your boss. However, many attorneys will also encourage you to file a separate lawsuit against your employer if your injury was due to their negligence in providing a safe work environment. It is up to you whether or not you want to proceed with that lawsuit. Again though, if your injury happens to be long-lasting, you are the one suffering and in pain, not your boss. Twenty years from now if you're still suffering from back problems, your boss probably won't even be at your company anymore.

I know you're really torn in these decisions and in pain, and it's such a horrible feeling to go through this. Remeraber to be strong, assertive, and put yourself first so you get what you need and deserve. We're here to help cheer you on and give you the strength you need to take some bold moves that lie ahead of you.
 
I really don't know what to do. I just wish worker's comp wanted be refusing my doctor's treatment. I just want to get better and get back to work. I've never had to go through anything like this. Thank you for your response
 
Another great point by brendaks!

Though everyone her prays for your condition to be as short, painless and easily rectified as soon as possible, if you don't prepare yourself for the worst case scenario then you could be setting yourself for a huge turable. In fact, imagining my situation could be worse is one of my coping mechanisms for depression. you could end up as bed ridden as allan or I. Even if you do get to return to work. your might be limited to that being your sole activity of the day or you may need to cut back to part time to make social/family time, so you don't risk burning yourself out emotionally or psychologically. Even if it turns out that you are lucky enough to end up with a best case scenario, I'd really suggest your read the sticky thread about "Less stress around the house".

There are a lot of good tips you can use until you get a solid correct diagnosis. I can't stress enough how important that they get your diagnosis accurate before they start treatment.

Given that i could take weeks to months before all the testing is done. You want to avoid any and all scenarios where you you could aggravate it further, until your doctor lets you know whats safe and what isn't after the diagnosis. Sadly, you can't baby your back like you can a sprained/strained/broken leg/knee/ankle/arm/elbow/wrist since you since you have to carry the full weight of your torso on your back, (whereas you can favor one lirab over the other if it is injured). But the sticky will let you do the most you can to "baby your back".

Final paragraph... as far as hiring a lawyer, you hire are hiring them to litigate versus Workman's Comp not your boss. He basically has to pay your "insurance premium" to them every month. So I don't think he would object to seeing that "his valuable employee" gets proper treatment given all the "premiums" he has to pay every month for all his employees. In fact he'd probably insist on it. Think about it like an insurance company, like AIG, trying to welsh out of a legitimate claim through the fine print in your policy.

~Myo :angel:
 
I concur with myofascial pain, workman's comp physicians are not there to really make you better, their task is to get you back to work - BUT, you must get a real diagnosis and unfortunately litigation is often the only way that is accomplished. Ask for a referral to a orthopedic surgeon that specializes in the spine. Keep careful notes of all visits and all diagnosis, whether it is accepted or rejected by the workman's comp insurance reps. They want you off the books as fast you went on them. I kept the diagnosis by the workman's comp clinic doc and the rejection letter by the Workman's comp insurance company. Ridiculous! Unfortunately, for me, while I was dealing with the injury at work - a second set of injuries were introduced by me - a t-bone auto accident. Now layers of pain and injuries. What a field day for the 'it's not our reponsibility medical people and workman's comp.'
Get some legal counseling - it is free (be sure and ask about it up front) and decide if you think you need further diagnostics - no one knows you better than you do! Back pain is something you cannot pass off as okay - when you know you are not okay.
Cheers and let us know what you decide to do.
Rose
 
nosaints
you should go with the shots workmans comp just wants to get you back to work asap the shots helped me I know for me physical therapy made things worse The shots help with inflamation listen to your dr.
 
I am seeing an orthopedic surgeon that I picked and I really like him. He is treatment that he suggest is the shots in the lower back to help with the swelling which in turn with help with the pain. He thinks the bulging disc and swelling are compressing the nerve roots and spinal cord. He even said that he sees a little tear in one of the disc. He has been so great. I don't know what I would have done this week if he hadn't called in some medication to help with the pain in my back, legs, and feet. I don't know why my pain was delayed with that insurance doctor but I was crying hours after his visit and all week until my called in the new medications.

I just wished that the two doctors would have agreed on my treatment. I really dont understand why workman's comp is dragging everything along. You would think they want you to get better the right way and get back to work.

I'm worried about lawyering up. I've never done anything like that. I just want to get back to work. I have 2 sons and I just want my life back. I really don't know what to do.
 
Just want to give a big Thank You to everyone that gave me their opinions. I will think about everything you've said. I just have a quick question...Will WC let me go with my doctor's treatment or with they go along with their doctor or will I have to see and 3rd doctor? Are is this what I need to ask a lawyer about. Thanks again... Good Night
 
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