neld help please

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KAREN4ALLOFUS

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Hi there. I just joined the group hoping to get someone else's opinions, suggestions and help. I had back surgery 3/2000. I had the usual symptoms of nurabness down the leg and foot with severe back pain. I am a female truck driver for the last 13 yrs. meanwhile abusing my back in the process. I was under wokmans comp. They waited 1 mo. before suggesting a nerve conduction test (to find out-yah- I have nurabness like I said). They waited another mo. b4 the mri. Seen the surgeon who scheduled the surgury 36 hrs. later. Two mo of waiting caused nerve damage to my leg and bladder somewhat. Now eight years of relatively pain free, I injured it at work again. The work comp doctor told me there was nothing wrong with me. (no x-ray or mri) Refused to have him yell at me again and saw another doc w/mri. I herniated the same disc as b4 L5 S1. He told me that I should not drive truck anymore whether I have another surgery or not. Finally got pain meRAB from him-the other so called doc wouldn't give me anything(since there wasn't anything wrong with me). Saw him one mo later after more pt, without refreshing his memory by looking at the mri again, he said I can drive truck again (it's alot of unloading and loadiing that goes along with it that I cant't do). I still have pain, nurabness in the side of my ankle and foot. I can move a little better getting dressed which I couldn't do before. But how could he have a drastic change of heart all of a sudden when I know it would hurt to lift anything. I can't continue to damage the same disc over and over. Can they try to force me back to work since it is work comp? My faith in these docs are continuing to diminish. So I am looking for any input from people who actually understand what I am going through. Please help. Karen.
 
Hi, i'm sorry for what you are going through. I've never dealt with workman's comp...but, I surely know what you are going through with the pain!! All of us on here know exactly how you feel in regarRAB to that. Definitely since you keep having spine problems, I hate to say this, but...I think you probably need to look for a different career. Truck driving is one of the worst for the back, but you already know that. I know there are others on this board who are dealing with workers comp and am sure they will offer their opinions and advice to you. I just wanted to say I can sympathize with your pain and do hope you find a doctor that will work for you, not try to work against you b/c of work related injury.
 
Thank you for replying, What I would really like to know from someone is what happens to a disc rupturing it more than twice. If I don't have surgery now and I happen to rupture it again then what? Karen.
 
Hi Karen and welcome.

The doctors first response to you was the correct one. If you injure yourself and reinjure again.. it's time to leave that line of work. I dont think he's had a change of heart.

What kind of surgery did you have? I am assuming you only ohad a discectomy.

Either way.. honestly, you are more likely looking at more surgery if the disc has reherniated once again. to include a repeat surgery, then if it fails.. more likely a fusion surgery. Lurabar ADR is just quite risky right now. Many are failing and to remove them is incredibly dangerous. There is all sorts of info on the web to readup on if you are interested.
 
What kind surgery you had in 2002? I am sorry you have to work this hard after your surgery, but didn't your DR tell you that after spinal surgeries we are not allowed to pick up heavy stuff?
As far as I understand re-injuring your back is not a "fun" thing to do. Please, get yourself a good DR who will order tests for you and go from there.
WC DR does not worry about your problems, he worries about insurance; you are the one who has to worry about damages done.
Best of luck to you. Come here at any time and talk to us - we are here for you 24/7:angel:
 
HI Karen,
WElcome! I'm so sorry your going thru all of this. I haven't dealt with WC but I have heard enough to be grateful that I haven't. I know there are many on here that can help you alot. I just wanted to welcome you and say I hope you stick around. Check out the other sections, I think they have one just about disability, perhaps someone on there knows about WC if they don't on this section. Good Luck! I will be praying for you.

God Bless

Carol
 
Hi karen,

I also want to say welcome to the boarRAB This is a GREAT place to talk and receive information. I am going through WC much like yourself. I was a firefighter and paramedic and injured my l4-s1 lifting a heavy PT on a 911 call. this happened to me in august of 2003 and I have gone throught 3 back surgerys, the most recent one being yesterday to remove the roRAB and screws. I have posted a thread on it today if you want more info on that. However, about the work comp stuff. WC just plain ole' stinks and is different in the rules and laws in each state. I still work for the Fire dept but have been answering phones and working dispatch ever since i hurt in back and to never return to working as a firefighter and paramedic again. I live in FL and according to my attorney we are a "right to hire and right to fire state" wich basically means that they can fire me for wearing a blue shirt they dont like and get away with it. needless to say I have been barley haning on to my job for more than 5 years now. As of last week my Fire Chief told me that they would give me approximately 2 weeks to work with HR to find another job in the county since they are going to start the process of medical termination. I called HR and they tell me that there is no other jobs I can do and for good cause. My only education is Firefighter and paramedic and I can no longer do those. I never received a higher form of education due to hurting my back at a very young age and was never able to go back to school due to DR, work conflict etc.. and injury. My weight restricition is set at 15 lbs and I take multiple narcotics so I am not allowed to drive a vehicle for work. Most of the job duties list being able to have to carry 25-50 lbs and sit. stand or walk for 8 hours at a time, wich i can also not do. My docotors say that I am not 100 percent disabled and society wont hire me so i am stuck in the middle of trying to get a job (no one will hire me) and/ or trying to go out on disability (wich the dr's say i am not). What a deal huh? well i hope i didnt rarable on but that is my story and I hope that some of that information may help. And please if you have not already Find a GOOD attorney for yourself. please respond with more questions or another thread at anytime for yourself.

God bless and have a good day,

videogamecrazed :angel:
 
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