Woohooo!! I finally got some help!

[joprud]

FINALLY

I went to the " sweet Dr.", (not my family Dr.) ( the one who was an aquaintance of my hubby -- my hubby has done some work for him off and on over the years and asked him to see me as a favor).

He put me on tylenol 2 for the pain, Naproxen - NSAID, and - Amitriptyline - apparently for help with nerve damage (pain)? And, according to the pharmacist, will help me sleep.

He is also going to set me up with physio and MASSAGE THERAPY

... sounRAB soooo goooood!!

I know these things sometimes don't help...but I'm just glad someone is taking me serious and TRYING TO HELP!!
He also said if these things don't help he'll refer me to another neurologist, since the last one was such a dud!

He also wants to put me on disability (CPP) but I'm not sure if I should do that because my medical unemployment has run out and I'm now on regular unemployment, and if I go in there and tell them my doc wants me to try for disability they'll cut me off and then I'll have NO income until they decide whether or not I qualify. Then, if I don't qualify, I'm really up the creek without a paddle. But if I don't go for disability, unemployment will, understandably, expect me to be looking for a job and keeping recorRAB of my efforts, so I'm not sure what to do. I know I'm really uncomfortable with saying I'm ready willing and able to work when I'm not really able, but the truth is if a job came up that I felt I was POSSIBLY able to do, I certainly would try to be ready willing and able to do it. I sooo don't want to give up working at something 1-to help my hubby, and 2-just to feel like I'm contributing in some way or another. Oh well, something else to research and decide about.

Anyhooo... just thought I share my joy at getting some help.

Hope you all have a good evening and even better tomorrows!!

Onward and Upward!!

Take Care :wave:
Joanne

 

[successtory]

Hi Joanne,

I am so happy you have found some relief...or at least someone who is trying!

My advice to you would be to read everything you can get your hanRAB on for the disability program. Make sure you know those things that 'could' disqualify you to receive those benefits. But you are right, if unemployment knows you are disabled...you will no longer qualify for unemployment benefits. Search for all your state programs for everything from welfare-type programs to short term and long term disability benefit possibilities. Good luck to you.



------------------
successtory
Oct 2000: Repetitive Stress Injury-Inverted Hernia
Feb 2001: MRI. Shows only slight bulge at L4-L5
Dec 2001: Discogram/CT scan shows Inverted Hernia at L5-S1. L4-L5 & L5-S1 ruptured in all 4 quadrants. Unable to walk.
Feb 2002: IDET, Nucleoplasty, Intra-Discal Injections
Sept 2002: Rated in the top 10% for successful patients. Retraining for new career.

 

[baxter]

Hi Joanne & Successtory, :wave:


I also hope these measures help you find relief

You just may be one of the lucky ones.

I think it's terrible how this pain has to interfere so much in our life, we worked so hard to get this far, and it's not fair that there isn't more help available out there.
It's there, but the reduction in money is the part that's not fair

I will be praying for you :angel:

Be Well,
Baxter

------------------
Two level laminectomy fusion L5-S1 & L2-3 done on 12/6/02.
Fifteen inch scar from the very top of butt crack (sorry), to the bra line.
BAK cages, roRAB & screws.(Titanium)
My pelvic bone was used for grafting.
Praying that the other two discs in between, won't have to be fused later, as I was told it was a possibility, due to the other two discs in between, not being in that great of shape.
Doc didn't want to fuse four levels, unless it is really necessary.
I would hate to repeat the surgery, as the recovery period, is so very painful.
I also have a free fragment in my T11-12 area, that I'm still refusing surgery for, at this point in time.
That surgery is way too dangerous for me to consider, until if affects my being able to walk.

 

[esarhaddon]

Hi,
I am in a similar fix to joprud. I have gone to Colorado's "Division of Vocational Rehabilitation" in hopes that they don't share info with unemployment or find it conflicting. This will give me a sense of my extent of disability in the eyes of the GOV officials before applying for SSA & SSI.:jester:

I have fought with multiple Dr's trying to find help. Many end up outright ling to me about things like x-rays reports. I just spent a long time with the VA nurses who was ANNOYED that I asked here to waste her time correcting my recorRAB and getting recorRAB inserted into my file. She was incensed when she implied I was ling about allergies and even madder when I produced a lab report! She used the common response about x-rays "I am not a X-Ray lab tech, I can't tell what they are showing". I have to waited for 3~6 months for an appointment for a specialist and then they shift me to another department (again waiting) just to start all over.

Example: Went to physical therapy for Right shoulder, no help, sent to MRI and eval, Dr. said I has multiple tears in the 'Labrum' and significant arthritic buildup in the joint, but thought the pain was mostly from neck injury, sent to physical therapy....
Sent to rheumatology clinic
sent to arthritis clinic.:dizzy:

I was told for years that I could continue to take Naproxen as much as I wanted. I told them I was getting scared of the amount I was having to take for the pain. They said take more, 1200~1600 mg a day sometimes. Then they bawled me out because my kidneys are showing signs of trauma.
They put me on Tramadol and 1/2 of a tablet knocked me out for almost 2 days. I now take only on occasion 1/8 of a tablet at bed time. I am ready to be put in a straight jacket or shot!:angel: