Ruptured Disk Realities OT

[demon tessu]

I think I had forgot to mention that my right thigh was not only numb but feels cold all the time as well.

.

feels cold or cold to the touch as well ?

 

[Drdan]

Munk... Anyone can easily "articulate" vertebrae; they are invaribly moving those which are already hypermobile. You can't move the ones which are subluxated, and hypomobile. It is definitely not the same thing that a qualified chiropractor can accomplish. Best wishes with your problems.

Dan

 

[munk]

Ok- thanks, Drdan.

I'll see the specialist tomorow on our way to the Rockies, so I'll ask him some of these questions.

munk

 

[Rusty]

Smoke going up again. For you and the whole famdamily.

( Life would most assurely be hell if there weren't those to love and care for us and to permit us to give back that care in return. )

:footinmou

 

[Yvsa]

They have been able to stop her severe sciatica through cortisone injections to her back. The first 2 lasted a year a piece, the last 6 years and still working. I haven't tried this yet but am contemplating it. Again, YMMV

Steve, try the injections. They have helped me a great deal although mine only last about 6 months. However, come to think about it, the first two lasted quite a bit longer.
The injections themselves hurt but it sure feels better afterwards and dayumed near immediately if not immediately!!!!

 

[Yvsa]

stevomiller, you have it correct in your statement in my case, that is exactly what I was going to do before I listened to munk and Yvsa. You even have the Dr.'s diagnosis correct. I think I had forgot to mention that my right thigh was not only numb but feels cold all the time as well.

Carman demand and get a disc'o'gram (sp?)!!!! They damned sure aren't any fun but they show up things that a milogram and X-rays do not.
The diskogram is what clenched my diagnosis for me and it wasn't until I demanded another neurosurgeon Of My Choice that I got the test.
I've been through the gamut with workmen's comp so if you have any questions just ask.
And ask about things that you think may not matter much because something as simple as refusing to complete a physical therapy test may determine whther you retire to another line of work, or in my case, just plain retire.
I would have much rather been working still as long as I was healthy!!!!

 

[Nasty]

Dr Dan- there isn't any point in a chiropracter when I accomplish the same thing by lying on the floor.

munk - I broke my back 25 years ago, suffered low back pain for 15 years, saw a different kind of chiropracter. Long story short, almost anyone can crack a back...but there's no precision or control over how it cracks.

I saw a NUCCA (Nat'l Upper Cervical Chiropractic Ass'n) doctor. They *only* adjust C1...x-rays, measurements, mathmatics, angular momentum, etc...very precise. Bottom line is that the vertebre is still in the position it went to when it broke (military doctors) but no longer suffer pain.

Worth considering...

 

[CARman]

feels cold or cold to the touch as well ?

demon tessu, I meant it was just numb for the first couple of days, then just the right upper thigh was not only numb but cold, but not to the touch, real weird. Also extends down the back of my lower leg. Also still have the lower back and hip pain.

Kismet and Yvsa, after reading all the advice I am beginning the process. They make it sound complicated, but Im going to make them do it.

They've been pretty good to me so far until I told them I wanted to have the MRI, they where a little "reserved" about that, but said they would help me get the paper work started, but it will take a few days for the Dept. of Labor to get it approved and scheduled.

Yvsa, one thing they did say was that I would have to find a
neurosurgeon of my choice, so I guess that's a good thing and like you said about preferring to stay working, that is what I am hoping for. Only thing is I live in such a rural area it's kind of an ordeal to find a good neurosurgeon.

But I guess at worst Houston or New Orleans is only 3 hours away for either one. East or West ?

Thanks again for your help guys.

 

[Yvsa]

Kismet and Yvsa, after reading all the advice I am beginning the process. They make it sound complicated, but Im going to make them do it.

Carman that's pretty much normal for any business sad to say.

They've been pretty good to me so far until I told them I wanted to have the MRI, they where a little "reserved" about that, but said they would help me get the paper work started, but it will take a few days for the Dept. of Labor to get it approved and scheduled.

Yep, again normal behavior. They will probably become worse as time goes by. And especially if the Dr. finds something awry.

Yvsa, one thing they did say was that I would have to find a
neurosurgeon of my choice, so I guess that's a good thing and like you said about preferring to stay working, that is what I am hoping for. Only thing is I live in such a rural area it's kind of an ordeal to find a good neurosurgeon.

That's a good thing!!!! Please call the Texas Workman's Comp Office and ask them to tell you the name of the best neurosurgeon in the Houston Area!!!!

But I guess at worst Houston or New Orleans is only 3 hours away for either one. East or West ?

By all means Houston!!!! I have heard nothing but good about the Drs. in the Houston area. My family is on the Cancer Treatment Hospital there because it seems we are unique as so many of the last generation has developed cancer.
My attorney talked about sending me to Houston until I found Dr. Gaede. Depending on how far away you are Tulsa may be an option for you.
And I recommend Dr. Gaede Highly even though YMMV from my experience.

Thanks again for your help guys.

You're very welocome. And thanks for paying attention and following through. Methinks you won't be sorry in the long run.

 

[CARman]

Thanks again Yvsa, that would be M.D. Anderson hospital for cancer treatment. Excellent hospital and really great staff, very helpful. I spent over a year going back and forth with my father-in-law. He had Liver cancer that finally took him 2 years ago.

He had previously cancerous had lymph nodes removed over ten years earlier and was cancer free until the liver suddenly became cancerous.

 

[Kismet]

Once your accident and injury are a matter of record, you are covered, even if you no longer work.

That may be, but referrals, treatments not listed in the contract, specific neural blockers, physical therapy,travel expenses, even some chiropractic work are often not covered by the "contract." Some folks recommend keeping a diary of medical visits, treatments, conversations, and advice...so YOU have documentation.

CARman, of course you have my best wishes, and of course--do what you want, but "trusting" the organization for comprehensive care and coverage SHOULD require a notice that you provide your own vaseline.

Kis
We have so much.

 

[stevomiller]

Yvsa, thanks for the encouragement concerning the cortisone. Having some relief after a couple of years of hell would be wonderful.

CARman, take what Kis says seriously. You definitely have to be your own advocate in this process, most companies and their insurers are looking out only for their bottom line. When I hurt my back at work 6 years ago I was ignorant, foolish, and not thinking about the future. Please don't do the same

stevo

 

[Daniel Koster]

...starting to feel lucky that the most back pain I've ever had was solved by sleeping on my side....

keep up the fight and get a second opinion on anything involving a scalpel...!

 

[CARman]

munk and Yvsa and the others who have given me advice,

Just an update on my case on the back injury I had at work and was being follwed by our occupational clinic.

The P.A. there went as far as he could and recomended seeing a specialist. The orginaztion is going along with it pretty well for now, except they wanted me to come back on light duty. Which of course there is no such animal where I work.

It's not physically hard, but requires constant up and down movements which is exactly what makes my back/hip/leg worse, so the P.A. sent me home until I see go to a specialist ASAP.

I have an OWCP claim number and my sister works for an Ortho doctor and he is going to see me later this week and then send the request to OWCP with his findings so he can get the authorization to do the necessary MRI's, Diskograms etc.

This will take a couple of weeks and after the tests and if he finds anything he will then send me to one of the larger cities if necessary. He does not do any surgical type work on backs anymore and has just recently sent my sister to a city near here for repair of a blown out herniated disk and she was up and back to work at his office within 4 days and has no pain or problems at all.

If nothing is found I guess I'll have to dicuss what options I need to explore. Possibly physical therapy or other treatment.

Thanks again for all the advice.

CARman

 

[munk]

Oh, I think they'll find something alright. Everything takes time- especially in the Med Community.


munk

 

[Yvsa]

That may be, but referrals, treatments not listed in the contract, specific neural blockers, physical therapy,travel expenses, even some chiropractic work are often not covered by the "contract." Some folks recommend keeping a diary of medical visits, treatments, conversations, and advice...so YOU have documentation.

Kis
We have so much.

This is EXCELLENT ADVICE from Kis!!!!!!!!!!!! AND I CAN'T STRESS IT MORE!!!!!!!!
You have an advantage over what I had simply because you have a computer you can keep your records on and Most Important, Up To Date!!!!!
I had to write everything down on a tablet and had a hell of a time keeping things organized and straight.
Start from the day you were hurt with what you did, how you did it, the date, and time if you know. They will ask you over and over for this info and it needs to be EXACTLY the same each and every time!!!!!!!!!
Document Everything and I mean everything. Ask for and get each and every Drs records...And by all means keep your records in a safe place. This will help you out if you should happen to need retraining for other work and in the amount of your disability rating. The company Drs will rate you lower than your own Drs and probably your attorney's Dr will rate you even higher.
Yea, I said the "A" word. You may not need an attorney to begin with but you may before everything is over with.
KEEP ALL YOUR RECORDS STRAIGHT AND UP TO DATE!!!!
Everyone talks about how hard it is to get on Social Security Disability.
I had everything here that I've told you about even the psychiatrist's report, yep you may have to get one of these before it's over with as well.
Anyway I hand carried all of my records down to the local SS Office and 18 days later I had my approval for SS Disability!!!!!!
Even my attorney was astounded as I had filled out all of the paperwork, and there's a ton of it, on my own.
It helps when you go to do anything if you have all your duck's in a row.

And Munk's right. They will find something.

If you need further advice on how to pick an attorney and such just ask.
Hopefully you have a good company that has excellent worker's comp insurance and are concerned for their employee's.
Worker's comp insurance varies from state to state and has long been a bone of contention here in Oklahoma.

 

[CARman]

Yvsa, what is probably not a good thing or maybe it is, (?) is that I work for the Federal government at a Federal hospital. (How's that for irony) That's why I had to use my own hospitals occupational health clinic and P.A. at first. And of course they have their contract R.N. consultants to assist you to get back to work as soon as possible.

It is a military hospital so I could only go so far with treatment there with the current situation in Iraq.

The military Docs are understandably all real busy here.

I'm still hoping this turns out to be something that can be fixed easily. And as you mentioned they have already dicussed the possiblility of being moved to another job, only if it's on a temporary basis. It was mentioned in respect to me going back on light duty, but as I explained I am having trouble just getting around at all. And that's why the P.A. just sent me home until I see the my private ortho doc.

And just in case it should ever get so bad as I need to consider social security benefits, I happen to have a cousin that was in charge of the SS office here for years and finally got disgusted with the way SS treated people and opened an office a few years ago to help people get their benefits since he knows all the ins and outs and he is quite good at it.

Thanks again for all the help and advice,

CARman

 

[munk]

Carman- just because it's ruptured, doesn't mean it can't be treated or eventually corrected with surgery.
The reason Yvsa and I are strong about this is simple- you don't get numbness from a back strain, it takes real pressure on the spinal nerve to accomplish. Maybe one of those spine protustions busted off- that's treatable.

But the best thing is you are taking the right steps.


I wish I'd gone in a year ago- but I just thought it was the same old pain. The second specialist says I have one ruptured and one on the base protruding into the nerve. I am now limited to 20 to 30 pound lifting.

"One thing for sure- your days of heavy lifting are over."
That was that. I'm now figuring I might as well sell the chain saw and beater truck.

munk

 

[Yvsa]

I am now limited to 20 to 30 pound lifting.

"One thing for sure- your days of heavy lifting are over."
That was that. I'm now figuring I might as well sell the chain saw and beater truck.

munk

Don't get in too big a hurry to sell Munk. You'd be surprised at what a man with limited lifting abilty can do with a well fitted and quality back brace on.

Carman that puts an entirely whole different light on the situation. Never having any experience with the Fed Gov, other than what most people have, I can't speak to what needs to be done, other than see that you get the best medical treatment possible.
Hopefully, very hopefully the gov will treat you as a human being and everything will turn out well.
With mine and several, probably over a hundred, other folks experience in the Tulsa area it's just damned hard for me to be trusting when it comes to workplace injuries to the back and getting them treated properly.
All the corporate world cares about is what it is going to cost them. Bottom line as always is greed based.

 

[munk]

I hope you're right, Yvsa, The Doc fitted me with a back brace too.

My Dad made a deal for early retirement with a company in Ca. They didn't need him anymore- he'd fixed their quality assurance problems and his position vacated would look good for the overall profit. His leaving was to include full medical benefits for he and his wife for 20 years or something. Guess what? A couple years down the road they reneged, and Dad took them to court. Dad lost. It didn't matter what they'd signed- they didnt' have to honor it. He settled for partial coverage.


Then you have the other foot- Ca turns around and mandates full coverage- like all the liberal representatives have to the State Assembly, and this drove out business in record numbers for CA.
A friend owns a trucking company that relocated to Nevada. He could not afford it- though he would have liked to. Now Ca loses millions of dollars of revenue and people are out of work.

munk