I need some advice, work related back injury advice, long post - Page 2 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

ChrisBlair · 10-13-2013, 08:12 AM

Sorry you're still having this problem. I know how much it sucks.

RolltideSS · 10-13-2013, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mst504

I finally got a MRI, admittedly I do not know what the majority of the images are but these are a couple that stood out to me. I have a doctor appointment with the UC doctor monday to go over this.

I'm f'd.

Let me start by saying I'm not a doctor this is just what I see- I don't know what information you get an MRI through workers comp, normally you get a report that tells you what is going on from the company that does the MRI. Looks like a herniated disc and the pain in your left leg is a bad sign, radiating pain is not a signed of a pulled muscle. Sorry you are dealing with this, but don't let them brush this off. It actually is pretty common for people to have small herniations and stuff that don't cause any pain, don't let them pitch that as a reason not to take care of it. I talked to a friend that works in a clinic and they said to get this treated you can't tell them anything is helping or they close it and call it treated. Keep the focus on you are not better and push to get to a specialist. Good luck tomorrow.

zanodave · 10-13-2013, 11:48 PM

I have been thru this before with work similar to yours . unfortunately the only way I could get mine resolved is workmanship comp attorney.

bandier · 10-14-2013, 12:58 AM

I process this stuff for a living. I didn't read the whole thread here. Since you had the MRI done, now you need to see either a spine-trained orthopedist or a neurosurgeon (not a neurologist), they will tell you what's next for your treatment. Both of these specialist will do the trick. The ortho has to be spine trained as there are some that aren't but will evaluate you and say they are qualified. The next step is probably pain management although the injections typically only last a month or so. If that doesn't do the trick, if the herniation and symptoms are bad enough, surgery could be next.

2012-1822 · 10-14-2013, 11:31 AM

I have a buddy who was fired for a similar situation, as the manager, not the guy that got hurt. He'd been with the company for 14 years and didn't immediately report an injury of a subordinate.

Anyway, yeah, I could have told you from go that you had a disc mashing on a nerve. Been struggling with this problem for years. I've had about 5 nerve blocks done and a ton of PT. I'm telling you now this will be something you live with forever. So I don't know how laws work where you are, and I'm not suggesting anyone throw around law suits, but if it really happened at work then you should seek compensation.

They can usually tell exactly which nerve just by where your pain is to, kind of neat. But anyway, I hope you are fairly fit, I've got a gut, need to lose it, but that will always make these things flair up. What I can tell you is if you have blocks or surgery or whatever, take your therapy afterwards very seriously and continue to do it every single day several times a day at home. I promise you this will be with you forever, but I have been able to prevent any serious flair ups of pain by doing my stretches and exercises. In fact I've only been to the doctor one time in 5 years for back pain, we did muscle relaxers and a week's worth of rest and I was good as new. Before five years ago when I had all the blocks and therapy, I was in miserable pain all the time.

So bottom line, do what the doctors tell you, do what the PT's tell you, keep in shape, and keep the weight off.

Good luck, and feel free to pm me if you ever want to talk further about it.

nitto85 · 10-16-2013, 12:24 AM

I appreciate the support fellas.

The UC Dr appointment was about the same as any other, reading from the MRI everything the Dr described was with "minor" or "slight" attached to the sentences.

When asked if I was still bothered, I was like YES! i can barely walk at times.
Dr then was like "well then I'm going to refer you to a orthopedic surgeon, because there is nothing else we can do for you"....uh thank you finally.

My girlfriend works with a girl that is in med school, she took a look at the pics and said that it looks like my vertebrae is chipped and I may have bone particles floating around in my spinal fluid.

To me and probably to most the curve looks bad, but after doing some research I really don't think it is, but I'll see what the orthopedic surgeon has to say about that too.

ssrs2lt · 10-16-2013, 06:14 AM

I've gone through back pain as well, bugling disc and like the other posts stated it's not going away. I'm not a doctor and don't play one on tv hahaha, but after 15 yrs the pain goes away. Sorry I know how much that sucks and pain pills don't help nerve pain. Hang in there and don't aggravate it.

2012-1822 · 10-17-2013, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssrs2lt

I've gone through back pain as well, bugling disc and like the other posts stated it's not going away. I'm not a doctor and don't play one on tv hahaha, but after 15 yrs the pain goes away. Sorry I know how much that sucks and pain pills don't help nerve pain. Hang in there and don't aggravate it.

Very true, unfortunately pain pills do not help this kind of pain.

cbass · 10-17-2013, 05:57 PM

Quote:

When asked if I was still bothered, I was like YES! i can barely walk at times.
Dr then was like "well then I'm going to refer you to a orthopedic surgeon, because there is nothing else we can do for you"....uh thank you finally.

For degenerated and herniated/bulging discs I recommend you go see a Chiropractor or someone else that does spinal decompression.

After seeing many orthophedics that did nothing for me and told me surgery was the only option I finally put my spine back together 5 years ago with spinal decompression and have had zero issue with my back and even have gone back to lifting heavy weights.

cbass · 10-17-2013, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Don't see a chiropractor until you have a true diagnosis from an orthopod, and even then, be careful. Some chiropractors are decent, but there are many more that are not working off of actual scientific methods (there's a reason the American Medical Association still doesn't consider them allied health professionals).

That may be true and generally I am for western medicine, but orthopedics are useless. They have never helped me. With them it's pretty much this progression.

1. Anti-inflammatory pills
2. Therapy / Stronger pain killers
3. Injections to numb the pain (do nothing to solve the core issue)
4. Surgery

Surgery for backs especially spinal fusion is a huge flop. Most people that have it done experience more pain or the same amount and since you have fused the disc together you have just limited mobility and flexibility.

nitto85 · 10-26-2013, 02:09 PM

I received this letter in the mail from Liberty Mutual that handles our Workers Comp, I'm being told I should contact a lawyer before signing it, what do you guys think?

CamaroDreams07 · 10-26-2013, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mst504

I received this letter in the mail from Liberty Mutual that handles our Workers Comp, I'm being told I should contact a lawyer before signing it, what do you guys think?

All you're doing is authorizing the disclosure of PHI. No need for a lawyer there.

CamaroDreams07 · 10-26-2013, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2012-1822

Very true, unfortunately pain pills do not help this kind of pain.

There are pills that do help. Neurotin being an example.

But nothing fixes it. I'm 24 and have been dealing with a degenerative back condition for 10 years. I feel for anyone with chronic pain.

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 2

Aqua_Blue_SS · 10-26-2013, 04:37 PM

Yep, dealing with.same thing. Herniated disc working out about 6 years ago when i was 25. Finally had surgery 2 yrs ago only to reherniate it again 5 months after. Another surgery, was doing great and was in a very minor accident (rear ended) aggravated it again and back where i started. I haven't had a fusion. This will never go away. Aleve helps. Surgery helped not having terrible nerve pain down my leg as bad and the back pain until i was rear ended, now its just bad lower back pain when i sit. As far as workers comp, hopefully they won't screw around and prolong the inevitable and take care of you. Its on your boss that didn't report it when you told him, not you. Do your research on types of Dr's and treatment and see what will work best for you. I dealt with it for so long I think it did more harm then good. I would do the surgery again if it came down to it.

10-13-2013, 08:12 AM	#15
ChrisBlair Buick 455 Fan Drives: 1970 Buick, 2012 1SS LS3 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Boston MA Posts: 5,957	Sorry you're still having this problem. I know how much it sucks. __________________

10-14-2013, 12:58 AM	#18
bandier Got mine! Drives: 2021 LT1 RS - Orange Crush Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Fallbrook, CA Posts: 1,298	I process this stuff for a living. I didn't read the whole thread here. Since you had the MRI done, now you need to see either a spine-trained orthopedist or a neurosurgeon (not a neurologist), they will tell you what's next for your treatment. Both of these specialist will do the trick. The ortho has to be spine trained as there are some that aren't but will evaluate you and say they are qualified. The next step is probably pain management although the injections typically only last a month or so. If that doesn't do the trick, if the herniation and symptoms are bad enough, surgery could be next. __________________ Camaro lover since 1984 when I got my first car a 1978 Camaro LT with a 2 barrel carb on 305 V8... yes I put in a 350 with a 4 barrel.

10-14-2013, 11:31 AM	#19
2012-1822 Drives: Black ZL1 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: City of Champions, Alabama Posts: 3,698	I have a buddy who was fired for a similar situation, as the manager, not the guy that got hurt. He'd been with the company for 14 years and didn't immediately report an injury of a subordinate. Anyway, yeah, I could have told you from go that you had a disc mashing on a nerve. Been struggling with this problem for years. I've had about 5 nerve blocks done and a ton of PT. I'm telling you now this will be something you live with forever. So I don't know how laws work where you are, and I'm not suggesting anyone throw around law suits, but if it really happened at work then you should seek compensation. They can usually tell exactly which nerve just by where your pain is to, kind of neat. But anyway, I hope you are fairly fit, I've got a gut, need to lose it, but that will always make these things flair up. What I can tell you is if you have blocks or surgery or whatever, take your therapy afterwards very seriously and continue to do it every single day several times a day at home. I promise you this will be with you forever, but I have been able to prevent any serious flair ups of pain by doing my stretches and exercises. In fact I've only been to the doctor one time in 5 years for back pain, we did muscle relaxers and a week's worth of rest and I was good as new. Before five years ago when I had all the blocks and therapy, I was in miserable pain all the time. So bottom line, do what the doctors tell you, do what the PT's tell you, keep in shape, and keep the weight off. Good luck, and feel free to pm me if you ever want to talk further about it. __________________ Check out Alabama Camaros, for Camaro enthusiasts all around Alabama https://www.facebook.com/groups/1739...group_activity

10-26-2013, 02:09 PM	#25
nitto85 Caffeine Injected Drives: 13 Ram - 05 Widebody 1050rwhp Vette Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Woodstock, Ga Posts: 1,033	I received this letter in the mail from Liberty Mutual that handles our Workers Comp, I'm being told I should contact a lawyer before signing it, what do you guys think? Attached Images

10-13-2013, 11:48 PM	#17
zanodave Drives: 06 trailblazer ss Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: so il Posts: 13	I have been thru this before with work similar to yours . unfortunately the only way I could get mine resolved is workmanship comp attorney.

10-16-2013, 12:24 AM	#20
nitto85 Caffeine Injected Drives: 13 Ram - 05 Widebody 1050rwhp Vette Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Woodstock, Ga Posts: 1,033	I appreciate the support fellas. The UC Dr appointment was about the same as any other, reading from the MRI everything the Dr described was with "minor" or "slight" attached to the sentences. When asked if I was still bothered, I was like YES! i can barely walk at times. Dr then was like "well then I'm going to refer you to a orthopedic surgeon, because there is nothing else we can do for you"....uh thank you finally. My girlfriend works with a girl that is in med school, she took a look at the pics and said that it looks like my vertebrae is chipped and I may have bone particles floating around in my spinal fluid. To me and probably to most the curve looks bad, but after doing some research I really don't think it is, but I'll see what the orthopedic surgeon has to say about that too.

10-16-2013, 06:14 AM	#21
ssrs2lt Drives: too many Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: oh va pa ma tx Posts: 3,046	I've gone through back pain as well, bugling disc and like the other posts stated it's not going away. I'm not a doctor and don't play one on tv hahaha, but after 15 yrs the pain goes away. Sorry I know how much that sucks and pain pills don't help nerve pain. Hang in there and don't aggravate it.

10-26-2013, 04:37 PM	#28
Aqua_Blue_SS Drives: 2010 ABM 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Baytown, TX Posts: 341	Yep, dealing with.same thing. Herniated disc working out about 6 years ago when i was 25. Finally had surgery 2 yrs ago only to reherniate it again 5 months after. Another surgery, was doing great and was in a very minor accident (rear ended) aggravated it again and back where i started. I haven't had a fusion. This will never go away. Aleve helps. Surgery helped not having terrible nerve pain down my leg as bad and the back pain until i was rear ended, now its just bad lower back pain when i sit. As far as workers comp, hopefully they won't screw around and prolong the inevitable and take care of you. Its on your boss that didn't report it when you told him, not you. Do your research on types of Dr's and treatment and see what will work best for you. I dealt with it for so long I think it did more harm then good. I would do the surgery again if it came down to it.