I had a spinal fusion surgery, L5 TO S1, back at the end of march from spyndolotheisies grade 2, it was a 55% slippage. Anyway since the surgery I have been in more pain than ever, or that I've ever known! I've had a myelogram, didnt hurt that bad but they said it was hard to read cause of scar tissue.Then I was sent to a pain managment doc. He put me on oxycontin20mg 3 times a day. then had a discagram, now that hurt!! It has caused much pain down both legs, but most of the leg pain is gone, the test showed that the 3 discs above where I had surgery are degenerative and one slightly hurniated.Now I take oxy 20mg 4 times a day and percocet 5 four times a day. I keep missing work or have to leave early, and they are getting madd at me for it, but I ALWAYS have a note from my doctor,always!It is a big company so I dont know what my rights are?I had to leave early today because of severe back pain and the manager was very ugly to me for it, made me feel real good!

rlcowboy,

I can understand how u feel. I had discectomy on l5/s1 in 1999. Had same surgery agian in May of this year. Came to in recocvery had sever leg butt and hip pain and has not gotten any better. I have been off work since april,23,2003. Company gave me 12 weeks famliy medical leave act. When my dr. wouldnt release me to go back at the end of that time. They put me on personal leave for 60 days. Found out today dr. took me off for another 2 months. My personal leave ends on myB-day next month if i dont go back to work I have no job. I lose all my retirement because i missed my 5 year mark by 3 months. Lose my medical insurance.
I wouldnt file wc back in april because i was scared that because i had previous surgery i wasnt covered. went and talked to lawyer last week he said they cant use that. Still makes me feel bad knowing i worked like a dog for 5 years for this company and can just be let go even though i have dr note. I have had a dr note since april 23 when i went to dr. No one from this company has called me to see if i am still on earth. Guess enough about my problems. Just dont let them get u down. People who have never had back pain dont know what it feels like. Just wanted you to know someone is here that can relate.

Shelba

Hi, ricowboy and shelba , Sorry to here about your work problems it is hard enough to deal with the pain and everyday things you have to go through without having to deal with worry over your job. I have been lucky so far hurt at work and filed
WC papers. But even with that they are trying to say that the injury I have is not covered because the first doctor said I had low back strain and come to find out after it didn't get any better for 2 months I have sacroiliac joint dysfunction or si. Work comp. tricked me into going to a doctor they pick, never told me I could change dr. on my on 1 time. They sent me a paper and said I had to take it with me to my first appointment. So they made the appointment and I went and took the paper. Turns out the paper was stating that I was changing doctors and this was my pick. Found out to late to do anything about that but lucky he happen to be a great dr. one of the best in his field. However, every time he trys to send me to someone to get help they refuse to let me go. He is a nerosurgeon and said he can not do the things I need done. He wanted me to see a chiro. but comp only would pay for 1 visit. I had 3 before I learned they had decided not to pay. He wanted me to see a pain management dr. to see about injections and they said no again. So now I am off work another month still hurting and just wanting to get back to my old life. I did hit it lucky on one thing he knows a pt person that specializes in si and is sending me to see her, also the chiro. has contact our states comp. attonery (who just so happen to suffer this same problem from a car wreck) and she is mad. Since they called her comp hasn't called me again trying to get me to agree to return to work as a phone operator. If I could sit that would be ok but with this condition 10 min. is about as long as sitting is bearable.
The letter I received from work said I had 6 month, unless it was work comp. I find out if I could still file those papers otherwise you will have no job and no insurance to cover your injury.

In our state there is a deadline so hurry.
And best of luck.


Sheila