I have been a machinist for almost three years now and the past year I started experiencing severe pain in my palms, wrist, and arms radiating up into my shoulder and neck. I was fired two weeks ago when I told my boss I needed to see a Doctor. This pain started gradually and over the course of the year it has gotten very extreme. I bought Braces for both hands in January and continued working ( I should have stopped but I needed my job) now I think I am almost crippled. The pain is so severe it hurts to eat, drink, brush my teeth, put on makeup or anything. I am scheduled for a EMG in August. Exactly what is a EMG??? The Doctor I am seeing is a plastic surgeon but he does hands too. I'm really scared after reading some of the things I have read. I don't have insurance so I am trying to get a financial loan to pay for everything. They said the EMG is going to be $1500.00 and up? The surgery depends on the test results. I also wonder if wearing the Braces did damage also, my fingers started swelling up after I would take them off? Can anyone tell me the cost of some of the surgeries they've had. Is it worth it? I am desperate, I feel like cutting off my hands. Thanks......

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Leisa

Hello there! My first suggestion is to get yourself a lawyer. There are lawyers out there that don't charge a fee unless they take your case and actually get you some compensation. They are under attorney's probably in your yellow pages and make sure you ask if they need any money up front. If they do move on and call another one.
Your boss had no right to fire you for needing to see a doctor. Secondly he does have the responsibility to see that worker's compensation pays for your EMG and any of your doctor's bills. So get the lawyer first. Then see what your options are.
And as a quick PS. The EMG is NOT as bad as everyone makes it out to be. An EMG consists of electrical shocks delivered to your hands and arms. Then they use a very fine needle to poke you in your muscles. The needle has a miniscule microphone attached to the end of it. They are checking for nerve conduction and muscle response. It's not fun and it is uncomfortable but I cry easily (hallmark commercials?) and I didn't cry at all. And when it was over I was a little more numb and tingly then usual but it went away by the next day. One more thing. My fingers also swell! You should only wear the braces at night while sleeping, unless your doctor tells you different. If you wear them all day long you aren't using your muscles. If you have any questions feel free to e-mail me. I'd be happy to talk to you or help if I can. -Tann

[This message has been edited by Tanneuby1 (edited 07-24-2001).]

Thanks for your reply. I have spoke to several attorneys and the problem is that my boss did not carry workmans comp insurance or any private insurance either...the attorneys I spoke to don't even act interested because he doesn't have any insurance so now I am still searching ....I know there has to be something I can do to get him to pay for my medical bills.I sent a letter to OSHA and the EEOC but haven't heard anything yet! I guess I will have the EMG done and go from there. I am so tired of this.. It is so painful. Anyway thanks again, hopefully I'll get my hands fixed some way or another. Leisa

I agree, the EMG is nothing..everyone told me it would be so painful. I had it done on both my hands. one was alittle more sore then the other but I think it was because he dug so deep to test my nerve. I didn't feel it at the time but the next day it was alittle sore and bruised. no biggie. Good luck with the lawyers and your hands.

Active Release Therapy helped me. Chiropractors do this technique. It only took 4-5 sessions for me. Scrounge the money and see if you can find a chiropractor who does this technique.
JB
Search Dr. Leahy, Active Release Therapy for more info.

Me again. Another suggestion is to find a lawyer that represents people for wrongful termination. Don't give up. You are in a situation that is completely wrong and unfair. There has to be someone to help you. Go to your county and look for financial help, see if your county offers medical assistance and apply for it. At least it wouldn't cost you anything and you're obviously a taxpayer so you have a right to that help. Please continue to let me know how you are doing. And good luck to you. -Tann PS I think your employer was breaking the law by not having workers compensation insurance however I don't know how your state works. If you can't get help anywhere else, go to a news station and tell them your story, or at least tell your former employer that that's what you will do if he doesn't help you out in some way.

Hey Tann, Well I am going for the EMG in Dallas August 9th, so at least I'll find out whats going on..... You know that is a good idea about the news stations, I might just have to try that and see??? Anyway...Thanks for the input. My sister also has a friend that is getting the run a round about his cts...his workmans comp insurance is saying he already had the problem previously....I guess this must be tough for a lot of people to get something done by their employers and or insurance companies???? It's really WRONG! I even emailed the President but their email is too full to get a reply. There needs to be something done about it though...In Texas they are not required to carry workmans comp. evidently.I think they should be made liable though if someone has a work related injury. What a system we have.......NOT! Anyway.......God Bless!

An NCV/EMG is and nerve conduction velocity study where they find the nerves in your wrist, arms, elbows and upper arms and put an electrode on the nerve and put a small dose of electricity do it to see if the nerve will react. I felt a little tingling and my hand jumped when they did it. This tells if the nerve is pinched off and if you have carpal tunnel for example. The EMG is a little needle that the doctor puts into the muscles of the hands arms and shoulders to find out where it is pinched off and if you have muscle loss. I felt a little sting when this was done as the needle goes in the muscle and then a little bit of electricity is put in to get the readings. It doesn't take very long. I had to wear braces and when I took them off my hands would swell, before I got them I had severe pain and numbness and lost use of my hands. From the NCV/EMG I was diagnosised with severe carpal tunnel and surgery was reccommended that was the only way to relieve my smyptoms. that was done in March and June of 2000. I just had another NCV/EMG done and have Carpal Tunnel again and have to wear my braces 24 hours a day. Please don't give up on finding a Lawyer and maybe you can go through Vocational Rehab to get some help with the medical bills. Too many people have let employers get away with injuries with repetitive motion for too long. My employer feels as though they can't be touched but I won't give up and you shouldn't either. I am always having a lot of trouble with my shoulders and neck now and have been reccommended to have an MRI done to find out what is going on there. I wish I could get my life back to normal but I was given a 42% damage rating in upper extremities the first time and I don't know what will become of this now. Good luck and God Bless.

Hi Bama, it sounds like you've really had a bad time with your cts...that is what I am wondering about, is it worth it to have surgery??? I mean if it's going to keep coming back...whats the point? I have had three surgeries on my lower back and I wish I would have never had them done. I live with that 24/7 but my hands have hurt so bad sometimes that I just want some relief. Actually the last few days they have felt better than they have in a long time, I have been massaging them and now I wonder if I should still have the EMG done??? They are still swelling some but not as bad...maybe I should just give it some more time to see if they will get better on their own? When I had the surgeries on my back, I had been going to physical therapy for 8 months and my Doctor told me I Needed to have the surgery....I wish I'd have waited and done the therapy longer...I don't know if it would have made a difference but I wonder???????? Also, I haven't been wearing my braces for about three weeks now and they seem to be getting a little better. I hate to pay for the EMG if I really don't need to have it done. Anyway, GOOD LUCK to you and GOD BLESS you too!!!!!

Hi Bamabrneyes2, I haven't logged on in while.
I almost had a job. (I'm still wondering if my old co-workers are still ruining my references. I figure sooner or later they will tire of this and give me a proper one.)

Leisa,
I had numbness every 30 or so minutes and my finger(s) would turn white, then blue. I couldn't use my arm to drive (too much pain) but I was lucky, after surgery, I only have a slight impairment.
But, I do have permanent pain/inflammation (I am having relief with VIOXX) and I can't lift anything over 5lbs for an extended period of time(more than 3 or 4 minutes). I was a programmer and after consulting with a vascular surgeon, was told I could still type (thank goodness). I am not sure how far your CTS has progressed, the test(EMG) will tell you. I didn't think the test worth taking in my situation, but....I had it done just to be sure the surgery wouldn't worsen my condition. If you've had back surgery, you know how to fight inflammation, and what you can and can't do after being cut. There is a higher degree of risk associated with they type surgery you are planning and my orthopedic's preference was to cut the hand(s).
Don't feel too bad about your situation its not your fault. I worked for the largest school system in the state and they didn't file WC on me, they didn't let me have time off to heal/operation(although I had over 4 months sick leave accrued). All they did was harass, threaten, and terminate my employment. Bamabrneyes2 has been thru this treadmill, right(?) Bamabryneyes2. I filed with the EEOC and I am sure that if I had proceded with my claim, the school system would have been forced to re-employ me. But,,,the EEOC was under the mistaken opinion that the school system WOULD treat me fairly by placing me on leave etc. I had to tell them no....the school system hides their mistakes and would not deal with me without an attorney present.
Bamabryneyes is fighting with her company over the same situation. Fortunately, my private insurance covered my condition and I was able to have surgery(VIOX etc). If you need surgery, get it done and with a minimum of 3 weeks for recovery. Only 1 hand at a time, unless someone can take care of you while you are immobile.
Hey Bamabryneyes2, I saw someone I used to work with...needless to say it turned out badly. She left me standing there next to her husband. He had his mouth opened, he couldn't believe how rude his wife was acting. Typical (all I did was tell her I was taking VOIXX). Talk to you later.


[This message has been edited by MaryAnne5 (edited 08-04-2001).]

Hey MaryAnne5 glad to see you back. Sorry you didn't get your job. As the saying goes when it gets tough the tough get going. We will make it. Leisa my company waited so long before they would do anything for me from October to February and by that time my hands were swelling so bad,cramping,and numb that I had to go into the bathroom at work and put icy hot on my hands and hold them under the hand dryer to loosen them up to drive home at night from work. I was waking up every two hours screaming with my hands would soak them in epsom salt, put icy hot on them and take advil to get some kind of relieve. I went to a local Doctor who called out to the plant and told them I didn't have arithritis that I had Carpal Tunnel in both hands and that is the only way I got into a surgeon. When they put me on light duty some of my symptoms were relieved but once the nerve gets pinched off it can get only more severe as mine did. My nerves were completely pinched off in both wrist and the NCV/EMG showed this and the only option they had left was to do the surgery. My company made me go back to work the day after surgery each time and I had no chance to heal up. I was placed in another job because my Functional Capability (?) Test and Impairment Rating showed I had permanent Damage to both hands and could no longer do the job I was hired for. I had a 42%rating for upper extreminities. After trying to get rid of me and it didn't work and I won't go into a long detail you can read it within the last 20 days under this messageboard. They transferred me to the office in shipping. I am not telling you to get the test I am saying that you can help your symptoms by not doing your job but what will happen when you apply for another job and it happens again and it's worse the next time. I have had to get a Lawyer and it's a long drawn out process but if I can help one person with Repetitive Motion Injury or even help them understand what it does to your life and the ones around you it will be worth it. I can't even hold my Grandchildren or my 8 year old child or play outside with him. I have to work if I quit it would be terrible on us and I would also be defeating what I started the Doctor may have to make me stay out for medical reasons because I have Carpal Tunnel again and then I would have to fight all over again with my company to pay me but I will let the Lawyer handle that. Your hands are so important to each one of us and please take care of them have them checked out and please don't take them for granite you really don't realize how important until you can't use them for simple things like opening a door or coke can or even driving. The braces hold your wrist straight and keep the Carpal Tunnel from irritating or swelling on the nerve. It's like a rubber band once you stretch it so bad it never really goes back to where it should be. OSHA and Congress tried to pass a tougher Repetitive Motion Bill last year but it went back to the committee and will be presented again with corrections. It is so hard when you work and get injured and then your employer just throws you away. So many people are done this way and it's not fair. People won't hire you and you aren't able to do what you did before if you get severe damage. I know money is tight with you but pray about it and search your soul and God will help you make the right decision. Good luck and God Bless and let me hear from you.If you want to email me my address is Bamabrneyes2@Hotmail.com

Leisa,

Did you go to a EEOC office and file a complaint. You only have 180 days after the incident to file(I don't know if you can do this online). I live near Atlanta and was able to file in that office. The school system did not even bother to respond to the EEOC complaint(they don't have to answer to anyone..). Managers can get away with a lot because their employers are unaware of what is going on in the workplace. My ex-manager was hostile/angry, not only to me, but MOST ALL of her employees and unfortunately people are forced to leave their positions in these situations. The only way a manager like this, can learn is to have someone else tell them how/what to do. You need to follow up on this, if anything the EEOC can charge you old employer expenses.

Dear ...help ..I hurt,
Please let me reccommend several books by Doctor John E. Sarno, M.D. a Profeesor at the famous Rusk Intitute of Rehabitation Medicine at the Univesity of New York Medical School.
MIND OVER BACK PAIN
THE MINDBODY PRESCRIPTION
Dr. Sarno has developed a diagnosis of TMS-Tension Myositis Syndrome.
In Short- He contents that Pain/Tension is often not associated with any injury or anything that requires intervention.
That pain and tension can be controled by the adjustment of factors that seem to be unconnected to the origin or the site of pain.
He suggests that pain often can be stopped and the patient better served without the pill or the knife.
Today 8-14-2001 I posted a page of stretching exercises that might help you. It was in reply to 'lee-ann aka..just diagnosed with cts.'
The body heals itself!!!
Always has always will!!!!
No Doctor or witchdoctor or faithhealer has even healed anybody but himself.
You can heal yourself.
Remember that we exist because of divine LOVE and that we exist in order to give and recive divine LOVE.
You are an agent of GOD or a higher power or whatever you want to call IT. IT LOVES YOU and there is no reason for anybody to hurt except to gain a SOUL experience-perhaps to share the plight of humanity -to understand what most people in the world feel as they gain SOUL experience.
I sincerely hope you are not offended by my suggestion that you are more powerful than you think.
You are more powerful than you can imagine.
And of course along with that power comes responsibilty.
Several suggested that you get a Lawyer perhaps a fancy Lawyer.
Is money what you want or is it health that you want?
If health is what you want then you must go where health exist: health exist in that deep, still place at the center of your heart. Here is the source and wellspring for whatever you might want that can truly be yours.
How is a lawyer going to help do anything but sling cr*p?
Does not what we put out come back to us,
Sincerely,
Lamarsky
Have you ask your higher power to help; often a shift in perspective helps.

Lamarsky, Hi thanks for your reply...I haven't been on in a while. I do believe that you can overcome alot of things through your own mind.Although, I have already had surgery three times on my back...I have 4 screws, 2 pins and a steel support rod in my lower back. I live with this and have for 10 years and it does hurt especially when I have to do alot of bending or anything. I have always been very active. I ride horses,play golf,anything outdoors I like doing. I think once you have damaged something though ( as I did when I broke my back) That pain is going to be there. I just got the test results back on my hands and they said that I suffer from cts, bilateral,chronic and severe, cubital tunnel syndrome,biateral,chronic and moderate to severe, also...bilateral c7 nerve root compromise, as well as bilateral median and ulnar nerve entrapment at the wrist and elbow, resulting from my employment activities. My boss should be held liable for my medical bills ( the EMG I got is costing $1937.00) Thank God they are letting me pay it out. My boss not only fired me when I told him I needed a Doctor, He told the unemployment I QUIT....I had my hearing today, and he stumbled all over himself because he was lying and couldn't keep his stories straight. I think it went well for me. So... I am going to rest my hands for awhile before I consider surgery on them. Besides, I am going to need to save money just in case I do eventually need surgery as I can't afford it right now. I do think people should wait and do everything possible to try and heal on there own before ever considering surgery. Thats the last option! anyway......God Bless You and have many a Great Day!

Well I am going Wednesday to see my surgeon and see what he thinks. I am still very leary of having the surgery done YET. I am going to find out what it is going to cost me. He said it is better to do only one hand at a time. I probably won't be able to have it done anyway because I doubt if he will let me make payments...I tried getting it financed through a finance company but it didn't go through.I really want to go back to school and take a CNC Programming course but I know my hands couldn't handle it right now. I want to go back to work...it's driving me crazy. I had my hearing with the Workforce commission and my boss was caught in several lies. I think it went well for me, I should be hearing from them soon. I have contacted several other agencies and will be hearing from them anytime. I haven't found an attorney yet because since my boss doesn't have workmans comp or private insurance they don't even act interested. I guess I'll have to wait and see! God Bless us all! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/eek.gif