Bamabrneyes2
05-09-2001, 07:25 AM
I had carpal tunnel surgery in March and June of 2000 and also right trigger thumb release surgery. I am still having pain and swelling in both hands and tingling and loss of muscle and control of my hands. My employer changed me from working on the assembly line to keying on a computer as a shipping clerk. They paid for my surgeries but the doctor said I reached maxium medical improvement and discharged me. I had to get a lawyer as the company wouldn't do anymore for me but try to get me to quit. I am still having swelling and pain in both hands and the pain by the time I get off goes all the way up to my neck and my shoulders. I hurt so bad that I can't sleep at night. I have lost muscle control in my hands and can't hold anything I keep dropping things and can't hardly do housework much less do things with my 8 year old or even hold him. No other doctor will see me because it is workman's comp. I was very athletic and enjoyed the out of doors. I live with constant pain and wonder if I will ever be normal again. I can't close my hands all the way or grip the steering wheel as I should. My thumb has locked up again. I was given a 42% impairment rating for over all upper extrementies. I was first diagnosised with severe carpal tunnel and was told by the doctor I had irreversable damage. I don't recommend the surgery to anyone. Has anyone had any of these same problems
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MaryAnne5
05-09-2001, 11:35 AM
It is terrible that your company forced you to work until you had irreversible damage. I do not know the law, I think in Georgia an employer can do the same without penalty. Currently the Supreme Court is deciding what an employer should be required to do to accomodate people in your situation. I had surgery, and have been told to limit lifting and driving etc. The typing seems to be okay. Because I had the surgery, no more damage should occur. If you have a diagnosis of RSD, it can be treated, though it is a permanent/painfull condition. RSD can occur from an injury upon another injury (in your case, an injury you sustained to your arms/hand prior to the surgery for the CTS injury), OR it can develop after surgery. Only you really know when the pain started. If you suffered a long time prior to surgery, with no help from your employer, I say sue them for discrimination, to the max. Or make them retire you with disability payments.Then, sue workers compensation for a one time settlement for the carpal tunnel(after which you should be released from WC.) Check with your attorney to see if upon a final settlement with workers comp. whether Alabama laws will allow your private insurance to pay for your treatment for RSD. (It is a different condition, and in Georgia this is allowed.) I would think the 42% impairment you suffered would enable you to file for SSN disability. I don't think you can work.
My GP is treating me with VIOXX, but I am nowhere near the pain/damage that you are suffering.
My GP is treating me with VIOXX, but I am nowhere near the pain/damage that you are suffering.
Manofjazz
05-09-2001, 01:53 PM
Hi my name is Jeff, and I suffer from Bilateral Carpal Tunnel Syndrome {Both Wrist},Bilateral Ulnar Nerve Compression {Both Elbows},Throacic Outlet Syndrome,and Reflex Synpathetic Dystrophy. I have some information that my help you??? I've been fighting the "Veterans'Administration,U.S. Dept. of Labor," for many years. DO NOT GIVE UP!!! FIRST AND FOREMOST. I've been fighting since 1988, and I started with Carpal Tunnel back in 1972 when the Government {so they say}, didn't really know about "Carpal Tunnel Syndrome," ie. Repetitive Stress Motion... Through, research in the "Law Library," I found that the first record of the Disease was recorded back in the 1800's, and research on cases with the British Code Operator's in the early 1900's. So, it's been around for a very long time. Presently, I was taken out of my U.S. Postal job by the Veterans' Affairs, and place as "Disabled," I can no longer to anything anymore!!! These Occupational Disease attack you body in such a way that you look totally health!!! But, are suffering 24/7 with your "Upper Extremities," from hands being cold,and numb from driving with your upper limbs outstretched or difficulty holding your arms up because of aching...your activities such as grasping or holding objects with hands, or reaching with hands, or writing cause fatigue of your hands...constant pain in upper extremity together with burning sensation of fingers...Extension of extrimity causes fatigue of the limb...Prolonged writing causes a tingling sensation at the fingertips...Driving particularly causes aching of forearm...Essentially, repetitive grasping, pushing, pulling, holding and torguing movements aggravate discomfort. {YOU NAME IT, IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME} Long ago, they being the "System," stated it was such things as Anxiety,Stress,Over Worked lack of this and that...But, later the "True," shows up in great numbers!!! Most, medical professional's still "Challenge," each other on who is right/wrong concerning these Occupational Diseases, and till this day they still are!!!! The Government just wants you to go away - and never return... So, take this to the "Bank," beleive in someone greater than yourself!!! keep family, and true friends close... If, you can a afford a "State or Federal Attorney," who is honest!!! get one. I couldn't do that so I had to go in fighting from the street through HMO'S/VA/OWCP/CASE-RECONSIDERATIONS/HEARINGS/APPEALS BOARDS/EEOC'S/PRIVATE DISABILITY INSURANCE/SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY/AND CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRIES!!! all to get some type of help for this more than serious disablement. I did have a "Right-Carpal Tunnel Release," back in 1994 just because I could'nt stand the pain any longer...It depends on the individual's circumstances case by case... Had to fight for just 20 percent disability from the VA, and that nothing compared to what you will have to endure for the "Rest of you Life". Hang in there, and don't give up the fight. If I could be of any service...Just Let Me Know!!
Regards,
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Regards,
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nancyA
05-09-2001, 10:59 PM
First off I agree with Jeff. NEVER GIVE UP. When I was diagnosed with cancer and applied for disability. i was denied. it took me a year but i won. its a good thing too because now I have peripheral neuropathy and carpal tunnel syndrome. My neurologist says mine is so severe I can't go wrong with having the surgery to get some relief. so I go on the 25th. to have my left hand done. the main thing is to have good doctors. believe me they are out there. my doctor saw me for the entire year with NO payment. he waited untill i got my case approved. if you have a good doctor they can help you. and maybe you need to apply for disability. i hope this helps
Bamabrneyes2
05-10-2001, 03:10 AM
Thanks for all the replies and encouragement and with the Lord's help I will keep trying. Sometimes it is so hard and it is so good to know there are people out there that do care and take the time to reply. My hands are hurting tonight and are swelled and tingling especially below my thumb on the outside of my hands. My Lawyer is good and the company I work for won't do anymore than give me a hard time. They would rather see me quit than do anymore. They are a very large industry and put a lot of money into the community as well as being worldwide. They are self insured with W.C. I don't believe they have really filed under workman's comp. My lawyer is trying to get me a list of four Doctors they were suppose to provide to start with but so far they haven't come up with the list. I saw the Doctor they wanted me to see and had no choice. I want to give up sometimes but I look into the face of my 8 year old and know that I have to keep working and have to help my husband raise this gift from God. The pain goes up my arms to my shoulders and they are so sore. My company didn't offer me anything and refused to let me have anymore treatment that is why I had to get a lawyer. I am not familiar with Alabama W.C. law as I should be. Thanks again for responding and listening.
MaryAnne5
05-11-2001, 12:09 PM
HI, its me again. My employer was also self-insured(public school system). I called the insurance handler and that's when I discovered they had not reported my claim. (They let me go to hide this mistake. It was 3 months before I had a break in work, so that I could be operated on with my private insurance paying. I could't even drive by this point.) If you call your state workers compensation board they should be able to tell you if a claim was filed. (In ga. a report of injury must be filed and this form is something you would have to sign.)
Are you taking any kind of medicine/anti inflamatory? My employer would not cover this so I have my personal insurance paying.
I wish you would try the new medicine, (Celebrex or Vioxx) then maybe coupled with pain medication you could work with less pain. Try not to quit, the company will never hire you back. There is nothing more disgusting than an employer who will disable an employee, fire or force them to quit and then expect someone else (ss, gov., another company) to take care of them.
(ps. it took me about a month to get any relief with vioxx.)
Good luck.
[This message has been edited by MaryAnne5 (edited 05-11-2001).]
[This message has been edited by MaryAnne5 (edited 05-12-2001).]
Are you taking any kind of medicine/anti inflamatory? My employer would not cover this so I have my personal insurance paying.
I wish you would try the new medicine, (Celebrex or Vioxx) then maybe coupled with pain medication you could work with less pain. Try not to quit, the company will never hire you back. There is nothing more disgusting than an employer who will disable an employee, fire or force them to quit and then expect someone else (ss, gov., another company) to take care of them.
(ps. it took me about a month to get any relief with vioxx.)
Good luck.
[This message has been edited by MaryAnne5 (edited 05-11-2001).]
[This message has been edited by MaryAnne5 (edited 05-12-2001).]
Bamabrneyes2
05-12-2001, 01:19 AM
I was first on Celebrex but it was hard on my stomach so they put me on vioxx and it helped some. But since the comapny I work for had the Doctor to discharge me the comapny won't pay for anymore medicine and since my insurance is with the same company they won't cover it either I can't get another doctor to see me because the company won't pay for it. I feel I am getting worse I worked 8 hours yesterday until 10pm and went back in at 6:30am this morning I worked 8.5 hours and couldn't hardly grasp the steering wheel when I went to drive home was hurting all the way to my shoulders in both wrist and thumbs and my hands were swelled I was in tears by the time I got home I first reported this to my company in Oct 99 and it wasn't until February 2000 before they got me into see a specialist. My lawyer is trying to get them to do something and it is a wait and see situation I can't quit or I would loose my insurance and no one would hire me the shape my hands and arms and shoulders are in. I have heard there is pending letigation (not spelled right) in the Supreme Court on Repetitive Motion injuries do you have any information on this or a web site that I could go to. One Doctor in South Alabama said he would have to review my records before he would agree to even see me I am going to send them to him and see I doubt he will though. I am afraid I am getting into worse shape and the comapny I work for doesn't care at all. Thanks for listening It is good to know there are others out there with the same problems
MaryAnne5
05-14-2001, 08:10 AM
I found 2 web sites for the supreme court. www.supremecourtus.gov (http://www.supremecourtus.gov) and supct.law.cornell.edu/supct/
The case wasn't listed yet. Have you started the SS process for disability. I think you would be better off(under ADA) in that your chances to be placed in a job you can do would be better? (What the school system did to me was change my responsibilities. They had me start driving,visiting the schools, manual labor, threats etc. Although I was performing my previous programming job, and additionally re-coding programs for inviduals who had not been trained in the language. They just didn't want me working for them anymore, I had completed Y2K, there was no reason to keep me. 10 months prior, I had asked not to do operational/manual type work. Upper management had said other programmers didn't have do this type work. This experience was also excluded from my personnel record when I was hired, and of course, I wasn't being paid for it.) I hope your company doesn't do this to you. If your are fully disabled, I think your chances to fight them would be stronger. As in my case it might just be the division you are working in. I don't know what to tell you about the pain. I think you have RSD and I know you are paying a lot of money for your drugs. (I'm covered under Cobra with State Merit, separate insurance from the school system.)
Your insurance situation is interesting, I bet a lot of people would be surprised to learn about this pitfall.
[This message has been edited by MaryAnne5 (edited 05-15-2001).]
[This message has been edited by MaryAnne5 (edited 06-04-2001).]
The case wasn't listed yet. Have you started the SS process for disability. I think you would be better off(under ADA) in that your chances to be placed in a job you can do would be better? (What the school system did to me was change my responsibilities. They had me start driving,visiting the schools, manual labor, threats etc. Although I was performing my previous programming job, and additionally re-coding programs for inviduals who had not been trained in the language. They just didn't want me working for them anymore, I had completed Y2K, there was no reason to keep me. 10 months prior, I had asked not to do operational/manual type work. Upper management had said other programmers didn't have do this type work. This experience was also excluded from my personnel record when I was hired, and of course, I wasn't being paid for it.) I hope your company doesn't do this to you. If your are fully disabled, I think your chances to fight them would be stronger. As in my case it might just be the division you are working in. I don't know what to tell you about the pain. I think you have RSD and I know you are paying a lot of money for your drugs. (I'm covered under Cobra with State Merit, separate insurance from the school system.)
Your insurance situation is interesting, I bet a lot of people would be surprised to learn about this pitfall.
[This message has been edited by MaryAnne5 (edited 05-15-2001).]
[This message has been edited by MaryAnne5 (edited 06-04-2001).]
Bamabrneyes2
05-15-2001, 05:14 AM
Thanks for answering and giving me the links I will try them. I got laid off from the State after nine years and this was the only job I could find. I had a complete physical and received a clean bill of health befor I started to work. I worked for 8 months before I started having any problems and it took me four months to get my employer to do anything. This was after 4 doctors refused to see me and the fifth said it was W.C. and told the company this. The company made me an appointment and carried me to the specialist. I had to go back to work the day after both surgeries or the company told the Doctor if he didn't do this they wouldn't pay for the surgery. One person has complete control over what is said and even wouldn't let me have my second surgery until I lost complete use of my hand. Against Dr.'s orders they took me off of light duty transferred me to first shift or I could go back to what I was doing before I had the problems. They thought they would get rid of me but the FCE said I couldn't do that work anymore and the Doctor had to agree and I had turned in numerous resume's and they wouldn't place me in the office before but they were forced to put me in the shipping office keying in the orders on the loaded trls. but they dropped my pay .60 an hour and have tried everyway to make me quit again. I have made it so far. Doctors won't see me because it is W.C. and the company won't ok a visit and my insurance with my company won't pay because it is W.C. They are hiring temps now because if they get hurt they they can get rid of them and the agency pays for the doctor bills and the comapany has a clean record with OSHA. In the meantime my hands, elbows and shoulders are getting worse but I am still hanging in there.. So Far Thanks for listening
MaryAnne5
05-16-2001, 10:21 AM
I still do not understand the insurance problem. You are in chronic pain, how can they can consider that to be a workers comp. claim. Its different from the carpal tunnel. You will be doing your employer a favor if you fight for the insurance coverage(As long as you do the job, what does it matter to them how you do it, who pays for it...) My insurance covered my claim because my employer did not file worker comp. But, I still signed off on worker comp. so that I could continue to have this covered (VIOXX for pain) under private insurance, (12 month waiting period etc.) just like any other injury. It is the law in the state of Ga., not my employer's decision. There are people who cannot work after surgery, but the ones I've talked to usually have other illness, aggravating the condition. If you are disabled, they can't fire you or you can sue them under ADA. So why not sue the insurance company under ADA for discrimination?(You can't help it you suffer from chronic pain because you had carpal tunnel.) Sorry to keep writing to you but there has to be a way to get this covered. You want to work, a lot of people don't. Keep onto your management (they are awful), maybe they will change their minds.
Bamabrneyes2
05-17-2001, 03:29 AM
That's ok I enjoy talking with you and you have given me a lot of good information. I called state W.C. today and they stated the company I work for has never filed a first report with them so there is no Workman's Comp Claim. He stated there was nothing he could do that My lawyer would have to handle it and if more people with claims that hadn't been filed would handle it the same way then it would be reported and something would be done or they would keep getting away with not filing claims and hold onto their good record. I am still back where I started. Alabama doesn't handle things the way Ga. does I am originally from Ga. and liked the way things got done over there better. But anyway I am in Alabama and will have to follow their advice I have called my lawyer and I am sending him a letter also to have written notice. I don't know what else to do. Thanks for listening
MaryAnne5
05-19-2001, 06:42 AM
That is alarming that they didn't report the claim. I am not disabled. Because my employer terminated my employment(thru a 1 person layoff), and would not deal with me on the WC issue, I had to hire a lawyer. For my employer to sign off on worker's comp. (so that I could have the VIOXX covered under private insurance) I had to threatened a lawsuit. Consequently, my employer agreed to sign off if I agreed never to work for them again. It is a catch-22 situation. I agreed, I didn't have a choice in the matter and, because they were discriminating. (Some of the excuses for dumping work on my desk-"You have do her work, she's going thru pre-menopause".??? Management told me to update my skills by taking a course ($1,000-I paid for it) for there was 1 job available. They gave it to a guy who's attitude "I don't give a damn about the schools"(they fired a black individual with a master's degree to make room for this individual. This man had alienated the schools to the point where they were accusing him, and others of taking payoffs. He did not have a 4 year degree, but extra time was being allowed to train him so he could do the job.) Other people were given equipment, I had to purchase mine etc.) I spoke with the worker comp. division (of Ga) and they said even if I was under WC they probably could not have gotten my job back for me. (Up north, they usually do not fire an employee, while on WC.) This is why I think it is important for you to determine if you are disabled. You might need that classification to keep your job. Fortunately, it sounds like your company is large and probably have people that know how to deal with this situation(?), but still.
[This message has been edited by MaryAnne5 (edited 06-04-2001).]
[This message has been edited by MaryAnne5 (edited 06-04-2001).]
Bamabrneyes2
05-19-2001, 11:59 PM
The state of Alabama Workman's Comp said that I needed to let my lawyer handle this and he would let them know if I didn't persue it then the company would keep getting away with this doing it to more and more people. I checked with a couple more people at work and they checked also and their W.C. Claim was filed with the State either. The Company I work for is self insured and is World Wide. As the State said they don't care about the people only what their lost time hours show and their OSHA rating which they have over a 150million hours without a lost time accident and a 98 OSHA rating and unless employees do something through the court then they will keep on . I read your posting at Little Susan. I was diagnosed with Graves disease back in 1986 and had partial removal of my thyroid in 1986 and my thyroid was killed by radioactive iodine in 1992. I am on thyroid replacement for the rest of my life. The only thing my employer couldn't connect this with Carpal Tunnel was the complete physical I had and the complete testing by my Doctor and it showed I didn't have Carpal Tunnel before I went to work for them and didn't have arthritis either, so they couldn't blame it on Graves Disease. I didn't realize the thyroid could cause so much until recently and beside running a computer and dispatching for the State I was an EMT for 15 years. I enjoyed Hunting, fishing, working in my flowers and the out of doors with my 7 year old. Employers don't care what they are doing to employees just so they get the work done and if not then they will get rid of you and hire someone younger to do it at less pay. I am still trying to get a Doctor to see me but I have had no reply. I hope noone gets into the shape I am in and lets it go by it will completely change your life. Right now I can't apply for disability because my employer won't recommend it and won't let the Doctor recommend it either. The Doctor they sent me to is well respected but he sees 70 to 90 patients a day and 75% is Workman's Comp so when my employer cut off paying the bills hoping I would quietly go away he quit seeing me as in discharge. I recommend to anyone to carefully check into everything that is being done for them when it is a job related injury. Check with the state and make sure that everything has been filed properly and you are getting the benefits you are entitled to. Now I am getting worse and only by the Grace of God I am still working and will have to let my lawyer and the judge decide what to do with them. My lawyer had a fit when I let him know that hadn't filed with the state the first report of injury and their was no record of a Workman's Comp Claim.
MaryAnne5
05-21-2001, 10:54 AM
It sounds like your lawyer will do the best he can for you. My situation was nothing more than a cover up of mistakes within the school system. It was upsetting, but there was nothing I could do. I had a director physically threaten me (2 employees were sent to escort me to my car). In January, I had to drop one ex-coworker from my references because he was giving me a bad reference. (This guy is young. He would tell management things like "I don't understand how to do my job, she makes more money than me" etc. So, they would put his work on my desk. That's how I developed carpal tunnel.) As far as any benefits, the school system thought they were doing me a BIG favor by placing me on unemployment. They did not offer any help (sick leave/time off/transfer to another job) because it was a work related injury (they didn't even report it internally to the risk management dept.). They have strict policies/benefits on pregnancies, and other personal illness, and the employees/county pay an inflated rate of insurance(cost of sick leave etc.)for these benefits. Additonally, employees are moved to positions to cover these jobs while these people out on personal illness, but a work related injury is not treated the same. I was totally amazed by what they did to me, they called me names. There were IBM consultants on cite during this time THEY even complained of the way management was acting (some of them yelled at the bosses for me). So, I am convinced, the money comes from one source. If your company offers personal benefits, they CAN cover you in your injury, its far more important. Anything else is just BS. (I have been talking to other people, who take pain and the anti-inflamatory medication daily, these people still work. You do whatever you have to do.)
Bamabrneyes2
05-22-2001, 03:56 AM
I still haven't heard from the Dr. I sent my records to. He probably won't see me I will have to wait and see what my lawyer says to do. They have tried and tried to make me quit at work. Making me come back the day after both surgeries, watching me constantly and wanting to write me up for anything. Saying that I didn't do anything and was even timed for going to the bathroom. I have also been hollered at cussed at and called names and since they have transferred me to the shipping office if I dare complain about my hands they want to know if that slows me down or do they hurt when I key. If I make one mistake they make a big issue about it and I am human. I can't quit We need the money and I need the benefits and I guess I will keep putting up with the harrassment until it is over with. I don't think it is fair for anybody to go through any of this, but this is the way employees are doing this day in time. They don't have any personal benefits at work. Georgia has better benefits than Alabama I just hope that my hands arms and shoulders can take all this before it is over. We do have cobra but with out an income I couldn't afford that. On the assembly floor they are downsizing now (combining jobs manually handing parts to the next person and eliminating people or just making people quit and moving people on first to second to fill the slots without hiring someone. When the nurse told me they had done all they could do that is when they cut my benefits with Workman's Comp off as they call it. They are mcalling the shots and I will have to wait and see what happens.
MaryAnne5
05-22-2001, 12:50 PM
What your company is doing to you, is what my employer did to me. I was employed in the technology dept., which supposedly is the best field to work in, an area which should employ educated people. It is interesting that you are receiving the same type treatment I did. If you file a complaint with the EEOC it sounds like your superiors will fire you. If they fire you, THEN file with the EEOC and sue. It is the troublemakers around you that created this problem. You need to start watching them and your superiors. Where I used to work, I would tell the troublemakers to quit fighting. I wondered why management wouldn't control them, then I found out management was too busy threatening to sue each other to care about what went on in the workplace. You need to start pointing the finger. Believe me, that is what my co-workers used to do. And as far a lying, don't worry about it. My bosses used to come up with some whopper lies to protect their jobs. (Anytime they were caught at it they would go hide in their office and have screaming fits.) I'll give you a couple of pointers. My ex-boss would use the old "he's sleeping with her, that's why you are persecuting me" excuse. This other guy would come into the office acting goofy, I'd swear he was on drugs. But then he would say he was just acting like his boss. Or...better yet, say these troublemakers are logging onto on the internet to view porno. Then, when your boss steps outside his office and threatens to fire you, just tell him he can't. I know this all sounds terrible, but this is what your co- workers are doing to you. In my situation, management used money, (which should have been to assist me in my job), to hire personnel to help their "other" management friends with their jobs. There was staff complaining of nothing to do, while I was overwhelmed with work. WHen I would show them the damage to my hands, they would laugh. But,,,I live in Atlanta, so...hopefully I can find employment elsewhere. I don't know how other people feel about this, the people I've talked always share their experiences with me.
[This message has been edited by MaryAnne5 (edited 05-23-2001).]
[This message has been edited by MaryAnne5 (edited 05-23-2001).]
Bamabrneyes2
05-23-2001, 04:05 AM
I understand exactly where you are coming from. My present supervisor when he ask me about my hands hurting all the time and did it slow down my job, I told him that I did my job and ask him what his wife was doing about her Carpal Tunnel at work. He said oh they took her off the computer and put her in bookkeeping and it was much better. I said well, what is this company going to do with me and what other job can I do. He left me alone after that. He just keeps piling on the work and I keep on doing it. I am doing what three people do on 1st and do they care NO! They will fuss if I don't get it all done in 8 hours with no overtime but let one of the others get behind and I have to do theirs also. They monitor the incoming and outgoing phone calls by number and the minutes you talk and wanted to know today how come I let someone use the phone for 37 minutes and guess what I wasn't there that nite I was on first. We have a so call union but the only reason we have them is that the product we manufactured won't be bought up north or overseas without a union label. When I went to the union about the problems I was having with management I got accused of going with one of the supervisors and when they finally talked with my supervisor then it only made him worse on me . I was passed up for numerous jobs that I was qualified for the employee manager saying because I was on light duty. Much younger people got the job with less experience. They are building a new office and won't even tell me where they are going to put me ( probably out the door if they can)I was even told if they were me they would quit and let the Lord take care of me. Well he helps those who help themself and I won't give this company any satisfaction of saying they made me quit. I am close to 49 with messed up hands, arms, and shoulders and noone will hire me elsewhere. I have a college education but that doen't matter anymore. I just want to work or have benefits and money coming in so I can help take care of my family.
MaryAnne5
05-23-2001, 11:58 AM
It sounds like your spirit is improved a little. Where I worked there was a lot of family/extended family hired so there was little these people would do for me. You need to check to see if your managers are using employees for personal matters. They did at the school system. Also, check into the family background of those people yelling/cussing at you. I was told of employee family member's who had been terminated from the system for striking students etc. and they still hired other members of their immediate family. (They never heard the expression, the acorn doesn't fall far from the tree.) Also, the younger people your company hired probably lied on their applications somewhere, find out their weaknesses and exploit them (for they will do it to you). Many of the people I worked with were socially promoted, they lacked the basic qualifications to do their jobs. These are all very aggressive people. And remember, your employer (like mine) has probably tried to fire them in the past, but they are too afraid they will get sued. So find out. As far as your job, it really depends on how much you can put up with. I couldn't tolerate physical threats, or allowing more damage my other hand.(What kind of an employer would allow a boss to threaten an injured person? I should have been moved to another job just for this..)
They probably will move you out of your office, they did me. As far as the excuse of being on light duty, that's BS. I was never placed on light duty and they still got rid of me. Keep records of the additional work they are making you do, the supervisor responsible etc. AND, don't push yourself, those people are not worth it..
keep in touch
[This message has been edited by MaryAnne5 (edited 05-23-2001).]
They probably will move you out of your office, they did me. As far as the excuse of being on light duty, that's BS. I was never placed on light duty and they still got rid of me. Keep records of the additional work they are making you do, the supervisor responsible etc. AND, don't push yourself, those people are not worth it..
keep in touch
[This message has been edited by MaryAnne5 (edited 05-23-2001).]
Bamabrneyes2
05-24-2001, 04:49 AM
I truly believe we have been in the same boat. I have kept records every since this startedfor some reason my husbands ask me to do it and I did. Thank goodness I did. The company I work for is closing Friday and giving their employees the day off with out pay and they are being paid for Monday. I was asked when I walked in the door this afternoon if I wanted to work Friday or take it off it was between me and another one. I will get off at 12mn and go back in at 7am I told her I would because I needed the forty hours on my pay check. I will drop orders to be filled for UPS and watch the gate. I am having some swelling in my left hand more than my right just below the thumb on top of my hand it is a soft tissue knot further down on my forearm I am swelled on the top and bottom and their is some discolorationon the top of my elbow I have soft tissue swelling and in my upper arm next to the shoulder I am swelled also. When I touch these places I have numbness and pain all the way up and down my arm. I can't do anything hardly with my thumb on the left hand. I have a sharp stabbing pain when I even use it to drive grasping the steering wheel. I've got to go to my family physician tomorrow for something else and will see if he thinks this is ok. He won't treat me for it but maybe he can make a suggestion. I don't know what else to do but keep calling my lawyer and getting him to try and get me into a Dr. The company would like nothing more than to see me quit and I won't. I wanted to take my son swimming this weekend but I know I can't hold up to swimming myself. Thank you for keeping in touch you have really helped me more than you know. I have spent many a nite tossing and turning and crying over this and I'm glad I found someone I can relate to with the same problem. I know some things on several at work and will keep it close in hand in case they get too hard on me. The nurse told me one time that she had had the same surgery and she was doing just fine and I told her I would do much better if I could sit behind a desk and heal also. She said wellI happen to know that is all you did was run computers before you came to work here I said well so put me behind another before I have too much damage. They didn't and waited until they thought I had too much damage and they would see me quit or they would fire me as I said before. The FCE is the only thing that saved me and the ones in the office I work in now are sticking together and trying to make it just as hard on me as they can. Some days I even hate to go in the office they smile and stab you in the back all in the same breath. My Grandmother use to say it will all come out washday. Sometimes I wonder when washday will come. Thanks for listening and keep in touch.
MaryAnne5
05-24-2001, 05:35 PM
You need to get treatment, even if you pay out of pocket get your doctor to help you.
Tell the nurse and your co-workers about me. I was with the public school school system for over 12 years. I have been out of work for 8 months. Only because of what my coworker's did. They thought my husband would support me. They thought that because I didn't have children I could afford to be unemployed. (It didn't matter that I was doing my job, and others.) Tell your coworkers they are stupid, they don't even understand the purpose of worker's comp insurance. Ask your coworkers how many times they have been to doctor under the company's medical plan(HMO or whatever). Is there not one person in your office who has taken maternity leave, or injured themselves in an auto accident? (they no doubt, have wasted more of your companies money then you ever will.)If they question you, tell them I had to sue, just to GET my condition covered under state merit insurance for the school system wouldn't pay. This is why I lost my job. It really doesn't matter how long you have been with a company. (If they object, tell them to call your old employer. Chances are, they will be speaking to the same people(idiots) I used to work for. And if your coworkers don't like what they hear, they can quit paying taxes.)If you are forced to sue to settle under no liability(Worker Comp.) your company will fire you. Your upper echelon of management will not bend the rules, no matter what your co-workers think or say.
Keep me mind. I am still trying to find work and I appreciate your thoughts.
Tell the nurse and your co-workers about me. I was with the public school school system for over 12 years. I have been out of work for 8 months. Only because of what my coworker's did. They thought my husband would support me. They thought that because I didn't have children I could afford to be unemployed. (It didn't matter that I was doing my job, and others.) Tell your coworkers they are stupid, they don't even understand the purpose of worker's comp insurance. Ask your coworkers how many times they have been to doctor under the company's medical plan(HMO or whatever). Is there not one person in your office who has taken maternity leave, or injured themselves in an auto accident? (they no doubt, have wasted more of your companies money then you ever will.)If they question you, tell them I had to sue, just to GET my condition covered under state merit insurance for the school system wouldn't pay. This is why I lost my job. It really doesn't matter how long you have been with a company. (If they object, tell them to call your old employer. Chances are, they will be speaking to the same people(idiots) I used to work for. And if your coworkers don't like what they hear, they can quit paying taxes.)If you are forced to sue to settle under no liability(Worker Comp.) your company will fire you. Your upper echelon of management will not bend the rules, no matter what your co-workers think or say.
Keep me mind. I am still trying to find work and I appreciate your thoughts.
Bamabrneyes2
05-26-2001, 02:25 AM
I went to my family physician Thursday and she believes I have developed asthma again I had it when I was little and out grew it. It may be the stress that I have been under with my hands. She gave me an antibiotic, steriods, and an inhaler to use. She did an xray and gave me a breathing treatment. She said since the company I work for didn't file under state W.C. she would call a doctor and see if she could set me up an appointment for my hands,arms, and shoulders. She said it appears my veins are knotting up in places where there is swelling and pain on my left arm.Have you ever heard of that. I feel as though I am falling apart first I loose use of my hands an now I wheeze and can't hardly breathe. I guess stress can do all kind of things to you. Get this my company is bragging about approaching 2million hours with out a loss time accident. They have them they just don't report them. They gave us all light weight jackets when we hit 150million hours. Whoopee!!! It shows you that this campany really doesn't care about their employees just the records. We got a big write up in the company newspaper at 150 million hours. My company didn't work Friday except a skelleton crew and I got off Thursday nite at 12mn and went back in Friday morning at 7am. To drop some orders and watch the gate on the monitor answer the phone and so forth. I did this so I would have my 40 hours in this week. What little bit I make I can't afford to make any less than 40 hours if I can help it. We get off Monday with pay . The nurse of our company was working today and when I went to get me a sandwich she was going out to her vehicle she wouldn't even speak I smiled and kept going. Not to give her any satisfaction if you know what I mean. It is hard for me to wait and keep seeing people hurt and no one cares but maybe what comes out of this will help someone in the future several more that I have talked with at the company have checked with State W.C. and guess what their claim was never filed either, they are going to do what they have to do. I have told them about you and your situation and how you were treated and they know how I was treated and I am hoping they will do the right thing for I know each one of them have permanent damage also and have no chance of getting another job anywhere. One lady wanted to get disability next year but without a recommendation from the company she won't get it and she isn't as fortunate as I she doesn't have the skills to go into an office so I pray she can hold out in assembly. Maybe I care about people too much but I don't want anyone to suufer the way I have and you have helped me a lot by caring and listening and helping me everyway you can. Thanks. You have given me the strength to keep on fighting. There is so much Carpal Tunnel in this plant alone and they cover it up and call it arthiritis or get rid of them as a temp or ignore them or make them quit. How are you doing? Keep in touch I care
MaryAnne5
05-26-2001, 11:15 AM
I am not sure about your condition. There is something called RSD (risk sympathic dystrophy) which is characterized by chronic pain and swelling(hand). You can check it out on this site. Either way, you and your co-workers will probably suffer from chronic pain from now on. I was under the impression the sooner you have surgery for CTS the better your chances of recovery. I felt this is what happened to me. We were in the middle of Y2K and they would not give me time off for surgery until 3 months after I started having severe pain/numbness. I think at this point it was just too late. See what your Doctor thinks, then tell your friend. I did file with the state WC division. Went back to my employer to see if they would help. They couldn't, they didn't know what to do in this situation. I signed off on WC to cover it under personal insurance so I could get another job, and I didn't want to be in the position you are in. For I was told by them, that my ex-director wanted me to take this claim and file at another company. Her attitude explains exactly what happened to me, its arrogance/stupidity, it was a mess. I didn't sue under ADA to get my job back. Once you experience discrimination, especially when injured, they didn't offer a job and I didn't want to work for them. (I have had differing opinions on suing, not having received any help from my employer/coworkers most people agree they wouldn't want the job back.) Plus the school system just didn't have the necessary checks/balances in place to prevent something like this from happening again.
PS. If you file under your personal insurance, your insurance company should send you a letter asking if you think it is a work related injury. Ask your attorney, and check it YES. If you haven't received WC wages then you still might be able to sue for a WC settlement, then cover everything under your personal insurance (if its good insurance they will pay.)But you did the right thing by suing under WC. Carpal tunnel claims are numerous, there is no reason why anyone should have to go thru what you and I have been thru.
[This message has been edited by MaryAnne5 (edited 05-26-2001).]
PS. If you file under your personal insurance, your insurance company should send you a letter asking if you think it is a work related injury. Ask your attorney, and check it YES. If you haven't received WC wages then you still might be able to sue for a WC settlement, then cover everything under your personal insurance (if its good insurance they will pay.)But you did the right thing by suing under WC. Carpal tunnel claims are numerous, there is no reason why anyone should have to go thru what you and I have been thru.
[This message has been edited by MaryAnne5 (edited 05-26-2001).]
Bamabrneyes2
05-26-2001, 10:55 PM
I started having pain and numbness and swelling at the end of October of 99 and by Thanksgiving my hands were swelled so bad I was soaking in epsom salt using icy hot and taking advil. I kept going to the nurse and she kept giving me wraps and saying it was arthritis and there was nothing more she could do. I kept telling my supervisor and he kept saying I didn't want to work. Didn't want to work HUH! I was there everyday 10 to 11 hours a day and working each rotation. I didn't lay out or refuse to work like to so that got away with it. After we returned from Thanksgiving my hands I believe were back to pretty much normal and my supervisor had promised to put me on a different rotation. Guess what he put me back in the same slot in less than a week my hands were numb again, swelling and cramping this time. No matter what I did they woulkdn't stop this time. We were working 6 days a week 11 hours a nite My hands were so numb even with the wraps that I couldn't feel anything in my hands. My supervisor would cuss me holler at me and even made sexual overtures to make the other people on the line laugh at me. He threaten time off for me to go home and think about what I was doing, firing me and I told him he couldn't and this is when I went to the union with a written compalaint and guess what this is when they hollered and screamed at each other and he got worse at me. The plant manager walked through one night and the supervisor said across the room that the plant manager said to fire me if he wanted to which I told him that was a lie. He wouldn't let other employers help me if they did he said he would write them up My hands and arms hurt so bad by that time I stayed in tears all the time but kept on working and was harrassed by fellow employees and agged on by the supervisor. By Christmas I was putting icy hot on my hands and holding them under the hand dryer to even loosen them up to try and grasp the steering wheel to drive home and there was no way I got any sleep the nurse kept saying there was nothing more they could do. During Christmas shutdown two weeks, my hands never quit swelling and was numb constantly and hurt and cramped unbearably nothing helped. I went back to work after New years and told the nurse I had to see a Doctor. I couldn't even hold my new grandchild in my arms and that hurt beyond anything imaginable. My son would snuggle up close and I couldn't hold him and he would say mama don't cry I still love you. By the end of January I had tried to see 4 Doctors in town and when I described the symptoms they said it was W.C. to go through my employer and guess what my employer said it wasn't to see my Doctor. The one Dr. I did get into to see took one look at my hands and called out at the plant and told the nurse that I had Carpal Tunnel not arthiritis and I needed to see a specialist . By the time I got into a specialist and had the EMG study done with the NCV the motory and senurary nerves were both completely pinched off and I had irreversible damage the only alternative was to do surgery to give me any relief at all. I had my first surgery in March 2000 and went back to work the next day staggering into work because my employer refused to pay if I didn't and I continued to work from then on. My left hand never had a chance to heal properly and then the harrassment of trying to make me quit started and didn't let up I was ridiculed, hollered at watched accused of going with other men in the plant refused positions that I was qualified for and could have done the job and lost complete use of my right hand before they would ok the surgery. The company refused occupational therapy on my right hand and they had ok'd it on my left for 4 times . Didn't want to pay mileage out of town sent me to a physical therapist in town and they put ice on the nerves imagine that and I hurt all the way up to shoulders after the ice was applied and nothing stopped the pain for 24 hours. It was terrible. The company saw they couldn't get rid of me thats when they put me on regular duty transferred me to 1st and put me under another bad supervisor that started on me again well I survived her too and when the company told the Dr. to discharge me he did give me a Fuctional Capibility Evaluation with an impairment rating at the end of the 4 hours. The therapist was very concerned with my shoulders as I still had very little use of my hands and I was using my shoulders to compensate for my hands. I was given a 40% impairment in my hands and 42% in upper extremities and the company had a fit. If the management supervisor hadn't seen my FCE and carried it and me to Employee Relations Manager then I wouldn't have a job today the company would have gotten rid of me. Out of atleast 30 resume's I had turned in the management supervisor knew I couldn't do what I was doing anymore but felt I could do the work in the office. That's how Employee Relations was forced to give me the job I have now. I know I have permanent damage but the company still won't give up and still try to get me to quit. I am still another cover up but they can't get rid of me and I won't let them now. You have really helped a lot thanks for caring and sharing. I hope someone that reads this will be helped also. Repetitive Motion injuries are real and you life will never be the same again. I have 3 Grandchildren two of them I have never held in my arms. and that hurts to no means. I have a 30 year old daughter, a 27 year old son and a 7 1/2 yo son. I wouldn't trade any one of them for the world. The 7 year old was my husband's grandson and we adopted him I have raised him since he was born. So he is mine. I can't do the things with him that I did with my other son or daughter. I can barely work but I do my job and heaven help me if I make a mistake at work it is world war 3. Maybe it's a good thing my hands don't open all the way and I can fit the keys better. I wonder when this will stop and yes some of the same ones that went on and on befre try now and I just walk away and keep going. I still cry alot and with all this stress no wonder I have developed asthma again. I am in this to the end and they will not get rid of me easily I have fought too hard and too long to let them have it and I have probably developed RSD from their uncaring attitude with my hands and I will admit I was at my rits end about ready to throw in the towel before I came across this message board. Thanks for being a God send and being there when I needed someone the most and will continue to need your support. I've still got a long ways to go. This company doesn't care like yours didn't care their motto is there is always somone else that wants to work. We will find someone like us with a don't care attitude to do the job. I will take this to who ever I need to so maybe someone else will have a better and safer place to work.
MaryAnne5
05-28-2001, 01:35 PM
Your management supervisor seems to know his job and your supervisor (like mine) hid your condition. The Chief Executive officer I worked under, considered carpal tunnel to be nothing more than a hurt finger. I spoke with the human resources officer and he was surprised that I was taking vacation to recover from (2nd)surgery, but he didn't help me get my job back or another job. The employee relations/risk management acted like they knew nothing of the situation. I've read everything you have written. Your co-workers/supervisor are to blame for not reporting your condition and getting you in for surgery. Just like your employer, the school system claims to an EEOC employer. If you do your job well, they will keep you in it, it you mess up they move/promote you. I was in the same job for 12 years, performing my job and other's. I saw the system hire people who couldn't code, couldn't manage, dumping work, threatening to sue the system if they were fired/layed off and harassing/ threatening people who are working. Having worked in education and the private sector it is worse in education, their is no recourse for the employee. I was told one of the reasons I was not promoted upward was that I didn't appreciate what management had done for me. I kept trying to figure out what they had done for me, and the answer was carpal tunnel. I hope for you, that your pain subsides. Stay with your company, for the upper management seem to know what they are doing.
Bamabrneyes2
05-28-2001, 04:06 PM
I have to stay to help support my family but don't lnow how much longer I can continue to put up with their nasty niceness if you know what I mean and when this goes further with the lawyer they will not want me working there anymore but maybe I will have helped someone else that is or will be working for them. I don't know I am just one person and when this is over they will probably just shove it under the rug and keep on doing what they are doing. I don't think I will ever get any better and will probably get worse I am loosing more control over my hands and the pain isn't just in my hands and thumbs anymore it is with me everyday all the way into my shoulders. I believe the stress I am under has brought on the asthma. Sometimes I get so mad and sound off and maybe I shouldn't but sometimes I have to vent I should be in the prime of my life enjoying myself and doing things that other women do with their family. Would the EEOC and Osha help if they are contacted or should I leave well enough alone. We both have been through so much and I know it is not over yet. I feel angry and really want my old life back but I know that will never be. I am afraid before this is over the Government will be on their side and I will be shoved to the side and only remembered as the person that tried to cause trouble and as the company says didn't want to work. They will laugh and go on with their high with out loss time accidents. What can we do just sit and do nothing? How can we show people that we are really injured and are in pain physically and emotionally? Does anyone have any answers. Thanks for giving your support and your words of encouragement and thanks for listening. You have helped more than you realize.
Bamabrneyes2
05-31-2001, 03:56 AM
I went to my personal Doctor today and he tried to get me into see another specialist for my hands elbows and shoulders. He said he wouldn't see me that I needed to go back and see the Doctor that did my surgery. I told him that it was suppose to be workman's comp and my company never filed with the stateand the company had him to discharge me and now he won't see me because the company won't pay. He said he would get a copy of my records and look at them and call and let my Dr. know what he decides. I left the office in tears and very discouraged. I called another Dr. that has had a copy of my records and they won't see me and I cried harder. I have to work and work I did this afternoon and when I got off I could barely drive home my hands swelled pain shooting all the way up into my shoulders with numbness in my hands also. Please if you are employed and have a repetive motion injury please follow up with what your employer tells you. Please check and make sure that what they are telling you is correct and they aren't just trying to cover up what has happen to you. Please get help before you have permanent damage and can't even do simple things like pick up your child and hold them or play ball with them. You don't know how important this is until it's too late and you can't do it anymore. I have suffered with this since the latter of 1999 and will have it the rest of my life. As I have said before I was on one job and now I am doing another but I was let go for so long that whatever I do won't help me anymore. Please take care of yourself because life is too short and you don't realize what you miss until you can't even do the simple things anymore. No Dr. will touch me. I am W.C. without W.C. and the company has complete control and now I will have to wait until I see what a lawyer can do and my company is influenial and large enough they can have it put off for a very long time. I don't want anyone to go through what I am going through. I do my job but one mistake and I am on center stage and they make a big issue out of it. I can't quit I need the income and the personal insurance for I can't get it with anyone and no one would hire me. I am at my wits end and don't know how much more I can take If you don't listen to anything I have said. Please just make sure everthing your company does is the way it should be done.
MaryAnne5
06-04-2001, 11:43 AM
Your situation is terrible. If you file under your personal insurance it still can be considered a WC issue in Ga.(and doctors will treat you.) If your personal insurance won't pay with this stipulation, file with the EEOC. There is something terribly wrong with your insurance. I would write your local newspaper. (Maybe the laws need to be changed to cover people in your situation, but I doubt it.) If the EEOC determines your insurance is discriminating against you, make them sue. Its not fair to you. (If the EEOC can sue on a gay/aids issue, I would like them to sue for you. Your situation effects more people and crosses race/sex everything... )
Bamabrneyes2
06-06-2001, 03:29 AM
How would I get a hold of the EEOC. I tried to look it up and maybe I am looking uder the wrong thing but I can't find it in Ala. State Government. I still feel as though I am at my ropes end. I am ready to try about anything but as my luck goes I feel as though I get discarded before I get started.
MaryAnne5
06-11-2001, 03:41 PM
The web site is www.eeoc.gov (http://www.eeoc.gov) there is a 1-800 number and a field office in Birmingham.
Also see if they can recommend a EEOC attorney for you, someone who knows ADA (americans with disability act).
What happened to me was that I reported my termination(layoff) to the EEOC because my ex-employer could not give a legitimate, job related reason for my layoff. The school system (management decision)was antagonized by this action, and they used this to prevent me for ever working for them again. People can be very small minded. I did everything I could to cooperate with them, so I would not have to file a EEOC claim.(I did not want to claim carpal tunnel against another company. The way it stands now, is that I can't claim WC for this injury, and this really frees another company to hire me. The schools system held this condition over me. Sign the way it is because we won't agree to anything else etc.it wasn't bad enough I had CTS, they wanted to make me un-employable.) I gave them 4 months, prior to contacting an attorney, to work thru this issue. They ignored/denied everything, hoping I would go away. They were uncooperative with the EEOC they did not file the response as required, until after my attorney contacted them.
So, be prepared for a fight. Make sure your co-workers understand that you are suing for the insurance. Or they will harass, possibly try to fire you/ruin your references etc. In Ga., it is difficult to fire contracted personnel(teachers, directors, supervisors etc.) after they are vested (my ex-boss would brag about this). This is why management did what they did, there knew there would be no repercussion. Still, I was suprised. It was just my good fortune, (and the insurance) that I was able to be operated on, or I would be going thru what you are going thru(it was my mistake, that I did not hire an attorney in Nov. of 99. I didn't know, chronic pain could result by postponing surgery.)Some of the people I've talked to (Hewlett Packard, Sears, Publix employees) were also surprised, and they are all for you suing, to get to the bottom of your situation. They don't understand it either.
[This message has been edited by MaryAnne5 (edited 06-11-2001).]
Also see if they can recommend a EEOC attorney for you, someone who knows ADA (americans with disability act).
What happened to me was that I reported my termination(layoff) to the EEOC because my ex-employer could not give a legitimate, job related reason for my layoff. The school system (management decision)was antagonized by this action, and they used this to prevent me for ever working for them again. People can be very small minded. I did everything I could to cooperate with them, so I would not have to file a EEOC claim.(I did not want to claim carpal tunnel against another company. The way it stands now, is that I can't claim WC for this injury, and this really frees another company to hire me. The schools system held this condition over me. Sign the way it is because we won't agree to anything else etc.it wasn't bad enough I had CTS, they wanted to make me un-employable.) I gave them 4 months, prior to contacting an attorney, to work thru this issue. They ignored/denied everything, hoping I would go away. They were uncooperative with the EEOC they did not file the response as required, until after my attorney contacted them.
So, be prepared for a fight. Make sure your co-workers understand that you are suing for the insurance. Or they will harass, possibly try to fire you/ruin your references etc. In Ga., it is difficult to fire contracted personnel(teachers, directors, supervisors etc.) after they are vested (my ex-boss would brag about this). This is why management did what they did, there knew there would be no repercussion. Still, I was suprised. It was just my good fortune, (and the insurance) that I was able to be operated on, or I would be going thru what you are going thru(it was my mistake, that I did not hire an attorney in Nov. of 99. I didn't know, chronic pain could result by postponing surgery.)Some of the people I've talked to (Hewlett Packard, Sears, Publix employees) were also surprised, and they are all for you suing, to get to the bottom of your situation. They don't understand it either.
[This message has been edited by MaryAnne5 (edited 06-11-2001).]
Bamabrneyes2
06-13-2001, 03:15 AM
Thanks for the link. I will try it and call the 800 number. I can't be harrassed anymore than I am now. Now my company has taken out family coverage on me twice a month in my bi-monthly paycheck and guess what the company I work for says oops they made a mistake and there has been no coverage on my husband or child since 12/31/00. Yesterday they corrected and gave me a form to get my pharmacist to fill out for medication that we have paid for so they can give me back the co payment on my husband. I asked what about the money I had paid for family coverage and had only single coverage and what about the bills that hadn't been paid from the Dr and outpatient at the hospital for my husband. The girl said I would have to talk with the insurance company and the insurance company says I will have to talk with the company. I have sent all the information to my lawyer. Another way to harrass me and try to make me quit. They won't ever stop.
tony
06-19-2001, 12:50 PM
I had bilatral cts back in oct. I experienced the same problems that you have described. It was discovered later that i had RSD. It came after the cts. I was referred to a very good pain mgmt clinic and they did wonders for me. Between physical therapy and a series of nerve block injections, i am about 95% better. Find a good dr. who is familiar with RSD and how to treat it.
Bamabrneyes2
06-20-2001, 03:58 AM
Thanks for the information I will ask about the RSD and pain management. Anything would help I know this is about to drive me up the wall with all this pain and not being able to do the things I want to do. I can't hold anything hardly either. What did they do to help you in pain management. I am still trying to find a Dr. to see me, but I haven't given up and I won't I am still working.
tony
06-20-2001, 04:30 PM
In pain mgmt. the gave me a series of injections called ganglion nerve blocks. After about the third injection i started to get relief. I had 6 injections in each side. Along with the injections i was given a medication called Neurotin and another med. called Elavil. I would take the Neurotin in the am and the Elavil before i went to bed as it does make you feel drousy. I was on those meds. during the time i was receiving the nerve block injections. Today i am off those meds completely. Another thing that helped me out was physical therapy. At first i didnt see where physical therapy would help me but it really did. They gave me exercises and treatments that helped relieve the pain also helped strenghtened my hands and wrist. Went for physical therapy for about 2 mos. twice a week. I will look up the rsd website and post here for you. On it there is a listing for doctors who specialize in rsd for every state throughout the usa. The key to controlling rsd is to treat it quickly. I never heard of it until after i had my bilateral cts and someone on another board told me to look into it. I will be ever appreciated towards that poster because by letting me know about rsd syndrome it literally got my life back on track again. Good luck to you and God bless.
NancyH
06-21-2001, 12:54 AM
Fight for your rights. When I was diagnosed in '99 with carpal tunnel I went through the gamet and kept working, but in feb 2000 my dr put me on medical leave for treatments(tried to avoid surgery) and he kept me there til they let me go, I had worked for that company for over 20 yrs. There were no part time positions where I worked it was an 8 hr a day typing in advertisements and that's it. they let me go in April 2000 because I could not perform my job and there were no available positions or part time work there. Nothing like being a loyal dependable longtime employee and being let go without so much as a goodbye! I finally got my first ct surgery, I'm still on workmens comp and will have the other hand done in a couple months. Take it all the way, you've worked for it and your taxes paid into it and now due to your conditions you should be able to reap from it. I am going all the way with mine, it's slow but getting there.
Bamabrneyes2
06-21-2001, 03:14 AM
Thanks for giving the informationand when you find those sites please post them for me. CTS as you have read has changed my whole life. I am still trying to find a dr. to see me and pray that he is a good one, The company I work for is still giving me a hard time but maybe with them not filing with state w.c. I have a chance with a dr. about 60 miles from where I live. The pain is so bad sometimes that I haven't had a decent nite sleep in so long I don't know what it is. I had figured that I would just have to live with the pain. Another post had mentioned RSD and I agree with you possibly this is what Ive got if I could just get some relief it would be worth it. Thanks for caring enough to share this with me and God Bless
Bamabrneyes2
06-21-2001, 03:43 AM
thanks Nancy for your encouragement some days I feel like throwing my hands up and saying that's it but as you have said I have come too far and the company I work for has put me through too much No body really realizes what they really need their hands, arms and shoulders for until they loose use of them and hurt so bad that you can't even get comfortable to sleep at night. Things that we take for granite become a major issue to try and do now. It is a long slow process and I won't quit now. I can't. Good luck with your other surgery has it helped the first hand they did? I hope so and like me hang in there. god bless
nardini1
06-25-2001, 04:39 PM
Well, I am looking for info..I do heavy electronic\electrical repair work and have done this for 12 years. I am right-handed. My right hand has no strength and it hurts to make a fist. I drop items. I sometimes get what I can only call 'electrical shocks' that make me jump away from my work until I realize that I'm getting shocked from INSIDE my hands, not from any external electrical power source. My right thumb will no longer bend, except for when it gets 'stuck' in the bent position and I have to pull it back open-which hurts. My hands and fingers are numb and tingly 24/7 with the numbness spreading up to my shoulder at times. My elbows hurt like crazy; I was told it was bursitus. I went to my doctor who refered me to a 'nerve guy' who refused to see me without me talking to workmans comp.
My physical symptoms are in both left and right hands,arms, fingers, but noticably worse on the right side. Driving a standard shift is a chore, as is typing this message, or turning a screwdriver.
My fear is losing my livelihood. I went to school for this job and know no other. Has any one had any luck getting their company/and or insurance to pay for re-training in another field? Or for some kind of schooling?
If I do have the surgery; I am quite sure that unless I change jobs, I will be right in the same predicament in a couple more years. Any one have any input?
My physical symptoms are in both left and right hands,arms, fingers, but noticably worse on the right side. Driving a standard shift is a chore, as is typing this message, or turning a screwdriver.
My fear is losing my livelihood. I went to school for this job and know no other. Has any one had any luck getting their company/and or insurance to pay for re-training in another field? Or for some kind of schooling?
If I do have the surgery; I am quite sure that unless I change jobs, I will be right in the same predicament in a couple more years. Any one have any input?
Bamabrneyes2
06-27-2001, 01:50 AM
Nardini1, I started off with swelling, tingling, and numbness in my hands and kept reporting it to the nurse at work. They waited so long to send me to a Dr. that when they did a nerve study I had severe carpal tunnel in both hands. If you are sure it is work related please have them send you to a good specialist, under workman's comp they are suppose to give you a list of four doctors to choose from. They only allowed me four visits to the occupational therapist and before and after the surgery they have tried to make me quit. Please make sure that they do file with the state in you area so that you are covered under workman's comp like it should be covered. Mine didn't and just paid the bills and controlled what the dr. did and said and even had him to discharge me. Please get a copy of your records to keep. Also have a Functional Caplibity Test done so it can be determined what damage if any you have . Mine was 42% in upper extremities. They can offer you retraining from this or reccommend disability or give you another placement . My company was forced to place me in another job. I am still working but had to contact a lawyer in order to get things done right. Good luck and please get your hands and shoulders checked out before you have irreversible damage like I do. God Bless and Good Luck let me hear from you.
nardini1
06-27-2001, 12:30 PM
Functional Capability Test? Where do I go for that. What is that? DO regular doc's (not specializing in CPS) perform this test?
Bamabrneyes2
06-28-2001, 03:17 AM
My was ordered after I had surgery on both my hands. The evaluation was done by an occupational therapist and was ordered by the Doctor that did surgery on my hands. The evaluation took about four hours and I did lifting, carrying, how much weight I could pick up, if I could stand and do repetitive motion, putting things together, climbing stairs, Tying things and so forth. Mine revealed I could no longer pick up more than 10 lbs and I could no longer stand and work I couldn't pick up small screws anymore or do assembly line work my company transferred me to shipping and keying in the trucks. and I was given what is called an Impairment rating of 40% permanent damage in both hands and 42% permanent damage in upper extrementies. This is what the state is suppose to use and it will go with you the rest of your life. My company waited until I lost all use of my hands and they had permanent damage before they tried to do anything. In my case the longer I wanted the worse my hands were damage. Please see a specialist as soon as you can. My thumb has locked back up again and I still have pain as you have read earlier. Please take care and let me know God Bless
MaryAnne5
06-29-2001, 09:50 AM
Hi Bamabrynes2,
I've been resting the last couple of weeks. I want to tell you whats happened. I am sure you know I have not been working for almost 10 months. I have been very carefull not to lift or do any kind of housekeeping that would irritate my right arm.(I have done very little, mop once a month, limit my driving to maybe 3 times a week, and I vacumm with my left hand.) Anyway, after taking the max dosage of Vioxx for 4 months, I have seen an improvement. I can rest my hand on my hip and I can lean forward, resting my arm on my knee without feeling pain. I know the true test will come when I manage to find work, and the winter months come around. But I wanted to let you know, perhaps when you retire, your pain will lessen.
I am sorry to hear from the lady who lost her job. Its disgusting that her boss/co-workers would let that happen after working her to near death.....keep your spirits up.
I've been resting the last couple of weeks. I want to tell you whats happened. I am sure you know I have not been working for almost 10 months. I have been very carefull not to lift or do any kind of housekeeping that would irritate my right arm.(I have done very little, mop once a month, limit my driving to maybe 3 times a week, and I vacumm with my left hand.) Anyway, after taking the max dosage of Vioxx for 4 months, I have seen an improvement. I can rest my hand on my hip and I can lean forward, resting my arm on my knee without feeling pain. I know the true test will come when I manage to find work, and the winter months come around. But I wanted to let you know, perhaps when you retire, your pain will lessen.
I am sorry to hear from the lady who lost her job. Its disgusting that her boss/co-workers would let that happen after working her to near death.....keep your spirits up.
Bamabrneyes2
07-01-2001, 06:28 AM
Hi MariAnne5, It's so good to hear from you I am glad you have been taking it easy and the vioxx has worked for you. I hope you will continue to improve and get better and will be able to get another job. I have finally got a Doctor to agree to see me on July 12th. Maybe he can find out what is going on with me and get me on vioxx again or something to help me When I told them that the company I worked for never filed W.C. with the state and they just paid the bills that was the only way they would see me. The Doctor reviewed my file and had the receptionist set up an appointment for me. Maybe there is hope for me also. I am still working and the lawyer said it will a while to get all of it settled. I just found out the other week they were taking out for family coverage out of my paycheck and my family hasn't been covered since 12/31/00 but they took the money out of my check. I turned it over to the lawyer. The lady in the office said it was a typo error but so far it hasn't been corrected. Everytime I turn around they are doing something to me. I am waiting for my turn if you know what I mean.Take care and let me know how you are doing God Bless
MaryAnne5
07-06-2001, 06:47 PM
Yes, I read about your problems with the family insurance coverage (unbelievable).
You take it easy on your position, I see how the other employees get away with doing very little too nothing....and it is terrible that they would not double check your benefits, knowing what you are going thru.
I re-injured my right wrist this past Sunday. (I was working in the yard doing something I should not have been doing.) But, the pain was localized to my wrist with only shooting pains down my fingers. Still, no pain in my forearm. I was trying to cut back on the vioxx to maybe twice a week, but I went back on it Sun. thru Thursday. I feel good today. I wish you would try the viox (I take it a night) for an extended period of time, maybe a year. I don't think it will help with your disability entirely, but I felt better once the pain lessened. I did not like taking pain medication, for I found I had to take a lot...just to get relief. I started taking the max 50 mg. for 5 five days then cutting back to 25 mg. daily. Experiencing less pain made me understand how you must have changed your life style. I know how you can't lift or hug your grandchildren for you will re-injure yourself. Be carefull. Try the viox, it helps me sleep. And don't be surprised if you don't think its helping, I didn't think it was doing anything,(I was still in pain) until 2 or 3 weeks after starting on it. I'll keep in touch.
(And did you see the lady in Texas who's WC doctor put her on a 1 year medical leave.I think its under purple bingo.)
You take it easy on your position, I see how the other employees get away with doing very little too nothing....and it is terrible that they would not double check your benefits, knowing what you are going thru.
I re-injured my right wrist this past Sunday. (I was working in the yard doing something I should not have been doing.) But, the pain was localized to my wrist with only shooting pains down my fingers. Still, no pain in my forearm. I was trying to cut back on the vioxx to maybe twice a week, but I went back on it Sun. thru Thursday. I feel good today. I wish you would try the viox (I take it a night) for an extended period of time, maybe a year. I don't think it will help with your disability entirely, but I felt better once the pain lessened. I did not like taking pain medication, for I found I had to take a lot...just to get relief. I started taking the max 50 mg. for 5 five days then cutting back to 25 mg. daily. Experiencing less pain made me understand how you must have changed your life style. I know how you can't lift or hug your grandchildren for you will re-injure yourself. Be carefull. Try the viox, it helps me sleep. And don't be surprised if you don't think its helping, I didn't think it was doing anything,(I was still in pain) until 2 or 3 weeks after starting on it. I'll keep in touch.
(And did you see the lady in Texas who's WC doctor put her on a 1 year medical leave.I think its under purple bingo.)
Bamabrneyes2
07-07-2001, 01:05 AM
I have finally got a Doctor to see me on July 12th. The only reason they would was because it wasn't filed under the State with W/C. Once I check it was a w/c injury then they will have to check with my employer and all my paperwork has w/c on it from the previous dr. I hope he will give me vioxx to take so maybe I can get some relief. I can enter on the computer for 8 hours and by 6 my arms feel like they are going to drop off. I have to forse them to keep typing. My hands,arms, and shoulders feel as though they are fall off they are in so much pain and they are so heavy. My lawyer has offered them mediation so I will wait and see how that goes. I couldn't believe the girl got a year off with W/C. My company made me go back to work the day after surgery or they wouldn't pay the bill. I will drive home and my hand will slip off the steering wheel and I have to catch myself and literally put it back up there. It is the weirdest feeling of not feeling and hurting too. I wouldn't know what to do if I had a day with out pain. I would be in hog heaven. I am sorry to hear you hurt your wrist trying one of my stunts and being hardheaded knowing you can't do it and doing it anyway. I hope the vioxx gets it back under control for you. Please be careful and take care of yourself. Will let you know what happens and keep in touch.
nardini1
07-29-2001, 05:30 PM
Bamabrneyes2-
Howdy. I am doing better. I talked with several alternative types and have been on a low carb high protein diet. No sugar at all. My hands have loosened up, my arms don't hurt as badly, and the tingling is almost gone. I'm not a physiologist, so I can't explain. Still, I'm interviewing for another job. I've gotta get away from doing electronic repair-or my hands and arms will never get a chance to recover.
Later.
Howdy. I am doing better. I talked with several alternative types and have been on a low carb high protein diet. No sugar at all. My hands have loosened up, my arms don't hurt as badly, and the tingling is almost gone. I'm not a physiologist, so I can't explain. Still, I'm interviewing for another job. I've gotta get away from doing electronic repair-or my hands and arms will never get a chance to recover.
Later.
Bamabrneyes2
07-30-2001, 12:52 AM
I am glad you are doing better and good luck on your new job I really hope it works out for you. My comapny finally sent me to my doctor again and he wants to do another NCV/EMG study and wants to refer me to a shoulderand neck doctor for the pain in my shoulders and neck, so far my company hasn't ok'd either one I think they sent me to get me off their backs. My regular doctor referred me to a neurologist and he did the nerve test and said I had carpal tunnel again in both hands and it was worse in my right hand not as bad as the first time but I have got it again in both hands. He said I needed an MRI on my neck that there was definitely something going on and he would write a letter to my regular doctor and have him get me an MRI and refer me to a specialist. As the saying goes Here I Go Again! Will I ever get well my hands hurt all the way up my arms into my shoulders and to my neck and it hurts so bad by the end of my shift I feel like they are going to fall off as so to speak. I feel like I have golf balls under my armpits and the muscles are so sore I can't hardly sleep on them much less touch them. My hands I can't lay on or drive with hardly and my shoulders and neck so sore I am falling a part. Please take care of your hands and I hope things work out for you. Take care and let me know and God Bless.
lamarsky
08-14-2001, 06:44 PM
GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU,
It is my expeience that these types of cts stories are common.
The relief for cts is so simple that it is difficult for MDs to make money helping people with cts.
So people get drugs and people get cut.
MDs are taught the they most 'do something to the body to fix it" I believe that if the body heals that the body must do the healing.
Have you ever met a Doctor the that heal a cut that was on somebody besides himself?
Some how some people's body heal themselves.
Did your grandparents get cts?
no.
It is a lifestyle malady.
Diet, exercise, attitute (an gratitute attitute),and breathing are all important and overlooked ways to help.
I posted a page of stretching exercises that has greatly helped many people....I posted a reply to lee-ann's post of 08-13-2001 6:48 on 08-14-2001 4:45pm at this cts site that should be interesting to all with cts.
I think that we have to fix yourselves.
GOD is always right here and miracles happen every day.
Love always and forever,
Your life is your own to live,
Lamarsky
It is my expeience that these types of cts stories are common.
The relief for cts is so simple that it is difficult for MDs to make money helping people with cts.
So people get drugs and people get cut.
MDs are taught the they most 'do something to the body to fix it" I believe that if the body heals that the body must do the healing.
Have you ever met a Doctor the that heal a cut that was on somebody besides himself?
Some how some people's body heal themselves.
Did your grandparents get cts?
no.
It is a lifestyle malady.
Diet, exercise, attitute (an gratitute attitute),and breathing are all important and overlooked ways to help.
I posted a page of stretching exercises that has greatly helped many people....I posted a reply to lee-ann's post of 08-13-2001 6:48 on 08-14-2001 4:45pm at this cts site that should be interesting to all with cts.
I think that we have to fix yourselves.
GOD is always right here and miracles happen every day.
Love always and forever,
Your life is your own to live,
Lamarsky
Bamabrneyes2
08-15-2001, 03:05 AM
Thanks Lamersky and God Bless
Bamabrneyes2
08-19-2001, 04:39 AM
I went to a Neurologist and he did another NCV/EMG study and compaired it to the last one and said that I had CTS again this time it is Moderate. He said he thought I neede an MRI on my neck and wrote my medical Dr. about this. The medical Dr. scheduled a MRI and I got the results back. My medical Dr. called me the day they got the results. I have hernaited disks between C3 and C6 and she referred me with an appointment to a back surgeon on August 30th. She said that's why my arms and shoulders felt so back and getting this cleared up may help some of the pain in my hands also. I hope so I have so much pain I cna't take it anymore and believe it or not I am still trying to work. I have gone through too much with my employer to give them the satisfaction of quitting. The hand Dr kept saying he couldn't understand why I was having so much pain after surgery but he wouldn't refer me to anyone else to see about it. Because of the workman's comp. The first thing my employer will holler when I tell them about the disks is that IT'S NOT WORK RELATED! Well here I go again. All I want to do is to restore some nomalacy to my life whenever that will be :round:
asil
08-19-2001, 11:11 PM
Howdie, in 1998 had surgury on my right hand after the surgury I swore I would not go through that again. A month ago I went to the Dr. with a pain in my neck. He sent me to the neurologist to see if my wrist was making my neck hurt or my neck making my wrist hurt. Was diagnosed with severe carpoal tunnel syndrome in my left hand going to the surgeon Monday. Had a coworker have the same problem and it was discovered she had a pinched nerve in her neck. The trigger finger is tuff had trigger finger in my right hand before surgery it was better after. Still have pain in my right hand and wrist don't know if it will ever be better.
asil
08-19-2001, 11:13 PM
Howdie, in 1998 had surgury on my right hand after the surgury I swore I would not go through that again. A month ago I went to the Dr. with a pain in my neck. He sent me to the neurologist to see if my wrist was making my neck hurt or my neck making my wrist hurt. Was diagnosed with severe carpoal tunnel syndrome in my left hand going to the surgeon Monday. Had a coworker have the same problem and it was discovered she had a pinched nerve in her neck. The trigger finger is tuff had trigger finger in my right hand before surgery it was better after. Still have pain in my right hand and wrist don't know if it will ever be better.
Bamabrneyes2
08-19-2001, 11:33 PM
Asil, I sure understand what you have been going through. It was the worst surgery I ever had and still have the pain and now my neck shoulders and arms feel all the same. Sometimes my neck will be pounding and I can feel it all the way to the ends of my fingers. I know my employer is going to give me a hard time when they find out about it. It is a never ending battle. As you have read I have never been a complainer and no quitter and have always done my job. I can move my neck and feel and hear a crackling sound and the pain will get so bad I will get a headache and feel like the right side of my face is drawing or going numb. I can't get comfortable or sleep at nite. I want some kind of relief. Let me know how your surgery goes on your left hand and hang in there. Good luck and God Bless http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/tired.gif
MaryAnne5
08-20-2001, 02:10 PM
Hi,
A ruling concerning carpal tunnel has been published at http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1005-200-6894949.html?tag=tp_prc. The supreme court ruled against the women because she was not disabled. It makes sense, but if you get a chance read it. I worry about you Bamabrneyes2. You situation is a mess. Whats interesting about the ruling is that this women can still work. She can drive, make up the bed, cook, shop. These are problems I have, and I know you have said you can't lift up your grandchildren. So...I don't know why she sued. I think she would have had a better case had she continued to work. So, keep on working, don't let them fire you.
I am still taking VIOXX, some days are better than others. Last night I felt normal. I am still looking for a job. I had one recruiter call wanting a "PERKY" programmer. I told her I haven't been perky in years, and they need to get a "YOUNG THING" in to do that job.
Take care.
A ruling concerning carpal tunnel has been published at http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1005-200-6894949.html?tag=tp_prc. The supreme court ruled against the women because she was not disabled. It makes sense, but if you get a chance read it. I worry about you Bamabrneyes2. You situation is a mess. Whats interesting about the ruling is that this women can still work. She can drive, make up the bed, cook, shop. These are problems I have, and I know you have said you can't lift up your grandchildren. So...I don't know why she sued. I think she would have had a better case had she continued to work. So, keep on working, don't let them fire you.
I am still taking VIOXX, some days are better than others. Last night I felt normal. I am still looking for a job. I had one recruiter call wanting a "PERKY" programmer. I told her I haven't been perky in years, and they need to get a "YOUNG THING" in to do that job.
Take care.
Bamabrneyes2
08-21-2001, 03:45 AM
Hi Maryanne thanks for the link and I have bookmarked it to read it. Sounds interesting. I am still working and only the Good Lord knows how. It has got to the point that I hurt all the time. I lay down and try to sleep on my left side the pain feels like knives sticking into my shoulder on the right. When I lay on my back I feel pressure in my head and when I lay on my right side I get a head ache and the right side of my face feels swollen or drawn and numb like. So I wind up sitting up a lot and finally being too exhaulsted I fall asleep. When I walk I feel like pressure on the back of my neck and my arms and hands will tingle and hurt. Even sitting at work I keep moving around. I went to my medical Dr. today and my blood pressure was 150/100 and she gave me a copy of the MRI. She said the BP was probably up due to the pain I was having. On the MRI C-3/4 showed a mild herniation, C-4/5 showed a possible dislocation that had tried to heal itself and a large herniation, C-5/6 showed a possible dislocation that tried to heal itself and a very large herniation. It like I told her it got to the point I could take it any longer. She said when they get this fixed it would probably take care of the pain and tingling in my arms and hands. Even though I have moderate severe CTS again right is worse than the left. I see the surgeon that did the surgery on my hands tomorrow and he kept saying before I shouldn't be having this much pain with just CTS after surgery and I am going to show him the MRI and ask hm why he didn't ever think to find out why I was having all this pain even though I have a very high tolerance for pain on e person can take so much and I gues since my employer was paying he didn;'t care to find out why I was having the pain I am having. I really do at the end of work I literally feel as though my arms are going to fall off and that's no joke. Will let you know what he says. Mentally I will probably feel better anyway. Then next to my employer I will have to think about that or let my lawyer handle it. When I show them this they will probably holler "NOT WORK RELATED" Boy! do they have a rude awaking. I am glad you are feeling better. Please take care of your hands and I hope you find a job soon. I liked the Perky Tysetter" I don't believe they really wanted someone to work just to play HAHA!!!! I really needed that laugh thanks again. Please keep in touch and will let you know how things go. I will keep on working unless the Dr. puts me out on medical leave and then I will probably crawl to work. Talk with you later take care luv yah Nancy :round:
Bamabrneyes2
09-02-2001, 06:25 AM
Hi Maryanne hope you are doing better. I went to the back Dr. He put me on relafin, Flexafin, and traction at home 2 to 3 times a day for two weeks and if I haven't improved he is going to set up a myelogram and compare it to the MRI I had. He told me to keep my MRI film so he would have them to compare. He said then he would possibly set me up for disk reapir and fuse them. I am to the point I have got to have something done. He also ask me what they were doing about my CTS and when I saw the hand Dr. lat week he said he had done all he could doand I had reached MMI and then I showed him the MRI and he said that could be very well causing your problems and who are you going to see and I tld him and he wanted a copy of my MRI but I didn't give it to him maybe that was mean but he let the company I work for dictate for him and I wasn't going to let him give the company a copy of this when he wouldn't do anything for me before. I have never been a complainer and had got a high tolerance for pain sometimes I wished I didn't but that wouldn't get me anywhere either. My company had promised to transfer me to first shift at the first opening and we have a girl that has left well they didn't offer it to me instead a girl up fron that has been there less than a year and has been out about 6 months off and on maternity leave they transferred her back there and told her it would be temporary until after the first of the year, but in the meantime they put another employees daughter in her place so that means she is there to stay boy is she out for a rude awaking. I ask my supervisor why an employee that had been there less than a year and I had been there almost three years had gotten the job instead of me. She also knows nothing about what we do. He said senority doesn't count now and you will have to ask the personnel manager why he did that. I told him it wouldn't do anygood and he knew it and he just turned and walked away. I guess its time for EEOC. What do you think? TAH TAH Will my saga ever end?