Hi to everyone, I am new here and have been reading all of your messages.If I wasn't down and deppressed before...I really am now!!
I have CTS in both of my hands, my right is far worse off than my left.I was diagnosed in 1995 by the first docter.He pretty much said"I don't want you having surgery done until it is numb and painful all the time"He told me to buy a brace and wear it and sent me on my way...I guess i was pretty nieve to say the least.So I continued with life as usual with the pain and numbness wearing my brace and dealing with it.Never was there a time that it was numb and painfull ALL the time so I figured there was nothing I could do.
Last winter my left hand started up with the same symptoms and I was getting worried because the pain in my right hand was getting worse and a full night sleep was gone from waking up to wake my hand and arm up.A nurse I worked with told me to see this highly recommend DR (hand surgen) So I did and he took an Xray and tapped on my wrist and all the other stuff they do...He said well you have CTS and I would for sure need surgery.I hadnt claimed it on WC because I didnt know any better.Many people had told me to file it now...so I did.That was in April 2001.
The DR sent me for an EMG and of cource it showed I had CTS in both hands but my right was severe.I could have told him that!!Anyway here I am(sept. 4 2001) the claim still isnt decided and I want to cry or throw something because I am so sick of the pain and I feel worthless because I can't do hardley anything( even cleaning the kitchen countertops hurts like heck)My mom told me to get some pain relievers and complain like I have never complained before..ha ha !I hate complaining...but I am going to have to just get tough and do it! I am so frustrated I dont know what to do.
Reading your messages makes me even more nervous..I don't want nerve dammage...and some of your surgeries didnt work? http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/frown.gif ugh! I am only 32 years old..I need my hands!
I am very glad I found this site though. I know I am not alone http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif Thank-You all for that!GOD BLESS!!

hi tabatha and no, you are not alone. I wish I could tell you that the surgery will work perfectly for you and hey, it just might, it worked great in my right hand for close to a year and although it never worked in my left hand, we are all different. Keep thinking positive, tell yourself over and over that the surgery is going to work http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif and I agree with your mom, start complaining when it hurts and at least try some anti-inflammatories. I know how your feeling, Im 36, well 37 in 4 more days, just try and hang in there.

Best wishes on your surgery,
Darlene

Hi Darlene,
Thank-You so much for you incouragment.I did call the DR. and whined a little.They gave me some medicine called ultram.Its a non-antiflamatory and no tylenol pain releiver, and its a non narcotic.Yesturday was my first time using it...you have to take it everyday twice a day.Its works pretty good until you start using your hands alot and I do at work then they ache and are stiff!!I feel like an old woman!! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/frown.gif Oh well..it could be worse!!
I'm hoping to hear from WC soon so I can just get it over with!!I want my hands back!!My house looks aweful!!I need to weed my flower gardens...and so on...I am sure you know what I mean! Anyway...thanks again for your reply, it did make me feel better http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif
Tabatha

Hi Tabitha. I just had to write to you because you sound like I did. Very ignorant of the whole WC system and what I was in for. I am like you, I never like to complain, never want to cause trouble, and am told I am too nice!! Therefore all the not so nice people take advantage!! Not to scare you, but here's how it works so you will be aware and here is a short (o.k. not so short) version of my story.

I had bi lateral CTS surgery over a year and a half ago (always worked w/computers). I didn't know mine was CTS either because I have diabetes. It can cause the same numbing and burning pain as CTS. But it was my shoulder that drove me to HR and to the co. clinic doc. and there I told him also about the pain in my hands. He sends me to company hand specialist, and he blames the diabetes, as it can cause nerve damage also, but says, just in case it's CTS, we'll do the test. I think they thought the shoulder was a WC issue as I was lifting buckets of mail every day also. I had no idea the two were related to the CTS!!!

So the test to his surprise showed all CTS, the shoulder was rotator cuff tendinitis says an MRI later, as the CTS went right up my arm. CTS damage is bad. I waited so long. Doctor did surgery, one hand then the other. I felt he was nice and a good company doctor. I got therapy for shoulder and hands after surgery.

After six months off work, I still couldn't lift my arm above my waist because of the shoulder. The problem w/the company doc., is that he is NOT your friend. I didn't believe this until he released me back to work (back to computers) w/bad hands and bad shoulder w/a 25 lb. weight limit. No restrictions on the computer!!! I still couldn't lift my arm and had dents and no feeling in my hands!!!I didn't know any better as he said he couldn't keep me out any longer. I thought there was some kind of deadline!! He still wanted me to go to therapy 3X's per week while I worked. Thank God he didn't flat out release me then as I would have been up the creek for sure. Once you are released from the WC doc, he writes a report for the WC ins. co. and they go for settlement if there is any permanent damage left. No money for pain and suffering, no money for time off work. Only what's left of your injury!! So who writes this report is very important!!

First day back to work, I promptly got laid off!!! Says there no room in the budget for me anymore! I was devastated!! When I had my next visit w/the company doctor, he knew all about my lay off. Even knew what my severance was. They are all in this together. I'm sure he knew they were going to lay me off too. My Mom told me to get a WC attorney! I did and it was the best thing I ever did. He put me back on TTD instead of Modified Work status (which the stupid doctor didn't modify at all) and he sent me to a doctor on my side that would let me heal and stay off work during therapy. I had been so worried about my job, and for what. Thank God I had STD and LTD (disability)insurance through work. Many people have it and don't file because they are getting WC payments. But they should still report the oiginal accident date to disability, as it will pay off later when WC is over, then payments are cut in half but if your still off work, this insurance will kick in more money!! I am still using it. This is an important issue too.

Tabitha, please, since they are taking so long w/you, please go to an attorney who speicalizes ONLY in WC for the client and NOT the insurance company. He will send you to a good doctor, get the surgery and take the time to heal. You want YOUR doctor to write the P&S report, and you NEED the atty. to get you a fair settlement. This is just my opinion, but I hope you can do this. WC doesn't play fair all the way through, and then the doctor writes the Permanent and Stationary (P&S) report when he releases you and they minimize the damage left over. You DON'T want to go back to computers w/bad hands or the work that hurt you in the first place. You will get it again!! You are young enough to be retrained.

In my case I am 57, Diabetic w/other health problems including lots of damage to my hands. I was just approved for SS. I CAN'T get another career and don't want to w/all my problems. I am at settlement stage now, and I thank God I have the atty. Good luck to you and sorry this is so long. Bless you, Mernie

Hi Mernie,
Thank- you for the reply.What you had to say really scared me though!! Today I came home from work and my shoulder was killing me more than my hands were...I am so sick of the pain http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/frown.gif. It's depressing me!I called state industrial about my claim and it is still not determined who will pay( my old job were I got it or my current job)It sounds though that it will be approved...but I still don't know for sure.I left a message for the case worker in charge of my claim...will see how long it takes for her to call back!! According to the DR(my doc was recommended by a orthopedic nurse I use to work with.I was told he was the best here http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif....hope so!!)He said I would only be off for 2-4 weeks wich wont be too bad.At this point I dont even care if the deny my claim, at least then I can use my private insurance and get it over with!!Just thinking of having to get a lawer makes me nervous.They are expensive for one thing,and I dont even have a clue where to begin!When am I justified in getting a lawer anyway?God what a mess!!I would probably have a nervous breakdown...too much stress already in my life right now!!
I am glad to hear your case turned out for the best.I feel so bad for people who have to work when they are sick all the time...how can you enjoy life being sick and then working and being so tired? There is no quality of life there.So I am glad to hear you can now get rest and enjoy life while you feel good http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gifI am sure you worked hard all your life and deserve it anyway! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif
Thanks again for your support, and GOD BLESS YOU http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif Tab