Can someone tell me what is going to happen with my W/C now that I was approved for SSDI?

Will I collect any money or any of the backpay, even though I have been on W/C?

If I am going to be elegible for medicare after 2 yrs., when it comes time for me to settle with W/C, should I just ask for open medical for the 2 years or should I keep open medical for the maximum amount of time? (I'm not sure if medicare covers most medical bills or if its limited. So, I want to make sure I can have a future surgery, if I am going to need it.)

Any info. that has to do with W/C and SSDI would be greatly appreciated.

Thank all-
Lorie:angel:

hi foster,
we both in same boat.I will need surgery I guess,it looks like be no back cure.I'm wondering if WC will have some medical set aside for me to have future stuff done.I had my last radio frequency today so hope I can continue getting meds or tests to see where I'm at.How many fusions did you have?

Yes, it seems like we are. I am glad you got your RF and that means they need to watch you a little bit longer before making any further decisions. If the radio frequency works, then you wont need the surgery, right? I hope that is right.

I remember that it took me a week or so, for the discomfort/pain for the procedure to end. I hope you are not in too much pain from the actual precedure.

My understanding is that your medical has to continue. The only way it can end if you end up with a permanet disability and you settle your case, stating that you do not want them to keep the medical open. Have you ever received a court paper stating that the company has to pay for your medical?

For me, I had 2 fusions done. Let me know if you have any questions about the surgery.

Have a good night.

Lorie:angel:

only wish if I decide on surgery if had someone to be with me,hate going through things and be by yourself,its tough on my hubby he not well himself to be making hour rideds back and forth.my daughter works,plus our grand boy here.I never got any letter from court,my lawyer was suppose to pow wow monday but i haven't heard anything,i assume it didn't go as planned since i began treatment.my pm only allowing me a year,so this is only treatment i had,be last now until maybe next year.but he won.t extend the meds past the year,in other words i must make up my mind to go for surgery or get zero.like being pushed into something.its crazy,my husband on meds all his life for heart,people depressed on stuff,yet they can't you allow meds for back.don't get it.If I can be comfy why not?you must be in alot of pain to cry,i gather alot of that after this surgery.i guess the meds don't really help that much.and that morphine pump,that stuff is bad,I used it twice in hospital once I start thinking was in another hospital that was it.and nausea,lucky they had something for that.another thing,if you happen to throw up,how can you help the back pain?

Yes, recoverying from a surgery is difficult either with no one with you or even with family who have lots of commitments w/ work etc. I am just guessing here, but it sounds like maybe you have gone through all other conservative treatments and they did not work, & this RF that you had, was the last hope of treatment besides the next surgery. If that is correct, then I understand why your PM Dr. is saying either surgery or nothing else after a yr. That is where I am at, I only have 1 last possible treatment, which is surgery, and if that doesn't work, then the Dr. will keep me on my medication for life. However, if I were to choose not to have the surgery, W/C would then drop me and I would not be able to see the PM again, which would mean no meds or help of any kind. Is that the same situation that you are in?

You were asking why the Drs. can't just let us be on meds. for the rest of our lives and not have to have the surgeries or other treatments. PM Drs. are suppose to work to get you off medication, if possible. Not only are the meds. addictive and your body can become tolerant of them, but more important, they can do a lot of damage to you liver and other organs, and you could die.

That is why it is different from any other medication given to people with other conditions. Your husbands heart & depression is treated w/ meds. 1st because his meds are not narcotics. But 2nd and the most important difference is because deseases of the heart, lungs, etc. can be fatal w/o the meds. So even if their meds. have side affects, they are not as bad as death. So, Drs. are more likly to put them on meds (but not usually narcotics) to save their lives or give them extra years to live. But for our backs, the damage that narcotics can do to our bodies and minds far out ways living in chronic pain. If, however, your back problem caused you to be depressed, your Dr. might feel it important to put you on an anti-depressant for life and that would be a similar case to your husbands. Does that make sense?

If your PM Sr. is like mine, he is saying that if you choose not to try the surgery, then he can only treat you for 1 year and in that time you will be on your meds, and he will try things like the RF. If you do choose to have the surgery and it does not work, then the PM Dr. will keep you on as a pt. and you will then be on meds. for life or so.

My meds. work when I take them, but they don't last the 12 hrs. that I am suppose to take them. They last about 8 hrs. and then it leaves me with 4 hrs. of tears and no activities.

I am glad to hear that the RF has helped. I take the Neurontin and it is wonderful. Just make sure your Dr. starts you on a very low dose and slowly work up to a normal dose, or you may have a lot of side affects. I was started at 300 mg. and upped it ea. week, I think. It wont work at first, because of the low dose, but that way it is more likely to help you in the long run.

As for my fusions, there is no way to tell when an auto-immune disorder is going to start attacking my insides. But even though I did not fuse, the surgery worked to stop my back pain. So, I tell people that I am still glad I had the fusions done. I am going in on the 21st, to consult wit a surgeon about inserting a stimulator in by back. I will then be able to figure if it sounds like I am a good candidate for it or not. I hope that I am, as I would love to be able to at least cut back on some of the meds. They really drive me crazy, with all the side affects. I am always falling asleep and my memory is shot. then of course there is the dry mouth that is non stop and the falling down and loosing my balance. I would do just about anything to lessent the meds. at this point. I never had a problem with bed wetting after the fusions. In fact, when you are in the hospital, you are using a cathater. When that comes out, they put a chair next to your bed, to use the bathroom in. Then once you are home, you are able to get up and walk to the bathroom, right from the beginning. So, I would not worry about that.


I will let you know after I have my consultation. Best of luck with the RF and the Neurontin. If that works, then you won't need to have the fusion.

Lorie:angel:

Hi Lorie,
yes sounds like we at that point.the neurontin is at 300mg.but why after this surgery so many still on narcotics?my brother's friend had it done last march and she said was the worse surgery she ever endured,and still on pain meds.when the nerve pain comes about 2 to 3 weeks,is it that sciatic pain or basically burning etc?you had fusions but still in pain,that not good either.is neurontin a narcotic?or flexirel?I take both plus as needed the norco for pain.see my problem is i had two different opinions on surgery,that what confuses me,first neuro told me need fusion with bone graft,pins etc,my other surgeon who did me in 95,says i need some bone removed to free the nerves and 99 percent i don't need a fusion,but he doesn't do fusions or use hardware cause it causes trouble down the road.So I'm trying to figure if he had to stable the spine what the heck is he going to use?or he have another doctor in with him?he never went over alot of stuff.so I don't know really what to do,WC will not allow a 3rd opinion,I tell ya lorie I wish it was all over,I'm just tired,tired of living.its one thing its another.
sneezing and coughing not good on back either.I'm not sure how heck you log roll,my aunt couldn't do it at all.I know those meds can bind you up too.I was declared failed back by one doctor.And I had to see an independent of WC,wasn't for him I would never got the treatment,he one told WC I need to continue with PM.He also told me very dangerous to fool around with fusions.nice to hear,real encouraging.he said bone graft should be my least worry.too bad you weren't near me,I be happy to have helped you.yes the neuro guy told me 2 weeks in hospital,and I wouldn't fuse due to slightly over weight.

I am glad you are starting low on the Neurontin, this way you are less likely to have bad side affects. Just remember that this amount will likly not take the nerve pain away, it will have to be built up, but it is the best way to start taking it.

Fusions do have difficult recoveries. You are in the hospital for about 5 days and then it takes anywhere from 2-3 months of recovering at home. You will be on narcotics for the first month or so, but after the first week home, the Dr. will start tapering you off of them. For me, my pain is not from my fusion. That has done the same thing that the fusion itself was going to do. My pain is from Sciatica and my SI joint, which won't stay in its socket.

I can see how you would be confused, since you got 2 different opinions. It is possible that you just need a surgery to relieve the nerves from being pinched. Has anyone ever said anything about having a discogram done? It is a test that will tell the Drs. exactly what is causing your pain or even if there are several causes for it. Then they can determine the best surgery.

If the Dr. thinks your spine needs to be stablized, I think it has to be a fusion. I have not heard about anything else. But, if it is just to take the pressure off the nerve, then it is just a matter of releasing that pressure. Is the Sciatica your worse pain or do you have other problems too? I have heard that if you have back pain when you sneeze, it is a sign that you have a herniated disc. Does the Dr. know about the sneezing pain?

You asked about log rolling. I could not do it, prior to my 1st surgery, but in the hospital they teach you how to do it, before you go home. I now can not get out of a laying position, any other way. It became 2nd nature to learn and do the log roll:). Which Dr. claimed you had failed back syndrome? What type of back surgery have you had?

We really have so much in common. I wish we did live close and we could both support each other. I have found a Chronic pain support group that I go to. Have you ever looked into that? I found it just by googleing the words "pain support groups virginia" and found a few.

I hope you have a good night sleep tonight,
Lorie:angel:

Good afternoon Lorie,
first a WC doctor told me had failed back after going over all the records,etc.next my surgery done in 1995 for a herniated disc that was pressing on sciatic,it was relieved by the method they do today the microdisc procedure.I have no sciatic pain now,that the one I worry about if you go for fusion.I have burning,pinchy feeling,tingling mainly bottom of feet,tops of feet,calves.
my incision only 2 inches compared to ones you do get.the reason I question my first doctor is that he doesn't believe in using instrumentation for the problems you get,and he doesn't do bone grafts.so I'm baffled if he goes in to do the bone removal to set nerves free and it turns out I need to be fused,who heck going to do that job?I believe fusion probably what is needed cause my low back feels weak at times,but i'm full of arthritis too.
How do you know if you not allergic to the rods they use?I can't even wear fake earrings never mind metal in body.

I am glad you are starting low on the Neurontin, this way you are less likely to have bad side affects. Just remember that this amount will likly not take the nerve pain away, it will have to be built up, but it is the best way to start taking it.

Fusions do have difficult recoveries. You are in the hospital for about 5 days and then it takes anywhere from 2-3 months of recovering at home. You will be on narcotics for the first month or so, but after the first week home, the Dr. will start tapering you off of them. For me, my pain is not from my fusion. That has done the same thing that the fusion itself was going to do. My pain is from Sciatica and my SI joint, which won't stay in its socket.

I can see how you would be confused, since you got 2 different opinions. It is possible that you just need a surgery to relieve the nerves from being pinched. Has anyone ever said anything about having a discogram done? It is a test that will tell the Drs. exactly what is causing your pain or even if there are several causes for it. Then they can determine the best surgery.

If the Dr. thinks your spine needs to be stablized, I think it has to be a fusion. I have not heard about anything else. But, if it is just to take the pressure off the nerve, then it is just a matter of releasing that pressure. Is the Sciatica your worse pain or do you have other problems too? I have heard that if you have back pain when you sneeze, it is a sign that you have a herniated disc. Does the Dr. know about the sneezing pain?

You asked about log rolling. I could not do it, prior to my 1st surgery, but in the hospital they teach you how to do it, before you go home. I now can not get out of a laying position, any other way. It became 2nd nature to learn and do the log roll:). Which Dr. claimed you had failed back syndrome? What type of back surgery have you had?

We really have so much in common. I wish we did live close and we could both support each other. I have found a Chronic pain support group that I go to. Have you ever looked into that? I found it just by googleing the words "pain support groups virginia" and found a few.

I hope you have a good night sleep tonight,

Lorie:angel:

Yes I did have a discogram,showed positive at the L5S1 disc,guess meant disc no longer could hold its juice.

Hello,
It concerns me that your W/C Dr. dx. you with Failed back syndrom, since this disorder is caused from back surgeries that have failed to work. If after failed surgeries, you have worse pains than prior to the surgeries, you are thought to have failed back syndrome. So, if this Drs. says he thinks this is what you have and the only surgery that you had, actually worked, I would have to wonder if he knows what he was talking about. I am thinking that maybe he did not know what was wrong with you and so he just called it failed back syndrome.

If you do not have sciatica pains now, there will be no reason to have them after a fusion, since the surgery does't bring on sciatica. I'm curious, read this statement below, and see if it sounds at all familiar to your leg/feet pains.

" pain to the lower legs, ankles and feet. Related problems can include poor circulation in the leg, ankles and feet. Swollen ankles, weak ankles and arches, cold feet, weakness in the legs and leg cramps."

These are the problems that come from herniation at the L-5 area. You are right, it does seem like a fusion may be what you need, or it may be a disectomy. I know that is not what you want, but if you have tried everything else and it has not worked, you don't want this to get worse. Herniations really do need to be fixed, one way or the other.

As for the incision, since you only have the one disc problem, th incision shouldn't be more than a couple of inches, so don't worry about that. I ended up with a 5/6 in. scar, only because I had 3 levels taken care of. Your Dr. would only be cutting you and opening you up to see the 1 erea (L5-S1), so he would not necessrily be able to see if your spine needed to be fused. If you decide to go to the Dr. that does not do fusions, he would do the disectomy and closed you up. If after that you were still in pain or were in pain again later in life, then you would have to go in for a 3rd surgery and have the fusion then. I know several people who have had to do this.

As far as being allergic to the rods or screws, first make sure you tell your surgeon that you are allergic to jewelry and he/she will be able to use the correct type of screws. I, for example, have titanium screws. This is what they have been useing, often, because there are a lot fewer cases of alergic reactions to them. My daughter had ankle surgry and after the surgery pain wore off, she was still in ankle pain. The Dr. went ahead and took the screws out, once her surgery was healed, and that made all the difference. The same is true for back surgeries. If after you are recovered from the surgery (3 mo.) the screws can be taken out at that point.

Have aood night,
Lorie:angel:

hi lorie,
that is some relief not having sciatic pain after surgery,that was my main worry cause that hurts.the doc said back failure due to fact my first surgery no longer was a success.he said that my back shouldn't be like it is now if the surgery was done properly.I do have facets rubbing.I need a newer MRI to really see any changes or the same.a bone scan see what going on there,I see PM on April 4th will ask him then,whatever WC don't allow have to use my medicare to get one done.only had my own health insurance wouldn't kiss WC butt do it myself,go to whom I want.so when you go for your next ordeal?neurontin starting to take a hold,but unfortunately once you stop meds it be back.

hi lorie,
that is some relief not having sciatic pain after surgery,that was my main worry cause that hurts.the doc said back failure due to fact my first surgery no longer was a success.he said that my back shouldn't be like it is now if the surgery was done properly.I do have facets rubbing.I need a newer MRI to really see any changes or the same.a bone scan see what going on there,I see PM on April 4th will ask him then,whatever WC don't allow have to use my medicare to get one done.only had my own health insurance wouldn't kiss WC butt do it myself,go to whom I want.so when you go for your next ordeal?neurontin starting to take a hold,but unfortunately once you stop meds it be back.

I understand now, why your Dr. said faild back. I was thinking that your earlier surgery actually worked, but if it did not, then the dx. would make sense. Was your 1995 surgery for the l5-s1 area? If it was and your discogram showed the same area is causing the pain that you now have, then that would make sense. I know the pain of facets rubbing together, not pleasant, is it. That is one of the problems that was finally dx. by my pain management Dr. Every other Dr. said that they did not know what was causeing that pain. I agree with wanting am MRI. I don't know when you had yours last, but I try to get one each year. Esspecially if I have any new pains. I will be looking for your update, once you see your PM Dr. I go to see a specialist on Fri. the 21st. I hope I am a good candidate for the procedure he wants to do on me. I will post his report to you, when I get it. I am very glad the the Neurontin is working for you. I have found it to be a miricle drug, as far as the sciatica pain goes. Since it is not a narcotic, you should be able to take it for life. I know you said that if your don't have the surgery, your Dr. will only see you for a year and then the meds and appnts. are over with. But if in the year you ever do decide to have the surgery, then whether it works or not, your Dr. should then allow you to stay on meds. for the rest of your life. The only thing after surgery, is to have a stimulator inplaned in your spine. That might be another possibility but I don't think they do it until you first try the surgery. It is because if the surgery works, then that would fix the problem, where as the stimulator is a bandage fix to the problem.

I hope you are able to get a good night sleep.

Lorie:angel:

Good morning Lorie,
hope you feeling some relief.I guess if the doctor does surgery right it might help,my uncle got Lucky when they did his surgery two years ago,but by him going on and laying sod in his yard I doubt he be helping his other discs any,but he always been the know it all in family.my area had to be the worse part the L5S1 region.I assume that the disc since it can't hold any sap,must be almost flat.this been going on since 2005,but so far its been quiet,i can sleep okay,i rest when i can,and definitely do nothing as far as lifting,pulling,etc.Hope all goes well for your doc visit.I also heard if they implant a bone stimulator 9 months or so back in to get it removed,no wonder the back never gets better again.only thing I get from neurontin is dry mouth but once I fill up on water its okay then.

yes the L5S1 was the first surgery area.my last MRI was may of 2006.And the films and reports are still at the surgeon's office since then.so a newer one would help.just hope I can get one

It is good that you are able to sleep and are not in too terrible pain. Are you able to do much of your reg. daily living stuff like cleaning and grocery shopping? My Surgeon said that he would not reccomend having any surgery, unless your daily living skills were so limited that you had to have others do them for you. That is why I did not have my 1st surgery until a year or a little longer, after I injured myself. It sounds like you may not need the surgery right away, except for the fact that W/C will only cont. to take care of you for a year. I was wondering if you said no to the surgery right now and for the rest of the year just saw the PM for meds. and injections etc. Then when its about 8 or 9 months from now, you then said you would have the surgery. Would they do the surgery then? I know what your W/C is doing, only because they are doing it to me as well. After I consult with this specialist on Fri. if I am a good candidate for the surgery, I will have to have it or they will drop me from their system and I won't be able to get my meds. or injections again. (Sound familiar?) But, if I have the surgery and it does not work or it works a little but I still need some meds. then they will pay for that. Also, since the recovery time is a concern of yours, I might consider the fusion. I know too many people who went just for the disectomy and in a year or so, they then had to go back and have the fusion anyway. Then they had 2 recoveries to deal with. Just a thought.

I am glad you are finding benefit with the Neurontin. I too get the dry mouth from it. You are right, you have to just carry a bottle of water with you where ever you go. I also keep hard candies in my purse, for places that I can't really drink a bottle of water (Church, in a nice resaurant etc.).
By the way, this thread will probably be closed down at some point, because a thread can only be opened for so long. You can also get me at my screen name and at cox and then net. Feel free to contact me that way as well.

Have a good day,
Lorie:angel:

Hey Lorie,
I basically said no to surgery after learning on this board,first read them 2006.my PM was the one who would only treat me for the year.in that time would need to come to decision so I wouldn't be holding up WC forever,too bad right?I can get out of bed,thankful to be able to wipe the old butt and clean myself,as for house cleaning,shopping my daughter or hubby does,i can't really do it anymore,i hate driving anymore,i get tired,always tired.my daughter assists me with light meals,other than that i rest or little tv.I don't even color my hair anymore.
so they go in and remove an entire disc?the spine would collapse.makes little sense.could they do artificial disc for you?or this new procedure called arthrocopy implants.i don't qualify for discs since my back had a surgery done.too many arthritis eating up in there.shame cause even here where I live there are 8 back fusion people all had to go in multiple times.they can't bend,they walk like zombies,skinny as a skeleton.I think if got some tests done be able to see if worse or same,I doubt better be miracle for that one.the fact having metal in body no fun either,no wonder back never feels good with that sticking you all the time.I'm usually very cooperative when it comes to surgery,but for this one,just doesn't feel right,like someone keeping you from going.2005 was suppose to go in June,then my sister told me to wait so could attend her son's wedding,so I canceled.set it up again for august 2005,I canceled that cause I was concern about my beloved cat and she died sept 1.then doctor told me lets wait to get weight off first,so he put it off until Feb 2006.I lost some weight,but then he needed up date on MRI,had to get that done.finally we st a date for April 2006 my best friend died.it was postponed again by me.then in june of 2006 wanted another opinion,had to wait on approval,another close friend died.finally saw the doctor who did my surgery in 95.he had the different approach with removing some bone.I planned to do that august 2006.