What else can I get from Workers Comp to help me??? - Pain Management Message Board

conguard · 07-13-2002, 11:40 PM

Hello group,
My name is Scott. In case you haven't read my postings, I will give you a short version of whats wrong with me. I work in a prison, where I was attacked by 2 inmates, while I was trying to protect my female Captain. I was brought down kicked, hit and punched in my back. So I went to the Workers Comp Doctors......"Well sir, we don't see anything on x-rays, we'll have to send you for a MRI...." I get done, go back to Dr....."We don't see anything wrong with your MRI...."....."Let's send you for a Catscan..." I get it done...."Well we don't see anything wrong with the catscan, let's do a Myelogram w/CT...." Got that done...."Well, looks like you have fractures of your back and a fussion of L5-S1 and some nerve damage... :}" getting somewhere FINALLY!! "Lets do a discogram...." Got that done "Nothings really wrong just a few buldging discs, nothing major...." "Lets do a "EMG""....After that funlike going to Disney World like test....."We'll Sir, here we have it, you have badly damaged nerves that can't be fixed...No, No Sir no operation for says the Ortho Surgeon and the Neuro Surgeon...You are now a "BACK CRIPPLE"!!!
So now you know about the background, here is what I have received so far to try to help with the pain(That will never go away):
a. Cane
b. Metal bars in shower for balance
c. R/S Medical Machine <----Love that!!
d. Orthopedic Mattress w/egg crate
e. Oxycodone
f. Neurotin 1200mg a day
g. Ambien say ni-ni
h. Counseling w/Paxil
i. Handicap Parking Sticker

My question is:
Does anyone in here have any clues on what else I can try to get from Workers Comp and my Doctor to help me, besides the things I posted above???? Anything at all, even Ideas for me to try. Please feel free to say anything, even if it sounds dumb, let it roll!!!

Thank you all and have a good night,

The Back Cripple has left the building....ooops, his cane got stuck in the door......

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You are not alone and get what you can from "THEM"......

dayna5 · 07-14-2002, 06:24 AM

Scott,

Wrote you last night, or maybe I dreamed it, but it's gone, lol.

Dont know if you have a lawyer, but def. get one for they will tell you what you deserve. Also check online searches for workman's comp in your state, they have alot of useful info.

Otherwise that that, all I am getting from w/comp is being screwed. But hopefully that will change in the near future. Have a hearing on July 25th to see if I get it. Very nervous, so if you have a suggestions, shoot away. And I am going to IME Wednesday and am scared crazy. Any answers there?

good luck to you, and i will search for you, can't remember if you listed your state, if u didn't list it and I will do a search after church.

hugs and love,
dayna

OK, Florida, got it, will do search for you. good luck and don't worry for the day.

[This message has been edited by dayna5 (edited 07-14-2002).]

davidc66 · 07-14-2002, 12:46 PM

Hey Gaurd, Comp wants to settle out of the medical benefits if that's possible under your system. That's the most expensive part of you being out of work.

Who is pescribing oxycodone and iis it managing your pain. I know plenty of folks that have found PM docs in the comp syystem.. Some even care about the patient. IT's just important to remember if tey are pushing you toards settlement should you end up on long acting meds , some of our bills are over 2k a month just in prescriptions for pain mamagement. So don't give away your benefits. Every state comp system is different so it's hard to say what you are entitled too.

Thera Balls are kinda nice, You know, the great big rubber balls they use at PT. They are great for stretching and comp would likely pay for that if your PT person included physio ball therapy in your treatment. Good luck and welcome, David

Lori.19 · 08-14-2002, 04:33 PM

Hi Scott,
You and my hubby have sort of the same problem. He has severe sciatic nerve damage and there is no cure for it. He has been dealing with Workers Comp for 6 years now. First thing is get yourself a good lawyer and only talk to the WC ins people thru that lawyer. Apply for Social Security Disability benefits. Make sure any and all meds are paid for by the WC ins company. Have the lawyer get you reimbursed for any money you have laid out for anything in the past. Also, don't forget to go to your regular doctor for check ups on your blood and liver to make sure the meds you are on aren't harming you. These visits should be paid for by WC ins. If you already have a lawyer, mke sure he is going for permanent total disability. And, after you win, don't forget the Second Injury fund, which is state run and will continue payments to you long after the WC ins payments are over. Make them assign you to a Pain Management center and don't forget to ask about sympathetic epidural injections. They helped my hubby live a 90% normal life for 5 years until the insurence co. said he had too many (17) which was true. One more shot could paralyze him. My hubby has the cane, shower seat and handicapped sticker. We never went for the mattress, thanks for the idea. He;s been sleeping in a recliner for 6 months. OH, also there is a u shaped foam pillow that you can put between your knees that might help. If you are depressed, or are having anxiety attacks, they should pay for you to see a therapist and for the Alprazolam to help with the attacks. Hope this helps!

[This message has been edited by Lori.19 (edited 08-14-2002).]

davidc66 · 08-14-2002, 05:21 PM

Hey Scot, I was just thinking, That a membership to the YMCA or a healthclub with a pool so you have access to aquatic activities to help improve your condition would be nice and very possible to get them to pay for. Good luck, David