[startover22]

My little story... sorry about being boring:
I was on the phone, turned around and slipped on a puddle of water on the hard concrete floor at work. I slipped so fast, my legs came right out from under me, I have never fallen so fast and hard in my life. I thought at first I broke my wrist trying to stop my fall on the counter. I called my boss, told her I would fill out an accident form and see how my wrist was in the morning and head to to doctor if needed.
Morning came, swelling was down in my wrist and it was just bruised. BUT, I couldn't get out of bed, my left hip/side/buttock hurt so bad, I almost could not move or walk. Called my normal doctor, she of course prescribed pain pills and muscle relaxers. After two more days having to go through really horrible pain at work, I left early both days. Third day, workmans comp sets in. Pain is so bad they say physical therapy a week later. I went through the MRI and X-rays... nothing significant shows.
7 weeks of physical therapy later (making me much stronger and some pain has gone away) I am at my wits end. I am just wondering if anyone else has gone through this Lumbar crap and hip joint stuff? I am wondering how long it took to feel 100%. OR if anyone has any tips on what I may be able to do as in maybe go to a specialist or something? I am just tired of wasting time, I need to get my body to move without pain again! Thanks for reading and thanks in advance for any advice!

[Alty]

I had a car accident in 1994 that left me with a back injury.

I went through 2 1/2 year of physio, even paid out of pocket after the $10,000 from insurance ran out. Yes, it helped, while I was doing it, but if I didn't go for a week I was back in bed unable to get up. It wasn't a permanent fix at all.

After I gave up on physio I went to a fabulous massage therapist. He does massage for sports injuries and accidents. I go to him whenever my back is bothering me and I can go months without having to go again.

I'd love to tell you that you'll get back to 100% Starty, and maybe you will, every person is different. For me that's not the case. I've already lived with this for 16 years and the doctors say it will be for life.

Right now the only part that really bothers me on a daily basis is the loss of feeling in my left arm. My collar bone "slipped" and is cutting off circulation to my arm. Only surgery can fix it and the even then it's not a sure thing. Also, the surgery is risky. It's worse in summer. I can actually stab myself in the arm and not feel it, but for some reason I have full use of the arm and hand. I don't pick up eggs or anything delicate with it though, because I can't feel how tightly I'm gripping it. ;)

I'd try massage therapy if I were you. When I had my accident insurance didn't cover massage so I had no choice. They do now, at least in Canada. Shop around though, no two massage therapists are the same. It took me a while to find the one that could help me. Also, don't go to massage therapists that just do sensual massage. Find one that does injury cases. It won't be pleasant. It will hurt. But you'll slowly start to feel better. My first visit I walked in hunched over, unable to stand up. The 1 hour session was pure hell but I walked out pain free.

Love you lady. Miss you. I hope you're feeling better soon.

[KISS]

No orthopedic doctor?

Something seems fishy.

MRI tends to find soft tissue damage.

X-rays tends to find bone fractures.

CAT scans are basically 3-D X-rays and I think would be better looking for fractures.

Thing someone didn't use the right tool and an orthopaedic doc is in order.

[startover22]

Alty, sorry to hear about it all with you. I know what you are saying about massage therapy. Workmans comp does NOT cover it, I paid for the first appointment out of pocket! I can't afford to do that if I am at lost wages.
KISS, I almost feel as if I need to finish up these last two weeks of therapy and then I can say, "see, it didn't work!"
I will see if I can go see an orthopedic doctor. Thanks

[startover22]

Update after today's therapy:
I told her after I was feeling a little better and doing all the stuff she told me to, on Sunday morning I was feeling worse and worse through out the day, night came, no change. Monday was the same. A little bit of pain half way down the back of my thigh, off and on every few days this would go on, but I had been feeling none of the shooting pains in my leg for about a week or a week and a half. And new pain in the middle of my left buttock. She had me lay on my tunny, she poked and felt and one spot in the middle and on the left, tears came and ran down my face. I CAN HANDLE PAIN like you wouldn't believe, but all of a sudden I couldn't. She used some sort of seat belt looking thing and stood above me on the table and did some soft pulling. I am in pain even more now. She advised me NOT to do anymore of the exercises until she sees what happens until Friday. All she wants me to resume is the walking. This frightens me and I am very ready for the next phase in getting better. I need me to feel better, at least to the point where I can pull laundry out of the dryer and sweep my kitchen floor. (going back to work would be nice too! ) KISS, I will call today to see about getting into a orthopedic doctor.

[Stringer]

Start I am really sorry that you are in pain. I wish there were some advice that I could give you but I don't have any. Except that I wish you less pain hon, and do what you have to to feel better.

Stringer

[Alty]

Starty, keep us posted. I don't like the fact that you were in more pain after leaving physio. Something is wrong and it sounds like the physiotherapist made it worse.

I wish you a pain free day tomorrow, the next day, and the next... you get the picture.

Love you lady.

[KBC]

I really know the pains, I feel really bad for you that you have to go through this for such a long time,I wish you the best and speediest recovery.

I have had pains in both wrists in the past year,I had both carpel tunnel surgeries too!

I STILL go to therapy for 'tennis elbow' symptoms, which are now more than a year old.therapy,the surgery,nothing has relieved the pains, constant, persistent pain can really take a toll on someone.(like I need to tell you that?)

Workers comp doesn't WANT to do the 'next right thing',they want the easiest fix for the least output of funds.

My shoulder surgery from back in '03 had comp making me jump through hoops, I finally took out a loan and got the surgery on my own, they paid for it, and more, but the pain was removed and I was recovered by the time they decided to settle,instead of the other way around.(Yes,I am a stubborn German)

Sometimes I did leave therapy with more discomfort than when I went in, sciatic nerve work on my left side, wow,I was in terrible pains before I went in,and after I could have wet myself with the pain, but all in all,I did eventually recover from it.

You aren't alone starty,there are a lot of us here to listen to your plight,we'll not let you down, if you need to complain,gripe,moan(especially moan):p, I know we can help,, after all,this is ask me HELP desk!

Have a better day today:)

Ken

[startover22]

Thank you very much my friends!
I am just taking it one day at a time. I will see what the physical therapist says tomorrow. I am also waiting on the call from my doc for that gosh darned referral.

[startover22]

I got approved for the referral! I sure hope they find something that they can treat! I appreciate all of you taking the time to help!! :)

[startover22]

Hey, I forgot to ask!! Any tips on what sort of questions I should ask that I may not think of? I got the appointment!

[KISS]

Congrats. That's one step further.

And.. you know where not to touch. Hopefully the solution is not "Don't touch there".

[startover22]

Thanks KISS! My hopes are up, but I am a little skeptical!

[startover22]

Congrats. That's one step further.

And.. you know where not to touch. Hopefully the solution is not "Don't touch there".

YA, I hope that is not the answer. My dad is worried about that. He is worried that I will get screwed. He thinks I should pay out of pocket, go retrieve all of my xray's and my MRI and have someone else read it.

[Fr_Chuck]

Did the workers comp company assign a case manager to work with you and work with the doctors

[startover22]

Did the workers comp company assign a case manager to work with you and work with the doctors

I just have an adjuster. He is the guy that gives me the info I need. (when I will receive payments, or if I will be covered if I go to a certain doctor or things like that)

[Fr_Chuck]

I know ( in our work with patients) most of the ones on workers comp, have a case manager and they are calling about treatments, equipment and more, and if they are not getting it fast, to answer why and threatened with them pulling their workers comp business if we don't.

Of course here, patients are required to go to specific doctors for treatment of workers injury. So the case manager can recommend to company a change of doctors if they are not getting proper treatmet or satisfied with the company.

I know for my broken angle and leg, they assigned me a workers comp manager and even the doctor and operation center have workers comp managers that deal with their own patients on workers injury, They make all my appointments for me

[startover22]

The adjuster is helpful in taking my questions. He answers them clearly and is very nice. I just worry that I won't be saying the right things or asking the right questions to the specialist I will be seeing soon!
I hope your condition is getting better everyday Chuck!

[KBC]

The 'specialist' you will be seeing is 'on their side' so to speak.They are on the payroll of the comp company, this is normal.I went to 3 different 'specialists' for my shoulder problem,all three had different conclusions:(

I got the run around for months(not very encouraging I know,but this is typically the actions of comp insurance),and like I said,I got my own MRI,X-rays,records,etc,went to Rush Presby hospital in Chicago and had a specialist of my own do the work.. and then had my lawyer do the settling with comp.

I have little faith in workers compensation,they have been through the ringer too many times and now take so many precautions,those of us who are in REAL need get dragged under the bus like anyone else.And the lawyers make too much to settle something that should be simple(at least to me it was simple,I was hurt on the job,did the proper paperwork,reported to all doc appointments,therapy,etc,and waited,and waited,and waited,till I couldn't take it anymore)

Do you already have representation?If not,I suggest you get some.Not to sue for some exorbitant amount of money,but to have someone who can ask those questions and send you to a doctor/specialist who isn't on comp's payroll or looking out for comp;s interests.

Hope to hear this gets settled soon:)

Ken

[startover22]

I have thought about weather or not I may need a lawyer, but I figure till I see they are steering me wrong, I should keep my composure. They haven't denied me anything, nor have I been relieved from my job. My boss wants me back, but she wants me to be at the point I was before the injury and she is afraid of me getting hurt if I come back without a full recovery! So as it stands I am ready and willing to do anything to make me feel better. At the same time I am very cautious. I will stand my ground and I may just go get those copies of the x-rays and MRI so I can have them read by someone else of my choice and good stature. Thank you KBC, I will be here asking many questions I am sure!