Ongoing Fight with Workers Compensation

**Lynda J** · 05-09-2010, 02:57 AM

My name is Lynda,

I have been on a W/C forum for years now, and someone sent me a link here. OK here goes>
I am 59 and the big 60 is rounding the corner in July. Which I'll call, U lie!!!
I was injured twice while working on the Renal floor of a hospital. Both times by patients
I was having to transfer one year apart.. I went through all the required steps, filing my reports, see
employee health, (ha) receiving the muscle relaxers and Tylenol. Being sent back to work on the
third day.I only now know that you go no further on your injury if you are back to work before 3 days
are past and they don't pay you time off.
I have been fighting a large, self insured Hospital, since 2003. It took 8 months, with my insisting,
for an MRI. When I went back to get the results they said DDD and look at your age!

My pain was getting so intense after my 14 hour shift, I sat in the parking lot for hours before I could
drive my self home. Mentally they did me in. I have never been treated with such hatefulness, coldness,
and like I was not telling the truth about my pain. I worked another 6 months and gave notice.

With the help of a few good Nurses, they directed me to a Lawyer. One year passed,fighting back and forth
I finally got approval to see a back doctor and some pain meds (2005). After all the tests and a few more
Cat scans, MRI's,discogram, facet joint injections,PT,the Doctors conclusion-------------- they waited to long
to be able to fix my back.(2006)

I finally get approved for Pain Management (2007) I take Kadian and Lyrica three times a day. They check
on me every three months in order to keep my medication. It is now 2010 and I am still in limbo, still fighting
W/C, still have no Doctor.
All the pain has cost me my marriage, 2009 ( my husband says HE can't handle it!) I am without income and I am living with my Son's girlfriend.

I have collapsed disks @L3-L4, L4-L5 S1.Fibro,RLS,Chronic Pain Syndrome. Not sure of the other findings still testing.

**ajj1001** · 05-09-2010, 04:23 AM

Hi Lynda, welcome to the forum. What an awful time you have been through. Its appalling that you have been treated like this. Do you manage to do any activities with your DDD or are you pretty restricted? Looking forward to getting to know you.

alison x

**JMG007** · 05-09-2010, 10:26 AM

Linda,

I feel your pain. I just want to let you know that thier is hope for you. Once you get your insurance issues worked out, their are doctors out their that can give you reilef from the pain and get you off of the meds.

I am 6 weeks post op, haveing DDD L3-S1. I was taking Kadion and Oxcotin. I was in a wheeel chair or in bed. 6 weeks post op only a small dose of Oxy and I am walking, driving again, and on the road to having my life back again.

The drugs help the pain, but their is no quality of life on them. I hope you find relief soon.

**Greg** · 05-09-2010, 10:54 AM

Welcome to the forum. It sounds as if you've had a hell of a time dealing with your spine issues and more times than not it seems this is the case....just my opinion! Did the doctors say why they cant repair you other than they waited too long? The number of treatments emerging on the market to deal with spine issues are increasing daily and it seems like theres got to be something out there for you. Have you received second opinions? I wish the best of luck to you and am here to support you any way I can.

I consider the last couple years (especially the last year) the worst ones of my life and it just boggles my mind as to how we can slip through the cracks and be treated in such inhumane ways. As bad as it got for me I had an overwhelming support from all my friends on this site, family and complete strangers who were there to help. Spine issues can be as tough as a mental strain as it is a physical one. I thank god every day that my fiance has stuck with my through these dark times as I wouldnt have the will power to continue on if she wasnt still with me. It has put a tough strain on our relationship but we know that if we can just bite the bullet and hang in there we will see the light at the end of the tunnel soon enough.

If you ever need to vent or someone to talk to feel free to contact me or send me a PM. I know all to well of the struggles, pain and anguish caused by people not believing in your pain, giving you the treatment you deserve and being restricted to your options of relief because the insurer doesnt want to pay for it.

Hang in there! You've made it this far and at times it may seem that it cant get any worse but it can always get better. Again,

to the forum and I look forward to getting to know you. You've found the right place to set up camp as I havent found a better group of people to share my worries and concerns with.

**linda** · 05-09-2010, 06:45 PM

Dear Lynda,
Welcome to the site. I am so sorry for everything you are going through. Thank God for you son's girlfriend. So are you able to get around at all? I know nothing about w/c but a guy where I work hurt his back and he got surgery and gets checks also still. However, he came to work with a bad back and knew how to work the system. Keep fighting girl! It sounds like you have a rough road ahead and I will be praying for you.
Linda

**Lynda J** · 05-10-2010, 11:59 PM

Originally Posted by JMG007

Linda,

I feel your pain. I just want to let you know that thier is hope for you. Once you get your insurance issues worked out, their are doctors out their that can give you reilef from the pain and get you off of the meds.

I am 6 weeks post op, haveing DDD L3-S1. I was taking Kadion and Oxcotin. I was in a wheeel chair or in bed. 6 weeks post op only a small dose of Oxy and I am walking, driving again, and on the road to having my life back again.

The drugs help the pain, but their is no quality of life on them. I hope you find relief soon.

JMG007

Thanks, I haven't learned how to reply

to these yet without repeating the Quotes. But appreciate your words of hope.
Lynda J