Will this result in disability?

[mommy52]

S/P anterior cervical fusion in '98 and posterior fusion in '99. Now severe debilitating pain in neck going down left arm into hand/fingers. Hard/Safe to grip objects. Only able to be out of bed for brief periods, because when I sit or stand the pain returns. The pain started after a fall in 11/07. It was at first a twinge that got worse until about 3 weeks ago it has been the bed for me. I finally agreed to take Lortab for pain but had to also take Phenergan for nausea. I thought N/V from Lortab, but is there even when I do nottake Lortab. Will I be able to return to my job. I am a nurse. It saddens me that I , at the present can't do what I love doing--helping others. I have DJD and DDD also. Only 52. Will this require surgery. If so, without surgery, what is prognosis.The cervical spondylosis is at C 3-4. Un treated, can this lead to disability? I am contemplating finishing Masters and teach. If surg. is necessary, can it be done anteriorally. I can never get my orth to stop and listen long enough to answer these questions. Yeah, I know--Get another ortho. This is W/C MD. And no I am not trying to burn W/C. Surgery in "98 & "99 result of fall aand have continued to work. Could have had disability but preferred and still do, to work.

[kayakka]

'nuff of the neck jokes lol. Its full on summer down here. I had been looking forward to going to the beach all winter, its only 15min drive from here The grass is growing as I watch it (and I seem to have plenty of time to watch it!) and I cant see myself dragging the mower out any time soon. Have to get the stepson on to it. Anyway, homehelp assessment gave us 5hrs per week.....Yippee like thats really going to make a difference. Most of that will be chewed up in travel. You do sound cheerier today

[mommy52]

My problem....When I get wound up I am like the energizer bunny, you cannot stop me.  When I get really fired up I feel and can see myself like a mamma kangaroo ptotecting and fighting for what I believe. On another note...How's da weather in your "neck of the woods?"  Cheers....Madlyn

[kayakka]

You go girl! As we say down here, rark 'em up. They gotta do some good for all the tax $$ we give 'em.

[mommy52]

Thanks. I have had a pretty fair day today. Seems I can function better, pain wise if I omit Lortab and take 1/2 tab of Zanaflex about eveyy 3-4 hours if needed. Feel beat. Slept only about an hour or 2 last night. I was so hyped I couldn't focus on a single thing. Little better tonight.   I am going to search for an advocate and tackle our local and state politicians.    Madlyn

[kayakka]

Well, I'd be inclined to start locally, and see what develops. Down here we visit the local Member of Parliament (one of the benefits of small population) so I don't know what your equivalent is. Do you have advocacy groups to try? Do you have friends/relatives who can do some of the legwork or are you pretty much 'it'? I've gotten mileage from the local newspaper, but the media tend to focus on sensational copy-selling stuff.You also need to be prepared to sacrifice some degree of privacy, but it sounds like the alternative is worse. My order of priority would be 1) advocacy 2) politicians 3) media

Good luck....keep us posted

[mommy52]

Where do you think I should start first?

[kayakka]

I'm with you Mad. I'm self employed so having an awful time of it trying to prove income. I might put 'loss of earnings' in the too hard basket for now and concentrate on getting home help. You are an inspiration and the neglect you are experiencing is scandalous. I'd be inclined to go public and embarrass the @#$% out of the powers that be. Especially with looming foreclosure.

[mommy52]

Here....You prove it's an accident and I had 5+ witnesses at the pt home when I fell. Still W/C denies. No welfare for me why????I cannot say .I will not get on that donkey this am. Not again. I choose for today to say the heck with W/C for now. I must concentrate on preventing home foreclosure. (3 pays. behind) This govt. *****. Big bailout for big companies sothey can bail out on homeowner with loans and foreclose on them. They seem to think it's my career to sit and take from the govt. First time I have asked for assistance (temp.) Worked for 12 years after 1st neck injury and surgery. Could have drawn ssa disability so I was told, now.  Gonna close for when I get infuriated, seems to make the pain worsr????    Madlyn

[kayakka]

Well I just want to say I am inspired by your fight with the pain. I'm awaiting MRI result with probable stenosis, and I'm feeling frustrated being a normally active person. I agree with the previous poster in that you have to fight hard for what you DESERVE. Down here we either have to prove the problem was caused by an accident, which is compensated, or its welfare. Good luck and be strong

[mommy52]

Correction to above....Should have said not too wordy instead of worry. I do have enough worry. Finally the Lortab is out of system, but the d**n pain is still there. I do not think it helps pain. Just makes N/V and can't think of pain when you are barfing. Ta. Ta. Madlyn

[mommy52]

Thanks. Very helpful. Going back to bed after being up less than an hour. Still feelin ugh! afeter taking 1/2 tab of lortab 7.5mg last night. Stil fighting N/V this am. Not too woorry right now. Later.   Madlyn

[mqrcie]

wow, I know just how you feel!  Back in '95 I herniated C 4-5 to C 6-7 and only had C-56 fused and plated.  WC and got an attorney ASAP and glad I did!  They still fight for me to this day as I continued to work after a year recoup. and work hard, play hard.  I'm 51 now and I feel like I totally ruined my body.  MRI showed C 2-3 to C 7-8 are herniated (excepted the fused one) and need more fusion.  Now found out after working like a fiend in Surgery as an ancillary float that I really am messed up now.  Now I have L4-5, 5-S1 herniated with 3 vertebral hemangiomas (all lumbar)  can barely sit, walk, enjoy life here in the country.  Must admit...took 2 norco and had husband saddle my beloved horse and went for short ride the other day...paid for it big time later :-(    Can't work anymore and getting discogram Dec. 18th.  Spine doc said to prepare for lumbar fusion now along with C 6-7  UGH!  It is wise to get someone else to dispense meds if you feel you might overdo, but don't forget to stay ahead of the pain so you can have some sort of life.  As a nurse I'm betting you've given that advice to others.  Find an attorney who will take your case on contingency so you don't lose $.  Get this...I was found to be 35% disabled by WC but my husband who had same thing later got 45% because he is "head of household" and a man.  That disability rating for me was just for the one disk because others weren't fixed and they didn't count it.  Be your own health advocate, push, scream, bug, annoy ect...just to get someone to pay attention to you, I had to and it worked.  PS>  I also have to have total wrist fusion and ulnar transposition (right arm) in Jan. and left hand is going bad too.  Keep at it and fight OK?  No one deserves to be ignored and in "limbo" with pain.

[noneck]

You couldn't have said it better, only people who have been through it understands. I've been there with W/C and SSDI. It took five years but it all worked out and I'm hopeing it will for you also. I  feel the same way laying on the couch for 15 years is pathetic and I'm there.

I'm so glad you understand opiates but being a nurse you already know it. They can help but not long term.

Your MRI say's what mine did 15 years ago when I started disability. It never stoped degenerating, hoping it will now there is noneck left. hahahahaha.

hoping i help

[mommy52]

Sorry I failed to list fusion areas.I have a fusion at C5-6 & C6-7 with a Casper plate extending from C5 through C7 with screws noted anteriorly within the vertebral bodies of C5, C6, and C7. Interbody plugs at C5-6 and C6-7. This is what MRI on 11/25/08 revealed.On C3-4 there is evidence of posterior disc/spur complex centrally and to the Left. Also there is seen anterior cervical spondylosis at the C4-5 level. C6-7 show moderate loss of disc space height with disc desiccation.Also shows DDD at this level. These were findings of most recent MRI done 11/25. Results were faxes to MD next day, BUT they still can't tell me a thing. How well I am aware of pain med addiction. I  request that my spouse give me my meds foe pain so I will not abuse. It has been 25+ years since I stopped medicating self for pain with meds from MD. Spouse gets angry because I will not take meds when hurting. If I can get positioned and comf. in bed, then I do not take.. I also have a 25% dis. rating on L. W/C injury from 2/07. I feel like I am dealing with the mafia when dealing with W/C. That's why I got an attorney. Now let him deal with the mafia. Now he wants to refer to another attorney for he represents W/C ins co on retainer for another company but still same ins co.. This ins. co. is the one that our company had re: neck injury. He feels this could be a problem. I hope I am not being "screwed" I have enough screws in neck already. I am 3 pays behind on house and car. Lawyers do not seem to understand. IF I COULD WORK, I WOULD. I can work if laying on side and could use a computer. Can't work like this as a nurse though. I know how you  felt. I feel I must explain to people why I can't do a job. Not only is the physical pain almost unbearable, but the mental anguish is riding high close to physical pain. I tell you this for I feel that you do understand what I am feeling and saying. Nursing is ALL I have ever done. (34 years). I feel like I am a failure to family. Did not mention that spouse is retired/disability after 5 bypasses to heart and has 40% lung function. Pretty pathetic family huh?  Thanks for listening and responding.   Madlyn

[noneck]

I hope this don't scare you. I am fused from C3 thru T2 front and back. Since 1991 I've had a new level fused to the point that the fusion was so big, and at risk of paralysis. Ten weeks ago I opted to add a new level T1/T2 to my front fusion, and install rods from C/3-T/2 in the back. I was disabled 15 years ago at 38 now I'm 53, when I had only a front fusion from C5-C7. I was a union electrician. The pain has never gone away, ever. Doctors specially workers comp. suck, they can't sit still for a second, you know they charge by the second. As far as working and disability goes it's really up too you. If the pain is tollerable, go for it. But make sure your not causing futher damage, only you will know. If you can't, fight with all your might to get the disability you deserve. Personally I think you need to stop working, it's only going to get worse. Start everything you need, workers comp., S.S.D.I., and don't give up! Keep us posted. What levels were fused? What did the mri say? Get a new one if you need. Try to get neurosurgeons opinion. If this was orginally a W/C injury, you should be able to continue the claim. This time take the disability.

Nurse's are the best for listening and helping others. It's time to make youself your number one patient.

Hope I Help, Noneck