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L4-L5 work related Back Injury

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Posted 4/15/2010 6:50 AM (GMT 0)
   Have an L4-L5-S1 bulge/herniation, Happened last Nov. and nothing has help so far. The only relief I get is when im home laying in bed on my side but eventualy it does seep back to pain. I had my first MRI which showed the 2 bulges and degeneration and displacement. Im 42 and have NEVER had back pain before other than mensteral cramps or strains from hard work. Treatments have included oral steroids, PT 2-3 times a week for almost 3 1/2 months (which made me worse rather than better) I've had 2 Lumbar steroid injections. My symptoms are: chronic never ending pain, numbnes from my middle back area to my left foot and sometimes the right foot, stabbing/burning pain in the left buttock, shooting pain in the left hip, uninary inncontinence, dragging of the left foot and leg and falls from the leg not locking when walking. Im still working 8 hours a day and find that emotionaly draining. I have another MRI on monday the 19th of April then follow up finaly on May 3rd. I cant stress the emotional distress is putting on me and my family. With 2 teenagers and a 6 yo life has changed alot for them.
Posted 4/15/2010 10:49 AM (GMT 0)
If you are having problems with urinary incontinence & drop foot I hope your doctors are taking your condition seriously. Your symptoms look like you have nerve impingement going on an it probably won't stop without some type of surgery, sorry to say. Have your doctors tried you on any meds for nerve pain such as neurontin or lyrica? I'm sorry to hear of your back issues but that's pretty much how most of us got here. We started out healthy normal working individuals until one day the pain showed up and life was never the same. I do hope you get some answers at your next doctors appt. and if you feel that you aren't getting some positive treatment, I'd be looking for another doctor. Like I said, your symptoms are serious in my opinion.

Sorry, I didn't welcome you to the forum. Glad you found this site and hope you keep us updated on how things are going!
Posted 4/15/2010 12:53 PM (GMT 0)
Yes Im on my second DR now. I got an attorney pretty early because my job refused to pay my benifits. My attorney talked to the DR over lunch and off the record after we switched DR, because they are friends and play golf together, my attorney was told he had to drag his feet on the case and that was why he hadn't done surgery yet. My new DR also says I need surgery but Im just so affraid of making it worse than it is. I was a very active mom of 4 with a promising new nursing career and now im a crying emotional recluse who almost never leaves the house unless its for work. Which I sit at a desk for 8 hours from 11pm-7am and answer a phone that doesn't ring. But its a job. I feel they would be better off putting me off work cause work aggravates the injury. Mostly im frusterated and depressed, I want to scream and cry all at the same time cause no ones listening to what im saying about my body. But geez im an educated professional, with knowledge about my injury and cant get nothing done due to workers comp laws in Oklahoma. Yes I was just put on neurotin by my second DR and wow the side effects are worse than not taking it. After taking it for 2 weeks, 300 mg 3x daily, I cant take the pain pills while at work. Would you want to be the one who had a heart attack at my hospital knowing the nurse was impaired? JMO, but I digress...... I can jabber about it forever but my family does get tired of hearing about it everyday for the last 5 1/2 months. Thanks for the welcome, even if it is to just sound off at times.
Posted 4/15/2010 3:34 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Rhonda! Well I have to agree with Jag. Your condition sounds serious, and quite frankly the Dr knows it too! I had a friend who described the same condition as yours, and he waited too long for the surgery, and he now has permanent nerve damage. Lets hope your Attorney and Dr friend do not drag their feet too long on this.

It looks like you have tried everything else, and I did the same thing as well. Be very careful with your activity's, so that you do not damage yourself even more.

I also had neurotin in the hospital during mu surgery recovery, and I can tell you that I did some pretty weird things.

I wish you the very best, and keep on pushing to get something done on it.

SE
Posted 4/15/2010 4:14 PM (GMT 0)
 

   Dear Rhonda,

 

    Good morning *hugg* My name is Dani. It is very nice to meet you. I am glad you came to the Healing Well Community. I hope you find it to be a relaxing environment.

 

     I hate to say it, but I agree with Jag and SE. If it was a simple herniation it would have gotten better or improved by now. I wouldnt hesistate to get on your doctor about. If he/she wont listen, then go to another doctor, who will do updated X Rays. I wont go into too much of the horror of the last two years of my life... but lets just say the first year when no one would listen to my pleas for help .... Left me on heck of progressive spinal deformity.. or two. So, don't hesitate to press for new x rays and most certianly dont let a doctor put you off or deminish the pain you feel. Your feeling the pain for a reason, and who knows our bodies better than us?

 

     Again, it was very very nice to meet you. I look forward to getting to know you better as time goes by.

 

*hugg*

  dani

Posted 4/19/2010 8:46 AM (GMT 0)
   Well wish me luck. We have the second MRI today and I just have this horrible fear they are going to say, well your just fine. Head bakc to work full duty.  I cant get in to see the DR till the 3rd but maybe something will be told to me before then. I doubt it. But here we go. After working 8 hours over night Im driving an hour to the MRI place then and hour home. They want me back to work tonight but Ive told them its a bit much. Hope they dont fire me.
Posted 4/19/2010 10:35 AM (GMT 0)
I wish you the best!!

I had a similar experience with work, although my back problem was not a work related incident. They wanted me back IMMEDIATELY. It turned out that I never went back and received a medical retirement about 8 months later.

Please be prepared to rest today. If nothing else, your nerves will be worn to a frazzle trying to figure out what is going on. You'll likely be sore too from staying in the same position for so long without moving. That is not to say that MRI is painful (as you know....but others reading may not), but to say that staying in the exact same position for a while is difficult with a back problem.

Nobody can understand back problems unless you have experienced them and quite a few (I would think most) of us here have back problems. We do understand your worry and concern and we understand the strain and stress you are under.

Please let us know how you are doing.

RM
Posted 4/19/2010 5:26 PM (GMT 0)
OK, so had the MRI, and didn't freak out other than the begining. Has anyone ever had the tech say hmmm I didn't see anything. Your report should be done by morning and see your DR for the follow up. Well actualy she said "I didn't see anything majorly out of place" Then asked me what they had said before on the first MRI. Does a tech know that much about reading the MRI or is there a radiologist that reads it then reports to the DR? (which is how I've always been told it happens) And OMG when does it stop hurting then? The car trip kills me. And pain pills, muscle relaxers and neurotin later, i'm a bit loopy.

Cheers
REB!
Posted 4/19/2010 5:33 PM (GMT 0)
The tech is NOT supposed to tell you anything because they are NOT the specialists. They sometimes do, however, and I have found that they almost always give me wrong information (if they give any at all). The only one who has ever given me "correct" information told me that she could see why I was hurting, but nothing more.

I'd wait on the results. Don't forget that you can request a copy of your report. I have always done that and found that sometimes people don't tell you everything they say and you don't always get the complete picture unless you have a copy of your own.

Best of luck!

RM
Posted 4/21/2010 5:21 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Rebel_Rhonda!

Welcome to the forum! I am not on much but do check in regularly and use the forum when I am in need. When I have been down, the forum has proven to be a great strength for me, and I haven't even been a member for very long. I hope the forum offers you what you are looking for.

Your post piqued my interest because I have the EXACT same injury in the EXACT same area. The primary injury was due to a more severe car accident and then it was compounded by a lesser car accident. In addition to the herniations/bulges, I have two anular tears and have progressed to degenerative disc disease in a very short period of time. I remember doing PT 2-3 x week/4 weeks at a time. It never helped. Somehow I managed to go off an on PT for 3 years and occasionally I still go back. The one form of treatment that I found to work the best though was aquatic therapy. I didn't see mention of you trying this... it may be something to consider. Not only does it get you in shape, but you are working to strengthen the injury in a zero gravity environment.

With initial onset of the injury my symptoms were just about as horrific as you are describing. I couldn't even get out of bed to go to the bathroom. The only way I could sleep was if I was on my side with my legs propped up with pillows. It has been years since my back has put me out like that, but they only way I make sure it doesn't happen again is to maintain physical fitness. The core is key! If my core gets out of shape, I lose strength in my back. I am always at the gym attempting to maintain what physical fitness I can.

It sounds like you indeed might have a bigger problem with possibly a nerve being pinched, but if it also just happened in November, an injury such as this takes time and let me tell you, there will always be some kind of chronic pain. (Not a very good outlook, I know). But there are definitely ways to overcome it :) Is there anyway you can take stand up/walk around breaks while at work if you must work the full 8 hours at this point?

Stay strong! Do not let this get you down. Also... word of advise, when you do get better and want to throw caution to the wind, don't ever lift anything more than 10 lbs! :)

~ Burdensome Love
Posted 4/21/2010 11:47 AM (GMT 0)
I too am currently dealing with the same issue. My discs are herniated in the exact same places. I have done PT, deep tissue heat therapy, regular heat therapy, some kind of electrode therapy, etc. NOTHING worked in fact it made things feel worse than it did before going in. I have had oral steroids, shots in the hip, two epidural injections which neither one of them helped. first one put me in the worst pain imaginable. I have done a ton of alternate treatment options and none of them were effective at ridding me of this debilitating pain. I too had bladder incontinence which is really embarrassing to deal with I know.

I have pain in my lower back, right lower part of my butt, hip, and my entire right leg when I let the pain come back fully I feel like my leg is being crushed and I am having my spine ripped out. this all stemmed from an auto accident in which I too hired and attorney. My previous attorney didn't do anything wouldn't even help me get the treatment I needed. my new attorney is much better he said I could have the surgery by the first to second week of May if I wanted to.

I have seen two of the best neurosurgeons in the tri state area and both say the same thing that I need a lumbar fusion and disc replacement surgery. I am only 24 years old and have two very small kids (4 and 1) so a surgery like that scares me to death, but not doing this surgery and having to continue on with the pain is worse.

I am a patient of the pain center in my local area and am on so many medications to help keep this pain at bay and I am sad to report I am waiting for my next appointment so I can hopefully get something stronger because what I have isn't helping with the pain for very long.

I am on gabapentin
oxycodone
morphine
zanaflex
cymbalta
xanax

plus many others just can't remember their names right now and am too lazy to get up and get them.

I don't know how long you have been dealing with this pain but I have been going through it for over a year and a half. I too have been told the same thing that the longer you let this go untreated then nerve damage can occur and you def don't want that.

what is your doctor doing for you in regards to the pain?
Posted 4/21/2010 12:41 PM (GMT 0)
Basicaly because mine is a work related injury, I jump through their hoops. Im only on medications which as a nurse I cant take when I work. I actually had a Nurse Pratitioner (whom is our first person we are allowed to go to) tell me he didnt care if I was working or driving he wanted me taking my pain medication at all times. Anyway the only thing they are doing for me now is light duty at work and pain meds (which I wont take). I've already done the heating pad burn because I dont feel the heat but it makes the pain bearable to some extent. So no more heating pad since the burn. Most the time I just sit and cry cause it hurts. Work thinks as long as im there answering a phone that doesn't ring they are doing their part.
Posted 4/21/2010 6:04 PM (GMT 0)
Rebel_Rhonda - Your work would almost be doing you a better favor if they gave you a medical leave of absence to recover. Would this be possible?

If you are still on neurontin, I bet you are tripping out. I wouldn't want to take it either. The very reason why I had my neurologist take me off it and put me on something else. I wasn't taking it for pain of course though. Have you discussed any other possible pain meds with your doctor that would leave you in a little less agony and make you a little more functional for work if you really must go? There are so many pharmaceutical options out there. I can't imagine neurontin would be the only one!!

I understand that this is all work-related, but you can still fight. You don't have to sit back and take everything they are giving you. This is your body. And, I would strongly encourage a re-evaluation for possible aquatic therapy so that you can re-build strength. It makes a world of difference. I have known worker's comp to even go for that. I can't speak from experience but some of the other patients in the program were in worker's comp.

I really hope you can come to learn what gives you less pain in any given day and start to live by that on a regular basis until the doctors are able to do more for you. Having a back injury, such as this one is a huge life-style change. But we are here to support you.

Also, instead of the heating pad... if you can get into a jacuzzi, or sit in a hot tub. Also, this randomly worked for me one time when I didn't have access to a heating pad... just laying a hot water cloth over the area. I wish you as much rest as possible!

~ Burdensome Love
Posted 4/21/2010 6:40 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Rhonda,

 

I wanted to jump on here and say hi and welcome to Healing Well's CP forum. I saw your post about having  the repeat MRI. As the others stated, the tech is not suppose to say a word to you about the test. So, since he will not be the one reading the film don't put any stock into his comment. He spoke out of turn mouthing off like that.

 

I am curious about this being worker's comp by chance is the hospital self-insured like most are? I know comp laws stink and they are different laws in every state too. You mentioned seeing a nurse practioner I believe, are you not seeing a neurosurgeon, or is one being considered? Again, I know its all controlled because its work related. I am sure the hospital jumped thru hoops saying to the dr we will make light duty available, they are notorious for that, seen that happen over and over. I do hope that you are not sitting at a desk for 8 hours because that is about one of the worst things you can do, puts a lot of stress on the spine. You really needs to get up and move around don't just sit there.  Have you made the dr aware you are having problems tolerating I believe it is Neurotin that you were put on? With you being a nurse I am sure you are aware that all of the pain meds in the world has little to no effect on nerve pain. You really do need a medication that deals with nerve pain, there are other besides Neurotin.

 

I know its tough with comp being involved and you mentioned having an atty, I sure hope he is good at comp. When do you find out the results of the MRI? What are the drs saying about the incontinence issue?? I hope you are able to get the care you need.  Take care.

Posted 5/3/2010 5:27 PM (GMT 0)
Ok finaly had a DR appointment today. He actualy went over the MRI with me slide by slide and showed me exactly what is wrong with me. He gave me 3 options. I actually have a small anterior tear leaking into my spinal colum plus on the left side of the disc it is totaly blocking the nerve pathway. He fianly told me its not all in my head. For once someone who believed the pain im in. He put me on TTD and took the decision to fire me off my employers hands. (I hadn't told ya'll about that, they had me scheduled for termination because of job performance and attendence for time missed for DR appointments and days I hurt so bad I couldn't stand up) My options are to stay like I am for life cause it probably wont get better, have injections into the exact spot for life and get little or no relief , or to fuse the L4L5, Im not saying everyone will agree with his choices but after 6 months of solid pain, and all the emotional distress it has put me thru I am ready to try anything. Why couldnt anyone else see this I dunno but........ Thanks for being here guys and letting me be frusterated with you. I will let you know when surgery is scheduled.
Posted 5/3/2010 6:30 PM (GMT 0)
I am so happy to hear that the doctor went through everything with you step by step!!! And it sounds like you are on a good path to recovery.

Honestly, if your employer had fired you, I think you would have had grounds for filing a lawsuit.

Please definitely keep us posted.

~ Burdensome Love
Posted 5/3/2010 8:23 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Rhonda,

I'm glad you don't have to worry about the "firing" thing, no matter how likely you were to win in court. It is such a long process and so difficult to go through work related issues that the stress alone adds to our pain.

As far as the fusion goes, please make sure you have a REALLY good surgeon! It is essential that you have the best, no matter how many hoops you jump through to get them. This is forever and you have to be sure before you jump in with both feet.

Please don't get me wrong, I am not advocating that you don't have surgery, just that you make a careful decision on the surgeon and on the type of procedure you are willing to undergo. I'm over a year out and have permanent damage. Perhaps if I had done the surgery sooner it would have been better, but who knows. Each of us responds so differently.

I do wish you all the best.

Please keep us updated!
Posted 5/3/2010 9:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Rebel_Rhonda!

Well..sounds like you have finally made a decision, and I can't say I blame you. My sister has a couple of annular tears, and they can be quite painful. I know you said anterior...is this the same?...if it is,
it can take a year for them to heal if at all, as there is not blood flow in that area. My sister also called me saying she was at the end of her rope as well, and her surgery is scheduled this next Monday the 10th. (Double Lumbar Fusion, L3-L4,L4-L5)

I think every body has their limit, and of course you have to take into consideration what your Surgeon or PCD is telling you. For some of us, timing is everything as we have jobs, and of course there is the finical concern
to work around.

I will repeat what retiredmom has already said, and make sure you have an excellent surgeon with a good track record. I had not heard much about my surgeon, so I was worried about him to say the least.
However I fully trust my PCD, and he suggested this particular surgeon, so that was good enough for me. So far, and I say this with caution, I'm happy with the results. I have very little lower back pain now.

I'm going to also firmly suggest you follow your surgeon's orders after the surgery. Recovery takes several months, so don't get discouraged during that process.
Many of us have gone through this process, and will be here to help you through it. If you have any questions you are more than welcome to ask.

One more thing!...start getting your house in order and try to get some of the needed tools that will make recovery easier for you. The toilet seat extender would be my first suggestion to acquire. It helped me greatly.

Good Luck to you, and we all wish you the very best.

SE :)
Posted 5/27/2010 11:40 PM (GMT 0)
OK so get this, remember the DR put me on TTD and said I need surgury, well I still haven't been scheduled, and the DR office today told me that the work comp case worker said I was faking straight to the DR. Not only that but before I can get my TTD back pay started and the surgery I have to go to court and get a court order for it. Can someone please tell me, why does it seem like workers comp is for the Employer and not the employee? In the mean time, Im still hurting and want to pull my hair out and feel like I've became a recluse......
Posted 5/28/2010 5:59 AM (GMT 0)
So Rohnda what did your Doctor say, he knows your not faking! I do wish you well with this, I herniated and tore my disk at T-12 and that took me out of Nursing all together and put me on disability! But mine, was not a workmans comp case and I thank my lucky stars for that!
I do wish you all the best with this!

White Beard
Posted 5/28/2010 4:52 PM (GMT 0)
Yes the DR told her straight out that hes seen faking before and he can tell when someone is genuinely hurting and on top of that he has an MRI to back him up, he actually has 2....the one the firsdt DR did. Its just trying to not lose everything I have in the mean time due to unpaid bills.
Posted 5/29/2010 4:06 PM (GMT 0)
Rhonda


I know it must be tough on you, I do know what I went through before getting SSD and I luckily as I had my military retirement, but just the same, I also had two girls in college at the time, things can get tight! For you and your faimly right now, it must be really tough! All I can say is,..... keep coming here and vent all you want!!!, At least you know that there are people that will always listen to you you, and we all understand and care! The other thing is the longer you go without the surgery the more chances of possibly haviing more and permanent damage done.!!!



Please take care of yourself Rhonda, and don't forget we are all here for you!



White Beard
Posted 5/29/2010 11:38 PM (GMT 0)
I can feel your frusteration....I was "let go" at my last job due to reduction in staff, however when they wrote my letter to disability, they stated that I was let go because of o ver staffing in my department and I was the one with the least seniority...there were 5 people hired ATER me.....I am kind of thinking that they would have less seniority than me, but I had just returned from another 3 week leave of absence due to dr orders. I even asked if I was considered rehireable, and they said they didn't think so.;...I really want to email them and tell them to get their story straight...but I won't...by the way, I noticed you were from oklahoma, if you don't mind, what part, because I too am from oklahoma! I have a GREAT Neurologist and am fixing to find out what kind of Neurosurgeon I have on the 22nd. Maybe you are close enough you could use some of the same doctors
Posted 5/31/2010 6:19 PM (GMT 0)
Dear Ronda
Hi im sry to hear abt your back problem...WCB can be really bad..i know because im in a legal battle with them now..i as well have lower back problems at L4-L5 level along with other back problems..I havent worked since Oct 2009 and my doctor will not sign me back to work...so nine months and counting still no money but i do have a meeting this friday with my lawyers...so i kind of understand the fustration you and your family are going thru...I wish you the best of luck..i as well find a heating pad helps my neighbor has a hot tub i find that as well can relieve some pain temperary

Best of Luck Ronda
Posted 5/31/2010 6:46 PM (GMT 0)
Rhonda I do hope you have an atty that is specialized in worker's comp claims. No one can fake an MRI report bottom line. This is so typical of insurance comp.. By chance is the hospital you worked at self-insured? If so, this is how they typically handle the claims and you need a very good atty on your side. Most of our hospitals here are self insured and the ins company really has no say over the claims, they listen to the idiot in charge of that dept at the hospital. Please keep us posted.
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