Quote:
Originally Posted by stressedout
Thank you everyone.
Dew; the Dr prescribed the Tramadol 50 mg as needed. I told him it wasn't helping and he knew I wasn't taking it because it did nothing and gave me nothing else. No contract was ever given to me.
My lawyer has handled other RSD cases and has actually given me info, he is jumping all over their denial but he said it would be faster if they are warned and then decide to approve it than wait for a court date. He is starting the paperwork though.
My kids bought me an i pod and I try to drown the pain with music. I had heat on all last night but it is still there. It is spreading up my arm into my shoulder. I know stress makes it worse and the pain/wc is stressing me out. Also, my best friend, is recovering from a brain anyeurism a few months ago, is not doing well again. We have kept each other going and I am really worried about losing her. I am really ready to lose it. I want the things I enjoyed doing back so much. I was always active showing and training my dogs, love agility. I haven't done anything in months...it's killing me.
If my pcp decides to add meds or more pt, how does that wk with ins??? I have other ins but this is wc, wouldn't my ins decline it?? What happens when I do get sent back to wk and wc is done. Who pays for the Dr's and meds??
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Hi Stressed Out,
I was hurt on the job 32 months ago. WC was great until I was diagnosed with RSD. The preliminary diagnosis was made about a year ago.
Whenever WC denies something (which is just about all the time lately), I use my personal insurance to pay for it. Meds, PT, doctors, etc. Anything I need. And then my lawyer gets the bills paid by WC. So far that system has worked for me. I always make sure that I get what I need to try to control my pain because up until a few weeks ago I was still working FT. And I see my pcp when I need things done (doc referrals, MRI's, scrips ect) and he helps me out quite a bit. My PT is awesome, he has also helped me. I see him a few times a week and for me it's been really helpful to have someone that can answer my questions about the parts of my body that really hurt and the different ways to get them to feel better. If you don't have a good PT yet I would highly recommend that you try to find one (maybe get a referral for one that knows about RSD from a good pain doc). My PT ordered me a TENS unit and helped me learn how to use it.
My lawyer told me that my case will never "close." In other words, I will never receive a settlement from WC for my injury; instead, they will be responsible for paying all my medical bills related to my injury and disability pay (as needed, when I'm not working, like now) for the rest of my life. The disability pay part is not that great - the rate is low compared to what I make when I work and it does not contemplate things like benefits. I live in Rhode Island. It's tax free, though.
You may want to make a list to go over with your attorney. He or she should be making you feel LESS stressed out. In RI they get paid by WC, not by the victim. It may be the same in your state.
I hope this reply helps you out. BYW - my pain meds are written by my pcp. I've never signed a contract, but a lot of patients do, it's up to the doc. I take a lot of percocet. But until I started taking methadone as well my pain wasn't always well controlled, and I was miserable. If you feel your pain is really bad and you need help, get a referral to a good pain specialist from your pcp. Try to use your WC to pay for it. If you are denied, then you have a right to use your personal insurance to get the help you need. Let the rest fall into place later. That is what my attorney has told me, and after one year I have yet to get into trouble using that system. Just make sure you are denied first.
If you have any other questions, please feel free to PM me. I'd be happy to help you.
Sandy