[Sonny1]

Hi all,

Not sure where to go for this ????. Brief story. WC case started in 2006 with carpal tunnel (bilateral) progressed into multiple joint fusions & replacements in both hands/thumbs. 10 procedures in all. I now have CRPS (they have me diagnosed in one hand but it is in both) and have been treating with a pain mgmt. doctor. I have tried new med's, have had 2 nerve blocks and additional PT (needle in front of neck~UGH) without much benefit, actually the 2nd one caused more pain, but enough of that.

I am wondering since my surgeon has no more surgical remedies and IF I decide to stop this crazy treatment (or lack there of) does the CRPS become part of my PPD rating? ( I am in NY)

WC IC wants me to look for work, however I do not even know what my exact restrictions would be. I tried looking a bit but got so stressed because of the pain & stress of being under the WC thumb. (not that I am doing anything wrong, just tired of them controlling my life) I am ready to be done with WC I guess is my point...

thnx

[don1956]

Originally Posted by Sonny1

Hi all,

Not sure where to go for this ????. Brief story. WC case started in 2006 with carpal tunnel (bilateral) progressed into multiple joint fusions & replacements in both hands/thumbs. 10 procedures in all. I now have CRPS (they have me diagnosed in one hand but it is in both) and have been treating with a pain mgmt. doctor. I have tried new med's, have had 2 nerve blocks and additional PT (needle in front of neck~UGH) without much benefit, actually the 2nd one caused more pain, but enough of that.

I am wondering since my surgeon has no more surgical remedies and IF I decide to stop this crazy treatment (or lack there of) does the CRPS become part of my PPD rating? ( I am in NY)

WC IC wants me to look for work, however I do not even know what my exact restrictions would be. I tried looking a bit but got so stressed because of the pain & stress of being under the WC thumb. (not that I am doing anything wrong, just tired of them controlling my life) I am ready to be done with WC I guess is my point...

thnx

i went through all that myself right here in sunny NY.what they do is send you for a "work evaluation"from a fitness person to determine exactly what you can do (physically).from there they would send you to a "Vesid"councilor.to find a new career for you.they take into concideration from your evaluation fitness test,schooling background,your age,etc..

[Jomar]

As I understand it, limited knowledge on adding dx's to WC claims,

but I do think the CRPS dx would need to be added to the claim.
With clearly documented (timeline of injury and symptoms? drs records?)( best if by experts on CRPS- as the wc will try to negate/argue the CRPS portion).

It must be shown that the main wc injury and/or the subsequent surgeries triggered the CRPS.

Your wc atty & drs would need to do this and have the paperwork/records to show as proof.

*my knowledge is based on Oregon - most of my reading about it during 2004-2006, things could be changed now and other states could be different.

Generally I have read in the past that the higher rated /more knowledgeable the Dr/drs are on your side the better chance for judge to be convinced.

And your atty must know how to use that knowledge and the paperwork/records etc.

[Sonny1]

Jo*mar, Don1956, thanks for the info. Actually, surprisingly, the WC IC is not disputing the CRPS. They have approved from the beginning any/all requests by the PM Dr. I am just wondering because this is a permanent condition if it is taken into account when I get my final loss of use rating and award..I'm sorry if I am not being clear on this, I'm not sure how to phrase it (the mind goes, the memory goes and the ability to form sentences have gone for some reason)

I went to the VESID orientation and have the forms to fill out...trying to figure out when I might have time for all of this and look for work, while being injected 2x week, PT 2x week and feeling like crap 7 days a week? They make a cat and mouse game of our lives, this is why I am want to be rid of WC, especially if I do not want anymore of these shots in my neck (they never know if these shots will work let alone for how long) and there is nothing really more Dr.'s can do with certainty to improve my situation.

thanks again!!

[don1956]

Originally Posted by Sonny1

Jo*mar, Don1956, thanks for the info. Actually, surprisingly, the WC IC is not disputing the CRPS. They have approved from the beginning any/all requests by the PM Dr. I am just wondering because this is a permanent condition if it is taken into account when I get my final loss of use rating and award..I'm sorry if I am not being clear on this, I'm not sure how to phrase it (the mind goes, the memory goes and the ability to form sentences have gone for some reason)

I went to the VESID orientation and have the forms to fill out...trying to figure out when I might have time for all of this and look for work, while being injected 2x week, PT 2x week and feeling like crap 7 days a week? They make a cat and mouse game of our lives, this is why I am want to be rid of WC, especially if I do not want anymore of these shots in my neck (they never know if these shots will work let alone for how long) and there is nothing really more Dr.'s can do with certainty to improve my situation.

thanks again!!

i also went thru what you are now experiencing.my all started with my shoulder.i slip and fell at my job.so now it becomes "WC"they did the surgery and got a work evaluation.saying i could lift 10lbs and less.but i told my doctor i still have pain going down my arm to my fingers and its starting to go to the other armwell after 2yrs they finally sent me in for and "EMG"and found out i have some rupture disc's in my neck!! for 2yrs thats what has been giving me pain in my neck all the way down both armshands and fingers It has been documented from the begining that i have been complaining of this pain from day 1 but they refuse to believe mebut with the "EMG"exam they had to admitt on my "NEW"!!W.C case they made and oversite.so the first evaluation is no good.its for someone with a bum shoulder.but i have that and rupture discs in my neck.so what you have to do is kind of like i had to do.is to get them to knowledge that this other pain your having is related to the one you have now.and that must come from your doctor only.he's the only one can make that decision.if and when he does thans when your "WC"atty resumitte your claim.as for "vesid".well they wrote a letter back to the labor board saying that my health is so bad they (Vesid)could not help me.believe me i made lots of copy of that(plus not having ever gone to college and my age "55yrs" ) as i have said before here in NY those 2play a big part in your "WC",SSD,etc

[Sonny1]

Wow Don1956, sounds like you have been thru the ringer. 2 years for them to admit they made an oversight? Nice BS...but if it were one of us making an oversight or mistake they would accuse us of lying and close our case. It amazes me how criminal they can behave yet be within "the law".

The whole look for work & VESID is just so overwhelming, that I cannot think straight. I am at a point where I want to heal at my pace on my terms (not that it would be the best move) just so tired of all of the "do this, make sure of that, don't forget this, go here, go there" "UGH"

thnx again

[don1956]

Originally Posted by Sonny1

Wow Don1956, sounds like you have been thru the ringer. 2 years for them to admit they made an oversight? Nice BS...but if it were one of us making an oversight or mistake they would accuse us of lying and close our case. It amazes me how criminal they can behave yet be within "the law".

The whole look for work & VESID is just so overwhelming, that I cannot think straight. I am at a point where I want to heal at my pace on my terms (not that it would be the best move) just so tired of all of the "do this, make sure of that, don't forget this, go here, go there" "UGH"

thnx again

well if they want you to go here andthere and do this andthat.i say "do it".do all of it. i went the "VA" for help.after 2yrs i was spent.i couldnt sleep and think straight.so i went to them just to get sleeping pills.but before they give them to you they have to know why your having problems,when i told them they went......so now i have the "fed"redoing my case.but while they were reviewing my case they notice that i never missed a doctor appointment,went to all physical therpy.other words i did what ever they (Doctor)asked.i co operated fully.the doctors have nothing negative to say against me.now his office is "scard"i now get the sleeping pills,and finally the shots in my neck(like you),and medication also for my pain.your "VESID" councilor should help you with your transition,to make things smoother.theyre not mean or impatience with you they theyre to help.... if they can