Newly Diagnosed
 

I have been reading the threads for a few days now and have decided to post. Long story short. I injured my shoulder 9/09 had first surgery 12/09 had second surgery 9/10 and was diagnosed with CRPS Jan 11. I must say this has been a nightmare to say the least and WC is the worst:confused:. I'm not sure what my future holds as far as my job and getting back to work but dealy with the daily pain has been the focus:mad:. I had my first stellate ganglion block today and the pain went from 10 to 5 immediate but it has slowly been creeping back up. I have yet to get WC to approve the prescribed Amptriplyn which I really don't want to take due to all the crazy side effects. I'm looking for support, to give support, and others with similiar case issues. Thanks for listening.:grouphug:

Hi,
 

I'm sorry to hear you are going through this and it's so new to you. I have had blocks and they have helped but I do believe they need to be done in a series.

I had TOS surgery and it brought the RSD out. I think I had the RSD after some falls but just didn't get it diagnosed until after the surgery.

I've never dealt with WC but have heard way too many horror stories about them. You might want to try for your SS or SSI if you haven't worked before.

Welcome to the group and I know you will get a lot of help here.

Ada

Hi DreaB,

The WC system is a big pain , but sometimes you just have to follow it thru to the end... Do you have a good wc atty & expert drs to help you though this?
Tips for complicated cases - expert wc atty, expert drs to say the RSD came about due to the needed surgery for the injured shoulder, get copies of all med records - check for accuracy and also write down your symptoms & timelines of when they all started.
ie: wc might try to say the RSD was due to the dr/surgeon mistake instead of the injury that made the surgery have to happen..


We do have a WC forum here also that might be able to help on that part of it with tips on surviving that system.
here it is -
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum30.html

Your case is so similar to mine - I tore my rotator cuff at work in 11/06, had 2 repairs in 5/07 and 4/08, and was diagnosed with RSD in 6/08. Wow...

A really good WC attorney is key - WC is a truly evil system that works for the insurance company and not you. It will make you nuts it you try to deal with it on your own.

I've learned a lot from this forum. And the WC forum to which Jo*Mar referred you.

Read as much about the condition as you can. I highly recommend that you join the RSDSA - check out their website at RSDSA.org.

The best of luck to you. Sandy

Thanks for the information and I have yet to get an attorney I'm scared and unsure of what to do at this point. A lot going on and just confused. I will read over the forum and try to get some guidance from there.

I'm so overwhelmed right now and I'm trying to learn how to navigate through this site<shrugging shoulders> I posted something on this thread but dont know where it went lol. I have researched an attorney but I will review the forum suggested and will take all advice. A bit of I guess good news the block seems to be working :)

DreaB, and for anyone wanting to find old posts:

If you go to your profile page and click statistics....then click "find all posts by **(your name), you will then see every post you've ever made.

I hope that helps, but if you're still having trouble, let me know and I'll search it out for you.

Hi. While you are waiting for WC if you want to try that med some med companies if your insurance does not cover meds will give it to you for free if your doctor fills the form out and you send it in. I have done that before since my insurance covers no meds. I know the side effect issue is hard but everyone is different and it may give you relief. Plus they have to list every possible almost just in case.

Hi DreaB,

Glad to see you made it over here. Be patient! There is so much to learn and this site has many resources not the least of which is every one here!

Hi DreaB, I am so sorry to hear about your struggles. It seems that when it is a WC injury that just increases the stress. I have been on W.C. in Ohio for over 8 years now, so if I can answer any general questions, just ask away. Each state administers their own program, so the various laws will change from one to another. I would recommend that you start searching for an attorney now as the process can get quite complicated in a hurry. Everyones' advice has been right on target for you. Lisa

Is your WC gov't or private DreaB?

I'm wrestling with the US Dept of Labor, I can't exactly tell you what to do, but I have a lot of experience at what not to do.

Hope you find the help you need here, I did. And many in the balcony cheering me on!
Pat e

Been There Did That
 

Hi, I'm so sorry to read that you've been dx., with CRPS and also that WC will not grant you this med. Like yourself, I had an on the job injury and two surgeries, the CRPS was dx., later after I had reached MMI. And like yourself, I had a SGB with little results. Pain doc said that I didn't have CRPS but later changed his mind, and said that I had a mild case of it. Since then I've had two blocks and the last one was like a dream come true. I've had much relief going on one month now. But here is the kicker! When I went to see a DIME doctor WC didn't put the report in my file that the Pain doc said that I DID HAVE A MILD CASE OF CRPS. They only put in the report from the first SGB, that said that I didn't have CRPS. When I was being examined the DIME agreed that I wasn't at MMI but THAT I DIDN'T HAVE CRPS! When I read the report, I couldn't believe my eyes. Now I'm going to see an IME, who in all likelyhood will say that I'm at MMI and that I don't have CRPS.

Don't get me wrong, God knows I don't want this, but I know I've got it. I hope you have an attorney on your side and best of luck with WC! By the way that med you mentioned...beware!!! Been there tryed that! I'm rooting for you!
Lefty

Update
 

Its been a few since I been here, I wanted to play catch up. I have now had 2 Blocks and will have the 3rd one on Monday. They have been what I perceive to be successful as the pain is getting less and less with each block. :) I have on the other hand been having the side effects of the Amptriplyn (sp) it has raised my blood pressure and man all i wanna do is sleep even when it is in 2 hour increments. I have felt somewhat depressed but that can all be also due to the fact that I'm no longer doing light duty as of 1/31/11 policy states no more than 180 days I have reached that limit....go figure.:mad: I have been slowly reading posts and research how to handle things from here. I feel ready to go back to work by the end of the month as PT is beginning to progress since the blocks. I pray that everyone here is blessed by the hand of GOD in all there struggles with this condition. Will check in soon.:grouphug:

Lefty,
what is a DIME? and my pain doc said that I have CRPS Type I and also what is a MMI? How do you know when to get an attorney

We are self -insured but theyre still governed by the state.

DreaB,
I never intended to have any attorney at all and now I have two. One specifically for my WC, my first lawyer said it was too complicated for him. The Dept of Labor is difficult because they are the judge and jury. No impartial mediator, everyone works for the Dept of Labor. I still don't like having a lawyer, but being this far down this road, I wish I had gotten one sooner. Part of my delay was just deciding who to call. I didn't like the first two. I didn't feel like my interest was a priority. I am glad I have the 2 I have now.

Make a decision you can live with, without regret! So you don't second guess yourself later on.

With prayer for you,
pat e