Questions about mri results
 

My name is jason.I am 34 and divorced father of three.I hurt my back on the job.Ruptured disc at my L5-S1 it is protruding 8.3mm.There is a compression of the preforaminal left S1 nerve root.The first specialist said I needed a fusion of the L5-S1.He was a orthropedic surgeon and if I was going to have surgery I wanted a Neurosurgeon.Well it took 6 months to finally get in to see him.He looked at my mri and wanted to do a discectomy insted but wanted a new mri.I took the new mri and seen my Dr.on the 17th.He said the rupture was slightly smaller but now I had 2 herniated discs on L-4 and L-3.I have been off work for 7 months.Well my Dr. said that we had to try ESI shots and PH.Th. before surgery.Now instead of the discectomy he said that we would have to do a double fusion.But get this he sent me back to work for light duty,and did not even give me the ESI.I am in so much pain in my back and left leg.I have also moved 75 miles away from my old job to be closer to my Dr.I just cant understand what is going on?I have had a lawyer since I was told I had to have surgery but there is nothing I can do but move back.But my employer has already hired 2 people 7 months ago.Once I get better there is no job there for me anymore.I am afraid I will just be fired once I start back to work and my lawyer said they can do that.What do I do?

gosh jason,

that sounds awful. so much runaround. do you have a good pcp? perhaps your primary dr can run interference for you and help guide you.

at this point i'd forget the job and concentrate on doing what you need to to get better, and feel better. could you bring someone to your appt with you?
maybe they could be an advocate for you. and get some pain meds.

i'd just be a little assertive with this dr and ask for what you need. like pain medication.

please keep us updated and welcome to NT.

Welcome

You're not alone. That's an all to familiar story you're telling. WC is a hard thing to go though, my friend. Here's a big hug for you :hug:

I've never filed a comp claim, but I get to peep into a lot of them. I am a court reporter and I take depositions of lots of injured workers.

If you're not able to work, you know yourself better than anyone, then you're just not able.

Have you applied for SS Disability yet? Just a thought.

Disability is tough to handle. You will find lots of support here.

It won't always be this way.

See you around the board.

Hello Jason!!
 

Hello and welcome to NeuroTalk. Happy to see you have come to be with us. Just let us know if we can be of any help.

There are great number of fellow members here to assist as possible. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around.

Darlene :hug:

Hey jason, i feel for you.
 

in 2004 i had 2 brain surgerys, & 6 weeks of radiation. my brain is now fried i have had many mri [about 30], i feel like my docs still think i dont have nothing wrong with me, i go every month. trying to get ssd is a joke i know people have gotten it for the problem you have now why i cant get it for my brtain i dont know anyway good luck
:confused:

Hi. Welcome

Have you applied for Social Security Disability? At least to get the ball rolling. Because in case you are not able to go back to work, you will have at least set the application process (which is lengthy), in motion.

All the best

melody