Lost and Scared
 

Hi. I found this forum in a fit of complete desperation. First, I will explain my situation, then my mental state.

I was very slowly diagnosed with 3 mild herniated cervical discs(C4-C5, C5-C6, C6-C7) over the course of roughly 2 months. I spent a total of 4 months in physical therapy(half before, half after diagnosis and treatments). I have been given steroid shots, pills, and an epideral shot; as well as aggressive use of anti-inflammitories. Nothing has helped relieve my pain fully, or at all. I recently "passed" an FCE, and am due to return to work in the morning.

Which brings me to my mental state...I am honestly scared out of mind...I just can't sleep. I don't know what to do anymore. My spinal surgeon tells me that I am too mild of a case to be a candidate for surgery, and that my condition will degenerate over time. I know that due to the physical demand of my work, I will be injured again within the year...perhaps sooner...

I am so scared and lost...I don't know what to do, or even who to talk to...Even as I type this I must admit I am breaking down and crying like only once before in my life...

Please, just any advice might help.

What kind of work do you do?
Is it a large company so you can request to transfer to another type of work in the company?

Did the doctor fully understand what your work entails?
He didn't give any restrictions for modified duties?

Could the c spine herniations be due to the job as in work comp?

With some expert care and some life/work adjustments perhaps that surgeon will be wrong...

Do you have a copy of your written MRI report to post here?

I can't believe I forgot to mention those...

It is a work injury. I work at a chain warehouse owned by this company: **(*). I have explained what it is I do till I am blue in the face. My explanations put me out of work since Thanksgiving 2013. My current doctor believes the FCE report gives him no choice but to clear me to 100% full duty with no restrictions to see how I fair.

Given the restrictions set by every doctor I have seen, including one of those that put you back to work regardless of health, my work has decided I am not suitable for duty, and they do not have any positions I can fill that fit my limitations.

my MRI findings state as follows:

There is normal alignment of the cervical spine. The vertebral body heights are preserved. Cervical cord demonstrates normal signal. Craniocervical junction appears unremarkable.

There is prominence of the adenoidal tissue.

C2-C3: No significant disc protrusion or neural compromise.

C3-C4: No significant disc protrusion or neural compromise.

C4-C5: Shallow central disc protrusion seen. Effacement of the anterior thecal sac with gentle abutment of the central cord.

C5-C6: There is central and left paracentral disc extrusion. Effacement of the anterior thecal sac with mild mass effect on the central cord. Mild central canal stenosis and left lateral recess narrowing is resultant.

C6-C7: Central and left paracentral disc protrusion demonstrated. Effacement of the anterior thecal sac and gentle mass effect on the central cord. Mild central canal stenosis. Left lateral recess narrowing is seen. There is also mild to moderate left neural foraminal narrowing.

C7-T1: No significant disc protrusion or neural compromise.

We have a Work comp forum too that might have tips on navigating the system. http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum30.html

Is your claim accepted and you got paid for time off?
States have differing laws/rules so look up your state for comp section for more info.

You might consider seeking/interviewing some work comp attys to get thoughts on your claim and status..ask many questions before deciding or signing anything.
They get a % of any settlement.



Best to not name the actual employer or identifying details with WC claims as they might do searches.

I currently have been receiving work comp pay for time of and they pay for medical needs having to do with my condition so far.

I have an attorney who I hear only good things of. He has given me some good advice so far, and I am getting him to see about keeping my case open, even though they may seek to close it.

Thank you for blocking that employer name. I am still learning how...suspicious Work comp insurance can be.

Oh and sometimes you need to find a comp savvy MD that has the toughness to stand up for your best health..
sometimes attys know of them..

and best to not talk of comp claim/injury details to coworkers (or boss/HR unless necessary - they are there to keep the ins rates down so any info might be used against you) I know it sounds paranoid but it's the way it is..

been there...

My attny approves of my current doctor, and the doc is giving me a month to have the attny seek to keep the case open. The doc keeps assuring me that I have strong evidence of a legitimate issue. The attny is impressed by my procedural approach so far...I just can't hold it together anymore...

Explore the Spinal forum and the work comp forum, use the search tool for specific topics.

Happy reading , knowledge is power..

It will get to you at times but try to let it roll off your back..

I could not find info to shed some light on this new concern.

I returned to work today, and after some light activity, I became dizzy, lightheaded, and felt some vertigo along with jolts(like funnybone jolts). I am having trouble finding if this shares relation to cervical disc herniation. Also, watery diarrhea. Had that a few months ago for over a week, then kidney stones to break it up...anyway, I'm just complaining now.

So do any of the symptoms I mentioned relate at all the cervical disk herniation, or am I looking for a new set of problems?