Hello's
 

New here and hoping to find information, support and overall validation.

In 2012 I was sitting see-saw style on a picnic bench at work, and as another person on the opposite end stood up, their end lifted and I went backwards as if to fall but because I was a gymnast growing up- my reflexes kicked in so I went into a squat, snapping forward my arm also grabbed the underside of this bench and saved me from falling.
Then my knee which was also hurt in an MVA swelled in minutes. Then lower back soreness next day. Following a few days later a very stiff neck.
Well, My employer (big company) has decided that their work men's comp provider needed to play games and not call me back...weeks went by, and then emergency room visits because the pain in my neck, arm, and hand on the left side wasn't bad enough....to call me back sent me to an IME doctor who said there is nothing wrong with my neck, refusing to address it entirely. At this point laying flat, and sleeping was a challenge....

Then MRI through my own insurance revealed two herniated discs from c5-c7.
Surgery followed, acdf both fused.

Retuned to work 5 months afterwards total confident. Two days later I was in agony again. I work 12 hour shifts and during which I bend lift, walk stand push and do hours of physical activity. I ended up leaving for continued PT because I went back too soon. I did beg to go back to work, at 8 hours only . Boredom was the reason I wanted to go back. I'll be 50 next yr and raised 4 athletic kids and mind you, second marriage has been a blessing. The surgery was a complete success...until....

When walking into work one November evening I was hit by a huge automatic glass, commercial door that sent me into the crowd of others arriving with me all walking in the same door with me.
Guess what? Herniated c3-c4 and at the time it was herniated compressing the nerve root try zone. Had a second surgery, and this time...it's a lot harder. Work men's comp didn't pay me at all in2014 and I've had to get an attorney because my doctor has said its work related and the first surgery was denied..so now this second injury /disc herniations happened 3 months after I returned from the last one...they played games. It took them one year to approve an MRI and then surgery followed. They paid for the second surgery, and have started to pay my LTD after it. But owe me an entire yr f salary.

Well, my recovery has been harsh. I've gotten vertigo, now a new MRI reveals the disc fused are paralateral/far lateral left indenting the Ventral CFS space, @c5-c7 and I now have osteophytes on c5-c6 foraminal narrowing, mild right and c6-c7 moderate left.

Also- I have nerve pain from my left side, down to my elbow and headaches , severe at times. I've called hem repeatedly and they are very slow, even lazy about my voicemails. The pain is very similar to before the first surgery. I have been complaining to my surgeon 3 weeks after the second surgery. I've also been unable to tolerate opiates for pain on any regular basis. Muscle relaxers make me sleepy, and PT is slow and very unproductive. I feel as - if I was able to manage my pain..PT would,be better affectively, and my last visit I called for an appt for pain management, which is what the PA told me he pull arrange and the doctors PA never put it in my chart. My doctors MA is rude, recently I've confronted the issue of not returning my calls for two weeks, and she responded with "I don't have to take this from you,or put up with it" . So after that heated conversation- I called the HR department. This because this is a repeat issue with this medical assistant. Lastly, I'm tired of dealing with people who lack compassion, and don't do their jobs. Was I wrong to call HR and complain? This doctor has been my doctor since 2012. At some point, I'm a regular frequent flyer and deserve the basic amenities in respect to client/patient privilege .

Hello More4mepleez,

Welcome to the NeuroTalk Support Groups.

You've certainly been through a lot in the past couple of years. I'll post a few different forums below where you may like to post or read and I'm sure you'll find support and information from the members here.

I'm sorry about the problems with your doctor's medical assistant. It makes it a difficult situation if you're having to go through her and she's resistant to helping you or is just not doing her job.

Spinal Disorders & Back Pain Forum

Chronic Pain Forum

Layoffs, Unemployment and Worker's Compensation Forum

Nice to meet you!!
 

:Wave-Hello: Hello and welcome, happy to see you have come to be with us, it a great place to be. We have a great number and caring fellow members here, where you have find a supportive and relaxing place. Have fun looking into the different forums. Our shoulders are here for support in many ways.

Please keep us up to date on your condition. Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around. My thoughts and prayers are with you. :smileypray:

Darlene :hug:

Thank You.
 

Yes- it's good to have a place to share and get feedback. The issue with the MA has been consistent and when someone is in pain, the emotion of being helpless and feeling alone, and discarded has a great deal to do with communication. I'm guilty of being slightly annoyed and presenting this in my communication.

And sometimes in this medical environment, people just have bad days. It can be that simple a cocktail for heightened emotions on both sides of this. But it's their job to return phone calls, address patients needs and relay medical information in the medical charts for others to do their job correctly. I see the cause of why This situation happened.
The PA whom I saw last had and still has an issue of not putting proper notes and details in my chart.
The MA doesn't get enough input and doesn't return calls due to work issues and medical records being incomplete.
I also have a Health Admin degree and know the way medical records are processed, and gathering info is essential.

Thank you for your very kind words.