Sorry I haven't been posting too much...there's been lots of frustrating stuff going on as I await approvals and such from work comp. I was FINALLY able to get an update on what's been going on the last month and a half with work comp. I had to switch attorneys because I quite literally could not get a hold of my attorney or his assistant...couldn't get a return phone call...and couldn't even get a response to an email...for over THREE WEEKS (during which time I was not receiving any pay and had no idea if my doctor's appointments were being approved or anything)! So then I went through the process of finding a new attorney, signing on with him, and now after almost 3 more weeks I finally know what has been going on.

Apparently work comp finally got the IME report from when I went back in the beginning of June for an IME. It is literally 2 paragraphs that say the CRPS is a pre-existing condition and he thinks I can return to work with no restrictions. Yeah...sure...I can't even bathe myself more than once a week, walk or stand for more than 10-15 minutes, and can't use my walker (along with a bunch of other things)...and there's no way falling off the top of a 10 ft ladder could have made me worse. At any rate...the bottom line is work comp is denying any further treatment and benefits and send a settlement offer for $20K to my previous attorney along with a letter stating they were denying further benefits. He, of course never communicated any of that to me and I was in the dark about any of this for the past 6 weeks.

Anyway...the new lawyer is confident that they will be able to win when it comes down to my doctor vs their doctor...my doctor is the best CRPS doctors in the area and is a GREAT advocate for his patients. So I am not worried on that end. Unfortunately...getting everything together to bring this before the commission and fight for benefits is going to take TIME. Time that I quite frankly just don't have any more. I cannot take care of myself...I cannot take care of my daughter...and I am just ready to move on with my life.

So while my lawyer works on everything from his end...I have decided to see if I can apply for long term disability and put the DRG surgery through my regular insurance. I may even be back at work before all this nonsense is all sorted out. So I'll be making lots of phone calls over the next few days to see what I can sort out to start the process moving forward.

I really didn't want to have to do this route...but after much thought and debate...getting treatment is the most important thing...getting me better. I am anxious to get my life back and sitting around waiting for work comp to step up and do what they are supposed to do is just not the right decision for me. I still believe that we will win our case and all of this cost will be reimbursed to me as well as TTD payed from the time benefits stopped...but that could be months down the road still.

I'll let you guys know once I get the surgery and everything scheduled. I feel like a weight has been lifted now that I have made this decision. It's not going to be easy...but this is the quickest way I think to address the immediate concerns I have with my health and CRPS. I think this is the right decision for me and my family. The lawyer said going through my regular insurance only causes a minor complication on his end and that it's something he's definitely able to handle. So I'mm going to let the lawyers do their thing and on my end I'm going to push the process forward with the means I have available to me. Hopefully I can get LTD payments...but even if I can't it's not like I am any worse off that I am right now. The sooner I get healthy...the sooner I get back to work and can have money coming back in, right?

Anyway...that's my update. Hopefully the next one will be that I have my trial for the DRG stimulation scheduled!

Dear Catra,

It is good to hear from you. It can be difficult to post when a lot is going on. I'm sorry that you've had to go through so very much lately. I can only imagine the frustration of dealing with the delays and obstacles you've been facing. It is good that you got a new attorney.

It sounds like you have put a lot of thought into the best way to move forward. I am so glad to read that you feel relief having made the decision to go ahead and get treatment through your insurance. The period when when we are agonizing over what to do is often very stressful and keeps us at a level of "alert" that isn't healthy long term. Your sense of relief and your certainty is a good sign that you've chosen wisely for you.

You have my support, and that of so many others here, I know you are ready to get to the next stage so you can best be there for yourself and your beautiful little girl.

Let us know your procedure dates. Many prayers and thoughts of healing will be coming your way.

Thanks. I made the phone calls today to start things moving forward with a LTD claim through my insurance and with the pain center. I need to get an official letter of denial for the DRG stimulation in order to move forward with the treatment...but I'm hoping that won't be too hard to get since they have denied the treatment. With luck...within a few weeks I can get the trial for the DRG stimulation scheduled...then it will probably take a few more weeks to actually get in for the procedure...and we'll go from there. I'm guessing that this whole process will take 3-4 months for the first surgery...at which point I will hopefully be able to return to work and life in general. Fingers crossed that this works out!

Good luck with all your struggles! It's not easy. Been there (in my country), not willing to discuss it and certainly not at length here, since I'm not that anonymous.

Once you made your decision, you sure got moving on things! I love your positive attitude. My thoughts and prayers will be with you.

Shay

The waiting and being in limbo is the worst for me...once I know what's going on then I can make decisions and plans and start working towards a solution. I hate sitting around like this and being so limited...I've always been a woman of action so while I sit I make plans for the various outcomes so once I know what my options are then I can do something about it. There are so many things out of our control...the best advice I have ever gotten since getting RSD is to not focus on the things we can't control (like what work comp does) but to focus on what I CAN control so that I can keep moving forward. That has helped me through all the hardest times.

Oh, how I strive to be like that. I am a chronic worrier which only makes things worse. I have tried meditation but it is difficult for me to stay focused. Recently, I have been trying mindfulness exercises with success. I will continue to strive to be more positive like you. Thank you for the inspiration.

Shay