just beware- steroids reduce swelling and will make everything feel better but only by masking the problem...frankly i would not take an EEG/NCV whie on them..i think the results would be skewed.

if they reduce swelling and you stay better that is useful info, but don't allow too much diagnostic testing while you are taking them.

just a quick thought.

document, everything... start a diary of how you are feeling it is a tool of value, lis time of day when you feel different pain etc. what you can, can not accomplish..., I was a fool not to do this !!!!

A little more advice...

When I was diagnosed with TOS and had so many dr.s appointments, medical procedures, a surgery, was in and out of the hospital, etc. a friend who is a cancer survivor advised me to keep a log of phone calls I made and who I spoke to and when. And to keep a accurate file of my medical bills, especially what I had paid out - co-pays, deductables, etc. and keep all of the insurance statements on file as well. It took a lot of time and organizing... But Im SO glad I did it! Health insurance companys are a unorganized mess, and its up to you to be on the ball...

Apperently, you can write off some medical expenses as well? Gotta check with my accountant. But at least I have all the paperwork.

Dena what is the plan of action from your ORTHO? what did he say he is ordering you to do? you have to be careful not to injure it more. I hope you find a lawyer to help you with this since it is work comp they will fight you tooth and nail if they hear TOS and RSD so be prepared to fight and take notes of all doctors you have seen how long was the visit and what was done and said. You might have to pay for a Dr. Thompson and have the IC pay the appointment if it is shown you have TOS but you need proof and a treatment plan by him also what would happen without his treatment they (IC) might send you than to a second opinion so the game begins there for work comp, but at least your treatment may start which is good. Dena I really pray you do not have TOS and that it is just something minor, now being said some people have had some really good outcomes from the operation if it comes to that. Right now concentrate on your health and take care of your self Doc Thompson will see and take good care of you if it is TOS and if not he will send you to a good doc to help you Dena good luck stay positive. flippn

Flippin, I love you so please do not take this post of mine the wrong way. Please, please, please. Hug to you.

I was a little concerned to read your post, as I do not want Dena to think that if she files work comp she will have a hard time and/or not be believed and/or have trouble with treatment.

In CA, the insurance co. has 30 days to provide treatment (and there are provisions for immed. emergency needs and/or pain, so one must see an attorney) and in my case:

I had IMMED. approval.

I was not diagnosed with TOS for over a year and a diagnosis (in my case anyways) was / is NOT nec. for filing the initial claim form - you list the symptoms / body parts. List ALL of the body parts that are having pain. Smartly, and which was true in fact, I listed my hand, forearm, upper arm, top of shoulder, shoulder, shoulder blade, neck and head. People forget that if they get headaches that they believe are related to their work duties, that you list the head! (The listing of body parts becomes so important as treatment may or is limited to these body parts - again, see your attorney for this, don't take this as legal advice.)

BUT - no one - please hear me on this - no one just "copy" what someone says, you MUST get an attorney consult from an experienced, good work comp attorney (and they are all FREE) and the attorney will listen to your complaints and help you fill out the claim form. It is up to your attorney to advise you on these things, not a Web board, or any other source. And these days, the fraud laws are very strict, and we all must be very careful in how we give our friendly advice, but I do know that our hearts mean well and our intentions are nothing but loving...

I had NO trouble getting treatment once the process was started. (I admit there was a little delay in getting my first work comp exam, but once I had it, things went along properly.)

It was not until I think the second year, when I needed to go from the CA docs who did not know what was wrong with me for sure, to get to Denver to see one of the top TOS docs. That's when requests got "ignored" and we had to go to an expedited hearing on the issue of seeing a Denver doc.

It is very wise to GET and MAKE A COPY of EVERY SINGLE piece of paper, report, form from ANY doctor you see from the very FIRST time of a work injury. Reason? At my two hearings my attorney did not have the med reports! I did, and had two copies as well. We won. ALSO, EVERY NEW DOC you see you should bring him a full set of med reports. In this way, you will have the strongest work comp file because ALL of your docs will be FULLY KNOWLEDGEABLE as to what ALL docs (pro or con, don't pick out the goodies or that's a big no-no) have said about your case.

I hope that our friendly advice has not been offensive in any, and, I do have concerns sometimes that ins. co.s or attorneys post here to see what we post. I think we are all sincere in our wanting to help, and we do not coach false claims in any way - but it does concern me, as what is that saying? "No good turn goes unpunished." You know I will not allow our TOSers to be attacked, so anyone who ever needs my help, please PM me...maybe I'm feeling a little paranoid today. (See my post on today I.)

I believe that because most of us have experienced at least some measure of people not believing us, or let's just say, no one can really imagine the levels of pain or the extent of disability many of us experience here!!! How could anyone guess or understand that due to a brachial plexus injury, sometimes I cannot move my body, wash, brush my teeth, or do other extremely simple acts???

So our posts are well-meaning, and I will say loud and clear that none of us want anything more than for each of us to get better and someday be able to say we're cured and can go back to work! There is not one TOSer I have met who did not truly want to get back to some kind of work, and ASAP. Besides the income, we miss the comaraderie, the sense of pride, and frankly, the sense of oneself that you do lose if you absolutely cannot work. It has taken me so much effort to accept and somehow try to force myself to believe that I have ANY value or reason to be on this Earth when I can't work and feel I am of service or paying my way or justifying my space here or having people help me because I can't take care of myself.

Anyways, like everyone here, I do hope that Dena does not end up with a diagnosis of TOS.

Tam your suggestions and guidance are so helpful!
That is "worth"
I wish I would have found all of you and the forum at the beginning of my "stuff".

I ASSUMED so much that everyone was doing the proper things for me and my wc claim, the drs, Atty- not!

My motto now is
"Do Not Assume that everyone has done their job correctly"

Jo, I LOVE your motto. In fact, I'm adopting it after my latest information not getting passed alot fiasco.

Tam you are correct, Dena do not worry about the IC your attorney will take care of everything as Tam has stated, please understand you must go see a attorney to give you advise for your situation as all cases are different as well as state laws concerning work comp.
I'm going through a rough patch Dena so excuse me for my thoughts that get veered off track at the IC LOL you do have to take care of your self and your needs hope to hear from you soon.

flippn

Tam thank you I should not go off like that my personal problems are not everyones else's case......

G'Morning all.

The EMG and NCS were yesterday. WOW...that was painful! When she stuck that needle into my wrist I about slugged her! I am able to go pick up the results today, though I don't think I will have time.

Thank you with all my heart for the excellent advice, thoughts and prayers offered in this thread. I love reading them and learning about each of our personalities, experiences and advice. It gives me such a huge amount of perspective, and I am truly blessed to have found this place as early on as I have.
At the risk of boring everyone, I'm gonna put down some of my thoughts on my own experience so far. Maybe it'll help me get things organized and in order in my own head. Also, ever since the clod told me in no uncertain terms that what I have is not TOS, I have been doubting my own TOS suspicions. So if any of the symptoms seem to "not fit" or are right on, maybe you all could let me know.

Symptom History

• Off & on neck and shoulder pain since a cheerleading injury in 1990
• Neck and shoulder pain usually alleviated by chiropractic care
• For the past year, would wake with left arm and/or hand asleep semi-frequently
• Started my new job waitressing 2 months ago. Arm/hand now asleep upon waking most of the time
• Three weeks ago the shoulder, arm and hand began aching while working or using it
• Pain would greatly increase at night, especially while sleeping
• 2 weeks ago pain began to intensify at the inner forearm...feeling could be described as intense burning, stretching, aching. Always worse when laying down.
• Hand goes numb whenever I hold anything upright (phone, cup, cigarette, etc)
• No pain relief using ibruprophen, tylenol or the like
• Heating pads and vibrating massage feel comforting
• Steroid cleared up majority of symptoms within 24hrs
• Symptoms began returning within 1 day of stopping steroids (even though off work for 7 days)
• ! lol, my daughter wants to make sure to tell you that I moan when I wake up.

Things that I have or have not done, that are probably a big mistake :/

• Have not pursued WC in any way. I decided to hold off until I am somewhat sure it is TOS or at least that it is work related FOR SURE
• I have begun saving all of my injury related stuff uin a folder in case I do need it for WC and also to help keep tabs on what I have done and haven't done.
• Have not found a good family doctor to oversee all the specialists, etc. I dont know where to start!
• Let the clod proceed with my EMG and NCS after I was treated with steroids for 4 days
• Am trying DESPERATELY to get back to work. Couple reasons: #1 I need the money BADLY and #2 It'll prove whether it is work related or not.
• I have no "plan" for what to do between now and when I go to see Dr. Thompson in a month. Wait for it to get worse? See someone else? No idea.

So...I have taken into account all of the advice and support offered here. And have used so much of it so far. I am forever grateful to all of you. Here's wishing everyone as much of a pain free day as possible.

The ortho (clod) has no plan of action at all. He simply wrote the two scripts and ordered the EMG and NCS which were yesterday. The Steriods worked so well, I had 4 days nearly pain free! (woooot). It's creeping back as of yuesterday when I began to wean off the steriod. So far IS is covering everything, and I have not begun any WC claims. to be honest, I am afraid of losing my job...and so unclear of how WC works, especially for a 3rd shift waitress who make $8 an hour + tips. Sometimes my tips are $150 a night, sometimes $30.

On a personal level, I am seperated and my estranged husband's IC is the one covering. I don't know how much longer it will cover me, surely until we are divorced (which I have no $$ to file). My work's optional insurance coverage won't be available for another 3.5 - 4 mos.