Microdiscectomy for my back

[Dizzee]

Tex, can you please explain what MMI and TIB's are?

Maximum Medical Improvement
Temporary Income Benefits

 

[stevetheupsguy]

And here I was thinking, everything was big in Texas.

 

[beatupbrown]

Just got off the phone with Liberty Mutual and my epidurals have been denied by the "peer group". I asked how could it be denied when there is an MRI showing that I have a Herniated disc. She replied that the wording might not have been correct from the Dr. ***!

She said that they are tryng to override the peer groups decision. I explained my frustration with this whole mess and tld her I could be going in for my 2nd shot next week already, but I still have not been approved for my 1st shot. They are just dlaying the process and if they want to pay me to sit at home, only they could control that.

I have contacted an attorney and waiting for a call back.

705 it sounds like you are doing the right thing .UPS may act like they are trying to get the ball rolling on the shots but my experience they are in the same bed with Liberty mutual denying the shots.. There are so many stories of what people have done that worked and did work with different procedures .Yes you start with chiropractors some succeed with serous injuries to the back lots do not.Chiepopactors always says they can fix you money in the pocket. I myself did epidural shots the first one I blacked out and my nerve got worse than the said you need more so I did number 2 my back got worse then I said no to 3 of course they say you have to have a series of 3 shots. Fact is not all shots work for folks just some.But you need to try everything you can first before surgery just there is a chance you are damaging some parts of the back that will never recover it is a tough call trying to come to terms with all the contradicting statements coming form different specialist some times.
I

 

[trplnkl]

And here I was thinking, everything was big in Texas.

Big is a relative term. If you're talking about length...girth takes up the slack.

 

[trplnkl]

Maximum Medical Improvement
Temporary Income Benefits

Thanks Diz, I was late getting back to this one.

705...I hope you are at least looking into hiring a lawyer (as much as I hate them), I have a feeling you are going to need one on this.

 

[705red]

Thanks Diz, I was late getting back to this one.

705...I hope you are at least looking into hiring a lawyer (as much as I hate them), I have a feeling you are going to need one on this.

I have a friend that is a workers comp lawyer. I actually met him through the local and I have become good friends with him and his brothers that work in the practice. They have pulled of miracles with some comp cases that I have referred to them. He is walking me through this step by step and if it doesnt get resolved guickly he will be hired on and we will play the drag this thing out game. Under his advice we will try to speed things up so I canget better and back to work. This is my main concern, getting healthy and back to work, timely!

 

[upslick]

Im a little medicated, let me rephrase that, im medicated right now, but want to Thank all giving a helping hand.

Im only 27, so I dont believe retirement is in the near future. I know alot of people catch hell cause of work injurys, so I wasnt sure if posting was a good idea. What better place to gain knowledge than around those that do the same thing as I.

To help with the specs I have the MRI infront of me, doctor language is not my language...

L1-L2/3say normal for my age
L3/4 annular tear and disk protrusion with canal stenosis ect.
L4/5 annulat tear and disk protrusion with canl stenosis ect. mass effect on the L5roots in the lateral recesses ect.
L5-S1 right paracentral disk protrusion and annular tear with mass effect ont the right S1 root in subarticular recess, narrowing of the thecal sac, abuts the left S1 root in subarticular recess

being medicated its difficult to type up the whole thing but thats it in a nut shell. The only thing I remember the surgen saying was the last one or lowest one was the worst in that it's ruptured. All I know is since it all started, it's gotten worse and will not be surprised as when they go in it being worse than this MRI taken a couple months ago.

I will try at this again later - but Thank You Again...

first of all good luck. I will have my 2nd surgery on 3/4/10. Had my 1st one on 10/25/06. the best advice I can give you is to be patient. Let Liberty Mutual and ups play their games. In the end you will have surgery. After surgery, do all the rehab you can, dont go back til you are ready. And last, be careful with the meds, they are very potent and highly addictive.

 

[brother in brown]

Thanks Again for everyone keeping this going, im going to search after this post, but thought it would be cool to have a place where injured employees go on here to talk about getting injured and the processes. I know not all injurys are the same but some similar. Just a help area so someone does not have to go through blind.

Well surgery has been approved and set for in the next couple weeks. Have to go to the hospital and I guess they need to run some test, the person explained they just want to make sure your healthy enuf to go through with the surgery. Followed by my pre surgery consultation. I searched the internet about the surgery and kinda wish I had not done that, I only slept a couple hours that night after watching some of the videos they had on it UHHH. I was joking with my wife and told her to write something along the lines of -I AM A REAL PERSON- on my back somwhere before my surgery .

So far I have not really had to many problems with the work comp system. Except for the person that follows me around to all my apts. My last apt with my doctor doctor she started to lie about some stupid stuff and I mean stupid, why-I guess some people really believe these horrible people. Surgery took a little longer to get approved, but I figured that would. There is a website you can check on your checks you get and email to talk to your adjuster.

Just a side note, I finally have had time to read though the entire contract book thing that got handed out a long time ago, sounds like we are suppose to all get a raise this month, so something to look forward to. I went down and talked to the Union people, they say you can take a withdrawl card, but that stops all your benefits they pay out or something. So for the time being I have paid my own dues outta my pocket. The lady said something about if you can not go back to work the Union does something for you, or there is some benefit you recieve, I cant remember the jist of it, maybe someone here knows more about it?

Anyway, I will keep posted as things go - anyone have to talk to the person that handles work comp for UPS - mike friend I believe?

 

[UpstateNYUPSer(Ret)]

Short term disability.

 

[705red]

Thanks Again for everyone keeping this going, im going to search after this post, but thought it would be cool to have a place where injured employees go on here to talk about getting injured and the processes. I know not all injurys are the same but some similar. Just a help area so someone does not have to go through blind.

Well surgery has been approved and set for in the next couple weeks. Have to go to the hospital and I guess they need to run some test, the person explained they just want to make sure your healthy enuf to go through with the surgery. Followed by my pre surgery consultation. I searched the internet about the surgery and kinda wish I had not done that, I only slept a couple hours that night after watching some of the videos they had on it UHHH. I was joking with my wife and told her to write something along the lines of -I AM A REAL PERSON- on my back somwhere before my surgery .

So far I have not really had to many problems with the work comp system. Except for the person that follows me around to all my apts. My last apt with my doctor doctor she started to lie about some stupid stuff and I mean stupid, why-I guess some people really believe these horrible people. Surgery took a little longer to get approved, but I figured that would. There is a website you can check on your checks you get and email to talk to your adjuster.

Just a side note, I finally have had time to read though the entire contract book thing that got handed out a long time ago, sounds like we are suppose to all get a raise this month, so something to look forward to. I went down and talked to the Union people, they say you can take a withdrawl card, but that stops all your benefits they pay out or something. So for the time being I have paid my own dues outta my pocket. The lady said something about if you can not go back to work the Union does something for you, or there is some benefit you recieve, I cant remember the jist of it, maybe someone here knows more about it?

Anyway, I will keep posted as things go - anyone have to talk to the person that handles work comp for UPS - mike friend I believe?

You spoke of the person following you to your appointments, that would be a nurse, and you do not have to let her in whne you are seeing your doctor. She can come in afetr the check up has been done.

 

[stevetheupsguy]

first of all good luck. I will have my 2nd surgery on 3/4/10. Had my 1st one on 10/25/06. the best advice I can give you is to be patient. Let Liberty Mutual and ups play their games. In the end you will have surgery. After surgery, do all the rehab you can, dont go back til you are ready. And last, be careful with the meds, they are very potent and highly addictive.

Very, Very true. Some of these "wonder" drugs, such as anti inflammatory types, have been linked to heart and other organ problems, so take what you need and throw the rest out. I never took any of the drugs that I was given, as I believe that my body can heal itself. Great advice on the rehab, as well. GET BETTER AND DON"T LET THEM RUSH YOU. It's your body and you need to listen to it sometimes.

I have a friend that is a workers comp lawyer. I actually met him through the local and I have become good friends with him and his brothers that work in the practice. They have pulled of miracles with some comp cases that I have referred to them. He is walking me through this step by step and if it doesnt get resolved guickly he will be hired on and we will play the drag this thing out game. Under his advice we will try to speed things up so I canget better and back to work. This is my main concern, getting healthy and back to work, timely!

Diito that, and I told my lawyer and Liberty just this. I've been back to work since peak of 02, and I waited till I was absolutely 100% better. Believe me, they will try to tell you that you're MMI, but that doesn't mean you're 100%.

You spoke of the person following you to your appointments, that would be a nurse, and you do not have to let her in whne you are seeing your doctor. She can come in afetr the check up has been done.

Very true, red. My nurse, though the coolest person in the world, was not allowed in the room with me, ever. Remember, it's your choice.

 

[QKRSTKR]

I had this done almost 4years ago exact. I feel great. Mine was L5s1. Which is the bottom disc. It was just a small piece that bulged out real bad. It totally put my sciatic never at like a 90degree anlge. Not good. I had it happen at home, even though I knew it was from work over time. I didn't fight it. From the day it happened to surgery was only a month. This helped prevent permanant never damage. I still do have a little twitching in my left calf muscle from where the nerve was hit by the disc.

The important thing is to have the best doctor around. Most people who don't do well or have bad nerve problems have doctors who nick this or that. Not good in there. My surgery lasted about 1/2hr to 1hr I think. Surgery was at 7am, I was in my room by 9. I actually went home that evening at 5pm. And no, its not an out-patient surgery. My guy was good. Important to walk a lot right after surgery as soon as you can. This also helps prevent scar tissue somehow. Pain wasn't to bad. I think I only took pain meds when I wanted to sleep 4 like the first week. Then you have 6 weeks therapy, water first then regular. I was back to work only 4 weeks after surgery.

Good luck.

 

[stevetheupsguy]

I had this done almost 4years ago exact. I feel great. Mine was L5s1. Which is the bottom disc. It was just a small piece that bulged out real bad. It totally put my sciatic never at like a 90degree anlge. Not good. I had it happen at home, even though I knew it was from work over time. I didn't fight it. From the day it happened to surgery was only a month. This helped prevent permanant never damage. I still do have a little twitching in my left calf muscle from where the nerve was hit by the disc.

The important thing is to have the best doctor around. Most people who don't do well or have bad nerve problems have doctors who nick this or that. Not good in there. My surgery lasted about 1/2hr to 1hr I think. Surgery was at 7am, I was in my room by 9. I actually went home that evening at 5pm. And no, its not an out-patient surgery. My guy was good. Important to walk a lot right after surgery as soon as you can. This also helps prevent scar tissue somehow. Pain wasn't to bad. I think I only took pain meds when I wanted to sleep 4 like the first week. Then you have 6 weeks therapy, water first then regular. I was back to work only 4 weeks after surgery.

Good luck.

Herein lies the problem. Why does everything always have to be fought for? Can't they just say okay, let's get you the treatment you need?

 

[stevetheupsguy]

Moderator, please delete this post.

 

[Highwayman]

Good luck on these problems. the thing is the company and LM come at this like everyone is trying to put one over on them. It makes everyone angry and only slows down the process. Get your own second third or forth opinion and go from there. If you don't think you need a lawyer, talk to one anyway. It's your body not UPS's. There is life AFTER brown. The important thing is to get well and live your life. Once again GOOD LUCK!

 

[705red]

Good luck to you and hope the surgery goes well and you have a speedy recovery.

I just had my epideral yesterday, not the most pleasnt thing I have been through, but not the worst either. I can feel it helping a little already, the muscles down the leg do not seem to be spasmed up as bad. I am having some muscle cramps along the scatic nerve but that is to be exoected they said.

I received a letter from an agency working with LM, they have made me an appointment with an IME for 3/22. I was really hoping to be back by than, thats over another month away, I have cabin fever going on. I looked up the IME doctor, and its interesting what you can find on doctors now adays. He has lost many cases in court where he clained to be the specalist for either side.

I am in the process of finding my own second opinion also just to defuse this knucklehead.

 

[beatupbrown]

705red great post, when folks go to a specialist from UPS they think that everything is on the up and up .Sometimes that is true and sometimes not .Now we know that they will choose one that they can influence with more paying customers .You had the fortitude to check out his back ground great point there, with the internet you can check out doctors past. Sound like you found one that will go with the highest bidder so be careful folks just because he or she is a specialist does not mean they are not being influenced by the company.

 

[Coldworld]

I know you work safe, I was just saying as a general fact. Good luck to you!!!

 

[brother in brown]

O.K.... I know it has been a minute since I posted with this one. Had the surgery done about two weeks ago and go to get the staples outta my back next week. If and If anyone say's this is not that bad then you need to stop talking to that person- , well everyone one is different... Guess mine was worse than my MRI showed on one of the sides and that really sucked. Since it took so long I guess to get in and having had taken alot of meds prior to surgery, I woke SHIVERING, SHAKING AND IN MORE PAIN THAN I CAN BEGINE TO EXPRESS. I begged everyone around me to please help and nothing worked. Morphine something that starts with d and b, but my body I was told had to high a tolerance. So with that spoken, deal with it as is. Everything I had before surgery I still have now about two weeks out, and I PRAY TO GOD, that it settles down, what I had before surgery is here and worse/more complicated. When I told my surgen I was worried about my health he literally started cursing at me went on about how much money is being spent to heal me, WOW... What sucks worse is I have been told that I now have to enter into this work hardening program next week. When this started I was suppose to go back to my treating doc and physical therapy place, guess they did not like the reports they gave on me before surgery. Why does a surgen or doctor base your care on what a case manager and nurse follow along say from behind a desk across town that you have never met -well one of them, instead of what they would like to do, does not seem right. Anyway, alot of pain and complications later I am at least still alive. Anyone have to deal with comp-it ROYALY SUCKS. I am just trying to keep my energy going and slowly doing a little more as it seems to help the most. What would I say is the worst at this point... I can hardly feel my left foot which is really creepy and I literally do not like to touch my toes as difficult as that is as how weird it feels. So for now that is that

 

[brother in brown]

Not sure if this thread is still going/active, but I spoke with my local union people today and they say I can take a with draw card, I will be out for at least a couple more months-so told. Any benefit to staying on and paying cash if your not actually working-working? Does not sound good when they say if you take the with draw card, you are no longer a member, so would that put you as a start over if you take it and come back? Thanks