Hello again
Figured I would jump on and give you my progress or lack of it. Last visit to my Neurologist suggested I have
mild to moderate weakness in my left wrist. I was somewhat surprised because I have been getting increased pain and numbness in my
right arm and hand (elbow and wrist). Just had my 4th EMG in 4 years of my upper extremities and really didn't show anything new but did rule out carpal tunnel and elbow issues. Doc said depending on my MRI finding next month he will better determine if I am in need of surgery to correct my first operation back in 2007 (ACDF C5-7)
Depending on my MRI I will make a decision about applying for SSDI. My return back to work is October 10th. I did find out by an attorney I could try going back and would have up to 3 months to decide if I could do the job or not and not effect my time off towards SSDI. Again if the MRI shows anything I'll end the fight right there.
Not looking good as he thinks my issue is with my C6-7
Take care and Be well
Good to hear from you tpm.....I hope you don't need another surgery but from the sounds of things you may have no choice. Keep us posted.
Thanks Chris and Capricorn, I'll keep you posted. I think I forgot to mention that I have an appointment with another Neurosurgeon scheduled after I get my MRI just so I can have a second opinion. Figure it can't hurt
Be Well
Hi tpm,
Good to hear from you again. God I sure hope that you will not need another neck surgery. I know you have been through the mill. Just a word of warning about SS. If you go a long period of time without working and paying into SS this could have an effect on your SS. The longer you do not work and pay into SS it can decrease the amount you collect. This is what I was told so you might want to ask about that. If you file for SS as you know you will most likely be denied the first time around. But, the good thing is if and when you do get SS they will have to go back to your original date that you filed for SS. Therefore, it does not hurt you to file but it will effect you if you wait a long time not working and then file. Like I said, this is something I was told when I went through it by my lawyer so I was told to go ahead and file. I filed for it 9 months after I was out of work and was not able to return. Of course I was denied and had to get a laywer but I won it at our first hearing. SS can be a _itch to fight with.
Please keep us posted and remember I am praying for you. God bless and take care,
Cajun Hugssssssssssssssssss,
MJC
Thanks for the advice MJC. I just sent for a SS statement and found it was more then I thought it would be, almost 2200. My next hurdle would be to see if WC pays me the full amount or if they will reduce it any. I also need to know what happens when I start collecting my pension in 7 years. But like I say... One day at a time
Hope you are doing better these days and I'll keep you posted
Hi tpm.
I certainly hope another neck surgery is not in your future!
You can recieve SS AND WC....but SS payments will be less because you are also recieving WC. They figure in an offset amount.
You are in my prayers! Lilly
Thanks Lilly. I wasn't figuring on that offset but I now remember my attorney mentioning it. I believe he said there may be an offset, I didn't think it was a definite. I'm in NY if that matters.
Thanks and Be Well
Hello again
I went for another MRI on Tuesday and will hopefully pick up the report today. My future pretty much lies on what the report will find. My doc is thinking maybe a corrective surgery from my first operation of my C5-7 ACDF because of my increased weakness in my wrist and pain and numbness in my opposite arm. My pain is becoming more and more intense as well.
If this isn't enough I am going to a WC hearing today because they want to cut my weekly compensation down because of the IME findings (or lack of) on July 9th. August 11th I went to my Neurologist who found the weakness and rated me totally disabled so I am hoping that will be enough.
My return to work has to be by October 10th or I will be terminated.
I'll keep you posted and cross your fingers for me
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Be well
Tom,
I hate hearing this news but I will say some extra prayers that the results of your MRI will not require another surgery. Although, with good results from the MRI this still does not find out what your problem is so therefore your problem will continue to be ongoing until they find the actual problem. I truly feel for you my friend. I am so thankful that my 2 fusions in my neck did well because as I read what you write regarding your situation I truly realize how forturnate I really am. Also, I do not have any hardware in my neck they just used a bone from the bone bank and it fused real good. I really do not have any problems with my neck, just occassional and I sure wish that your outcome could have been the same. We will continue to pray about all this and you will get some answers my friend.
Just be careful with SS because you do know that the longer you stay off of work without applying it can cost you because you will not have current working quarters that you have been paying in to SS. I just want you to be careful. Even if you apply, it will take a very long time before they get to your case.....well, it normally does. I feel like you need to apply and not wait because they will have to go back and pay you from the date that you originally applied which if you do that now and qualify, good and if you should get better and want to return to work then you have lost nothing. Of course this is only my opinion. Just because you apply now does not mean that you have to go on SS. I look at it as a pre-caution regarding being penalized because of not working for a long time and not paying into SS. You may want to think about this a bit. As for attempting to return to work by Oct. 10th, I just don't see that happening for you at this time. You must remember, after your first surgery you returned to work and in my opinion I feel you moved too quickly in doing that and should have taken more time off. But, of course, I don't know your home situation so I guess I may be out of line in saying that. Please do not take that opinion the wrong way. I am just looking at your situation, knowing where you have been with your injury and knowing and remembering back to when you first had your surgery. Of course, I am no doctor but only know what I have been through after having 3 neck surgeries and ending up with 2 fusions myself.
Please keep us posted as to what will happen next for you. I am really concerned and I know how bad you want to return to work. You have to remember, you need to do what is right for your health. You are no good to anyone if you do not take care of yourself. You are the person that knows your body the best, not even your doctors. You know what you feel and I promise it it very real. I went through that with my neurosurgeon as he tried to make me feel like I had been in pain so long that I was imagining my pain. Only to finally do another MRI and found out I needed a fusion and later I needed a second one. I had to tell him, well I guess all this time my pain has been in my head, huh. It did me all the good to say those words to him because I did not like being made to feel like I was crazy and just imagining I was in pain. I will be praying for you and your family. Please take good care of yourself and may God bless you, my friend.
Cajun Hugsssssss,
MJC