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Does this sound right? - queenbee - 12-24-2007 04:01 PM
Two weeks ago I had an Ime for neck surgery (shoulder surgery was approved in April but Dr wanted neck surgery done first).
Today I get a call from Shoulder DR wanting me to come in this Wednesday to schedule shoulder surgery.
Shoulder dr and neck dr said neck must be done first to make sure shoulder is done correctly (something about nerves coming from neck into arm).
I have not received the result of IME ( they said about 6 weeks)
Why would this be happening so quickly?
Why was the shoulder surgery held up for 8 months if it can be done now why wasn't it done in April?
Something doesn't see right here.
I tried to contact my lawyer but it is xmas eve.
Do you think this is a insurance game?
Why would my dr change his mind?
Sometime I feel like I am dealing with two idiots.
They are both orthopedic dr- everyone keeps telling me to see a neurosurgeon before I decide on surgery for neck.
Is this an option?
I am just upset with this happening today I wish I could think of it as a christmas present and be happy that things are starting to move
but how can one not be scared when doctors you are trusting first tell you one thing and now change thier minds.
I am not happy with the medical care I am receiving for this injury-
and I feel it is because it is workers comp.
Does anyone have any thoughts on this?
RE: Does this sound right? - Still in Limbo - 12-24-2007 04:14 PM
Hi Queen, I Hope You are Well! Just My Opinion, but I would Never have Surgery of the Neck, Spine, or Shoulder without a Second Opinion from a Neuro. Surgeon. The Areas We are Discussing have Many, Many Nerves traveling through them, and that's what a Neuro. does, makes Sure the Surgery is Done to Allow the Utmost Recovery of the Nerves. I would Contact My Attorney as soon as You Can after the Holiday, and Discuss a Second Opinion before I would Proceed!! I Hope this Helps, and Have a great Holiday!!
RE: Does this sound right? - AQA - 12-24-2007 04:26 PM
Limbo is correct. You will want to be seen by a neurosurgen. I started out being seen by orthopedic DR's. and then two neurosurgens. The end result was, my surgeries were done by a ortho. and a neuro together. Take Care.
RE: Does this sound right? - sparkey - 12-24-2007 04:35 PM
I agree with the rest. A neurosurgeon is the idea to go with. They are the ones that know more about the nerves than the BONE doctors. I went to a anestheologist/pm doctor and he did facet joint day surgery on my neck. Inserted the wrong rods the first time and had to take them out and start all over. All this without any sort of pain med or medicine to knock me out. Talk about PAIN. Please get a second opinion, as you could be damaged for life if they screw up any of them nerves in your neck. It would effect your arm/hand for sure. I wish you luck, and merry xmas.
RE: Does this sound right? - backache - 12-24-2007 04:43 PM
Get a neuro surgeons opinion I wouldn't have surgery involving nerves done without one.
RE: Does this sound right? - queenbee - 12-24-2007 05:04 PM
I want to thank you all so very much for your replys-
you guys are also so very helpful- I will be on the phone first thing wedneday before I go to the Ortho Dr. I will tell him I am getting a second opinion and try to get into a neurosurgeon as soon as I can.
So no surgery until I get a second opinion
Heck have waited 8 months for him he can wait a couple weeks for me.
HOPE EVERYONE HAS A VERY NICE HOLIDAY SEASON, YOU ARE ALL IN MY PRAYERS.
.
RE: Does this sound right? - tweety00 - 12-24-2007 06:40 PM
2nd or even a 3 opinion
My personal insurance said get as many as you need to totally feel comfortable with it
RE: Does this sound right? - queenbee - 12-27-2007 09:40 PM
I went to Dr yesterday to discuss shoulder surgery
He Had report from IME saying they were not approving neck surgery
Dr said neck surgery needs to be done first and I should contact my lawyer about a hearing.
I called my lawyer and he is trying to get a copy of IME from Ins co.
What is going to happen next?
Will Ins company stop paying me until hearing?
I CAN'T BELEIVE THE ime DOCTOR would do this he looked at the xrays checked my reflexes, moved my arms around, told me not to lose these xrays and then said good luck.
That was it and now he says I don't need surgery on my neck.
I was hoping I was on the road to surgery and back to work.
Ortho Doc said it will be 6 months before we get thru a hearing
Take anti inflamatory medication and call when we are ready or surgery.
Should I have the shoulder surgery and hope for the best or go the route of a hearing?
RE: Does this sound right? - Still in Limbo - 12-27-2007 09:51 PM
That's a tough Call to make Queen, You may want to have a Set Down talk with Your Attorney on this One. You Surely wouldn't want to do something to Jeopardize Your Case, but You also have to keep your Health as a Number One Concern. I Wish You the Very Best with whatever You Decide, and I Hope All Goes Well!
RE: Does this sound right? - Pooh - 12-27-2007 10:07 PM
Queen
Still is right on this one, it is a really tough call to make. Talk to your attorney on it. Since it is a medical issue your attorney may be able to push it through the courts a little quicker. I know in some states with medical issues they try to get those in quickly.
In the mean time since your doctor is still under the same impression that the neck surgery still needs to be done first - get a 2nd opinion to back up his claim with a neurologist or neurosurgeon as the others have given opinions on. This may help bolster your case in court.
Since I have neuro TOS, most ortho doctors will not do any type of surgery unless my range of motion gets worse because of the nerve damage I already have. The reason being that they know it can/may cause more nerve damage to my shoulder than what I already deal with on a daily basis.