Carpal Tunnel/Repetitive Stress Syndrome in TN-Workers Comp Issue

[Tizz]

To Answer your question......

No, I have never had any problems with either of my
hands until back in Aug. It started with the Ring finger pain on
my right hand. Nor have any jobs I have ever worked caused
this pain,It wasn't until being at my present job almost a year
that this problem started.

I was born with Scoliosis & Spondlyosis and have Arthritis in my
spine as well.But like I said all my other jobs that I have done
which even included factory work many many years ago have
never caused me any problems with either of my hands. I am
as baffled as you are.

Even with my spinal disease I almost never get stiff necks.

[Tizz]

Well I have to go back to the Dr.
I saw from the panel of Dr.s on monday to talk about
my EMG results and to see whats next.

The TN WC lady still hasn't heard from the adjuster and she is
assuming its because of the ice storm that hit Kentucky.

Ive been doing some research and reading on the internet.
Since my EMG came back showing NO Carpal Tunnel
according to the Neuro,I also have really bad pain in the
inner side of my elbow. So maybe you can help me with
this....

What I found is something called "Medial Epicondylitis" which
is very similiar to Tennis Elbow. After reading info on this,I have
all the symptoms of that condition and the other thing I found
is "Cubital Tunnel Syndrome",gain similiar symptoms.

Does anyone know anything about these conditions and how
does a Dr go about finding if this is what a person has???
I realize these are crazy questions but since im being told that
I don't have Carpal Tunnel im trying to figure it out on my own.
By the way,the condition's I mentioned above are caused by
Repetitive jobs etc.

[Tizz]

Well the TN WC lady finally
got in touch with the AIG adjuster and even though she sent
me a letter saying my claim was denied,She told the TN WC
that my case is still open and they are paying for all Dr. visits
which none of this makes any sense to me at all.
If my case is open,then why send a denial letter to me if they
are still looking into the medical exams/cause etc. I don't get any of
this.
All I know is that I am in pain and my inner elbow kills me and my
swelling on top of my hand and on each side of my right ring
finger has NOT gone down any. I can NO longer make a fist and
can't even bend my right ring finger or pinky very far as its
getting worse. When are they going to find what is going on
with my hand or is it going to take me losing ALL use before
they do. I am 100% sure this is work related and its only getting
worse and im still working in this condition even on restricted use
with NO time lossed from work.

[Bad Boy Bad Boy]

This is what AIG has been known to do. They say one thing to one person, and another thing to you. Somewhere in this post, I posted a web site on this information for you, maybe look back a couple of pages and read it.

[Tizz]

Well I went back to the Dr today and he
read the results of the EMG which I already knew said that
they see NO Carpal Tunnel. I told the Dr. that I had heard
tht sometimes the results show negative on the very 1st EMG
and he didn't have alot to say about that etc. At any rate,today
my right ring finger is disfigured and swelled even more then before
and its moving right on up my finger to my nail.

I mentioned to the Dr. that I had been reading and found
"Cubital Tunnel Syndrome" and "Medial Epicondylitis" and that alot
of the symptoms are exactly what I have. So I asked him what
he thought,there again,he didn't say alot.

He has now referred me to an Ortho Hand Dr and again I will have
to wait and see if that appointment gets approved once the AIG
adjuster hears that they say NO Carpal Tunnel in my hand.

Im just soooooo frustrated and while we are playing this game,my
hand/fingers are getting worse with no relief in sight. I did get
steroids today since nothing else is helping with the swelling.
But im just wondering how long its going to take for them to figure
out whats wrong with my hand etc.

[UndercovrAngel]

Tizz,

Be glad at this time that you are at least getting some kind of treatment for your injury. It may just be a band aid for now, but at least they are working on finding out what is causing your problems.

I started having problems with my right hand, arm and shoulder 1 year ago today. My employer finally filed a claim on it the 27th of February and the WC IC denied it the 13th of March. I have been fighting ever since to get the claim accepted.

In April of 08, I had a state appointed IME that said my injury was work related. I have had a computerized FCE that shows there is something wrong and stated it was caused because of my work and a desk that was ergonaomically incorrect. I had an MRI last month that showed bone bruises from a traumatic event and yesterday when I saw the Dr that has kept me out of work, we went over my EMG/NCV. The EMG came back showing nothing wrong, but the NCV showed not only problems with my right arm, but also my left arm now where I have overused it protecting my right one from further injury.

I was originally told that if the MRI showed anything wrong, my claim would be automatically accepted by the IC and I would start getting treatment, TIBS and travel reimbursement. This was agreed to between my attorney and the IC's attorney the day before we were to go to a contested claim hearing back in October. I finally got the MRI on January 14th and they are still denying my claim.

I have been living on short term disability through my ex-employer since August, but when I got home yesterday, there was a letter from the company that handles the STD that stated they were denying any further STD dating back to January 5th as they never received the paperwork for January from my Dr and after several attempts to contact him as well as me (which is a flat out lie as there is no phone record of any calls from them on either the home phone or my cell phone), they no longer would be paying me. Not only did I see where the Dr's office faxed them the paperwork 3 times, I also faxed it to them. It's just their way of messing with me as I am due to go on long term disability the 23rd of this month..and because I have other health problems non related to my wc injury that my insurance is having to pay for. This way, if they deny my claim, they no longer have to pay for my insurance..and I am left out in the cold as far as meds that I have taken for over a year that have some wicked withdrawal symptoms..and I am due for a refill tomorrow which I now can't get.

Hang in there and have some patience. I know it is hard when all you want to do is get better. This is my second time with a work injury..and neither of them have been a cake walk.

Angel ^j^

[sparkey]

Tizz,

I just had to throw my 2 cents in cause I do not want you to be discouraged if they do not find out exactly what is wrong. Do not expect someone to give you a true diagnosis right away. I have been having trouble with my hand for two years the 29th of last month. I have seen 13-18 doctors/fellows ( lost count) and not one of them can give me an exact reason why my hand is the way it is.

Now my PM is saying it is RSD. I have had two emg's that came back as " mild carpal " and because I have already had the surgery in that hand 11 yrs. ago all the doctors refuse to repeat the surgery for fear I may lose use of my hand all together. I have had gangloin blocks, facet joint procedures, cortizone shots, steroids, medications, etc. and nothing has made my hand any better. I am now being asked to have a stimulator inserted in me. I am going to tell you I am scared to death to have anything implanted in me and trying to make that my last resort. I continue to work 40 hours a week only because of my pain meds. If not for them, I would be bedridden from the pain.

I have read many times different symptoms on the computer, and see alot of things that could be what I am going through. Sometimes they never find out what is going on. They can only control the pain, but not 100%. Take one day at a time and I have to admit the worse part is not knowing why the pain is there. I wonder every day what is wrong with me and why no doctor can figure it out.

I am now trying to find a specialist in Boston to figure out my pain. I have to wait till May for the appointment. Do not get discouraged and just do anything you can to relieve the pain till they find the problem. If you can continue to work that is good. You may need to find another type of job where you will not be using that hand that much. I know it is hard to find a job not using your hands, but I had to give up being a phlebotomist because I kept dropping things etc. I could not take the chance of hurting someone else or myself. The type of job you are in is only going to make your hand worse. If you think ahead of some sort of job that would be easier on your hand, I say go for it. I know it is not easy to find work these days, but eventually it may come down to a job change. I just want you to know what may lay ahead for you as they may put you on light duty if there is any, and if not you may be out of work. Try to stay one step ahead and start looking for something you could do without makeing it hard on your hands. Nothing says you cannot change jobs as your WC claim should follow you. I changed my career and still have wc covering my treatments. I wish you the best.

[Tizz]

Thankyou all for your thoughts etc.I am sorry
you are all suffering so much and mine has just started.

I was given a Steroid dose pack at the Dr yesterday because the
Meloxicam wasn't helping with anything. Im not sure what the steroids
will do.

I have been on restricted duty since Jan 15th and in a Brace. My
job has NO problem with me being on restricted use,But NO one
wants to pick up the slack even just a little to help my job be
easier. I am a receptionist in a lab but I also input paperwork into
a pc after I remove all the staples which is the reason im even here.

When I 1st went to work with the restriction's,My boss emailed a
few supervisor's and told them they woud need to help that I couldn't
use my right hand at all!! Well no one helped and my work started getting behind so I went back to using my right hand despite the
pain and swelling. I can't do my job left handed and lord knows I have
tried but it just doesn't work for me. So today I used my left as
much as I could but switched back to my right because I can't get
backed up.

Ok since I have had the EMG and they are showing No CTunnel,
what is a NVC test and how does it work in finding out if you
have a problem??? No one has mentioned that test to me or
any others. Im now waiting to see if I will be allowed to see
the Ortho Hand Dr which im curious as to what he may find etc.

Anyway, I really appreciate all the help and input. You ppl are great!!

[Tizz]

Ive had a few people tell me to ask
the Dr to check me for RSD/CRPS.... Is this a condition
that people just develope or is it from working etc??

Since ive been taking a steroids dose pack it feels better and
the swelling looks lik it is going away. I was really swelled up
a couple of days ago, My finger started looking disfigured and the
swelling was going up the entire finger. I also noticed that my
finger looked really white almost as if it had no blood going
through it. The swelling is still in 2 spots on the top of my hand
and they look almost like cysts but was told they are NOT
cysts.

I wish someone can find out what is really going on.

[Tizz]

Hey there....
Not too much of an update today! I have an appointment with
an Orthopedic Hand Dr on Wed at Vanderbilt Hospital. I sure hope
this appointment does me some good. Im done taking my steroids
so now im back to the pain and swelling etc.
The AIG adjuster called me to tell me that they are still paying
and allowing me to see Dr's even though she denied my claim and
as far as she is concerned,this is NOT work related and she see's
nothing in my job description that could of caused my pain...yadda yadda
yadda.
I'll be sooooo glad when someone finally figure's out what to call
this problem I have since "They" say its NOt Carpal Tunnel.