Hello.

[vickinat]

Jerry:

I can't get over the fact that you only had PT and OT for 3 months. Did you have an FCE done to determine your true capabilities for your restrictions? Have you had to submit to an IME yet?

I injured my lower back and left hip, which also included sciatica, periformis syndrome, SI joint dysfunction, myofascial syndrome, L5-S1 cronic radiculpothy, L3-4, L4-5 and L5-S1 bulging discs(mild), lumbar sacral strain and sever muscle spasms/cramps.I think that is all, lol. This happened on 11/27/06.

I started PT in 12/06 till 2/07, then restarted in 3/07 and still go 3x's/week plus mechanical traction 3x's/week and Aqua therapy 2x's/week. I have had 10 treatments of Iontophoris, a series of 3 transforaminal epidural injections at L5, 2 trigger point injs. into my periformis muscle, 2 trigger point injs. in the SI area and 1 SI Joint injection. I use a TENS unit any where from 5-7 hours a day and take several meds.

I recently started with a pain maagement doctor who works in conjunction with my ortho doctor. I was on sedentary light duty from 1/07 till 9/07 and now on light duty with alot of restrictions. I work with steel and aluminum and am only 1 of 2 women in the shop, so I also get hassles from the guys at times, about not being able to do my regular job or not being able to do alot of what the others do.

To make matters worse, 1 week ago I was in an auto wreck, after leaving my pain management doctors office, increased the original injuries and have added a few more. I wasn't allowed to go to therapy until my ortho doc cleared me, I go back to my therapy schedule on Monday, thank goodness.

Sorry this was so long.
Vickie

[chrischris]

Hi Jerry,
The arm/hand pain is the pits. Mine has been constant, but medication does help, but not all of the time.

You say that without the use of your uninjured arm/hand you would have gone insane. Jerry, be careful. Not only did I develop Carpal Tunnel by over using my uninjured limb, I developed a frozen shoulder from not using my injured limb. Can't win! LOL! That's another issue and another course of PT, while I was still working.

Most doctors, especially WC doctors, do not ever bring up the subject of depression. You will have to take the first step and tell your treating doctor what's going on. They will probably give you an anti depressant to see if it works. W/C would be stupid to refuse you counseling under your circumstances, but they are known to do stupid things. If you have private health coverage with your employer, see if there is a mental health component to obtain counseling. Your family doctor may be able to assist you with a referral also. The AD medications only work well when used in conjunction with therapy.

Going by what you have said about your employer, start a daily log and document everything. Include your daily pain level, your ability to work that day, your interactions with your employer and co-workers. Write the good, and the bad. It may come in handy down the road.

[1171]

your post and those that respond are read by many others.
what is "worthless" for you may help others.
be well.

[Spring]

Jerry..Hello and WELCOME. Sorry to read about all your injuries. Just as some have said your are very strong willed to be able to get yourself back to work. I can understand that you may have to so you can support your family....but you also have to step back and look at the big picture. By you working is it causing you more pain and not allowing all the injuries the time to heal.....Is the the work keeping the nerves and muscles all inflammed and irratied. Are you doing your injuries more harm then good. We all can understand the burden of lower income...but you sure what to beable to give yourself all the time and the medical treatments to get your self healed...so you can be stronger....and know in yourself you gave it your all to get better. Also knowing you are a man...(not being mean) most men don't like to tell Dr's all the problems they are having...they want to come across that everything is doing better and that they will be fine....please don't be one of them...write down all the pains or things that are going on with you....like what you feel like when you wake up....do you sleep well at night..or do you wake up with pain in the night...when at work how much pain are you in...does the pain make it hard to do your job....when you come home from work are you in pain....in so much pain all you can do is sit or lay down...you can't interact with your family. Can you take care of the yard...If not these are things you really need to think about if you are ready for work...or need more time to heal...and get more medical treatment...therapy...get better pain control...I know you said you don't care for attorney....but you will find trying to get through the work comp system on your own isn't easy. WC will do what ever they can just to get you to work....with no compensation...and close your case. I went the first two years of my wc case no attortney...but once my Dr stated I had a injury that would need life long medical......wc started treating aweful....they do some pretty nasty things to people. Just be ready for the ugly. We are happy to see you join us here.

[sparkey]

I really hate to push drugs but, Methadone 20mg a day was the only thing that took away my pain. Also it is not as bad as taking the other drugs you say you are on. If i did not become allergic to that, i would still be on it today. Personally i wish they could fix me, but they left me to heal on my own with permanent injuries. I myself have the same trouble you are having. As far as the burning part, have they checked you for RSD? Read up about that. Look for the symtoms, and read as much as you can about it. There is alot on here with that, so you may be able to get help from them. Good luck, and i feel your pain.

[Pooh]

Jerry

Sounds like your with me on the tens unit - you can turn it on and you won't feel it.

Neurotin and lyrica are actually of the same class of drugs and if they are only barely controlling the pain and stuff then you may want to talk about switching to something other - however, I will warn you, you will need to step down off those drugs not stop cold turkey.

I actually get more relief from anti-depressants than I did from neurotin, and I was up to 1800 mgs a day as well.

It sounds like you have done exercises for the shoulder - but did you do any exercises specifically for the hand at all? Also are you still doing PT exercises at home on your shoulder even though your no longer in PT? If you have TOS, then it is important that you still continue to do some of these exercises if you can, the reason being is that you can still build up your muscles. I know that it hurts, but at the same time, you can stop when the pain gets to be to much to handle.

I understand what it's like to have perm restrictions of 10 lbs of lifting, pushing pulling with my arms and that's with both arms. So trust me there are days that even lifting a gallon of milk (about 8 lbs) is a chore. We learn to make adjustments to our daily living - like I no longer tie my shoes after I get them tied the first time unless the cats untie them playing with them. lol I just slip them on after that.

As far as the burning in the shoulder goes - what I find helps the most and quickest is the shoulder ice pack wrapped in a towel at times - other times I just place it on the shoulder or the area that is burning and just let it sit there. You can pick these up at a medical supply shop or maybe you can try walmart or walgreens. I just keep in the freezer at all times and pull out when I need it.

Have you thought about checking into vocational rehabilitation to see if they will pay for you to go to school for a different line of work if your company won't keep you on with perm restrictions?

There are many on here with bracial plexius injuries and like I stated before we all suffer in different ways. I have not had any surgeries to my shoulders because the orthos I have seen say I am to young at this time for surgery. Ok that's the truth and I will be 45 this month. But at the same time they are looking at doing a total joint replacement when they do surgery on my shoulder. I also have issues with muscle damage along with nerve damage which can complicate things - not as in a tear in the bicep or triceps - but as in the trap no longer works properly. This is one of the major muscles that helps the shoulder blades move that works with the shoulders. So fun for me - right. But like I said - each of us are different when it comes to our injuries and the severity of the bracial plexius damage. Mine was worsened because of the wrong type of PT and the fact that I was still working the same type of job so never really healed and just kept causing more and more damage to the area for 2 1/2 years more after the initial injury until I re-injured both shoulders in another injury along with my back.

I can tell you - over time at the computer that still my arms get tired just from typing or using the mouse and I have to take a break from it. So it's not something I can do for 8 hours a day any more. Yet it was once something I loved to do and I was actually trained as a secretary when I was younger. (not what I was doing when I was injured though) So even that field makes it hard for me to go back to work in since I can't do it for 8 hours a day without taking more pain meds to make it through the day and I am very pain med intolerant.

The pain in your back, I really can't help with that on - other than to tell you that I use a heating pad when need be. But I am sure you do as well. I have set in one of those massage chair pads and loved it - but with your spine, it would be something that you may want to check with your doctor first on. I would hate to give an opinion on something and have it cause more damage to your spine. I do a lot of alternative pain relief techniques before I reach for my pain pills for the simple reason I am out for the day when I do. So hot baths soaking in epsom salts, hot showers, ice packs, rest, stretches, heating pads, meditation. Those are what I try first and if that doesn't work, then and only then do I reach for the pain pill.

But remember what works for one may not work for another person. This is what works for me. And I have my place in my mind that I can zone out to - my special place. And I have pictures of it in my house to help my zone out if need be. Some day driller and I will visit there hopefully.

[Lilly]

Jerry,
You must be one tough cookie to have had such a terrible injury, survive it, and already be back to work! It is great that you are able to return to work status...but don't sacrifice your health & future health, for the "now". If you are still having pain, your body is definitely trying to tell you something (all is not well).....and believe me, your work won't care once you are an injured worker....many employments will cast you out, as soon as you show signs that you are not 100%. Many of us on here, have had alot of experience being terminated after years and years of faithful service, once we were injured, or given work restrictions.
The depression thing....is horrible. Years ago, I had a life altering heart surgery gone bad, in which I was not expected to live (family was told). Somehow I managed to survive...but also lost about 3 weeks of time, and only recall weird bits & pieces of the event. I also had a very vivid NDA (near death experience) that will be forever etched into my mind. My depression afterwards was so emmense, that I cried for no reason almost continually. To make matters worse my recovery was during the 9/11 Twin Towers attack. It didn't help that my husband "hung on me" like I was going to disappear or something. It was actually more tramatic for him than me! My doctor sent me for help (counciler) and I took several meds for anxiety/depression until i found one that worked. It was a long road to recovery...believe me. Please, don't wait until the depression gets so bad, that it "takes you over", as it will try it's best. A healthy mind will also allow you to heal faster & more efficient.
As far as your injuries and pain, I can only say that all is definitely not well and you should continue to seek help through your treating doctors....tell them ALL of your symptoms....no "I'm a tuff guy" stuff!
I also want to welcome you to our forum Jerry, and I'm glad you found us....as we can all relate to your situation, and will help you the best we can. Please visit often, as this site has been the "Champion" for many of us to keep our sanity, will power, and tenacity!
Take care, prayers going up for you! Lilly

[JerryC]

Vickinat,

I have no idea what an FCE is to be honest with you. I have not had an IME. Before my injury I hadnt been to the doctor for almost 10 years. I never had a reason to see one. I always felt great with the exception of a cold or two and maybe one or two hangovers I was in perfect condition.

I think the thing that really bothers me the most is that I can't ever seem to get completely away from the pain. Well that and nothing tastes the same anymore.

Don't worry about long posts. I love to read.


Jerry

vickinat Wrote:<snip>

Sorry this was so long.
Vickie

[JerryC]

Chrischris,


Yes, the arm and hand pain are the pits. My back pain is a joke. I can sit down for about an hour then I have to stand up which helps with the pain, but then after 30 minutes or so of standing my back starts to hurt again. So I have to sit down, rinse and repeat. The only time it doesn't really hurt is when I am flat on my back. The result is that I look like a freakin shooting gallary target. stand up, sit down, stand up, sit down etc etc etc


Yeah I found out really quick how easy it is to overuse the uninjured hand. I screwed up my index finger for a few days after I got home. That was an eye opener, there are just some things that take two hands.

Not to mention the fact the last week I messed up my back just trying to get out of the dang car here at work. It took 20 minutes before I could stand up enough to go inside and sit down. It was about an hour later I just couldnt take the pain anymore and had to go home. I had to take Wed, Thur and Friday off because I could barely move.

Trust me, I keep good notes. My father taught me that when I started work after college.


Jerry

chrischris Wrote:Hi Jerry,
<snip>

[Lilly]

Hi Jerry,
An FCE = Functional Capacity Exam

Apparently you had a head injury, if your taster is off. Head injuries can do this. It could also be a side effect from one of your meds. Look up the side effects for the meds you take. Hpefully it it caused by the meds. Have you told your doctor about the loss of taste? If so, what did he say?
Sorry you are having constant pain, have you asked the MD about it?
Take care, Lilly