What do I do..

[lil_conner23]

On tuesday morning I'm going to get my "third" opinion about a surgery two doctors already agreed on. However, worker's comp. wouldnt approve of my surgery after the date was already set and now I'm going to see one of their doctors again. They claim it's in my best interest, but I feel if two already said yes ..then my comp. manager is just prolonging my situation. Anyway, my question is this. What do I do if this comp doctor says I'm fine ..I can work, I don't need surgery? I know from what I just said prior to that, you may be thinking, "why would he say that?" Several people have been telling me a comp doctor will say I'm fine ..I can go back to work full duty, not needing any attention. If by chance this happens, what do I say to him? Just a recap for new people in the forum. I'm a 19 yr. old girl from PA and was injured at the age of 17 while working in my local grocery store. A lady dropped a 24 pack of coke on my right wrist which had been previously injured in the past. In july, my pisiform bone was removed due to this injury and needless to say, did not help me very much. I now have more problems than what I started with. I have a painful, popping tendon and ulnar nerve compression since the past surgery. Although that was the first surgery I had for being injured, it's the 3rd surgery I've had on my wrist. I'm only 5'1, 105lbs. My wrist is very small and I'm afraid that there's only so many things they can do for me and only so many times they can actually open my wrist. Although I feel like I don't want them back inside my hand, I cannot leave my hand like this for the rest of my life. Just something as simple as writing makes my hand go numb from the ulnar nerve compression. =( Any advice as to seeing this comp doctor? It'd greatly be appreciated.. it seems as though a lot of people have been trying to take advantage of the fact that I'm young.

[muttley]

Just a suggestion .. Might not be a bad idea to mention the other 2 doctors opinions on the surgery right after he say hello. I mean it could make him think twice.

[jayne]

take someone(your mom or dad) with you.....make sure you have all your med records,x-rays and the radiologists reports and the 2 other docs report with you......as you are young they will try and talk down to you....dont be ill mannered but be firm you are smart about your injury you know your body.remember their is a difference in smart and smart (Jayne's lame attempt to bypass the Bad Word Filter)......You can handle it and remember everyone here goes with you in that room in sprit.....you have a good lawyer? we will be here for you

[Still in Limbo]

If this 3rd Dr. were to Say "You are Well, and No Surgery is Needed", You are going to have to File a Petition with the w/c Hearing System to have Your Case Reviewed, and the Judge will make a Decision on whether Your to Have Surgery or not. I'm from Pa. also and I have a Similar Situation as Yours in being the w/c Dr. Says I can Perform Sedentary Work after My Surgery, My FCE's (2) show Less then Sedentary, I'm inoperable, and My Dr. and SSDI have Me Totally Disabled. The Judge I saw is going to have to determine who is Most Credible, and make Their Decision from there. My Case is more Complicated than Yours, but My Opinion, with Good Counsel and the Two Dr. Reports showing Surgery, if You have to go through the Hearing System, Your Odds look Good!! But don't get too Worried until You get the Results Back, there is nothing You can do until then! Best of Luck!!

[lil_conner23]

Thank you all for your replies. It's just been since August of 2006 and I'm ready for them to do something about my hand, the right way. It took them from my injury date til july of 2007 to do my first surgery. I waited that long, yet I needed a bone removed. I'm afraid that now it's 2008, they're going to take their good old time again ..then when something happens, it'll be drastic.

[backache]

Hi lil,
The rest of these wonderful people have given you good advice so use it. You have been through a great deal for your young age already, so stand up for yourself and remember the IC dr's treat everyone pretty much the same as far as I can see. I'm a nurse and I started to cry after my IME because the Dr. just blew off the fact that my surgeon said I needed surgery. I was crying because I am so frustrated with this entire WC BS. Good luck to you and my prayers are with you.

[Lilly]

Hi lil'C,
WC is very slow when it comes to medical assistance, help in a timely manner does not exist. I'm so sorry you are having to go through this at your young age, but you must stick up for yourself because they will try to take advantage of you.
I wish you well, and I'm waving my wand for you for the comp doctor visit!
Lilly

[lil_conner23]

I went to see my 3rd opinion doctor in Pittsburgh, PA. today. The ride was nearly 2hrs. away from my home, so my workers comp. case manager decided to make an arrangement for someone to come and take me. A limo came and picked me up? ..very awkward. lol No sooner I got there, they seen me. The doctor didn't do much to me, just 2 x-rays and moved my hand a little. He didn't go over the x-rays or anything with me, he said that he'd make a long statement for workers comp. because they were the ones paying for it I guess. I requested a copy of what he'd be sending them and he told me that it'd be up to them to give it to me. It seemed like he didn't want to speak much, five minutes the appointment lasted I bet. However, before he left the room he said, "I'll tell you this much Jill, you're worse now than you have ever been. You need to have one thing taken care of at a time." So I don't know what's going to happen know, has anyone been here before?

[backache]

I think Bummer and a couple of others have the same problem. They have to get one thing fixed at a time for each surgery to work. It only makes sense since many times it is a domino effect and you have to take care of each problem in order. I don't know if you have ever written letters to state reps etc. but it may really help to have a young woman write. I always am writing to everyone I can. At my age they probably think since I'm 15 years to retirement the heck with me. Now if we had some very young person writing letters perhaps they would be a bit more concerned with the way WC insurance co. treat us. Just a suggestion .

[lil_conner23]

I spoke to an attorney today and found out that doctor was an IME. He didn't tell me much, however, he seems to agree about surgery options previous doctors suggested. Therefore, he's not going to say I'm fine and dandy, right? I mean, I had a surgery date for jan. 28 and workers comp would not approve until I got this opinion. However, what do I do now? I'm inbetween 3 doctors.. do I reschedule my surgery.. or do I have to wait and hear what this guy said?