an idea of what to possibly expect

[Bad Boy Bad Boy]

Nauticalgurl1,

I might suggest to you, to calm down your fears. You will soon see all will work out some. For now, just allow the doctor to instruct you on working, or not working. You don't want to cause other injuries to yourself. And surely your employer doesn't want to increase your injuries or your claim.

Suggest Ice for now to calm down both hands. And ask the doctor to prescribe some mild medications to reduce swealing for now.

[sparkey]

I am sorry, i missed what type of work you do if you posted it. What do you do for work? They may send you for another EMG to see if it comes out the same as the last one. I had two of them because the first one was done with tape instead of a needle. The results came out the same. They really are known to not be 100% reliable. My carpal surgery I had 10 yrs. ago said I had mild carpal tunnel and when they did the surgery, the doctor actually said I had severe carpal tunnel when he went in and opened it up in surgery.

You should be fitted for a brace. Not one of the ones you buy at the store, but one that you have made from the PT. They form fit one for you. Also, they might consider you going to therapy and having them massage your hands and using a tens unit. I went through almost 7 months of therapy, 4 days a week. They also might suggest injections into the hand/fingers to see if you get any relief. Have they given you a prednisone pack yet? They try to give you that and anti-inflammatory medications to try to get the swelling down away from the median nerve being compressed. They will try numerous things before they even suggest surgery.

Do like the rest have said and get yourself a lawyer. I decided way to late before I realized how the insurance co. now is trying to stop my medication and lower my rating. You will eventually end up going to a hearing maybe to get your surgery approved. Do you have insurance through work? I am asking only because if it gets really bad it may come down to you getting surgery done through your own insurance co. and being reimbursed after you fight for it.

You have alot ahead of you, and I think legal help will be your best bet. As far as work, there is pretty much nothing you can do without your hands. For carpal tunnel, usually it is rest that is needed.

[Bad Boy Bad Boy]

Sparkey here;

Sex: Female
Location: Ohio
Bio: Maintenance Technician

[nauticalgurl1]

Sparkey, Bad Boy...thanx....it's getting frustrating what with all the waiting. Yes, I have insurance thru work...though insurance knows about the workman's comp claim. They sent me a letter awhile ago wanting to know if some tests I had done pertained to a work-related injury. The short term disability thru my employer will cover non-work related injuries as far as income is concerned. So, are you saying even though I have a claim up in the air I could use my insurance to get the surgery? If I could afford a lawyer..I'd have one already. I've been busy keeping track of appts., who said what when, trying to get stuff ready for the hearing. It sounds alot like the Medical Boards in the military and I've been there done that. From talking with my claims adjuster anything I want the IC to review at my hearing I can gather and send to her...well, she'll get copies of everything I have.

[kate]

nauticalgurl1 Wrote:- If I could afford a lawyer..I'd have one already.

nauticalgurl1,

Most attorney consultations are free for the first one and most WC attorney fees are paid on a contingency basis, meaning if they win you benefits, they get paid based on the benefits. If not, they get nothing.