Sympathetic Ear or Advice Please

[djkics]

Jan. 29th, 08 I was repositioning a resident and "pulled a muscle in my shoulder". I wrote a report and told the DON, it's just a pulled muscle, hey you get them all the time in nursing, no whoop. Then Feb 08 I received a cortisone shot in the shoulder. I'd had them in my knees and have had great results. I also had great results with this shot. July 08 a resident pulled on the same arm and I was telling the resident to use the trapeze, then yanked on my arm. It popped, I swore I saw stars, and I turned the call light on to get help. It didn't dislocate, if it did it went back in right away. I put ice on for days, then I tried heat. Finally I went to the Dr. and got another cortisone shot. It lasted maybe weeks, not long. I went and saw another ortho d/t my original ortho left the clinic. I talked him into another cortisone shot, but only if I would go to physical therapy. I was alright with that, figuring cortisone's were always the key, but PT wouldn't hurt. PT did hurt and I went at the facility I worked at, but scheduling seemed to be a problem for them (facility flu bug, therapist sick, then I was sick with the flu...inevitably from there). They told me they were discharging me because I didn't keep appts. I said I canceled one appt. because I was sick, they canceled how many because of their problems. Regardless, I went to another facility for my PT. OH when I started at the facility where I worked, there was something about the W/C approving the PT. I blew it off and told them to get it figured out, which they did. When I changed facilities, there was no problem with the W/C approval. Ok, so I'm going to PT and then had a follow-up with my ortho. I had no problems with this PT, because if I said it hurt they made changes. I'm a nurse I know it takes work. But my biceps was doubling in size. The ortho stated that I have an impingement, the next step is surgery, the PT wasn't making any improvement. Unfortunately the cortisone didn't do a thing. So, Jan 23, 09 surgery is scheduled for Feb 6, 09. Go to my physical with PCP on Jan 30 and receive clearance. Then I talk to Insurance people. She says that W/C is waiting for me to send back release of information and it's under investigation. We had picked up our mail before and now realized this was the envelope for the unknown business. I signed and returned it. Today I call and find out I report for surgery at 6:15 am tomorrow. THEN, they call me right back and said that W/C hasn't given a determination, and do I want to use my primary insurance. Sure, whatever, I know that this is work related. Then they call back and said I don't have any primary insurance...duh...my husband was laid-off on Jan 15, so I need to find out what is going on with COBRA. Well, that was worthless, we can't afford $1100 a month for health insurance. I can't afford $16,000 for the surgery. How was this not a problem the whole time and suddenly "we need to investigate if this is work related"? I could never hurt anyone, I have always cringed if I see a parent pick their child up by one arm.....But I want to walk into this persons office and yank on their arm. Then...see if she goes to work everyday, without using any pain meds, and she must deal with people one-on-one. Not once did I expect anything so I could miss work or take advantage of the situation. Even back in Feb 08 when I gave my employer my restrictions (no lifting over 5 or 10lbs above breast level), he said I'd have to go home. I said, this is work related and I can still do my job. So I was allowed to work and I could do my job just as efficiently. Now my surgery is delayed. I don't sleep worth crap, for some reason my shoulder hurts worse at night and I'm up at least every hour...even with the Lortab that kicks my butt. If anyone as any advice as to what will help the shoulder I would appreciate that! Also do I find a lawyer, do I call my previous employer (I was fired in Nov. for some bogus reason), anyone understand anything I've written?

[buildergirl1973]

hi and welcome. sounds like they were paying for treatment. did they only stop because you needed surgery? i would at least call and consult an attorney, they should be able to answer some questions for you. hopefully soon someone will come along with more info on shoulder injuries, i cant help you there, good luck.

[djkics]

I guess I did leave that part out of my "book". Today when I called the W/C person and asked her that question, "Why hasn't this been a problem until today, the day before my surgery?" She said something about the PT was approved through someone else and the surgery was sent to her. She was questioning the date of ?initial injury. Apparently something said July 08 and I keep saying Jan 08. Basically, they were both work related incidents, at the same workplace, the change in Drs. wasn't by my choice (believe me, I even told my PCP the ortho surgeon now freaks me out). I'm not sure what any of this is about. I know with regular health insurance the medical provider has to get pre-certification or prior auth or whatever, but they always get back right away. Maybe there is a time delay sometimes, I don't know. Oh and there was the PT that I was going to where I work, and I thought that was the problem, but it's same town, easy parking, etc. But that was approved and solved the same day.

[jayne]

welcome we have lots of nurses on this site...with your jobs you get hurt alot we also have several shoulder injuries sit tight someone will come along to help///can you give us your state as wc is different state to state

[Still in Limbo]

Hi and Welcome to the Forum!! Am I right is Assuming that Since Surgery has been Scheduled, w/c is Delaying, and You've also Lost Your Job?? If so, You need to get Someone in Your Corner to Help You that has Experience in w/c for Your State. I'm Sure there are a Lot of Attorney's that would be Interested in Your Case, can You Please Explain Why You were Fired, and how Long You Worked for the Company? Also knowing Your State would Help Tremendously! Best of Luck, I Hope You can get the Answers You Need!!

[Lilly]

Your state is needed, so 'someone in the know' can properly answer you.

That's what shoulder injuries do...keep you up half the night in pain! My shoulder injury happened in 2004, and I'm STILL sleeping on the sofa!! Obviously you have more than a pulled muscle, it actually sounds like it could have sub-luxed..but I'm no doctor!....and WC canceling your surgery at the last minute, is not unusual. That is a common game they play.

Lilly

[djkics]

I thought I put Minnesota in my profile, sorry. I have a shoulder impingement. Right now the biceps are 2x in swelling, which makes this impingement worse. Ok, the reason I was fired, there is something that I can't post although I would love to. If someone would like to personally take this on you can email me. But here is their reason..
I had a resident attempt to pick the hospital bed up off from an electrical cord. The resident was experiencing severe chest pain. BP was out of site. Resident refused medical attention. Called Dr. Kept resident quiet and resting. It was shift change and I wanted to get report done, so I could focus on the resident and next shift could care for others. Due to the BP I was concerned about a ruptured aorta. 2??/1?? While I'm giving report a phone call comes in alerting that friend/family member had a possible fall. I called aide to check on that resident. Aide reported that resident stated fall. I stated, "Go stay with the resident and I will be there shortly." Also note that this is during their shift change also and there were two aides with the resident, for no more than 5 mins. The charge nurse got off the phone with her "personal" call and yelled you can't do that. This was the 3rd "possible fall" that day and one of many. Both myself and the nurse I was giving report to were fired. Initially I was put on 3 days suspension, then worked Fri, Sat, Sun., then the administrator fired me on Mon.

[Still in Limbo]

Seems to Me they were Looking for a Reason to let You go, and they Jumped at any Chance they got. If You would Like to PM Me that would be Fine, and I Really think You need now more than ever an Attorney that Works in the w/c Arena!! Best of Luck, and as I said, You can PM Me if You would Like!!