Confused

[kit]

Hi I'm new here and have some questions. I live in missouri. I worked at a hospital and fell on 1-30-09. I filed a injury report and went to employee health because I felt back and leg pain after the fall. Because of a previous injury to my L5 disc, and microdiscectomy surgery the Dr. ordered an MRI. It was shown I had a hurnniation of the L5 disc. The employee health Dr. immediately sent me to a Nuerosurgeon. I began conservitive treatments, Muscle relaxers, pain meds oral steriods. These did not help then came the epidural injection. Still no relief. Because of the previous surgey and bone loss from the previous surgery, the Nuerosurgeon recommended a Spinal Fusion of my L5-S1. The next visit to the Dr. before schedualing my surgery was wierd. Out of the blue he changed his opinion and wanted to do another Discectomy. At this point I agreed, I couldn't stand the pain in my back and legs any more. I had the discectomy in March. After 1 week into recovery I felt a POP in my back and my symptoms came back full force. I kept calling his office talking with his nurse they would not move up my post surgery check up. I waited the full 6 weeks. At the follow up visit I told him of the pain again he reffered me to Phys. Ther. I went and after each app. was worse off than before I went in. I went back to my Dr. he said keep up with the PT and released me back to work. I lasted 1/2 day before I requested another MRI. It showed a Rehurniation of the L5 disc. My Dr. then said I had to have the spinal Fusion. His secretary said we had to wait for approval from W/C. This was arround April 4th. I had to keep calling my claims adjuster who kept stating that the hospital I worked for was doing the hold up. By mid May I still had no approval for the surgery so a friend suggested I get an attorney. Then finally I got an approval on May 29th @5p.m. for the surgery to take place on June 1st. I had the surgery and have been having the pain in my back and Right leg along with foot numbness. Dr. again sent me to PT. I did this until his next check up with me. I felt no better. I also told him I was experiencing Bladder incontinence (I'm in my 30's). He sent me for more spinal epidurals. I have had no immprovement. The hospital I worked for let me go because I exhausted my 12 weeks of FMLA. They said I volentarily resigned my position. I don't agree. I din't fall on purpose. This has left me without health insurance, because I can't afford it on what I get from W/C. Now I have very bad pain down the front of my legs. I called his office they wanted to see me right away. He told me that he thought that due to the spinal fusion of my L5-S1 the L4 disc space might have hurnniated. He wanted to go conservitive and gave me more muscle relaxers and oral steriods and pain meds. I just went back for a follow up on Thursday, and was met in the lobby by a woman who said she was hired by W/C to be "My Addvocate" and "Case worker". It seemed a little fishy to me so I called my attourney. He said she wasn't allowed in the dr's office with me and if she spoke to the Dr. I had to be there. Durring my visit with my Dr. he got weird again. He said that what I was experiencing was due to reffered muscle pain and he didn't think it was the L4 and if I wanted to go back for PT he would send me. He already had this womans card on his Clipboard before seeing me. He never did an exam just sat in a chair across from me. I asked for another MRI because I want to be sure what's going on wit my back. He then told the "Case Worker" who ambushed me the same thing that it was just reffered muscle pain in his opinion and that with PT and time it should resolve. So I have an MRI tommorow with a follow up with the Dr. after. So now that my story is up to date here are my questions.

1. Because I worked at the hospital where I'm recieving care are they pushing my Dr. to do the least ammount for me?
2. Can my Lawyer pettion for me to get a second opinion from a Dr. not affiliated with the hospital I worked at, and how difficult is this to do?
3. Is there any recourse for me, because I know my body and something is wrong? I have had no relief from the spinal fusion.
4. Do I need to worry about this "Case Manager"?
5. I know I have to abide by my employers policy, but because of the delay between the first and second surgery I used up my 12 weeks of FMLA is this fair? I worked with several people at this hospital who exhausted their FMLA and still got to keep their jobs why was I singled out? As to my knowledge I wasn't a problem employee?
6. If I do have a hurniation of the L4 will W/C cover? I have no health insurance.
7. Is there any help out there for me to get some health Insurance?

I have probably given enough info that I would be easily recognized by anyone involved with my case, but I am so frustrated at how I have been treated, by my employer, W/C, and my Surgeon. I'm kind of at my witts end. I am pretty much housebound due to all the pain meds and I cry a lot about this. Any help or comments would be appreciated.

[1171]

2. yes
5. you can file a discrimination complaint if your employer retaliated for filing a claim.

[jayne]

Kit first off welcome to the best site in the U.S. to get not only some answers but a shoulder to lean on and many to cry and pray for you...come on over to the "OFF TOPICS" for a light side just to talk and find others going thru the same hell you are.....

[Still in Limbo]

Kit. I'm Disabled and was at the Age of 42, (47 Now) due to Scar Tissue Build up and a Crushed S1 Nerve Root, after a Microdiscectomy/Laminectomy at L5/S1. One thing I can Guarantee You, They can't cut Pain out with a Knife, and Fusion would have, or should have Only been Used for Stability, and They Never should have told You it would Help Your Pain. You need to See another Neuro., the Incontinence is Alarming. After My Surgery, I went to a Total of 10 Other Surgeons, both Neuro. and Ortho., and if You follow Football, Last Week Big Ben couldn't Play because of a Concussion, and the Dr. that Pulled Him was Dr. Maroon. That was the Last Opinion I got, from His Teams Re-Surgery Specialist, (I just wanted You to know I'm not just Spouting Off Here), and He told Me to get to My PCP, get a Good PM Dr., and get as Comfortable as Possible. So unless there is Major Nerve Impingement, or Spinal Cord Compression, the MRI May be able to Help Tremendously in Your Care, and what the Source of Your Pain is. And Discectomy Discs almost always Re-Herniate. We are just 2 Poor Souls that were Injured at L5/S1, the Place in the Spine where it All Happens and Holds Us Up!! My Best to You, and I'll Leave the Other Questions You have to Folks from Your State that know the Laws Better than Me, I just wanted You to know bout the Surgery Aspect!!