back surgery

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Magana559

The Warden
As the title says my orthopedic surgeon informed me that I need to have back surgery to fix my problem.

So what is my problem? (insert sigh) I herniated two discs in my lower back on september first while stocking automotive lead acid/AMG batteries at work, the worst one being L5-S1. I have pretty bad lower back pain that varies from mild to severe, I also have sharp jabbing pains down my left leg that never goes away(well none of this goes away), and last is weakness in my left leg that causes me to limp and work my right leg and lower back harder.....thus causing more pain.
I have mix feelings about the surgery because of the small chance of shit going wrong. I want the surgery because i want to be done with the pain and get back to work....I cant live off the shit pay workers comp is giving me and the pain keeps me up untill im just about dead and my body givs up and falls asleep...and then I toss and turn untill the sun rises and back to square one.
So with all that said I need some advice! some people say its too soon to get the surgery and others say do what the doc says. I myself find myself torn on the subject. I absolutly NEED to get back to work ASAP but I also need to see whats best for MYSELF and my Family.

In all truth I could give a fuck about the company I work for and the reason being is because stocking a pallet of batteries is a two man job and should have pleanty of time to do it, Not myself and rushed by a idiot who loves to push a promotion promise if shit gets done. (im the go to guy that gets shit done)
 
Wait, so are your on worker's comp now? I'm a worker's comp adjuster, well i was, now i am a workers comp analyst, so i can give you some advise but i never handled CA claims but i hear that state is a nightmare and know a few details about it.

What is your hourly rate and how many hours do you work a week? When your out on comp you only get about 60%-66.6667% of whats call your average weekly wage, this varies by state. they take 60% of your AWW before anything is dedcuted from you it. What they do is let's say you worked there for 4 years. Lets say you get injured on Spet 1 2011. Your employers is to send the workers comp carrier a wage state, 52 weeks prior to the date of injury(agains this varies by state, could be 13 weeks, could be 26 weeks). You take those 52 weeks of wages, add them up and divide by 52 and that becomes your average weekly wage, from there you take the 60% or whatever rate your state uses and that becomes your compensation rate.


It sounds like your already on W/C benefits. What kind of surgery is being recommend? If it's just a discetomy, no big deal i would go through with it. Probably 3-6 months recovery time and your most likely be able to go back to your job, but if it's a fusion i would not do a fusion and if it is a fusion the liklely hood of you being able to go back to your regular job is 50/50.

Either way there is no guarentee that the pain will go away. We always see people who end up with chronic back pain and permanent restrictions who can't go back to their prior job. Once the surgery has been done and you have gone through all the post op treatment like physical therapy, the MD will deem that you are whats called in CA, permanent and stationary, meaning no matter how much treatment you get, will will not get better and he will assign you a permanent partial disability rating to your back, i.e. 15% PPD to the back. That 15% translates into a money away but in Ca is really fucked up how they calculate it. In all the states I handle its easy. Each body part is given a defined # of weeks. the back is worth let's say 300 weeks of your comp rate if you look 100% of you back. So if you were to get 15% of the back you take 300 x.15 =45. So you would get an ward, tax free, of 45 weeks of your comp rate, let's say you were getting $250 a week you would get an ward of $11,250 either paid out weekly or in a lump some, again pending on the state law. This is not a settlement, its a benefit your entitled to. Or it could be included in the settlement of your whole claim.


Worker's Comp settlements are not like car accident settlements. You won't retire of w/c settlements. They are worth what they are worth by state laws.

Most people go out and get a lawyer but if it was me i wouldn't. At they end he will take 20% of your settlement. The DWC/Worker Comp board will always look out for the injured worker when the claim goes to court to settle or for disputes about the claim.

If you tell me how much you make i can tell you about what your claim is worth.

O yeha and of course get a 2nd opinion on surgery
 
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Awesome, this is just what I needed.
not sure if its workers comp or my companys insurance but let me tell you how big of a nightmare it has been to be payed the few scraps of money they pay me. I know its never going to be a fair ammount but hell its getting hard to live off 800 a month.

See this is were it gets weird, I get payed 10.19 a hour and work 38 to 48 hrs a week.
I received paperwork stating that they were going back 6 weeks and average my pay and get two thirds of that. Well I went back six weeks and my avarage pay is over 400 a week and they state it was 300 even! I dont get were the hell they get these figures!

Im not ready to get a lawyer, Im not going to get one for workers comp. If I do get one it will be to get at my workplace. But Again, Im not going to do this unless they dont comply with my doctors or do sometjhing stupid.

yes it is just a discetomy as of now. my doc dose not want to do a a fusion just now, we want to try this first and see how this goes. I have had a few diffrent docs look at me and both said the same thing. There are three diffrent levels of herniation, Light, moderate, and severe. I unfortunately have a severe case in one and a moderate in the other. My xrays showed it and my MRI made it more than clear.

I knew there was someone on here that could help me, I truly thank you sir!
 
Have you tried an inversion table. I was so bad in pain when I moved I couldn't pick up a tire. I suffered thru the pain from Dec to the end of Oct, and the day I bought an inversion table....I was able to walk normal again, and 2 weeks later I was perfectly normal. But my MRI's and X-rays showed no damage or herniation's. It was only a slight pinch on the sciatic never that wasn't seen in any medical reports. My buddy at work just went thru a week of worry because he was in the same boat...pain, pain, pain...and they found a fractured spine, and thought it was bone cancer...he changed overnight from a normal guy too a guy that was worried he would die next month...then another test just said high cholesterol and he needs to diet 40 lbs. Your best bet would be to get as many second opinions as possible. If one doctor see's something on the x-ray, ask another doctor from a different hospital to look at it. Fuck the system for W/C, I had one place put me thru physical therapy for 6 months and nothing happened, then a co-worker said to try an inversion table...my back was fixed in 2 weeks for $139.
 
I say get a 2nd opinion as well, not at a medical back surgeon doctor, but at a chiropractor.
I've been seeing one for about 2 weeks now and I'm already feeling the good effects on my body.
 
yeah they put me in PT for three weeks with no results, it actualy made the pain worst some days. I seriously dont see how a shock therapy is going to collect the tissue of my disc and place it back were it needs to go. My doc took me off that shit and took me out of work because there was no improvment.
I already did the epidural steroid injections that only worked for the first 4 days and then all my pain came back. Like I said im at the end of my line.

B I tryed going to a chiropractor but nobody is willing to treat me because I have a severe herniated disc. They all pretty much told me the same thing, they dont want to be responsible for nerve damage.

Airjockie I have not tryed a inversion table, I have thought of it. But in all truth it scares the shit out of me lol Im a big guy, 6' nothing 270 pound dude. I dont know if a inversion table would help me or make things worst. There are a lot of nerves in the L5-S1 area and I dont want to screw any of them up.
My doctor, insurance nurse, and otho surgon all say if I shit myself or piss my self that I need to head to the closest hospital and get emergency surgery......Thats why I dont want to try DIY natural home remidies.....I fear of being crippled for the rest of my life.

I dont know I guess Im at the point were I trust my doctors, they are very blunt and honest to me. Im the person who hates going to the doctor for anything! If i have a cold or flu I just work it off or eat more fresh fruit. I myself have been to the doctor more times in the past few months than what I can remember.
Also I Dont like to take my pain meds, I hate opiate based painkillers. But some days I give in.
 
If you haven't had your knee blown off in WW2 or are 2 inches shorter in one leg due to a birth defect....it will help out in the pain.... pain reduction is priority one...fixing it is #2. I mentioned the same thing to one guy and he's walking like a normal person as well. 3 other guys had the same effect. For about $130 it's worth the try, or it will be one hell of a sex toy for when you do get better.... hanging my wife upside down was cool..the price offset's itself...:ph34r:.if you like kinky things.:cool:

Ziptie's that are red and extra large can be found at home depot for about $10:rolleyes:
 
If you haven't had your knee blown off in WW2 or are 2 inches shorter in one leg due to a birth defect....it will help out in the pain.... pain reduction is priority one...fixing it is #2. I mentioned the same thing to one guy and he's walking like a normal person as well. 3 other guys had the same effect. For about $130 it's worth the try, or it will be one hell of a sex toy for when you do get better.... hanging my wife upside down was cool..the price offset's itself...:ph34r:.if you like kinky things.:cool:

Ziptie's that are red and extra large can be found at home depot for about $10:rolleyes:

Its worth a try, Ill see what I can do this month. Its hard to buy shit when your living off 800 and rent is 795 lol

I like your thinking!
 
Have any of your doctor's mentioned traction? That's basically what an inversion table does, but it's more adjustable. I haven't looked into inversion tables, but being able to not go fully inverted would probably be nice. Also, if you weigh 270 lb, you should probably start dieting, unless you've just got tree trunks for legs. Lastly, if I were you, I would look into other physical therapy places, not all physical therapists are equal.
 
Definitely get like 3 opinions. If you can try to lose some weight, it will help your back. Also try a different physical therapist.
 
I say get a 2nd opinion as well, not at a medical back surgeon doctor, but at a chiropractor.
I've been seeing one for about 2 weeks now and I'm already feeling the good effects on my body.
A chiropractor? That's like taking your car to the local highschool autoshop to get your engine rebuilt under warranty.. :\

Chiropractors are a joke and a huge rip off. No disrespect to any Chiropractors on here. :p
 
Chiropractors are a joke and a huge rip off. No disrespect to any Chiropractors on here. :p
I disagree.

There are plenty who probably suck, but there are a few who actually know what they are talking about and doing. My pelvis is already back 2cm from the 5cm it was off after just 2 weeks. I also have no arch in my neck and they are working on putting that back in with traction.



Magana, i say go for it. get it done if it needs to be done. back pain sucks. i've been there where it takes 45 min just to figure out a way to roll out of bed on to your feet.... and then completely sideways for the rest of the day not able to straighten out fully. It's not fun and effects life so much. Can't do anything. Just wiping your own ass becomes a challenge.

Ignoring it, it's only getting worse every day. It's NOT going to fix it self.
 
Awesome, this is just what I needed.
not sure if its workers comp or my companys insurance but let me tell you how big of a nightmare it has been to be payed the few scraps of money they pay me. I know its never going to be a fair ammount but hell its getting hard to live off 800 a month.

See this is were it gets weird, I get payed 10.19 a hour and work 38 to 48 hrs a week.
I received paperwork stating that they were going back 6 weeks and average my pay and get two thirds of that. Well I went back six weeks and my avarage pay is over 400 a week and they state it was 300 even! I dont get were the hell they get these figures!

Im not ready to get a lawyer, Im not going to get one for workers comp. If I do get one it will be to get at my workplace. But Again, Im not going to do this unless they dont comply with my doctors or do sometjhing stupid.

yes it is just a discetomy as of now. my doc dose not want to do a a fusion just now, we want to try this first and see how this goes. I have had a few diffrent docs look at me and both said the same thing. There are three diffrent levels of herniation, Light, moderate, and severe. I unfortunately have a severe case in one and a moderate in the other. My xrays showed it and my MRI made it more than clear.

I knew there was someone on here that could help me, I truly thank you sir!

I would't hesitate on the discetomy, people get them all the time and are 100% right afterwards, for the most part.

You need to figure out if your on worker's comp or short term disability. Your company is suppose to let the workers comp insurance carrier that you have a claim and the insurance is suppose to take your statement and get some facts from you.

Did this happen? If not you need to ask your employer to file a worker's comp claim for you with the insurance carrier, or can you file one yourself. Just google "CA workers comp" forms, and i think its a DWC1 form you would file.

I don't believe in chiro, its garbage, we never see it work. Especially when comp is involved. The chiro just keeps ordering treatment, and the person never ever gets better and this goes on for years.

Also worker's comp is the only way you can get money and have your bills paid, you can't sue your company, its called Exclusive Remedy and the law does not allow law suites against employers.

Your young you should be able to recover from this. Weight loss will defiantly help, for anyone for that matter.

Again find out if you company filed a claim with their workers comp insurance, if not ask them to, or file one yourself with the Dept of Workers Comp(DWC).

As far as what you are getting a week, once you have the adjusters name and # ask them to verify your average weekly wage and comp rate

resources for CA w/c

http://www.dir.ca.gov/CHSWC/Reports/WorkersCompGuidebook-3rdEd.pdf

http://www.dir.ca.gov/dwc/FactSheets/Employee_FactSheet.pdf

DWC Forms
 
Have any of your doctor's mentioned traction? That's basically what an inversion table does, but it's more adjustable. I haven't looked into inversion tables, but being able to not go fully inverted would probably be nice. Also, if you weigh 270 lb, you should probably start dieting, unless you've just got tree trunks for legs. Lastly, if I were you, I would look into other physical therapy places, not all physical therapists are equal.

Nope none have said anything about traction or inversion tables. Ill ask my doc next time I see them.

Yeah Im a fat ass and need to lose some weight, If i get down to about 230 ill be good. I also just quit smoking today, I normally eat more and gain weight when I quit but Ill do my best to lose rather than gain.

Definitely get like 3 opinions. If you can try to lose some weight, it will help your back. Also try a different physical therapist.

Ill try to see if they will let me, my doc took me out of PT because he thought it was doing more bad than good. So Ill see what happens next time I go to the Doc


A chiropractor? That's like taking your car to the local highschool autoshop to get your engine rebuilt under warranty.. :\

Chiropractors are a joke and a huge rip off. No disrespect to any Chiropractors on here. :p

I see a chiro as somebody that fixes small back pain but nothing major.

I disagree.

There are plenty who probably suck, but there are a few who actually know what they are talking about and doing. My pelvis is already back 2cm from the 5cm it was off after just 2 weeks. I also have no arch in my neck and they are working on putting that back in with traction.



Magana, i say go for it. get it done if it needs to be done. back pain sucks. i've been there where it takes 45 min just to figure out a way to roll out of bed on to your feet.... and then completely sideways for the rest of the day not able to straighten out fully. It's not fun and effects life so much. Can't do anything. Just wiping your own ass becomes a challenge.

Ignoring it, it's only getting worse every day. It's NOT going to fix it self.

I know it man, back pain is worst than any other body ache. It just never goes away and I know that taking a dump is painfull as hell lol. I was very active guy, Always fishing, camping, hunting, just always doing something. Now I can bearly drive my damn car and some days I cant. :( sad shit.

To be honest I called my doc and told him lets do it and get it done. Now I wait for the insurance to approve it.
 
I would't hesitate on the discetomy, people get them all the time and are 100% right afterwards, for the most part.

You need to figure out if your on worker's comp or short term disability. Your company is suppose to let the workers comp insurance carrier that you have a claim and the insurance is suppose to take your statement and get some facts from you.

Did this happen? If not you need to ask your employer to file a worker's comp claim for you with the insurance carrier, or can you file one yourself. Just google "CA workers comp" forms, and i think its a DWC1 form you would file.

I don't believe in chiro, its garbage, we never see it work. Especially when comp is involved. The chiro just keeps ordering treatment, and the person never ever gets better and this goes on for years.

Also worker's comp is the only way you can get money and have your bills paid, you can't sue your company, its called Exclusive Remedy and the law does not allow law suites against employers.

Your young you should be able to recover from this. Weight loss will defiantly help, for anyone for that matter.

Again find out if you company filed a claim with their workers comp insurance, if not ask them to, or file one yourself with the Dept of Workers Comp(DWC).

As far as what you are getting a week, once you have the adjusters name and # ask them to verify your average weekly wage and comp rate

resources for CA w/c

http://www.dir.ca.gov/CHSWC/Reports/WorkersCompGuidebook-3rdEd.pdf

http://www.dir.ca.gov/dwc/FactSheets/Employee_FactSheet.pdf

DWC Forms

Turns out I am on short term disability not WC. I did have my adjuster call me and ask questions, Also had some guy call me from WC a few days after I was taken off work. Never got a letter from WC or anything. I did fill out and turn in a CA WC sheet will all my info but have yet to hear from WC. Ill have to call my work place tomorrow and see what has gotten done.

Thanks again, I seriously appreciate your time and help
 
Turns out I am on short term disability not WC. I did have my adjuster call me and ask questions, Also had some guy call me from WC a few days after I was taken off work. Never got a letter from WC or anything. I did fill out and turn in a CA WC sheet will all my info but have yet to hear from WC. Ill have to call my work place tomorrow and see what has gotten done.

Thanks again, I seriously appreciate your time and help

No Problem at all

There is a chance that the adjuster from worker's comp will deny your claim due to the fact your alleging a back injury from two months ago, unless your employer has no question that this injury happened at work and tells them to just pay it.

If they do deny just file the forms to call for a hearing on that that site i listed above. Again i really don't see a need for an attorney. Judges are 99% against insurance companies and always rule in favor of the injured worker unless there is clear fraud.
 
My mom had surgery on 2 herniated lumbar discs 3 years ago. She was in so much pain before the surgery she couldn't sit in a chair, or walk without a cane. Not sure what the actual surgery was called, but it was a laser microsurgery and was an outpatient procedure. Took her a few months to recover but she hasn't looked back. She's as good as new, at least as much as a 65 year old can be...... Good luck to you.
 
No Problem at all

There is a chance that the adjuster from worker's comp will deny your claim due to the fact your alleging a back injury from two months ago, unless your employer has no question that this injury happened at work and tells them to just pay it.

If they do deny just file the forms to call for a hearing on that that site i listed above. Again i really don't see a need for an attorney. Judges are 99% against insurance companies and always rule in favor of the injured worker unless there is clear fraud.

Yeah Im almost sure my employer isnt going to deny that I injured my self at work. If they do well they are full of it.
Im goint to fill out the app and send it in.

My mom had surgery on 2 herniated lumbar discs 3 years ago. She was in so much pain before the surgery she couldn't sit in a chair, or walk without a cane. Not sure what the actual surgery was called, but it was a laser microsurgery and was an outpatient procedure. Took her a few months to recover but she hasn't looked back. She's as good as new, at least as much as a 65 year old can be...... Good luck to you.

I sure do hope i have good results with this. I love to be out doors and this has slowed me down a lot.
 
Sorry to hear about all this crap, David. You and I have carried a few conversations about your situation. I hate back pain (7/10 have it in some form).

I believe everyone's situation and cure can be very different.

I have done Chiroprators, massage, acu-pressure, acu-puncture, hot/cold combo, tons of anti-inflamitories (like 1200-1500mg a day), muscle relaxers, and physical therapy.

Surgery scares the crap out of me. (even out-patient micro-laser surgery as they cut away the herniated disc away from the nerves).

My fix was Physical Therapy (and my insurance wouldn't let me go until I got an MRI)

I stretch it out and do 20 minutes hot/20 minutes cold. My woman will stretch me and its painful but I get back on the road to recovery much faster than any other method I tried.

Medication is a bad idea IMO.....especially if you and your family are prone to addiction (yes it is hereditary....skipping generations sometimes).
Its merely a band-aid that can cause withdraws lol
 
I agree with you Chris, everybody cures diffrent. One of the reasons why I posted here see what people have done to fix problems like this.

I tryed anti-inflamitories and they seemed to work for about a week, tryed PT and it seemed to make things worst, Hot cold works when I have muscle spasms.

I just want to get back on the road and work.

You seen how I was at Sac raceway, and it has gotten worst.

Im still off the pain meds, I dont want to be hooked. I know I might get hooked, they are KO pills. Drink one and your done lol

You know I was scared of surgery but now Im kind of excited about it.
 
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