Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum.  ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.

Back & Neck Community

Post a Question Back to Forum
 | 
MedHelp Member's Question

Will this result in disability?

by mommy52, Nov 29, 2008 06:51PM
S/P anterior cervical fusion in '98 and posterior fusion in '99. Now severe debilitating pain in neck going down left arm into hand/fingers. Hard/Safe to grip objects. Only able to be out of bed for brief periods, because when I sit or stand the pain returns. The pain started after a fall in 11/07. It was at first a twinge that got worse until about 3 weeks ago it has been the bed for me. I finally agreed to take Lortab for pain but had to also take Phenergan for nausea. I thought N/V from Lortab, but is there even when I do nottake Lortab. Will I be able to return to my job. I am a nurse. It saddens me that I , at the present can't do what I love doing--helping others. I have DJD and DDD also. Only 52. Will this require surgery. If so, without surgery, what is prognosis.The cervical spondylosis is at C 3-4. Un treated, can this lead to disability? I am contemplating finishing Masters and teach. If surg. is necessary, can it be done anteriorally. I can never get my orth to stop and listen long enough to answer these questions. Yeah, I know--Get another ortho. This is W/C MD. And no I am not trying to burn W/C. Surgery in "98 & "99 result of fall aand have continued to work. Could have had disability but preferred and still do, to work.
Member Comments (15)

by noneck, Nov 30, 2008 12:14PM
To: mommy52
I hope this don't scare you. I am fused from C3 thru T2 front and back. Since 1991 I've had a new level fused to the point that the fusion was so big, and at risk of paralysis. Ten weeks ago I opted to add a new level T1/T2 to my front fusion, and install rods from C/3-T/2 in the back. I was disabled 15 years ago at 38 now I'm 53, when I had only a front fusion from C5-C7. I was a union electrician. The pain has never gone away, ever. Doctors specially workers comp. suck, they can't sit still for a second, you know they charge by the second. As far as working and disability goes it's really up too you. If the pain is tollerable, go for it. But make sure your not causing futher damage, only you will know. If you can't, fight with all your might to get the disability you deserve. Personally I think you need to stop working, it's only going to get worse. Start everything you need, workers comp., S.S.D.I., and don't give up! Keep us posted. What levels were fused? What did the mri say? Get a new one if you need. Try to get neurosurgeons opinion. If this was orginally a W/C injury, you should be able to continue the claim. This time take the disability.

Nurse's are the best for listening and helping others. It's time to make youself your number one patient.

Hope I Help, Noneck

by mommy52, Dec 01, 2008 02:27PM
To: noneck
Sorry I failed to list fusion areas.I have a fusion at C5-6 & C6-7 with a Casper plate extending from C5 through C7 with screws noted anteriorly within the vertebral bodies of C5, C6, and C7. Interbody plugs at C5-6 and C6-7. This is what MRI on 11/25/08 revealed.On C3-4 there is evidence of posterior disc/spur complex centrally and to the Left. Also there is seen anterior cervical spondylosis at the C4-5 level. C6-7 show moderate loss of disc space height with disc desiccation.Also shows DDD at this level. These were findings of most recent MRI done 11/25. Results were faxes to MD next day, BUT they still can't tell me a thing. How well I am aware of pain med addiction. I  request that my spouse give me my meds foe pain so I will not abuse. It has been 25+ years since I stopped medicating self for pain with meds from MD. Spouse gets angry because I will not take meds when hurting. If I can get positioned and comf. in bed, then I do not take.. I also have a 25% dis. rating on L. W/C injury from 2/07. I feel like I am dealing with the mafia when dealing with W/C. That's why I got an attorney. Now let him deal with the mafia. Now he wants to refer to another attorney for he represents W/C ins co on retainer for another company but still same ins co.. This ins. co. is the one that our company had re: neck injury. He feels this could be a problem. I hope I am not being "screwed" I have enough screws in neck already. I am 3 pays behind on house and car. Lawyers do not seem to understand. IF I COULD WORK, I WOULD. I can work if laying on side and could use a computer. Can't work like this as a nurse though. I know how you  felt. I feel I must explain to people why I can't do a job. Not only is the physical pain almost unbearable, but the mental anguish is riding high close to physical pain. I tell you this for I feel that you do understand what I am feeling and saying. Nursing is ALL I have ever done. (34 years). I feel like I am a failure to family. Did not mention that spouse is retired/disability after 5 bypasses to heart and has 40% lung function. Pretty pathetic family huh?  Thanks for listening and responding.   Madlyn

by noneck, Dec 01, 2008 06:08PM
To: mommy52
You couldn't have said it better, only people who have been through it understands. I've been there with W/C and SSDI. It took five years but it all worked out and I'm hopeing it will for you also. I  feel the same way laying on the couch for 15 years is pathetic and I'm there.

I'm so glad you understand opiates but being a nurse you already know it. They can help but not long term.

Your MRI say's what mine did 15 years ago when I started disability. It never stoped degenerating, hoping it will now there is noneck left. hahahahaha.

hoping i help

by mqrcie, Dec 01, 2008 07:24PM
To: mommy52
wow, I know just how you feel!  Back in '95 I herniated C 4-5 to C 6-7 and only had C-56 fused and plated.  WC and got an attorney ASAP and glad I did!  They still fight for me to this day as I continued to work after a year recoup. and work hard, play hard.  I'm 51 now and I feel like I totally ruined my body.  MRI showed C 2-3 to C 7-8 are herniated (excepted the fused one) and need more fusion.  Now found out after working like a fiend in Surgery as an ancillary float that I really am messed up now.  Now I have L4-5, 5-S1 herniated with 3 vertebral hemangiomas (all lumbar)  can barely sit, walk, enjoy life here in the country.  Must admit...took 2 norco and had husband saddle my beloved horse and went for short ride the other day...paid for it big time later :-(    Can't work anymore and getting discogram Dec. 18th.  Spine doc said to prepare for lumbar fusion now along with C 6-7  UGH!  It is wise to get someone else to dispense meds if you feel you might overdo, but don't forget to stay ahead of the pain so you can have some sort of life.  As a nurse I'm betting you've given that advice to others.  Find an attorney who will take your case on contingency so you don't lose $.  Get this...I was found to be 35% disabled by WC but my husband who had same thing later got 45% because he is "head of household" and a man.  That disability rating for me was just for the one disk because others weren't fixed and they didn't count it.  Be your own health advocate, push, scream, bug, annoy ect...just to get someone to pay attention to you, I had to and it worked.  PS>  I also have to have total wrist fusion and ulnar transposition (right arm) in Jan. and left hand is going bad too.  Keep at it and fight OK?  No one deserves to be ignored and in "limbo" with pain.

by mommy52, Dec 02, 2008 07:28AM
Thanks. Very helpful. Going back to bed after being up less than an hour. Still feelin ugh! afeter taking 1/2 tab of lortab 7.5mg last night. Stil fighting N/V this am. Not too woorry right now. Later.   Madlyn

by mommy52, Dec 02, 2008 11:32AM
Correction to above....Should have said not too wordy instead of worry. I do have enough worry. Finally the Lortab is out of system, but the d**n pain is still there. I do not think it helps pain. Just makes N/V and can't think of pain when you are barfing. Ta. Ta. Madlyn

by kayakka