Frustrated, in pain, running out of options.

[hamrs_62]

I 'know the laws in your state, but would think w/c has to find you a doctor to deal with your injuries, a layer is the best bet, I found one on the super lawyers search, they would have to have a list of qualified doctors, are you in the union, contact them and they should have attorneys or ombudsmen who can you can consult, if you are(union) they are given good money to represent you, get a hold of you state w/c for some advice, contact your state representative, turn over every avenue you can, you are a first responder and a person who runs in to danger and not away, one of our local heroes, they have and need to take care of those who serve the people, jmho

Originally Posted by firemedix911

Hello fellas:

I'm a 32 y/o firefighter who's been battling with DDD to my lumbar spine for about 8 years after an on the job injury. As of the last 21/2 -3 years ive develop severe discogenic pain. Thankfully not sciatic pain unless I spend a long time sitting which I can never do bc sitting over 20 mins with the back pain I'm experiencing is a big no no. I have herniations and annular tears on L4 thru S1. Had a discogram to confirm it and it was positive. my L2-L3 is also showing sings of DDD.

With that said I went to a very prestigious Dr in Miami (I'm located there) and he recommended a MI TLIF to L4-S1. I'm telling you right now. Not gonna happen I refuse. This would mean I can't be a firefighter any more besides affecting my activities which I have not performed in over two years anyways but had the hope that some day thru the advances of medicine(joke right) I'd be able to do. ( as far as I know there's no issues with my facet joints and my bone density should be fine)
Enter ADR. I found out about this great option(granted not always successful but then I could live with the fusion knowing I tried everything and gave mysef a chance) Since Live in Miami I read around here and did some more research online and discovered I have a very good ADR surgeon in my backyard. Dr Rolando Garcia. Well as my luck has it I requested a Dr change to my WC manager and requested Rolando Garcia. All great but there's an issue. Garcia only takes WC that do pre-payments. Well my WC doesn't do pre -payments. So I just received the news from the case manager and I'm so depressed after hearing this. I really had my hopes on Dr Garcia. So now I ask the more experience people in here. Do you recommend or know any other Dr's the do ADR in South Florida? I went to my own Dr as well and he also said "after exploring all other non-invasive options I may have to consider surgery although he doesn't usually recommend it".

I've had therapy, cortisone shots, rest, pain meds don't help anymore other than make me sleepy. I was a very active person. Water Polo player at a very high level, use to mountain bike all the time and take my dogs (4) out all the time. This all started to faced out of my life little by little and now I'm just a couch potato. I'm tired of living like this. I want my life back so any help you guys can provide I'll listen to.

I've also looked at the M6 overseas but this is not a feasible option right now due to my financial situation.
Sorry about the long post.

[firemedix911]

Thank you guys for the replies and the advice. It's all well taken and appreciated. This is the first issue I've had with WC and since I have a very good relation with my case manager I'm gonna let her try to work something out which she promised she me to try everything within her powers to get it done. So that's a plus. So as of now I'm gonna give her a chance. If that doesn't pan out then I will follow your advice guys. Thanks so much for the support.

[hamrs_62]

watch your back, they are all sweet and kind right before they stick it to you, mine was that way too, but you may have a good one who knows, remember they are for the insurer not for the worker,,,,,,

Originally Posted by firemedix911

Thank you guys for the replies and the advice. It's all well taken and appreciated. This is the first issue I've had with WC and since I have a very good relation with my case manager I'm gonna let her try to work something out which she promised she me to try everything within her powers to get it done. So that's a plus. So as of now I'm gonna give her a chance. If that doesn't pan out then I will follow your advice guys. Thanks so much for the support.

[firemedix911]

I hear you brother. I'm keeping a watchful eye. At this point I haven't reached the end of my options before I go the lawyer route yet.

[hamrs_62]

I had to go to their doc. and their doctor has an opinion on my condition, he wanted a qme to do the reports on me, because he was my primary, they refused and refused, so when he finally did it himself, the disagreed with it, he didn't like the way they were handling my case, and and now they say oh no, we don't like what you are claiming, now they want to send me to one of their qme's who probably will side with their opinion, so I said I better get some help, because I don't know the way it works and how far I can trust them, so I contacted a superlawyer that does comp as a specialty, I have done a lot of searching as to how comp has screwed with people and people are decimated because how their case was denied, and they held back funds because of reports they had from using qmes that were suggested from their adjusters, but, that is just my opinion, not fact, I don't want anyone to think what I say is factual, just my own interpretation,,,

Originally Posted by firemedix911

I hear you brother. I'm keeping a watchful eye. At this point I haven't reached the end of my options before I go the lawyer route yet.