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+--- Forum: Injured Worker Forum (/forumdisplay.php?fid=4)
+--- Thread: FCE? (/showthread.php?tid=159)
FCE? - LONDON53 - 04-24-2007 03:09 PM
Hello its me again asking some questions.  First of all I went to see my Ortho for a follow-up yesterday and he said there is nothing else they can do and is sending me for an fce and told me to live with it. He said he knows I am still hurting but there is nothing else they can do an I must live with it. Is this true or just another IC tatic to get rid of me? Looking forward to your responces. Thanks!
RE: FCE? - punk - 04-24-2007 03:22 PM
Sorry you had such a rude Dr.! If he genuinely feels that there is nothing more HE can do for you then, yes...he can put you at MMI. If you are still experiencing much pain then I would request a referral for pain management from this pig of a Dr. After being placed at MMI by one Dr. doesn't necessarily mean that you are at MMI for another. He should refrain from asking for an FCE until he's sure there's nothing more that can be done for you by ANYONE!! Even so, you do have the right to pain management. By seeing one of those specialists it's entirely possible that they could find something that maybe the other Dr. didn't. Anything is possible! So...for now, work on getting a referral to a pain management Dr. I would ask my IC adjuster, if they're still talking to you, or talk with your lawyer if you have one of those and make the request through him. It's also possible that during the FCE the person performing this will see that some pain management might be in order and reccommend this as well. Won't hurt to ask, that's for sure! What's the worst that could happen? You be denied? Well, if that's the case...there's always another avenue to be explored..just ask your attorney..they'll tell ya!!
Good luck! I was put at MMI by 2 Dr.'s before one reccommended pain management, then put at MMI by him----that's when I went for my impairment rating and my FCE (two different appointments with two entirely different people...thankfully)!!!
Take care and I hope you can find some relief from your pain soon!!
RE: FCE? - UndercovrAngel - 04-24-2007 03:29 PM
London,
I can't recall what your injury was, but it sounds as if this ortho needs to have his head examined. Hopefully you have a good attorney there that can help you out. It sounds as if there are still possibilities that need explored. If you don't have an attorney, I can recommend a good one, as well as an ortho Dr (wish that he was here in TX so that I could go back to him on my hand). He treated me with respect and listened to what I had to say in regards to my injury. I guess that you could say that we worked in tandem to get me through my injury and out of the hands of WC !!
ANgel ^j^
RE: FCE? - Still in Limbo - 04-24-2007 03:40 PM
Hi London, I hope you are well today! My surgeon could do no more for me so he moved me on down the line also, after your FCE you should be able to request a second opinion. Check with your attorney. I had quite a few Dr.'s look at my films and file, and when it was found nothing else could be done for me, I went to my PCP and he referred me to Pain Management. They have been treating me great! I hope there is more that can be done for you, but don't worry it's not the end of the road for you, just a little bump in the process!! As I said though, please check with your attorney and Best of Luck to you!!
RE: FCE? - LONDON53 - 04-24-2007 03:50 PM
Thanks for the answers Punk and Angel. Yes I have already been put at MMI by Pain Management after 3 Steroid Injections and 18 PT sessions. The Ortho was the second opinion Dr and they both said I was at MMI and nothing more can be done. Actually the Ortho sent me to yet another Dr for a 3rd opinion and she too said there is nothing more they can do. They all work for the IC..this is where I got suspicious as I read so many posts here about WC and the IC just want to get rid of an IW as soon as they can, regardless of wheather the IW is better or not. In answer to Angels question..it is my lower back, I have a few tears and one buldging disc. I do have a Lawyer experienced in WC waiting in the wings and it seems it has come down to this, so I am definitely hiring her right now. I will keep you updated as to what happens and i do appreciate your responses! Thanks again!
RE: FCE? - LONDON53 - 04-24-2007 07:07 PM
I called my adjustor and yes sure enuf she said nothing else can be done and they are going to rate me and cut me a check and be done with. Its not this simple is it?
RE: FCE? - 1171 - 04-24-2007 07:51 PM
Not if you appeal.
Once you get doctors who'll offer a treatment program that has a reasonable chance of success you might be able to get a judge to award additional benefits.
RE: FCE? - Bad Boy Bad Boy - 04-24-2007 08:08 PM
What would I do, in my opinion, I would gather my films, all of them, and then make an appointment to go see a Neurosurgeon, and ask for an honest medical opinion if anything can be done medically to benefit you. You may have to pay for the visit, but in the end you will mostly be glad you did. Injections don't fix tears, or bulging disc. Injections are only an internal Bandaide, nothing more.
RE: FCE? - LONDON53 - 04-24-2007 09:16 PM
Bad Boy..there was only one MRI taken one month after the injury in Nov of 06. I believe you are right..since I never had burning before when I had the buldge and now I do, I think it has burst..only an MRI will show that. I told the doctor that but he just laughed and brushed it off...typical IC Doctor huh. Again I thank you all for the advice or opinions. Thanks
RE: FCE? - tweety00 - 04-24-2007 10:11 PM
London I am in the same place as you are ....But I went running to another dr looking for answers ! Today Ive had a new mri done but on cervial area....old mri from oct 06 (lumber)was looked at but they seem to think neck has more importance so im waiting on results. Lumber wasnt that bad ! they said So I asked why do i hurt all the time.dr said dont know