Carpal Tunnel/Repetitive Stress Syndrome in TN-Workers Comp Issue

[sparkey]

apossible,

It took 8-10 yrs. before I started to have a recurrance problem with CT after my surgery. I have had a total of 18 doctors ( counted the other day) and not ONE doctor would repeat the carpal surgery due to so many symptoms of tingling, numbness, hot, cold, color changeing etc. I have had numerous doctors give me different diagnosis of neuropathy, carpal recurrance, RSD, Arthritis , scar tissue, etc.

Personally I am getting to the point I do not know what to do or where to go anymore. I have seen neurologist, ortho surgeons and have been in PM for 2 yrs. this month. I am sick of taking medication and feel it is really taking a toll on my life. If I try not to take any meds. I am bed ridden and cannot do anything. It is helping me work and keeping me comfortable and acting like a bandaide. I am right now looking into a Boston specialist but cannot get a appointment sooner than May.

Everyone like you said heals differently. When I had the surgery I was okay about 6-8 weeks after the surgery with no problems. It is when I was using a stamping machine at work one day a few years ago and started getting the tingling, numbing again. It got worse over time. Now it shows up on my EMG test that there is median nerve damage. It says " mild" like the first time I had one before surgery and when I had the surgery the doctor said it was " severe".

So, I think you are still fairly new to having the surgery and you need to use your hand and keep it moving. The worse thing you can do it not use it and it locks up on you. Do let your doctor know what is going on and there is times when people do have CT surgery and end up with RSD after the surgery and other problems, but I think it is to soon for you to maybe know this at this point. Do a search on CRPS and you will get alot of info. Also alot of people here have it and could give you more information. Good luck.

[Tizz]

Hi
Ok WComp faxed a form to y HR department today with all the ifo and so far this is all I have heard.The form states that I have "Carpal Tunnel on Right Hand Due to Repetitive Motion".

So what is the next step and do I have to wait for WComp to approve this claim before I can start being treated??

I was told by a WComp Attorney and my Boss/HR that a person CAN'T be fired simply for filing a WComp claim because thats your Rights according to the law. However in a "Right To Work State" such as TN were I live they can fire you for other reasons if they so choose but NOt for filing the actual claim!!

What is Trigger Finger?? That must be what I started feeling in Aug.

Thanks

[jayne]

they can replace you,lay you off,put you down to 1 hour a week to make you quit they can do anything they wish except say I am firing you for filing a WC claim

[Tizz]

Tizz Wrote:Hi
Ok WComp faxed a form to y HR department today with all the ifo and so far this is all I have heard.The form states that I have "Carpal Tunnel on Right Hand Due to Repetitive Motion".

So what is the next step and do I have to wait for WComp to approve this claim before I can start being treated??

I was told by a WComp Attorney and my Boss/HR that a person CAN'T be fired simply for filing a WComp claim because thats your Rights according to the law. However in a "Right To Work State" such as TN were I live they can fire you for other reasons if they so choose but NOt for filing the actual claim!!

What is Trigger Finger?? That must be what I started feeling in Aug.

Thanks

Ok apparently what I got from work today wasn't from WComp as I thought.The Form that is all typed out says its Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development Employers First Report of Injury!! So am I correct to assume that this is NOT from WComp??

Also,I was never offered the option of 3 choices of Dr.'s to see either.When I asked her she said I would have to wait until she heard from the company(AIG) that handles our WComp issues.

So can anyone please tell me what the next step is or what I should do from here??

[AQA]

That form is the first step of a WC claim. My employer had to fill one out and so did I.

[Tizz]

Ok but the HR person filled the form out but why wasn't I offered the choice of 3 Dr.'s??

[AQA]

One can only speculate as to why. Why do you not contact AIG yourself and question them????? After all, you are the injured one and that would cut out the time spent dealing with HR. I have made contact with the IC. hadling my claim many times.

Take Care

[Tizz]

I never even thought about that. Also,What if they should find that it is NOT Carpal Tunnel but something so simple as Arthritis or something else etc. ? I imagine that this may happen to people sometimes,Im just guessing since this is my 1s time. Then wouldn't an employer be pissed off at the employee because they filed a claim and it turned out to be something totally different!

My mind is so overwelmed with so many questions & worry's at this point.

[AQA]

There is absolutely nothing gained from wondering "what if". The last sentence in my signature says it all.

[katicabogar]

Apossible,

I had pretty much the same type of surgeries as you did and after my last surgery, I lost my job. The little fingers started triggering about six months after my last surgery, but wc denied as not work related, reasoning, I wasn't working when symptoms started. Had to go to court, but judge sided with wc because she found the IME doc more credible than mine.
The triggering on the little fingers now gone as I don't really do much, but I still have the problems with numbness, tingling, stiffness in the fingers/arms and terrible pain in the shoulders.
Kat