Right shoulder injury....1st time WC

[Bernie57]

It so important to have someone who will listen to us and know
what we struggle with day in & day out. Even my own lawyer got tired of dealing with me and my injuries. Remember I said document, After over 3 years, my claim was approved by SSD. Got half the monies due to me. They have documentation that the WC insurance company is paying me 1100.00 a month. Truth of the matter, have not seen a dime from Co since 7/2007. Way to many cooks in this twisted stew. Stop here anytime the wolves get a little too close.
AND find me a brick house. Bernie

[cindy1sttimewc]

Update.........I am using this thread kind of like an online journal. I suppose I could just use my own blog to document but since I have already started an ongoing thread here, I may as well finish.

As always I hope that all are being fairly and promptly treated in WC.

My MRI (w/no contrast) came back fine! Seems like an oversight to me. Perhaps it may be because I addressed the problem promptly with an empiric antibiotic (1000mg) while beginning of a low-grade fever. With all the pain I have been in..........septic synovial fluid in the bursae, I can not imagine why the MRI did not show edema or extra fluid in subacromial. But that is why I asked the doctor for a MRI with contrast and he refused! Probably because he knew that the contrast would better show an infection. I will be sure to get a copy of my MRI.

Since the antibiotic, my right shoulder and arm have improved with each day. My strength is coming back and the general malaise I was feeling everyday is gone (that obviously due to the infection). The pain (which was localized to the shoulder and upper arm or deltoid) is all but gone except for occasional sharp pain or some impingement pain if I reach up too high, etc. I am still having a mild problem with adhesive capsulitis, particularly reaching up across my chest to grab my left shoulder or putting deodorant on. When I take NSAID, and do my stretches, the ROM improves. BUT my goal is to no longer take the NSAID*s. Also, my temp has come down from 100.3 to 96.1 and the warmth (hot) over my shoulder is gone, so clearly the antibiotic was exactly what I needed, but the female doc would not listen to me so I had to wait another 2 weeks to get proper treatment. She does not know that I am at risk for seizures with a fever. I have a history of seizure disorder and was put on Tegretol. But I could not stand the side effects, so I discontinued it (I was 15 at the time).

When I went in to the emergi clinic 2 weeks later, I brought the antibiotic up once again to the docs attention (I see a different doc each time I go and I have had to explain myself about 8 different times), so he was the one who finally gave me a script for an empiric antibiotic. I think having to explain myself to so many different doctors and trying to get rid of the pain.......you know, to find the EXACT cause...........has taken a toll on me physically and emotionally. Masking over the pain does not eradicate the problem! Frankly, most docs (and I am not saying all), do not give a s***.

I will continue antibiotic treatment for another 2-3 weeks. My CIPRO supply runs out this Saturday and I am going to see my dad on Saturday and he will supply me with Tetracycline. I want to make sure I kill all those bacterial invaders......even oral bacterial invaders or as my dad and I call them Nazi basturds.

The subluxation I was thinking in my mind was actually the anterior swelling from the infection in the bursae/synovial fluid.......septic bursitis. That is why it was tender on palpation. Just because the bursae in the shoulder is percutaneous (unlike olecranon and prepatellar which is subcutaneous), does not mean that is can not get infected, especially if a patient was given a steroid injection. Waiting 2 weeks before reinjection provides ample time to rule out IATROGENIC sepsis, which rarely occurs after a steroid injection. Perhaps if they were to aspirate the synovial fluid and culture it, then the evidence will be found........that is, if the antibiotics do not completely kill all the bacteria.

If it was not septic bursitis, why was I running a low-grade fever that was continuing to rise and why then did my temp drop, along with the localized anterior and superior pain and the swelling and the erythema as soon as the antibiotic was administered. Bursitis alone is just inflammation and an anti-inflammatory should take care of it, that is UNLESS the bursae is INFECTED, to which an antibiotic is then needed. INFECTION must ruled out FIRST........that is a basic rule of thumb in medicine!!!

I have my own theory as to how I got the iatrogenic infection.......my case study would be as followed.......but without the Isotretinoin for acne treatment (I do not have dermatologic issues)........ http://www.jabfm.org/cgi/content/full/17/4/299

And also to explain the pathogen, staphylococcus aureus.......
http://www.nextbio.com/b/literature/lite...sa&author=

And finally this helps explain more..........
http://www.pdrhealth.com/disease/disease...ntentId=18 and this too.........http://www.merck.com/mkgr/mmg/sec7/ch51/ch51e.jsp


I still have discomfort when I lay on my back and I still can not sleep on my right shoulder. I have been sleeping on my left shoulder for about 3 months now.

[cindy1sttimewc]

Well my experience with WC was so UNPLEASANT, I feel it is in my best interest to diagnose myself and treat myself in the future rather than depend upon the so-called mercy of some of these doctors. I would be much SAFER if I did it that way.


If you can purchase some medical journals and books on internal medicine or principles of ambulatory medicine, you can learn quite a bit! For those of you out there who get repeated steroid injections for shoulder issues, a word of caution............(a) injection into the skin will cause atrophy and thus should be avoided; the patient should understand that there is a possibility of this complication; and (b) injection into tendons themselves may cause degeneration and, in time, rupture and these structures should be avoided by CAREFUL palpation. ALSO...........waiting two weeks before reinjection provides ample time to rule out IATROGENIC (man made) sepsis, which does, although rarely, occur after a steroid injection.............from Principles of Ambulatory Medicine (Third Edition) edited Barker, Burton and Zieve.


There is just too much political interference (from the IC and your employer and the WC docs), that by the time one of these WC docs figured out what EXACTLY was wrong and specifically where my pain was coming from, I probably would of been hospitalized with an infection so bad, it would have only been able to be treated with parenateral antibiotics. Infection must be treated promptly.....that is just common sense. Heck, I even paid for my own antibiotics.....rather than wait around for any of these jokers to care. That is why you MUST take the LEAD in your own health, because no one else will! It is even more pathetic when these doctors accuse you of making it up or it must be all in your head! That is when you want to bust their knees caps open and ask them.......I am sorry, are you in pain. And then walk away. Not to be blunt, but rather to make my point.

Unfortunately, we live in a world where most people do not care. A word to describe this country........APATHY! From the government, to corporations, to medicine, to the disparities between the rich and the poor. Maybe several massive 9.8 earthquakes will wake people up and out of their apathy!

My pop got me laughing real hard. When I told him that the female doctor would not give me a script for an antibiotic after I expressed to her my concern, he said that I should have said to her.........*Oh, so you don*t do spark plugs here! I guess I will have to go to Pep Boys to get a script for an antibiotic*! I almost peeed my pants when he said that!!!!

So long!!

[Bernie57]

You sound much more in control. This site and your dad really helped. Me, I am just waiting on that 9.8 earthquake. Right now I think you could pull that off.
I did 20yrs in health care and have all current medical books, but the insurance company has a real good curve ball. Glad you are feeling better, I gotta run off to Pepboys. Bernie

[cindy1sttimewc]

Hey Bernie..........

Is 57 your age. Just wondering.

As far as the 9.8 earthquake and me pulling it off.......yeh, you are right. I probably could. I fell down the basement stairs on Monday. My *slippers* made me slip and fall and I busted my butt.......so I am sure that registered 9.8 easily! But I have started my spring training/running. I need to lose my winter tire......about 15 Lbs.

Well I am just glad that I do not have to go back to that Emergi center. I just had them release me back to full work. I myself will modify as needed because my shoulder will probably take another several weeks to feel prejury. But I will keep my claim open just in case and see another doctor of my choice if I feel it is necessary.

But yes are right! Those insurance companies have many loopholes......as do our elected officials. Frankly, I do not know how any doctor can practice medicine in good conscience while not caring about the patient. It is antithetical to his/her approach to *heal* as medicine is supposed to do.


Take care! And hope you are well also.

[Bernie57]

OK lets get this settled real quick. The 57 in my user name, is for the year I was born. However, that 57 gets closer every year.
And just today I recieved a letter from the insurance company's lawyer. They are once again contesting p/t. Comp closed my case with lifelong medical for my shoulder. Now getting the insurance company to honor this, is a nightmare!
Wish me luck. Bernie (not 57) lol

[cindy1sttimewc]

Did I hit a tender spot with your age! Hey I am aging real fast too! Everytime I look in the mirror I see another grey hair.......another reminder of turning 40 in 3 years!


But they say age is JUST a number, right!

I do not understand though, if they closed your case with lifelong medical, why would they not honor that, especially if you have it in writing. Too much deceit and chicanery. Or even sophistry, (a debate intended to deceive).

But either way, you MUST take charge of your health. Just throw the medical bills that the IC will not pay in the garbage........that is what I do. Also because I hardly got partial compensation for lost hours, I could not pay my major credit card bills. I owe about $4500.00, I just throw them in the garbage too. My credit is not that great anyway, about 620. Besides I figure the banks already got their bailout with our tax dollars and I only have so much money to go around. And because the insurance company is showing their irresponsibility, what makes one to differ from the other! Their irresponsibility has effected me, rather I should say, their irresponsibility has effected the credit card companies. So they can go can bitch to the WC IC!

And the best part, I do not feel guilty at all! Just water off my back! When people screw you, you have no choice but to end up screwing somebody else. It is just the way it goes. It is out of your control.


I like your picture of the penguin. Best of luck to you Berni! My God grant us (especially me) the grace to deal with these Nazis and Japs!


*************I just was watching GMA this morning and they did a report on the insurance company AIG. AIG covers soldiers overseas who are injuried. Apparently this vetern injured his knee very badly in Iraq and AIG kept using the old tactics of delaying, denying, and basically gave this guy the run-around. They threatened him, saying they would not pay for his surgery and his prosthesis. Now keep in mind that everyone was outraged that AIG was paying their top bosses and (CEO) billions in bonus, even as they collected billions from the government (from us taxpayers) for a bailout. Such INJUSTICE, makes you SICK! I think every American should default on their credit card bills to screw the banks just to send a STRONG message to these greedy rich jerks who get away with murder!!!!!!! Tonight on 20/20, they are doing a thorough report on this outrage.......everyone should watch it.********************

[Bernie57]

AIG owns Sedgwick that holds the Insurance for employer Home Depot. They hate to part with a penny, unless its for thier own satisfaction. I know I am paying for somebodys yacht.
I got injured in June of 2005, my credit cards are long gone. Along with all of my pride. I did get life medical on my shoulder/arm. However, every time they refuse to pay I have to stop going and make a court date to get it enforced. I finally get a date about a month in the future. And just before that date they pay the bill.
Since pt will not see me if owed, I lose about 2-3 months of pt and we start all over again. I have to go back to the doctor and plead for another pt script. I would worry, except I lost my sanity long ago. At least I keep the asprin company working overtime. Take Care Bernie

[cindy1sttimewc]

Bernie,

Seems like the little guy always gets screwed, but because I firmly believe in justice, these unethical and immoral people will not get away with it. It may seem like it now, but the Living God sees ALL things in secret and in open. He does not forget. I have to remind myself that all the time or else my anger will consume me and I do not want that.

Sometimes my anger shows up because it stems from being screwed so much in my life. Several years ago, my car was stolen and then when the police called to say they found my stolen car, I drove to Philly to get some stuff out of it (if that stuff was still there) and as I was waiting at a red light (an older man was ahead of me, waiting too at this red light), some young black kid smashes me so hard in the rear end and pushes me into the guy in front of me. I hit the dash board real hard and my head cracked the wind shield. This young black kid backs up and drives around me and gives me eye contact and speeds off. I jumped out of the car to run after him to get his license plate but before I could get it, he was nothing but a vapor in the distance. When I get back to my car, this old man starts screaming at me calling me *a crazy woman driver* when in fact I have not had an accident or a speeding ticket in 20 years. This is what gave me the injury in my neck because of severe whiplash (cervical spondylosis). I felt so powerless and helpless at the time. I also did not have collision on my car ins. policy, so basically I was screwed and of course the Philly police did not give a damn, but that is why crime is rampant......it is not challenged at all!!

Anyway, I say this all to at least help some of you understand why I have shown my anger in my articulation on this forum. But also the main reason why I started this thread on this forum is because the first night I reported injury and went to occupational health, I was basically judged as a fraud which I think most injured workers are and the second doctor judged me as well saying that my injury probably was not work related. That pissed me off so much, that I started this thread and it made a difference. So thanks Bernie for listening to me. You seem like an intelligent individual, and you have compassion.

Something funny my friend from childhood said to me the other day. She is a LPN and we were discussing my WC injury on the phone and I told her what the female doctor said to me the first night I came in for treatment. This was when I overheard this doctor say outside my door.....*these people that go on WC just want to collect payments so they can go buy a house or an SUV. My friend said to me that I should have said to this doctor when she walked into the room.......*I am here to collect my house and SUV*!!!! Well anyway, that made me laugh at least!

You take care and I hope you continue to get what you need! Nice chatting with you.

Cindy

[daphnewils]

cindy1sttimewc Wrote:I am new here to this forum and have decided to make a post.....believing it would be beneficial to me and also would help give me more knowledge on how to navigate WC. Here is my story.

I work as a CNA (certified nurses aid) and have been doing this for many years. I am 36 years old and have never had an on the job injury, other than the usual delayed onset soreness from using muscles that I have not used in awhile....but you usually know that it is temporary. I work for a healthcare agency and they do not guarantee you hours but certainly try to find you permanent work. I have been working for them since September of last year and had a case lifting a 190lb man who was full assist due to brain injury who could not walk but has started to gain some strength in his legs due to PT, but nevertheless, he still is heavy duty work with all his ROM exercises that are passive.

The problem is whenever I would help transfer the pt. with another man in the house, it was a full transfer using my arms and I would then experience a burning sensation in my arm and it became too painful to use. I thought maybe I had pulled a muscle but then my arm was constantly aching, so I started taking Tylenol and rubbing in Icy hot, which only gave temporary relief. I noticed too that I had limited range and pain whenever I would raise my arm above my head or reach behind my back and reach across my chest. I even had a hard time getting my arm in my clothes. The muscle was so hard and tight. I called my agency to report injury and saw a doctor that night on their WC list.

That doctor gave me an injection of an anti-inflammatory and sent me home with a bottle ibuprofen (600mg). She also took an x-ray which did not show anything related to bone. She told me to come back in 5 days if I saw no improvement and she put my on light duty for work......which for me is fine because I think in my mind all I need to do is stop doing the activity that is causing the pain and rest the area that is painful....you know, common sense.

Since the injection of Toradol, I have noticed some improvement with my range and the pain and especially the tightness in the muscle which to me clearly indicates injury because this is our bodies natural response to injury (swelling and inflammation) to start the healing process.

I went back 5 days later because I still had pain especially reaching across my chest. My strength is not where it used to be but I have seen improvement so the doctor gave me a steroidal injection with lidocaine and preformed a test to see if I had any pain and most of it went. Generally this test is used to determine a tendon tear or tendinitis. He immediately told me I was fine and that I did not have to come back and to continue light duty. I then told him my dad was a retired M.D. and I explained to him that I want to get an MRI done to be sure I do not have more significant damage that would require a longer recovery time and gradual return to normal funtion. Most of us know our own bodies and how we can gauge our recovery times even without a doctor.........that is if you know your body and your fitness and if you have some medical training. The doctor said that by law if I want to be seen again, he has to see me. So he has me coming back in a week to which I will and I will insist upon getting a MRI for my own peace of mind and so that I can properly time my recovery.

I know this is long but I want to cover all things. So I hope I will get some of you to respond. The case that I had prior to this one with the 190lb man was a case with a manual hoyer lift that I did 2 times a day, 7 days a week for about 3 months and I really think this contributed to the weakness and eventual inflammation and possibly tear in the tendons/muscles that are part of the rotator cuff. I can already sense the doctors dismissing my pain and concern and my agency has not found any light duty for me as of yet but it has only been 4 days so I really do not know what to expect other than I will still have faith in my employer and certainly by all means I will have faith and trust in God.

I just do not know where to go from here because everyday I do not work, is money I am loosing to pay my bills. I am still doing one case that I told them I could do because this woman is light assist and stands completely on her own, but it is only for 8 hours and that is all for the week.

Any suggestions I would really appreciate. Thanks