AboutMargot RN BScN GNC Expertise Please feel free to ask anything, but the more specific you are, the easier it is for me. Please share as many details as you are comfortable doing. I do check my Emails daily Monday through Friday so you should receive an answer within 24 hours on most business days. Thanks.
Experience I have 18 years experience as a Small Business Owner-Operator; I own a Nursing Agency so often deal with both employee and client injuries. I would be pleased to offer any assistance I can. If I can not answer your question I'll do my best to direct you to an appropriate resource. Thank you. Experience in the area 20 years of Long Term Care and Community Nursing, specialising in Geriatrics, Gerontology and PalliativeCare.
Education/Credentials Registered Nurse , Certified Gerontological Nurse, Bachelor of Science in Nursing >
Question I was hit in the back of the neck at the C2/C3 vertabrate 12/06/05. I'm an ironworker and have been on WC since DOA. I have seen several doctors, but all have said that it appears to be muscular or nerve damage that they cannot see via xrays, etc. I'm still having severe headaches and neck pain. WC has received approval from the doctor's for me to return to work light duty while taking percoset. I have not received anything from my doctors telling me what my restrictions are and I feel as though I'm being forced back to work without any hope of treatment to make me better. My pain mgmt doctor said I need injections in the neck to see if that would get rid of the pain I am having but WC will not approve. My headache specialist prescribed Elavil 3 months ago and WC will not approve. I have been left w/ no choice but to continue taking percoset and go back to work and still have the same pain I have had since the accident. Please help... I do not know what to do at this point.
Answer Hi Robert and thanks for writing,
Muscular-skeletal (MS) injuries are tough to dela with as they do not show on x-ray and are a large percentage of WC claims. Naturally WC is cautious with MS injury claims as they are so easy to fake (ex: Whip Lash) which of course affects those like you with legitimate pain.
I would suggest you talk to your WC Adjuster and request guidelines on Gradual Return To Wok (GRTW) restrictios as most will provide these.
Also try Massage Therpay which WC or your insurance may cover.
A for the injections, if i was you i would get them if they help even if you have to pay yourself - keep the receipts and try to fight for reimbursement. If they help, it's worth the out-of-pocket expense.
