Bad Backs Discussion Forum

Hi All
I havn't been on here before but I would like to know is it the same for all of you, the ones claiming workers compensation feel as i do.
I hurt my back two years ago and was on compo then they refused. then i was back on then they refused based on another drs report.
the thing is.....
All the doctors are wrting stuff they hav'nt even checked... one says all reflexes are present, another says no reflexs on left side, etc. etc.
they even state they did blah blah and they have not even looked at my back.
How long can these lies continue to go on.... it is not right let alone not being fair. It seems to me they all do this to keep each oher in a job. I wish i could see a doctor who understood and gave me a fair report based on his personal findings.
I am due soon for a conference where i would dearly love the commission doctor to check me out. He or she supposedly is independant taking no sides... he dosn't work for me or the insurance company but for the workers compensation commission... will he tell the truth on his findings.. or will it be lies once more.
i am sick of all of this and i can't wait for it to end. Isn't bad enough that i have to suffer pain so bad.. you know what i have a big ding in the lower part of my bottom from nerve damage from a severely herniated T12/L1 disc... the insurance doctor didn't even look at this or my back but he says he did.... hell i have proof but the rotten so and so's just arn't listening.
Thanks for letting me spit it out... i am so sick of it all.
Virginia

Hi Virginia,

You poor thing, you are going through the wringer and these buggers are doing the winding. But hey, if u have medical proof with scans and reports give them heaps girl. Get stuck into them.
Got a lawyer ?
What state are u in ? In NSW the insurers have to pay for your legal representation...no cost to u at all.
From what I have experienced the insurance co's are calling the shots and Workcover Authority run along behind sweeping up the mess and putting it under the carpet so no-one will find it.
Workcover is a useless toothless tiger. What good is it having a health industry that no-one properly regulates the many wrongs that are happening daily.

I have just found a good support group for Workcover patients...based in Adelaide but the person running it also travels around. It's called WORK INJURED RESOURCE CONNECTION INC.
If u type that in as a website search u can get details. I believe they are having an all persons welcome seminar on Workcover hassles on 25th November in Adelaide.

I too am on Workers Comp. 2.5 years. Had 2 op's now and keep getting stuffed around by the insurance company . My last op. they refused point blank. Their doctors said one thing, mine said something else. I hit them with everything I could (but do it in writing and demand a reply )but it still took 5 months to get the op. approved. Great system Eh? Really helpful for patients in pain...NOT.

Spitting it all out is a neccessary part of it and I have done my fair share, dont leave it inside.
Keep at them and I wish u good luck ( and justice )at the commission. They are supposed to be impartial - will u let us know how u get on at the commission and how they were for u.?

Greg

Thankyou Greg for your reply.
Yes i have a solicitor and i am in NSW.
I am totally amazed that these so called doctors can get away with writing supposedly truthful medicals. it is not right!
Anyhow the muscle wasting on left side on lower bottom is another definate sign.... but
I wrote back to my solicitor stating all the decrepencies in the insurance comp doctor report. this is one of three mind you. the last one was absolutely crazy... they make up their own assumptions. why is it like this?
My solicitor is ringing me in a few days and the commission thing is next year now, because of the break up for xmas. I stated i want a witness this time and any other time i go to a dr for medicals. i will even take my tape recorder now. i am feed up.
I will let you know the outcome, and thanks again for your reply. Its good to know other people relate to what i am going through.
Virginia

Always take a witness with you when seeing a doctor and take Questions write them down then write down their answer

G'day again Virginia,

Hope it is all going well with you and with things for the up-coming commission.

I just had a win that I thought I would inform you and anyone else who's interested...related to NSW Workcover laws.

Last year I was sent to a rehabilation provider for a Functional Capacity Examination (FCE) by the insurer.
The test was awful and the report was all bull...t, it said basically that my capacity to earn was unchanged to what it was before my injury and the 2 subsequent operations...all rubbish.
Anyway, because the insurer did not inform me in writing prior to the FCE that it was a section 40 assessment they cannot use it against me in any way.

The sneaky buggers said the assessment was to assist me in returning to work and should benfit me.
I claimed to Workcover they misled and deceived me - and won.
Therefore they cannot not reduce my "statutary rate" because of this report.

I hope this can help other people in NSW and possibly it's the same in other states also.

All the best
greg

Hi All
sorry i havn't been on a while but i don't sit for too long... i'm lying down typing this lol...
Well the insurance company finally admited liability.... they paid me a very mininal lump sum... but thats ok... not in it for damn lump sums...their last dr stated that it certainly was a work accident.... drrrrr being telling them that for ages... 2years and more.......
But they won't pay me my weekly income or back money or medicals.... I have a commison phone call soon, and if they don't agree it goes to the commission itself face to face...
the strange thing is, my physio picked up my problems three years ago, my accupunturist just recently... but the real problem is trying to live a normal life...
if i do too much exercise i am in pain, if i don't do enough i am in pain... i force myself to do things ie: light things and i keep going if i'm in pain on tablets of course... but its not getting better... i have tried all there is to try..... my life is not a life... i am very lonely, bored and look back on all the friends i use to have and the unreal life i had...
then i get down.. and up and say i'm going to exercise myself out of this and the first day is fine i get sorer and keep going until i'm in bed for a few days.....
So here i am at three in the morning.... normal people sleep don't they.... normal people do things.... normal people laugh....normal people...... whats normal i don't know anymore... oh and i am going to a pain management thingy in a few months.... i know it won't help....
they analyse etc.... see if my brain is making the pain don't they lol
i can assure you its not..... but tomorrow is another day... i want to go for a walk... hmmm... i will go for a walk... so if you see a pale faced lady hobbling down the beach.... don't stare... shes trying to get rid of her pain....

anyhow enough of me... keep on keeping on... so they say
regards
Virginia

Hi Virginia
Good to hear from you.
Sorry to hear that you are still in so much pain.
It is so very difficult living in cronic pain. I don't think there is a normal!! I too have forgotten what that is. We all have times too where we have down moments, days weeks etc, but remember you do have many frineds on here that have either been through similar & some that are going through the same.. We are all here to support you in the down times.
The pain management specialists may surprise you & be able to offer some alternative pain management treatments. I'm assuming it is a pain specialist you have been referred to & not a pain management course. If your dr hasn't referred you to a pain specialist then you should ask to be referred to one. They can offer many forms of pain management from injecions to de nervations that can be very successful in reducing your pain. They can often also confirm a diagnosis or even make a diagnosis of the cause of your pain that other drs may not have been able to do.
When excercising, just be cautious not to overdo it... listen to your body & stop as soon as you feel any pain (more pain).
Rest is also the best non med way to ease you pain.
Good to hear that the insurance co have finally accepted liability but they can be very difficult to get your payments out of them. Just remember too that it is all part of their game. They hope that we will get tired of the fight for what is supposed to be our entitlement & plead with them to go away.
Being involved with a compensation case is very distressing & stressful in itself without having to deal with the pain as well.
Just hang in there girl.
Like I have said to Luda, don't give up on getting the right diagnosis & treatment either. Your pain is real & definately not in your head I'm sure. I too was told my pain was in my head, that has now been proven without doubt that my pain was very real & since my second op things are slowly on the improve.
Do keep in touch & get it all off your chest.
You know we are here for you!!
Kind Regards
Jules

Thankyou Jules

I really appreciate you reply.....

Virginia