Time delay

[RonnieV]

Hello Folks, Let me start by saying this websight has really helped me and that I am new to this, so please forgive me if I should do anything wrong. I work for the state of NY, recived an injury at work on 2/21, at first they thought it was a torn rotator cuff, now after seing an orthopedist and a nuerologist they believe and the state doctor believes I have tbpi, my concern is this, the state keeps denying the requests for exams. The nuerologist went ahead anyway with the emg and nerve conduction studies, they showed lack of reflexes and sensation in my right arm and hand, now they want an mri of the brachial plexus. My should hurts, deltoid burns, right hand under thumb is always swollen, and the first 3 fingers are either burning or cold, then at times my index finger moves on it's own and my whole arm will not move for up to 20 minutes, I am wondering if anyone has experienced these symptoms, and if so, will this continue to get worse if the state keeps delaying the approval of requested tests?
I'm sorry this is so long, and I do appoligize for the inconvience, but if anyone has any advice, I would sincerely appreciate it.
Thank you so much......
Ronnie

[Joy in FL]

Hello and Welcome Ronnie. Your symptoms sound familiar to me... kind of a been there done that thing! Still have many of them almost 12 years post injury. Actually just spent the last 10 days with no use of my left hand. It is starting to come back some.

My advice would be continue to badger the doctors and whoever you have to, in order to get the treatment you need. Find a BPI specialist in your area and get to him as soon as you can. When I finally found a doctor that knew what was wrong with me it had already been almost 2 years. At that point all the could do was make things a little better. Don't give up, don't be discourage and most important you are not alone.

Joy

[RonnieV]

Joy,

Thank you so much for your reply, your words of wisdom did help. I am shocked that 12 years have gone by and that you still experience those pains, so I gather this may be a life time deal? Their are 3 doctors in the state of Ny that seem to deal with this, but they are in NYC, that's about 100 miles from me, I suppose I could e-mail them to see if they take workers comp. If my research is correct, and a surgery is needed, it is supposed to be done between 3 and 6 months from the injury, do you know if that is for all kids of tbpi?
Once again, thank you so very much for the reply, my best wishes go out to you and all who have to deal with this........
Ronnie

[Kathleen M]

Joy

Sorry to hear you were having so much trouble. I hope you are feeling better soon. Nice to see you on the board...

Its freezing here in NY so be glad that Fla.. is warm you know how cold our arms get... can't get mine warm still freezing from the long cold winter...

Take care and feel well we all missed you
Kath

[Kathleen M]

Hi Ronnie

Welcome to the board. I also live in NY. I just went to Dr. Abbott for an evaluation today.

I am birth injured but still have some problems. I hope you get an appointment soon...

Have you checked the hospitals in NY websites? On the websites you can check each specialist and call to see if they are taking workmen's comp...

Kath

[RonnieV]

Kath,
Thanks for the tip, I didn't even think of that. I was also told to check VT, as southern Vermont is closer to me than NYC, I just hope they take out of state insurance. Does your symptoms get worse in the cold damp weather as well, just wondering?
Yes, it's been a cold long winter, steming into a chilly, wet spring.
I was also told by the doctor that I can not lean on the state untill 30 days after the request for the mri of the brachial plexus, so I guess all I can do until 6/8 is wait, then I can start to talk to my attorney and hopefully get things moving.
I want to thank everyone for their help and advice, it is throughly appreciated. I send my very best wishes to everyone....Thanks again...........
Ronnie

[Kathleen M]

onnie

I found this New York State link for Workmens comp.
I think you should be able to get disability but I am not sure. I don't know if state workers are enrolled into Social Security if so check out that website for more information.
Kath

NY State - Work Comp site.

http://www.nysegov.com/search-ny.cfm?di ... ntrast=lod&

[admin]

ronnie,
I hope that you are feeling better and that the injury is something that will heal up on it's own. But just in case I would not wait much longer. I don't know what kind of injury you have had but you might want to get a mylogram by a specialist to see what condition your nerve roots are in. I would drive the distance. I met with Dr. Scott Wolfe in NYC, He is a bpi doctor who seems to specialize in the hand. He is an active doctor in the learning world. Which is impotant to me in this modernizing world. I think that it's worth an appointment. call or email if you have questions.
get better soon!

[RonnieV]

Kath,

Thanks for the sight, i'll check on that. Yes, I pay in to Social Security. It's 3:am here and once again I can't sleep due to the pain. I hope you are feeling a bit better today.
Thanks again for all you help.....
Ronnie...

[RonnieV]

Hello Jessica,

Thanks for your reply, I think I will look into that. I did do some research on the net regarding him and he does seem to have experience. Did you find him to be a good doctor? I'm not sure what tbpi I have either, 3 out of 3 doctors say that is what the problem is, but it's getting the state to ok the tests is what is holding this all up. Yes, I will e-mail him and see if he will take workers comp. As i'm sure you know, this whole injury is rather frustating, and new symptoms seem to be occuring almost daily.
Thanks Jessica for taking the time to reply, I surely do appreciate it.....
Ronnie