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Life threw our retirement planning a curveball too. My husband who was a mechanical engineer in research & development got chronic Lyme disease in 2012 at the age of 58. He was out of work on disability for a year then got well enough to return for a year. He was then let go due to his health as it was going downhill again. His Lyme had gotten better but we think that he got a rare neurological brain illness that may have been triggered by the Lyme.
So since 2014 he's been retired though our original plans were that he would work until full retirement age at 66 and then go into consulting work for a few years. He loved his work not to mention our finances would have been a lot better if he had been able to continue.
Update: My wife's shoulder is much better since the surgery but her neck is continuing to bother her. The x-rays didn't really show anything so she's getting an MRI next week. I expect that she'll be going for her third neck surgery shortly afterwards. This time its lower than before. They're going to look at C7-T1. I think the previous surgeries were C3/4 and 5/6. If she doesn't get any better after this, I'm definitely pushing her to apply for DR.
Our lawyer filed the case with the court in November. She did not ask for service of the complaint on the defendant. We have until this November to file for service, and then it could take up to a year to get a court date.
As for me, I got the SI joint injections April 1st but they didn't really help. And the PT has mostly been the same exercises I've been doing at home all along, so not much help there either. I've got one more PT session this week and then I go back to the neurosurgeon on April 30th. I'm pretty sure that we'll be discussing surgical options.
Sorry to hear of your continuing troubles. I had hoped thibgs would improve for you.
I had c4-5 fused, and will have c3-4fused soomer than later too.
I have degenerative disc disease. I get something called radio frequency ablation to my lumbar to help with the pain. Would that help you? Maybe investigate. Ask your pain doctor about it for you.
I too, never found PT exercises to be of much help. In my case i have to do pt before theyll give me the ok for an MRI to really find out what is going on. I think its ridiculous as some times the pt exercises do more damage than good. Pt isnt going to heal a torn rotator cuff, for instance.
As one with chronic continuous medical issues, i can synthesize and emphasize with you.
Continued good luck for your family, if that does any good.
Obviously people are going to do what they do and to continue surgery on surgery is, to me, more and more trauma and damage to one's body. I've been there and will just live with complications I live with, to do more surgery, no way. I'm seeing my D.O. this week after being absent from his work for close to 3 yrs, and hopefully his bodywork with give me some relief. He and most D.O's incorporate so much work in their treatments, like gentle cranio work.
I have OA in my cervical area but live with it. Do gentle movements.
Sorry to hear of your continuing troubles. I had hoped thibgs would improve for you.
I had c4-5 fused, and will have c3-4fused soomer than later too.
I have degenerative disc disease. I get something called radio frequency ablation to my lumbar to help with the pain. Would that help you? Maybe investigate. Ask your pain doctor about it for you.
I too, never found PT exercises to be of much help. In my case i have to do pt before theyll give me the ok for an MRI to really find out what is going on. I think its ridiculous as some times the pt exercises do more damage than good. Pt isnt going to heal a torn rotator cuff, for instance.
As one with chronic continuous medical issues, i can synthesize and emphasize with you.
Continued good luck for your family, if that does any good.
I had RFA on my back in November. It only worked for about a week and then the pain was just as bad or even worse than before. That's why I went back to the neurosurgeon for a followup. Now that I've done the SI joint injections and those haven't helped either, its back to the neurosurgeon again.
I had RFA on my back in November. It only worked for about a week and then the pain was just as bad or even worse than before. That's why I went back to the neurosurgeon for a followup. Now that I've done the SI joint injections and those haven't helped either, its back to the neurosurgeon again.
RFA only partially help me, but some help is better than no help.
I also have morphine and codeine chaser if the morphine isnt doing the job. Ive taken those for about 10 years, not addicted ( ive to periodically go without when they spring a prior auth on me), and they DO help. Now doctors are affraid to prescribe them. Good luck getting them if thats the case.
I have an orthopedic surgeon, a neurosurgeon, a general surgeon, a pain specialist, among other doctor/specialists i have as a regular patient
My neurosurgeon is supposed to be tge best in the area, and hell try anything before surgery. Surgery is his last resort. Unless there is a clear immediate need. Hes the one who fused my neck. Hes delaying fusing c3-4 probably until next year.
I see the pain specialist tomorrow morning after work ( 3rd shift). Im hoping he'll opt for RFA on my left knee. Thw right knee worked well with RFA, but is a more highly sensitive area than the spine/lumbar. Its difficult while doing it (hurts like h*ll!!!) but i was amazed how successful it was on my right knee. I could finally walk on right knee with no pain after a year of excruciating pain. I'll also going to see if he'll do RFA on my upper back, the mid and upper Ts cause pain now as it creaps up my back due to the degeneration.
Best of luck to you and your wife as you seek options. Welcoms to the aging process
I used to get percocet prescriptions when I had flare ups which really helped to take the edge off. Its been years since my last one. Now the most they'll do is give me a toradol injection, which helps some but nothing like percocet did.
I used to get percocet prescriptions when I had flare ups which really helped to take the edge off. Its been years since my last one. Now the most they'll do is give me a toradol injection, which helps some but nothing like percocet did.
In order to get narcotics you have to see a pain management doctor and play their games with getting injections 1st. If that's who you're seeing ask for something. Most don't like to give it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by djplourd
My wife's attorney told her that they would sue the insurance company for anything above the policy limit. Maybe the rules here in Virginia are different or maybe since it happened on a military base?
I wish the lawyer would give us a ballpark estimate of how much we could realistically expect to receive. I like to plan things out and consider various scenarios. It's impossible to due without knowing the amount, but I still can't stop myself from all the what ifs.
I was T-boned on the drivers side by a furniture delivery truck 2 years ago next week. I watched him hit me. He wasn't even looking at the road when he took off from being parked on the wrong side of the street. I was turning left in front of him to pick up my little grandson. Thankfully he wasn't in my car yet. Like your wife, I have existing health issues which will most likely come into play when they talk settlement; they're coming into play with mine. What kind of recent testing does your wife have from before the accident? Does she have any MRI's of her spine? That could be her only saving grace.
When they settle, your attorney and the other will start talking, mine have. It usually goes by what body part is injured and if she will regain any use. I have had nightmares for the 1st year and still get them about getting T-boned but that doesn't amount to money.
I'm sure you have big numbers in your head but the reality is she may walk away with way under $50,000.
My attorney is getting his money. There's a charge for filing the law suit and my health insurance company has a lien on close to $3,000 when the reality is they paid under $200 when I 1st saw my pain management doctor.
Quote:
Originally Posted by djplourd
Update: My wife's shoulder is much better since the surgery but her neck is continuing to bother her. The x-rays didn't really show anything so she's getting an MRI next week. I expect that she'll be going for her third neck surgery shortly afterwards. This time its lower than before. They're going to look at C7-T1. I think the previous surgeries were C3/4 and 5/6. If she doesn't get any better after this, I'm definitely pushing her to apply for DR.
Our lawyer filed the case with the court in November. She did not ask for service of the complaint on the defendant. We have until this November to file for service, and then it could take up to a year to get a court date.
I'm fused L5-S1. My spine has gotten worst since the accident but I won't see any money for it because I have the fusion. It's expected that once you have surgery that other disks around it will go bad. I'll be shocked if it's not similar for your wife. You may not see any money for her spine, only for her shoulder like me.
Quote:
Originally Posted by djplourd
As for me, I got the SI joint injections April 1st but they didn't really help. And the PT has mostly been the same exercises I've been doing at home all along, so not much help there either. I've got one more PT session this week and then I go back to the neurosurgeon on April 30th. I'm pretty sure that we'll be discussing surgical options.
What on your spine is bad? I do not suggest fusing lumbar if you can hold off. I'm in way more pain now after fusion without rods in 2001 then fusion with rods and screws in 2006.
Spines are not made to be fused stiff; especially in a low back IMO. There is a product that allows them to fuse with a flexible disk. I'm not sure how many places do it in the US; it's been done in Germany for over 10 years with great results. I met a gal who had 5 levels fused that was doing way better then me. She had her life back. She spent about $10,000 to have it done.
Quote:
Originally Posted by djplourd
We have not settled yet. Our lawyer advised us not to go to settlement until she was healed. Since it doesn't look like she'll ever be fully healed I expect we'll settle sometime this year. I think we're waiting on a court date now.
They will offer your attorney something way before going to court.
I'm fused L5-S1. My spine has gotten worst since the accident but I won't see any money for it because I have the fusion. It's expected that once you have surgery that other disks around it will go bad.
I had a c6-c7 discectomy but the surgeon didn't do a fusion for the very reason you mentioned, it weakens adjacent disks. I haven't had a problem with any other cervical disks since and that surgery was done 30 years ago. My lumbar disks are a mess but that's another story.
I had a c6-c7 discectomy but the surgeon didn't do a fusion for the very reason you mentioned, it weakens adjacent disks. I haven't had a problem with any other cervical disks since and that surgery was done 30 years ago. My lumbar disks are a mess but that's another story.
I actually started with that but it made me worst. I totally regret not just living with the amount of pain I had.
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