I have been having fighting neck problems for some time now, and I have several MRI's, and my doctor will also back me up as well as to the extent of my problems. My neck is pretty much shot from c3-c7 with spurs, stenosis, osteophytes, (one or more herniated disc) foraminal narrowing.. every one is effected on at least one of these, and several are effected on more than one, and one disc has all of the above. On top of that I'm one of the very very few people who was born with an extra rib in the neck, a cervical rib.. not a nub etc, a full rub that extends 3/4 in the x-ray that looks like something out of a horror movie. I also have stenosis down the rest of my back/thorasic spine. I'm 34 years old, and have two kids to raise... I have spent tons of money on doctors, and also have missed a lot of work because of my neck, my doctor also told me that he knew I had to be out, and I have a FMLA. BUT I also work on a production job, I love my job, and have been working with the company 17 years, but my work is very strenuous, and I can not complete my job task anymore. I have tried, and tried every way i know.. I'm on pain medication, and that's just a fact, yet my shift is a swing shift, and I can't set a schedule for my meds, yet I can't run out, nor can I alter more than I take as I signed a contract.. and I don't want to abuse any pain meds. I'm at my limit of the meds I take, I take strong meds, both long term slow release, and for what they call breakthrough which is when my neck is killing me, or to get through to the next long term pain med. My doctor told me to let him know when I have had enough, and a couple of days ago I did, but what can I do
My options disability, I would take this.. and I'm not trying in any way to work the system.. I have worked since I was 14 years old not off, and on, but regular work, I also worked during high school after turning 16 paying in ssi, and have worked ever since that time, if I could continue work I would.. but I can't..
My doctor asked me what i wanted to do, and I told him I wanted to get my neck fixed, he said he was going to send me to a neurosurgeon just to see if he could help me out any, but he didn't know what if anything it would help if I go right back to my job jerking, and on my feet which is not so bad walking 12 hours.. 8 hours would not be so bad.. but the shift is 12 hour swing.
I'm in a horrible situation, I can't loose my insurance, yet I can't complete a work week to say the least, I try to go in work as many hours as I can before either my neck starts hurting so bad, my neck, arm, shoulder etc goes into spasm that I have to go home.. My works has been so good to me, but I do also know that they can't keep on doing this as they need someone on this production job, and they are not even talking of anything of a job change to a lesser hour job, or a straight shift...
I don't want any sympathy at all, but I want some advice.. my time is over I can't do it anymore.. I have heard to get disability your looking at two years or more !! but I have two kids, and Christmas is not going to be much at all this year ( this kills me) I can't even cook for my kids anymore which my parents help out with that, and I would loose my house everything I own.. and I have no idea how I would provide for my kids in 2 years with no pay !!
If I get surgery, and as the doctor said go back to work doing the same thing, it will be the same story over again, and myself thinking it may even be worse after they perform surgery I would think it would make my neck weaker, the doctor said they may be able to do some cleaning up/out between the joints etc.. ( i forget the exact term)
Is there any options for someone 9single male) trying to raise two kids who has tried to fight as long as he can, but just can not go any more.. ? Any help would be appreciated, if you have gone through this, or know someone please let me know how long etc..
on edit I have been to a neurosurgeon 4 times to see about having surgery done, they wouldn't touch me... and told me that I had a pain management problem. The neurosurgeon was/is one of the best, and has written books etc on how to etc, and I was told that he is the one whom other doctors go to when they need surgery on the spine etc
My options disability, I would take this.. and I'm not trying in any way to work the system.. I have worked since I was 14 years old not off, and on, but regular work, I also worked during high school after turning 16 paying in ssi, and have worked ever since that time, if I could continue work I would.. but I can't..
My doctor asked me what i wanted to do, and I told him I wanted to get my neck fixed, he said he was going to send me to a neurosurgeon just to see if he could help me out any, but he didn't know what if anything it would help if I go right back to my job jerking, and on my feet which is not so bad walking 12 hours.. 8 hours would not be so bad.. but the shift is 12 hour swing.
I'm in a horrible situation, I can't loose my insurance, yet I can't complete a work week to say the least, I try to go in work as many hours as I can before either my neck starts hurting so bad, my neck, arm, shoulder etc goes into spasm that I have to go home.. My works has been so good to me, but I do also know that they can't keep on doing this as they need someone on this production job, and they are not even talking of anything of a job change to a lesser hour job, or a straight shift...
I don't want any sympathy at all, but I want some advice.. my time is over I can't do it anymore.. I have heard to get disability your looking at two years or more !! but I have two kids, and Christmas is not going to be much at all this year ( this kills me) I can't even cook for my kids anymore which my parents help out with that, and I would loose my house everything I own.. and I have no idea how I would provide for my kids in 2 years with no pay !!
If I get surgery, and as the doctor said go back to work doing the same thing, it will be the same story over again, and myself thinking it may even be worse after they perform surgery I would think it would make my neck weaker, the doctor said they may be able to do some cleaning up/out between the joints etc.. ( i forget the exact term)
Is there any options for someone 9single male) trying to raise two kids who has tried to fight as long as he can, but just can not go any more.. ? Any help would be appreciated, if you have gone through this, or know someone please let me know how long etc..
on edit I have been to a neurosurgeon 4 times to see about having surgery done, they wouldn't touch me... and told me that I had a pain management problem. The neurosurgeon was/is one of the best, and has written books etc on how to etc, and I was told that he is the one whom other doctors go to when they need surgery on the spine etc
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