Back to Work

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Hi all! Well,I tried to apply for social security/disability.It takes 3-5 mos and always are denied the first 2 times. 6 -10 mos wasnt going to cut it. My job prior to surgery said they couldnt take me back w restrictions-and that they dont have to have my position for me due to not being on FMLA before surgery.  I wasnt on FMLA because I could barely walk for a year w a square hip hanging out of my pelvis,so I was down to PT. 27 hours a week,while the Drs gave me injections every other month and made me try therapy as part of the hoops one must jump thru before they say go to surgery. So I argued and begged and faught to get my job back.Am working 15 hrs for the next 2 weeks and then increase.I started back on the 8th week post op. Dr said I could go back after 2 weeks of Hydrotherapy at the 6 week mark, cuz my gait is still so off and I still use a cane,but never had the therapy,insurance will not approve. So went to work anyway. Hurts alot!! Groin pain so severe from psoas!! The trochanteric bursitis and the sciatica from the spondylolethesis and spinal stenosis is unbearable!! BUT gotta do it. No other choice. I dont suppose living in my car or under a bridge would hurt any less. I came home today from work and 2 errands-in and out of car 8 times its SO HARD getting in and out!  im sitting here on ice and crying-its as bad as before surgery! I just dont know what to do? There is nothing I can do THIS IS all I can do! I must work for 6-10 mos at least while waiting to hear from SSD. Im going to call the Dr next week and tell him its painfull and ask him to up my pain meds?! Any advice? OHH lets just go with Lovely to be working and driving and grocery shopping again! This is SO NOT what I was expecting. 

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8 Replies

  • Posted

    No, it is not what you were expecting. From what I have read, 90% are happy with the results of THR, and 10% are not. Complications can and do happen. I am so sorry that you have them! Hope you can get better pain meds. Also, I hope that you keep bugging your physicians about getting accurate diagnoses and effective treatment. Sounds like they aren't helping you at all now, just letting you suffer. 
  • Posted

    So sorry you are having such a hard time. It's so unfair that you are  left struggling without FMLA and it also sucks that your insurance is not giving you coverage for the therapy you need. I agree that you should contact your doctor and see if there's anything he can do to help, maybe he can lean on the insurance company.

    Sending you lots of hugs and positive energy. Try to rest up as much as you can.

  • Posted

    Okay … yes, it must be lovely to drive and shop again. But working again before you are ready … not so much.

     

    You are really in a Catch-22 situation aren’t you – needing to work, but not ready to work and not getting adequate support to become ready to work.  So, what it the likely result? I worry that it will be doing more damage that will delay your full recovery and ability to work in the long term.

     

    I think you should ask your doctor for more than pain meds. Does s/he know what you do at work? How much pain you are experiencing? That you can not get coverage for the therapy you need?

     

    I am so sorry that your result wasn’t better than this. To be honest, I am just about at the point now (12 weeks post LTHR posterior with another hip to go later this summer) where I feel well enough that I would have considered returning to work if I wasn’t retired. I have just started doing a more complete share of the household chores, support for my Dad and general getting about. It has taken a lot of hard work doing exercises from the PT to strengthen muscles and smooth out my gait (it still takes effort and concentration to keep it smooth and after sitting for a while it takes longer to get it back again.

     

    I don’t have any good advice – other than try to keep up with the exercises, ensure you use a cushion in the car (esp if you have bucket seats – the worst) and see if you can get a chum to come with you on errands to reduce some of the challenges.

     

    Hoping that things get easier and that your doctor finds you meaningful support.

     

    Good luck.

     

    Linda

     

      

  • Posted

    What a dreadful time you are having, I have just picked up on your plight, it's so unfair you are going through all this pain and worry.  Do so hope something will go right soon. Thank god I am retired I could not have thought about work, though pension is crap at least money is coming in.

    i am still not 100% after 11 months waiting to be referred to orthapaedic team for advice they suspect bursitis and tendon.  I so hope you get help soon,  Love Lorna From UK X

  • Posted

    Hi Meg, 

    I am so sorry to hear this .. I hope the icing helped to calm down the muscles ... 

    What kind of a job do you do? (apologies for forgetting) - 

    I understand that your surgeon told you that your gait is terrible and 2 weeks of hydrotherapy would help ... would your insurance approve additional physical therapy sessions? anything to help you correct your walk ... what kind of health insurance do you have? 

    if not hydrotherapy than  try physical therapy - how about a social worker to assist you or city hall?  there is aid available but we don't know where to go - 

    don't worry about walking with a cane .. who cares -- if it helps you feel more balanced and confident, use it -

    I know you feel  desperate and things look bleak - but please keep having faith -

    sending you light and love

    big warm hug

    renee

     

  • Posted

    Oh Meg, this truly sounds like you are having the most rotten time.

    My work have been urging me to come back too, but was at the hospital yesterday for my 12 week check. I still have to use a walking stick when I'm out as my leg just gets really heavy and gives up. My job can be very physical and I can't go back until I'm 100%. Eating into savings being off, and with trying to plan our wedding, it's far from ideal, but I don't want to do myself further damage, so keep this in mind.

    With regards to hydrotherapy, I was recommended this by the physio, however it's not offered on the local NHS and due to money issues, not an option to go private.

    What the physio advised me was to go to a local swimming pool, and just walk back and forward and this would really help. And also possibly get a float and just kick your legs out behind you, to build up the strength. It's like doing your own hydrotherapy so I'm told, so looking forward to giving it a try.

    Let us know how you get on.

    Big hugs xx

  • Posted

    Hi Meg

    You have not put any info.about yourself ie where are you in the world?

    I guess you are in the US because of your reference to insurance?

    I don't know what FMLA means or SSD,(I always struggle with abreviations) but I presume you are being denied any financial support.

    Your situation confirms my opinion that insurance for healthcare is not ideal restricted as it seems to be by cost.

    Here in UK we are so lucky in having the NHS. Of course jumping through the hoops you mention does apply here too, and things can and do go wrong as well.

    However in the event of problems we can still seek further help in getting these corrected.We are not left out on a limb even if getting things sorted takes time and perseverence.

    I can only wish you well and hope that with time you feel much better.

    My suggestion is physiotherapy,If not available on your insurance there are lots of examples online which you can do in your own time.

    I believe strengthening the muscles is so helpful,just take it slowly and gently letting your body be the guide.

    Good luck for your ongoing recovery

    Joyx

    • Posted

      FMLA is family medical leave act, a US law that requires employers to give 12 weeks leave for (defined) medical or family reasons, This is often unpaid leave but it means they have to let you return to your job. SSD is social security disability, financial benefits (I don't know much about how this works).

      Gloriajoy, having experience of both healthcare systems as staff and patient I think there are pluses and minuses to each. The NHS takes away all the financial issues about copayment and deductibles (basically out of pocket charges e.g a service may be covered at 90% by insurance and the Pt is billed for the other 10%) and is based on need not insurance coverage. However choice is limited to non existent and it's a lottery if you get good care or not. In the US, if you have good insurance, you can choose which physician to see, which hospital to go to, which surgeon you want etc etc. This tends to push quality up because there's an element of competition (especially in a city where there are many health providers). If I decide I want to consult with a specialist I can just call their office and make an appointment, don't need to go through my GP or wait. However health providers have to jump through hoops put up by insurance companies (who all have different rules) and people without insurance have a very different experience. They will get great emergency care (hospitals have to treat emergencies whether they have insurance or not) but getting. rehab or a THA  would be v difficult. 

      Goid wishes to you

       

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