Bulging disc and L&I

[RubyWitch]

I promise I will try to make this as short as possible. On 1/26/10 I hurt my back at work. (I'm a CNA in hospital) Some stuff here in the middle.......chiropractor, massage, 1 day of PT then I got a new symptom, pain in leg and numb toes. Chiro said I needed to see MD. Off I went. He looked at me. That's all. Just looked. Gave me a handful of scripts. I saw him every two weeks. On my 3rd visit with no improvement, he sent me to a spine specialist who ordered (finally) an MRI. Showed 3 bulging discs. He said I could not go back to my normal job any time soon. Said it may take months for this to heal up. L&I doc at next visit said I could go back on light duty. (No such thing at a hospital) I go to PT 2X week and swear they are making me worse. My back still hurts horribly, on a 1-10 scale I'm holding at 7 with spikes to 10. I still need pain meds to sleep and every now and again during the day, my ROM is only slightly improved, I can't sit or stand for more than 15 minutes before the burning in my back is so bad I have to get up. I am afraid the L&I doctor is going to say I can go back to work. I WANT to get better and go back to work, I need the money and I'm going crazy stuck at home, but I'm terrified of doing really permanent damage to my back if I go back to work too soon, but if he says I have to, I don't know what my options are. Has anyone been where I am? I think the L&I doctor doesn't care or even worse, thinks I'm faking, which I don't understand since he has the MRI and the proof. Sorry, badly told story but I don't know what to do. Any suggestions are really welcome.
Thanks so much

[sunset555]

Hey Linda, just read your post, and Im so sorry you are going through all of this pain! I can only hope for a speedy recovery for you! I know what back pain feels like as I broke my own cocyxc bone just christmas gone, thankfully is healing now but not nice at all. Can only imagine though what your actual spine area must feel like for you!

As far as I know in this country Ireland, if you are sick, genuinely and you can prove it, you can stay off work and still get paid but Im not sure what the laws are over in the States, I would certainly look into every option if I were you! which Im sure you are already doing.

One thing for sure though, do not go back Linda if you are not feeling right as you may only get a relapse of the problem, Ive seen it so often with people going back to work too soon.

I really wish you all the best, and keep in touch and let me know how you are doing.

PS have you tried herbal medicines, or accupuncture???

Sharon XXXXX

[squirtatious]

I'm so sorry ur going thru what ur going thru. *hugs* workman comp cases are so hard cuz its not ur best interests they have, its the company's. Fight for 2nd and 3rd opinions hun. I wish u the best!!!!