Nerve compression

[HHGdriver]

I am a class A driver of semi trucks who was working for United Van Lines a self Insured trucking company. In late Nov 2006 I was injured on the job and told it was a strain sprain by a walk in clinic. I reported the injury and drugs to the safety manager and continued to work useing extra labor hoping the injury would heal. In Feb. 2007 I was still having pain down the legs and returned to the doctors for xrays which showed damages to the L4 L5 S1 levels and an MRI was ordered. The MRI shows nerve compression on these levels and the doctor refered me to a neurosergeon. I was terminated from my job that day and all insurance denied.
Got a WC lawyer and by Aug. 2007 was ordered a compensible injury by the ALJ.
The self insured trucking company still is refusing to let me see a neurosergeon and claim my doctor is "not" a WC doctor but a hillbilly doctor from Arkansas and they are now sending me 2000 miles round trip to Denver to see an OM.
Because of the WC system I had to return to driving semi trucks or starve to death; the Department of Labor refused to accept the issue of "safety of the public" due to this injury. More than eight million truck and bus drivers are required to meet the 13 interstate federal medical requirements, but nine of these requirements are left intentionally vague and provide a great deal of latitude to the medical examiner and the DOL.
Seems the "safety of the public" is intentionally vague.
  Over 5000 deaths in 2007 due to big trucks.   Many occupational physicians regularly perform physical examinations for interstate truck driver medical certifications.  The majority can relate at least one experience where a driver who had been operating a commercial vehicle with the approval of a physician was blind in one eye, had a seizure disorder, severe cardiac disease or any of the other medical conditions cited in 49 CFR 391.41 as grounds for disqualification.  These drivers were operating using medical certificates issued by examiners who were unaware of regulations, guidelines, etc.  Once a knowledgeable examiner discovers the problem, there is frustration that there was no mechanism to report this. It is not the physicians, but the trucking industry as a whole.
  My concern for the safety of the public made me take a medical leave from the new trucking company that hired me on a high risk management driving job so I could feed my family when the ALJ gave his order of compensible injury and all appeals were exhausted. Again a release from work was ordered by the hillbilly doctor due to safety reasons until I see a neurosergeon. That was in Aug. of 2007 and the self insured United Van Lines again denied my doctors request and all wage loss. The high risk job has now exhausted the medical leave and terminated my job and now it is back on the taxpayers and food stamps.
My question is how long can I keep going (driving semi trucks) before the nerves on these levels are permanently damaged beyond the neurosurgeons repairs?
The safety issues of danger to the public seem to be of no concern, even though I have weakness and extream pain in both legs the trucking industry hires special occupational physicians who will over look obvious defects for the continued business.
How much of a beating can these nerve roots take before a man passes out?

[Caliber2005]

Hi,
About your question, how long can you keep going (driving semi trucks) before the nerves on these levels are permanently damaged beyond the neurosurgeons repairs?
I feel your symptoms suggest that you can’t continue too far now, in fact disturbance in bladder function indicates, that nerve is getting severely compressed.
Before quitting the job, you can take help of physiotherapist simultaneously and know some back strengthening exercises.
I think neurosurgery consultation is important at this juncture.
Good Luck.
Bye.

[Godofredo MD]

Hi.

It seems evident that your symptoms are secondary to nerve compression from L4-S1. It most probably is the result of disk herniation at those levels.

Driving a truck exposes your spine to continuous tension and stress, especially during long, bumpy rides. If you continue doing this without proper medical attention, it would only be a matter of time before your condition worsens.

OTC pain medications and physical therapy might help. However, it is highly advisable for you to consult a neurologist to completely assess your condition before any physical manipulation is started.

Hope this helps.

[toolmaker]

Have you tried PT or epidurals?

[HHGdriver]

In which part tingling or numbness is present? It has gotten to the point of feeling like bugs crawling on my legs, at times my legs will jump uncontroled.
How is your bladder and bowel function? Increase in fluid and less ability to hold it back for next truck stop.
Is there any shooting pain down the leg? Yes; also a shock wave at times that runs to the brain without pain like a epeleptic only short lived.
How am I feeling now? Like a sprained ankle only in my low back, MRI said nerve compression.

[Caliber2005]

Hi,
How are you feeling now?
Any type of tingling, burning, or numbness is usually a symptom related to a sensory nerve being damaged, diseased, or injured. The main nerve involved is Sciatic nerve.
Lower back strain can cause similar concern.
Your report also suggests lower back injury and nerve compression.
Before I comment on how long you can go, I want to know how your present condition is.
In which part tingling or numbness is present?
How is your bladder and bowel function?
Is there any shooting pain down the leg?
Bye.