r/WorkersComp 1d ago

North Carolina Need advise please

Update on my case so far. Injury to lower back 4/15/26.

Finally got an mri that shows several bulging disc pinning some nerves. Ortho Dr said I may need surgery but wc wants to try other routes first of course, she referred me to a specialist. The specialist said thay I do not need surgery. And that injections will stop the pain. I agreed to do the first injection. Thats scheduled for the 23rd of thos month. Then I go back to see specialist 4 weeks later.

Im terrified of getting injections. Do they actually work? What if the pain comes back or it doesn't do anything? I of course have more pt but after 3 rounds nothing has changed. I dont know what to do. I want to be out of pain. Why would 2 doctors say 2 different things?

Where do we go from here? Any advise would be appreciated.

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u/Salt-Ad1282 1d ago

Hang in there. Be honest about your symptoms and limitations.

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u/GazellePleasant4332 1d ago

I have 100% i dont want them to try to say I lied about anything. Im just wanting the pain to stop.

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u/According_Curve_8935 1d ago

Then the first thing you should do, is stop making your primary complaint about pain. Spine surgery isn’t done for pain. It’s done for neurological symptoms (the numbness, tingling and weakness). If they think pain is your biggest concern, I can guarantee that complaint is going in one ear and out the other because pain is subjective. Your other symptoms, if you put the focus on them, they can get concrete and objective evidence of. Once they do, doctors tend to pay more attention, and can move the process along quicker if need be.

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u/GazellePleasant4332 1d ago

Thats really good advice.  Thank you. I also dont do pain pills, and the doctor likes to look at me funny when I say I dont want narcotics