I'm a single mom of a very active and healthy 10mo boy. I injured my shoulder/back at work last month and was put on a 5lb. weight restriction. I have help during the day, my mom and grandma watch him while I'm at work and school. But by the time I get home my shoulder is killing me and there are some days where it takes everything I have to pick him up, feed him, change him, ect. There's even been evenings that I've spent crying where he's all over the place and I don't even have the strength to hold him. I'm in the process of trying to figure out exactly what I did to myself. "Damaged AC joint and Snapping Scapula" is all they've really told me. I've tried ice, heat (set my nerves on fire), physical therapy (made it worse), anti-inflammitories (irritated my ulcer) and now a daytime muscle relaxer, all with no relief. Since I've been taking the muscle relaxer I've had tingles down the left side of my body, head to toe. So I'm calling the doctor tomorrow to see what that's about. The next step is an MRI. I don't think worker's comp pays for a chiropractor. I'm so frustrated because I can barely take care of my son by myself and of course he is teething and going through an attatchment phase at the same time. We were doing really well, he was falling asleep on his own and everything. But now he wants to be rocked until he's completely asleep. Any pressure on my arm/shoulder sends it into painful spasms. Are there any tips on how to deal with all this? Any and all advice is appreciated. There should be some rule that once you become a mother your body becomes injury-proof or something, haha.
Try the chiro and possibly physical therapy. BOTH can work wonders and help a LOT more than you think and without DRUGS!
I would find a workers comp or personal injury attorney. At least get some advice on what is or isn't covered under workmans' comp. Also since it is a work place injury and the injury seriously impacts your ability to take care of your son, I would ask them to pay someone to come in and help you care for him evenings. I would be concerned that since they have you on a weight restriction if they know you are caring for your son they might think you are faking the amount of pain you are in. Insurance companies can be horrible to deal with so get an attorney on your side.
Maybe get a 2nd opinion? Personally, I steer away from RX drugs due to so many potential side effects.
My grandmother swore by the chiro Dr. I've never been.
PT should be helping you as well. Communicate with them.
I'm sorry you are going through this. It sucks... I'm married and have been injured and have a hubby on the road at the time. Someone can help you. Network with friends, co-workers, etc and find a chiro or someone to help you.
had a different type of shoulder injury last year....PT was not recommended by the orthopedic surgeon. MRI showed "fraying" at the rotator cuff. The dr suggested a cortisone shot & it worked wonders.
Through it all, I continued with my daycare.....& it killed me. My eyes were rolling back into my head at times! The pain was as intense as childbirth...I swear! To ease my pain, I used a sling which helped immensely. Within a few months of the shot, I felt relief. Hope your recovery goes as well as mine did.
What kind of doctor are you seeing? I would think an orthopedist specializing in shoulders would be best for you now. I had complications from cervical spine fusion and developed "frozen shoulder syndrome" (also a worker's comp injury). I couldn't lift my arms to the steering wheel to drive. Talk to your doctor and get a referral to a specialist. I had a MRI as well as a CT scan with contrast. Ultimately, I had to give it a break after two cortisone injections in the joint.
I had frozen shoulder - it's no fun. However, my experience with that is, make sure you stretch your arms upwards - but most shoulder problems take a while to heal. Find a doctor who IS A SPECIALIST in shoulders. It can make a big difference between being well quickly or not at all. Also, physical therapists are not all the same, either. Try another one. First make sure with the orthopedic surgeon that you won't be injured further if you have PT.
My experience with Workman's comp is it pretty much covers EVERYTHING you need. Because if it doesn't, you can SUE!!! I was injured on the job a number of years ago. I had no out-of pocket expenses, no co-pay, NOTHING. That's as it should be. Make sure they are taking care of you!!!
oooh J.! I'm sooo sorry!!!
I would try a chiropractor to see if they can adjust you and get it back up and operational!!!
I can't take muscle relaxers or things like Vicodin or Percocet - they give me vivid dreams/nightmares...
I hope you get an answer fast and are back to normal FAST!!! HUGS!! (gentle hugs!)
What does the doctor treating you say? He is the one who has to recommend the MRI or at least in Texas. I'm not sure about Florida. I would check with the worker comp carrier and find out what the next step is. I'm sorry you are going through this.
I can't remember exactly what they can do at 10m old (sad, isn't it), but if he wants to be rocked to sleep and you're willing to do (this might be a case of Cry It Out/Ferber Method might be worth it for the sake of your health, maybe?)... Anyway, if he can crawl, can you set up "steps" for him to crawl up to you while you're already seated in the rocking chair? That would be one less pick up for you do to. And you could set a low step stool up so that you can step up to lay him in the crib (unless you have a drop-side crib, which you can still use but can no longer buy).
Set up a changing table similarly, with steps he can crawl (what I'm actually envisioning might be something like this (sorry, I'm a pet owner and this just looked like it might work; please do take offense that it's designed for dogs: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pc.... You might also check out parenting products here: http://www.handicapped.org/konfuciy.asp?tda=dt&t=8535....
Also for changing diapers, try setting up a diaper changing station on the floor. He can't fall off the floor and you wouldn't have to pick him up. If he likes a particular treat (like those yogurt drops or whatever), use it as a bribe to get him to come for his change.
If your mom & grandma can make sure to change him right before they leave, that would help. Also enlist their help with meals--if they can do some prep work for meals for you (chop veg, throw a meal in the slowcooker, throw together a casserole for you, etc.)
If you have decent neighbors or friends, now is the time to let them know you need help. Chances are that while it might take a while to get this figured out, it's a (hopefully!!) temporary thing and ask them to help you out.
I'll be praying for your speedy recovery!!!! (hugs)!
