I think I missed something. How did they diagnose the syrinx? Mine is very clearly visible on the MRI.

We have no idea what caused mine. In fact, I was told my all the drs I have seen that most people have no idea what caused theirs. We suspect it was traumatic, I dont have a tumor and I dont have Arnold Chiari. But I was told that it could have happened decades ago. I could have gotten it during one of the labors of my three children, or the minor car accident I was in 14 years ago, or that it could be a result of my tertiary scoliosis. Unfortunately I think unless you have a before the accident and after the accident scan, it will be easy for them to claim the fall did not cause it.

Well, I was lucky enough to have an MRI a few years ago and everything was normal. WCF just doesn't want to accept the MRI because it is not full spine it is only c-spine and brain. The MRI that diagnosed the syrinx was only a c-spine so I don't know why they would discount another c-spine MRI?

Most likely because they will do everything they can to not have to pay on a claim. Even if you had a whole spine Mri done beforehand, you still couldn't prove that your syrinx was due to the fall. They deal in the "what ifs" and not the actual facts. They don't make any money if they have to pay out on all these claims. I've just been through this myself. I injured my back at work because my boss was a slave driving fool. I fought it in court and lost. Unfortunately, unless the judge was there and the MRI was performed just before you fell, then you fell, then the judge witnessed another MRI right after, you will have a helluva time trying to prove it. .

Sad but true. The system has failed me greatly. I have a hard time dealing with it, because I KNOW it happened at work. Mine was a gradual process throughout the 14 years that I have worked for the company, and all that back breaking hard labor that I did throughout my entire career. Til' one day, it had enough, and I ruptured a disc. Two years ago this happened. Fresh in my mind as though it were yesterday. It is a pride swallowing experience walking through those doors everyday. I was treated so poorly, that I wanted to sue my boss for having done this to me with malicious intent. What a bastard. He was relentless. No matter what my doctor's notes said, he could care less. Made me do it all anyway, and he pushed my limits, until the fated day that made everything worse.

Well, I wish I could be more uplifting, I just want you to know that it is going to be an uphill battle. No one, and I mean no one, other than you of course, cares about the truth. It's all an illusion. They'll bend it every which way they can, til' it looks like what they want it to look like. Hang in there, and if you wish to pursue it in court, you're going to have to find the best damn lawyer out there. Bastards.

Good luck

Oh, to clarify, my ruptured disc in my lower back is a separate issue from my syrinx in my neck. My syrinx runs C4 to T8, if I remember correctly. My lumbar spine was hurt at work. We don't know how I got the syrinx. Could be like Sandie said; hard labor during childbirth, epidural, congenital, etc. Could even have been from your own birth. Who knows? They don't even know what they know!

I think I just got my SS DIsability, waiting on the letter and I have the SSI phone call on Tuesday! Horaayy...

To the WHEN... I was told it doesnt matter what you had before if your fall it is what caused you to be disabled, not just injured.
I had an auto accident in 2001 that left me with herniations in the C-& L spine. After begining a new job, I never took a day off or med for this pain, just some extra stifnness and light occasional pain. I had a T MRI after that accident which was completely normal.
Then in 2010 I slipped on sunflower seeds in the hall at my school. There was a 12 inch skidmark with a seed attached to the end. I had immediate pain in my neck, shoulder, head left knee and felt dizzy... 5 days bed rest, and yes they say if you never return...it is easier to collect.

My pain continued, but I thought the summer was comming and I could soon take it easy and ge myself back on track. Over the summer, I had slowed down a bit from the pain and occasional numbness in toes, foot... I though because I was driving around the east coast.

But with PTS it is NEVER immediate.
3 months to the day of the fall, I coughed and my life changed as I knew it... 6-7 months PTS, the tremors were realized and I began to think this may never get better!!!

Then 9 months in the fated diagnosis!!! WHat is is called? I just learned its a JO, not GO sound in the middle of SM? LOL

Keep fighting momma, it may take a while, but don't give in. They must goo by the pathogenisis, not if you were born with it, beacuse there is yet to be a genetic test for it. If there were, there may also be a cure!!! Best of Luck and msg me when you can

PS, if you get to Appeal, you should have a lawyer...worth the $$$ after. Also reach out to your local senate. I had one push up my SS appeal on the calendar.

ALso, I fought Unemployment Ins. Also. It is less than my type of worker fund, we don't get comp as Police, Fire, Teachers in NYC.
The unmeployment was the lesser of all amounts, but someone had to take responsibility, especially now if US SS decalres me TOTAL DIsability after NYC denied me everything... said I quit, but was unable to work??? WT

Looks like I will at least get the Unemployment Ins Benefit for my time and that's all I want, just the principle, not the dollars,,,, NO AMOUNT of $$$ wil get our bodies back :( Keep Fighting, just with your head, not your physical self... save that for only the best parts

I feel like an idiot but what is PTS? I have applied for SS, they sent mine to a determination board and I am waiting, I do plan to get an atty if I am denied. I cant lift more than 5 lbs I cant stand/walk or sit more than 15 min (drop foot and back spasms), and I am in constant pain, plus vertigo, headaches etc. Both the neuro and the surgeon told me I had to quit, so I went ahead and quit.

Post-Traumatic Syringomyelia...It's a lot easier than writing it out
:) Not a stupid question.

Hey Wifenmomof3,

How are you doing with collecting? I just received my SS and they dated it to the last date I worked. 5 weeks after my fall. Now I just have to fight my employers. My union got involved and next step I am going direct to the city controllers office. Don't let them deny you any entitlements!

Best!

I dont believe that they can date the disability any earlier than your last day of work. I am still waiting to hear about SS.

yes, And there is a 5 month waiting period to collect. They believe your employers should cover yu fro at least that 5 months... Still fighting for my pension!

I'm fighting for WC to pay the medical bills...I'm more concerned with being buried under them than I am with collecting. We are cuttin it close, but we are still making it. Once I can get over that mountain, I'll worry about the rest.

good luck with your employers, you can file for unemployment too, I actually just won with them because they said my employer could not prove I could not work and that suspending me without pay was the same as firing me! keep plugging the mountain has just begun if we let it...