next on the list of items began p.t. which didn't help and actually hurt more as it progressed. thrown in there were weekly visits to occupational medicine. then on august 1 i had an mri of my lower spine, herniation and protrusion of my L2-L3. i was immediately referred to a specialist. as i waited for approval i decided to call and see what the hold up was and told that i would have an independent medical evaluation (aka defense medical exam), there would be no specialist at this time. i went to the ime and it turned out that i was injured at work and that i should have surgery.

  i finally went to the specialist in september and it was recommended that i try epidural steroid injections as a last resort before going ahead with surgery. two injections and the relief i hoped for wasn't there. time for a consult with the surgeon again.