Taking too long to diagnose problem

I live in Maine and need to know how to speed up the process. I lost my job because I was not as fast as I used to be after an injury. I have numbness in my thumb and have had it for four months. I have discussed the problem with a physician my job sent me to and they have not discovered what the problem is. As I said I am out of work and the doctor they sent me to said I can return to work without knowing what the problem is. After searching on-line for hours, I have found all the symptoms and done the at home tests and it seems like deQuervain's Tendonitis. It says not to use the affected area which is my right thumb. They set up an appointment in January. What am I supposed to do until then? This puts me in a bit of a spot until then.

They set up an appointment in January. What am I supposed to do until then? This puts me in a bit of a spot until then.

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January of 2006? You need to get that appt moved up closer ASAP if this bothers you this bad.. As far as work I don't know if they can fire you for your thumb hurting unless they could not place you within restrictions of the doctors orders..

Travel 150 miles

The doctor said I can go 150 miles away. I have NO transportation to get there. They say that is the FIRST opening a doctor has. Now I am beginning to show signs of depression and stress as well as losing an excessive amount of sleep. Workers camp should be called Employers Laugh-in.

You didn't answer my question.. january 2006 is as soon as the doctor could see you? that is a bunch of BS.. You need to have your appt asap .. What do you mean by this? what does a 150 miles have to do with your injury?

The doctor said I can go 150 miles away. I have NO transportation to get there. They say that is the FIRST opening a doctor has. Now I am beginning to show signs of depression and stress as well as losing an excessive amount of sleep. Workers camp should be called Employers Laugh-in.

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According to the initial Workers Comp doctor, the soonest any local specialist could see me is in January 2006. In order for any appointment before that he would have to schedule with a specialist about 150 miles away. Now I am wondering if I can file a Medical Malpractice suit against a workmans comp doctor due to him prolonging the process without even attempting a diagnoses.