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UPDATE: Have you ever been to a Physiatrist?... plus, I think I'm having a mini-meltdown

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Posted 6/23/2012 4:14 AM (GMT 0)
June 29/12:

I saw the physiatrist this week so thought I'd update you. I'm glad the appointment is over with because the stress of anticipation was worse than the appointment itself.

That said, the physiatrist was very clear that she is not my doctor and there would be no doc-patient relationship between us. She is assessing me and being paid by the insurance company so her report goes directly to them and I don't get any info until the insurance company releases it to me.

The doc was a bit scary. Her personality is just like the TV show woman, Judge Judy. Very harsh, no empathy and crossing the line to rudeness many times.  She interrogated me like I was a crime scene witness and then did a physical exam. She did the pressure points (very painful!) and observed my spine while I was standing and walking. She had me hold my limbs out in various positions.

I have no idea what she concluded from any of that or what her thoughts about my condition are at all. She asked why I don't work from home so I can rest as needed during the day. I said that my employer would not allow that and that I could not work full-time anyway because of the fatigue.  She seemed stuck on the fact that the type of work I do is stuff that can be done from home and I really don't need to be in an office environment.  We'll see what that means once the insurance company gives their take.

I'll let you know how it goes!

Booklvr

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Hi Everyone,

Have any of you ever seen a Physiatrist? I'm seeing one next week at the direction of my insurance company.  I had never heard of one before but apparently they are MDs specializing in muscular skeletal pain and chronic pain. 

If anyone has experience with this type of specialist I'd like to hear your views.

So, the mini-meltdown... I'm feeling very stressed and have been having nightmares for a couple or few weeks.  As some of you may know, my insurance company through my work has been a bit difficult about my short-term disability claim.  I've been on ST disability for 8 weeks now and the insurance company feels they don't have significant evidence that I am disabled.  They sent me to an Occupational Therapist last week (2 days for 4 hours each day... arghhhh and ouch!).  The OT said that she thinks I should not work full-time anymore but that I could work part-time on a very flexible schedule.  Ya know, because there are tons of jobs out there that accommodate part-time flexible schedules.

Hey, I'm getting deja vu. I hope I haven't already posted about this and forgot... fibro fog is bad right now.

So, the insurance company is also sending me to the Physiatrist and they are cutting off my benefits on the day of my appointment next week until they get the reports back from the OT and the Physiatrist and reassess my application.  They have been giving me benefits "without prejudice" until my specialist appointment, then I get cut off.

I'm melting down at the thought of not having an income at all and also that I think the insurance company is going to deny my claim.  If they do that then I'm not sure what to do next... get  a lawyer and fight it but I know it takes a long time.

I'm stressed at the thought of not having an income anymore.  We can live off my husband's salary but we'll have to change our lifestyle (of course) and have very little to put away for savings.  I know that is better than what a lot of people deal with but I can't help feeling scared and worried. I'm only 43 and already I cannot work full-time.  Good gawd, what if I didn't have a spouse to depend on? It shouldn't be this hard.

Your thoughts and experiences are more than welcomed!

Posted 6/23/2012 5:28 AM (GMT 0)
Booklvr -I was one of the ones that responded to you on the last post. I told you this would happen because it happen to me. They are very sneaky and have ways to deny you. On my new job I had to file for short and long term with the company and it went totally different. I think because I was having a mental crises at the time. It was looked at different. Nobody wants you at work if you are chronically depressed and suicidal. I was in so much pain and I was on so many meds and at the time I didn't see any hope for going on with life. I had some huge medical isssues, but my mental issues is probably what got my disability. Some of the Psy. Dr's you are going to be seeing probably are really not going to be on your side. It would be your best interest to have one of your own and their opinion. I know you will have to see them, but you will have someone that is most likely going to be on your side. I know my Drs were on my side, especially my psy. Dr. The Psy. Dr's are probably going to ask you to remember things and tell you in ten minutes to repeat what they said. They will probalby ask about your day and what can you do. Do you have a history of depresssion? If you do let them know that. If you are having problems with melt downs like you describe due to pain let them know. If you have to take narcotics for pain whiile at work that could be another reason for not working. Do you have any FMLA filled out on this job or prior jobs? Descsribe only your worse morning and day to them. Dont say well I have good and bad days. Because they dont look at your bad days. AS you know fibro your usually always have some kind of pain and you never know what the next hour going to be like. At least for me anyways.

I hate to hear that you are going through this. It just makes me mad when I hear cases like this. I know how you feel. You pay into short and long term insurance and then you cant hardly get it. If you do get long term insurance then you need to file for social seculrity right away. It does take a long time for social security and just because you get long term doesn't mean you will get social seclurity. Especialy on the first round. I would have someone drive you there to your appointment also. I have horrible trouble with fibro fog and short term memory. My husband has to do my med box and I have trouble staying on track with things. If you have problems with these kinds of things, let them know. They just assume your on task. Most of all be honest and it will get you a long ways. If you have any more questions let me know.
Posted 6/23/2012 4:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hi DeepWell and ak angel. Thanks for responding. This has certainly been a 'saga'.

You both give good advice, which I will implement. My Physiatrist appointment is on Tuesday so at least it will be over with soon.

Had another nightmare last night. Most of them are the same; I am back at work and in so much pain but I can't stop work or leave the office because my boss won't let me. Last night I dreamed that I was in so much pain that I tried to put my jacket on and couldn't get my arms into it. I didn't have the strength to walk out of the office.

Sigh. I guess this is part of the process. I will keep you posted on what happens on Tuesday.

BTW, I'm in Canada so we don't get FMLA here. I'm not sure what happens once insurance cuts me off. I will see my family doc and get his direction. Also, I like the idea of having another person come with me to the appointment. I think that would be fair, however it's not allowed. Sigh.
Posted 6/23/2012 5:17 PM (GMT 0)
Are you seeing their psychiatrist? Or one that you picked? I hate when they want you to see their doctors. I don't trust them.

I see a psychiatrist and a pain management doctor for fibromyalgia. My psychiatrist treats my depression, but does give me adderall for fatigue.

I am sorry that you feel you are going through a meltdown. But they are causing you a lot of stress and that goes with the territory. Try to stay relaxed and take everything as it comes. No sooner. I would take notes of the whole appointment. Take a notebook in there if you need to. Don't let them intimidate you in any way. I kept records on several occasions with jobs and it really helped me when I had a hard time with certain employers. You always think you are going to remember something and you can't. That is so frustrating. I am glad you write things down. And remember, this is effecting you emotionally too.

Try to stay relaxed as much as you can. Do some gentle stretching, it not only helps the muscles, but it helps you to relax too. Do keep us posted on what happens on Tuesday. I hope it works out well for you.

Take care. Keep your pain down by stretching, walking and relaxing. Good luck with the psychiatrist. I hope that you get one that helps you. Take your notebook in with you. Write down everything. Also ask questions and write down the answers as they give them to you. I am sure that they are going to write down things too. If it is their doctor, they might be against you. I hope that they are not. I went to ssi doctor and he was against me. Like was posted above, if they ask you about your day. Describe the worst day that you can remember. If they ask you typical things about work, how much you can do, etc... Think about doing it for eight hours straight. That is the way it would be. I know I am not making a lot of sense. I went through something similar. But I didn't fare well. They said I could work in a ticket booth. Like there was one around. lol... But that is our system.

I wish you the best. Keep us posted.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 6/23/2012 6:48 PM (GMT 0)
Just FYI..but Booklvr is going to see a Physiatrist.....and this is completely different than a Psychiatrist....But the spelling is similar so there can be confusion as I know it tricks my eyes...LOL...

A Physiatrist or rehabilitation physicians, are nerve, muscle, and bone experts who treat injuries or illnesses that affect how you move.

A Psychiatrist is a medical practitioner specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness. (dealing with Psychology....emotions...depression...etc.)


So it seems that they want to see how "mobile" she is and they will do some testing like seeing the strength of her muscles...see how her balance is...And seeing whether you can handle the tasks that would be required of you at your job...

Post Edited (Snowbunny21) : 6/23/2012 12:53:15 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/23/2012 7:21 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Snowbunny, I assumed psychiatrist. Duh... Thank you for clearing that up for me. I still hope she gets her disability... Sorry for ranting about psychiatrist....

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 6/23/2012 7:55 PM (GMT 0)
No worries...I did the same thing when I was reading this and then had to go back to check! LOL

Hugs back at ya:)
Posted 6/24/2012 2:05 AM (GMT 0)
Actually, when the insurance company first told me that I needed to see a Physiatrist I thought they said Psychiatrist. I had to ask them to spell the word because I couldn't catch on to what they were saying on the phone!

So yes, this is the specialist assigned by the insurance company. I have written out my own medical information to give to the specialist. This way I know that the information I want them to have is actually received, since I don't get to see the report. The medical info I put together includes:
1. all medications and amount taken each day
2. list of conditions and presenting symptoms
3. family history of illnesses related to or the same as mine (parents, grandparents and siblings)
4. chart showing the method of diagnosis my doctor used to get to FMS and CFS
5. impact of the illnesses on my daily life (examples about social life, hobbies and activities)
6. sleeping patterns, including nightmares and theme of nightmares

I'll let you all know how it goes. Deepwell, maybe the nightmares are a form of PTSD. I never thought of that before but it's a good point and I'll check into it. Sorry to hear that you also suffer from nightmares. It sucks that illness creeps in even to our dreams!
Posted 6/24/2012 4:35 PM (GMT 0)
It sounds like you are very well prepared. You might want to list your limitations too. Things that you can't do what you use to...

I wish you the very best, feel dumb, thought it said psychiatrist, sorry... But didn't want to delete the whole post so I left it. lol...

Take care, keep us postsed. Let us know how everything goes.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 6/29/2012 5:37 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, I didn't want to start a new post so I just updated my original message. It's located at the top of my original post... hope that makes sense!
Posted 6/29/2012 7:38 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Y'all, just want to share this little tid bit wih all of you. Upon going before th Judge, I was told by my Atty., that I should not mention my FMS. She said that this Judge doesn't blieve in Fibro. Therefore I was quickly awarded SS Claim he said " I grant you a full Mental Disability immediately. I was shocked!!! Happily shocked!! But you never know just what really goes on.
My Physche Dr, that i see on Med Mgmt every three months says that alot of my depression is caused by all the body pain from the FMS. i totally agree! Had to quit working, due to missing so many days, stress, hurt to drive to my workplace, so before I was asked to leave I deceided to resign...well saying all that, I take Cymbalta, Wellbutron, Trazadone, Lyrica and that combo works well for me.
hope you get good results from your latest Dr visit.
Take care nd God Bless!!!
turn ~Kathy

Post Edited (cajunbrat) : 6/29/2012 1:45:25 PM (GMT-6)

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