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Originally Posted by roralea
Hi all. It has been 6 months since my concussion and my PCS symptoms have not improved much since a few weeks after the injury. Since the accident happened at work, I have been seeing a workers comp doctor. She seemed to be supportive until today's visit, when she announced that she thinks anxiety is causing my symptoms. I'm not sure if there is some sort of 6 month mark for insurance purposes, but it was a dramatic change. She said there is no medical explanation for the fact that my symptoms haven't improved, and that the CT scan showed nothing.
My symptoms consist of nausea, headaches, sound sensitivity, imbalance, discomfort when I bend over, look up, or keep my head in one position for too long, fatigue, memory problems, difficulty driving, going to stores, etc.
My husband and I spent quite a while trying to assure her that my symptoms were real, but she was argumentative and full of speculation. She did not cut me off from WC but it seems she is headed in that direction. I find it demeaning and exhausting to go see her every couple of weeks and try to "prove" myself. I am not even able to drive to my job right now, so I can't think about going back any time soon. My whole life has changed and that is about all that I can deal with right now. Thankfully we will be ok for a while if she cuts me off, although I am considering quitting just to not have to see her or deal with this any longer.
I wonder if anyone has any advice about finding a doctor who may be more supportive, so that I can seek treatment on my own. What sort of specialist should I look for? I am in the Kaiser Permanente network in Northern California, so I don't have a lot of choice about who I see. Thanks!
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Not sure how it works in the US but in AUS we have the w/comp dr who is all about supporting the company, not you. You should have your own GP that you have seen prior too the incident who I hope who can document the changes in you since the incident. These are worthwhile to help you down the track when you try to recoup loss of income, pain and suffering once they put you off w/comp. Depression and anxiety are all normal outcomes from long term w/comp issues and they gruel of monthly trying to prove yourself to these heartless souls is a constant grind downwards. It's a common tactic to put pressure on you to resign so they can wipe their hands free of you. If you are going to consider resigning, get yourself an injury lawyer who should be able to give you advice. If you do resign you may be able to go down the route of constructive dismissal, ie they have made it untenable for you to continue on in employment. Thoughts and hugs to you