Bless your heart. You've been through enough. You definitely need compensated for your suffering.

I've been examined once, for an IME (independent medical exam). The report was written by an expert in his field, negating to my medical picture but what could I do? He was highly sought out by defense attorneys and good at his job. Need I say more.

An Agreed Medical Exam may be a little different but I would "Google" the heck out of his name.

About the exam, my basic knowledge to pass on would be: You're under exam when you pull onto the parking lot. You're probably being watched to see where and how you park, driver?, getting in and out (assisted/unassisted), confusion about where to go, carrying purses, records, MRIs (they're heavy), drinking, smoking, putting on lipstick or fluffing hair. Not telling you to stage anything, you understand. I'm just letting you know what I've seen and heard so you'll know it could happen. They get paid a lot of money for these exams and they do things to earn it, too.

Registration: I would bet you're being observed for sure at this check in point. Handwriting, retrieving license and ins info, answering questions. Sometimes they want to take a picture of you for their file. I've even heard doctors critize claimants for the way they're dressed, bleached/colored/gray hair. There's just no right thing here that you could be if they take that approach. Just be yourself. Just remember, they get paid a lot of money for these exams and they do earn it.

Don't be surprised if you have to wait a long time. Waiting around in the waiting room seems to be part of the exam too.

Be courtious but keep your mouth shut in these areas. You don't know these days if you're being watched by survillance, audio or digital recorders. That goes for anywhere these days but this day in your life will be documented and hence will be used as evidence in your comp claim.

Examination: You're not going to be treated; you're going to be evaluated. Don't ask for meds or opinions. Your attorney can't prep you or they call that staging the claimant and it never looks good in court. There's a fine line, though. If your claim's ligetimate, you don't have to stage anything. I'm sure you know that TOS is a controversal diagnosis and arguable. That's what the defense attorney gets paid to do.

But 19 years, you win the "Tough Man" contest today.

You're correct, they're not exactly on your side. It's supposed to be an "independent medical exam." Meaing, independent from a treating physician and independent from influence.

Each examiner will have their own style of examination and they can ask you very personal questions. The doctor is not God. You're not under interrogation. If it's too personal, let that be known as your response. Don't argue about it and don't let it upset you. Remain focused if the pain don't overload you... and for sure if that happens, let that be known.

Take your meds on time, if that's what you normally do, and bring water with you if you can. If not, ask for water to take your meds.

Be truthful and let them do their job. Just remember, that's what they get paid the "Big Bucks" for.

You should have a treating physician that will give you a report in support of your claim.

Hang tough