I'm sorry you're going through this! I wanted you to know that I understand how frustrating the doctor game is! You can't give up your career after 3 months though.. that just doesn't make sense to me! Parents get a year off but someone that gets injured on the job has to give up their job after three months????

My doctor was saying the same things... oh another week and you should be ready to go back to work... oh another 2 weeks and you'll be fine... but he was saying it nicely. Every time I went back I told him that I was NOT able to go back to work and explained what my symptoms were, what I did in a day, what happened when I tried to do harder things, etc.

I brought my husband the one time after I felt the doctor was not taking me seriously to make sure that I mentioned everything and for him to back up how bad I was. He didn't even have to say anything but the doctor seemed to be more understanding at that appointment. Can you have someone go with you to help you get your point across?

Also, my doctor did not refer me to anybody except a neurologist (appointment was 6 months later!) I found and booked my own appointment with my neuro-psychologist, optometrist (who is referring me to a neuro-Ophthalmologist, appt probably in April or so) and a vestibular physiotherapist.

The neuro psychologist has been the most help (and the most expensive!) and she even wrote a 4 page letter to my doctor explaining what was wrong with me, why, the statistics about it and what my prognosis and recovery plan should be. Very helpful for my disability case. It cost $600 but I feel it was very worth it. Just the relief of not having to constantly defend/explain myself was worth every penny.

None of these people require referrals so try to find someone else that can help you. Is there any other GP you can see? Hopefully the one covering your doctors leave will be more supportive. You have to tell them that you are NOT able to return to work. If you are forced to return to work don't give up your current job. Try for modified duties until you are well enough to get back to your job.

My casino is fabulous about on the job accommodations and modified duties while people are recovering from things. I can't understand you having to give up your job so soon. We have people with permanent modifications or who work half days for years.

Unfortunately your psychiatrist appointment will probably be months away but hopefully I'm wrong. In Ontario at least it's impossible to even get to see a psychiatrist unless you want medications. You have to see a psychologist (at $155 an hour!)

Anyhow, you need to find someone else in the medical field that will help you and see if you can bring someone else in with you to your doctors that can maybe get her to understand. Maybe you can totally rest for two weeks and see some progress. Stress doesn't help any though...

Good Luck.
CC