The long road of recovery and work
 

Finally got the results from neuro-psch test and took them to work. I was not surprised but my employer immediately re-assigned me for safety reasons. Looks like my career has went off the rails at least temporarily. I am disappointed but at the same time it is a relief. I have worried for months over wether I could perform and now for the next 12 to 18 months that question has been answered.

It is possible with the work I had performed to risk life and limb. The stupid neuro I had would of had me return to work at full duty months ago. If it had not been for my pcp I would have never seen neuro-psych. Thank you to every one for the great advice and kind words. I want to especially thank Mark in Idaho and all those long term members who just keep paying it forward. I would like to name you all but I forget your names:winky:.

Glad to hear the system is working for you. Now to see what voc rehab and other considerations are available.

What do you think your primary limitation was as defined by your report? Did it show you have a difficulty with maintaining focus amid distractions?

I wish you the best as you go forward.

Glad to hear you had a result that can give you some relief and further chance to recover in a more calm fashion! The word "test" is so frightening and who knows when we see these doctors what the result will end up being!

I think I'm going to have to bite the bullet and pay to have these tests myself. Its not my neurologist that is clueless about my limitations it's me. I guess I don't understand how much is wrong.

Did the test results help identify treatment strategies? That would make it worthwhile too! Anyhow, thank you for sharing your news!

CC

In the UK when you are off work for some time you need a "fit note" to return to work. The doctor has the option to write on the note any special conditions - reduced hours, not operate machinery etc. Even if your are self employed you should get one otherwise any work related insurance is invalidated for you and the site your are working on.

Before christmas I had a one day battery of session with a Neurologist, Neuropsychologist and a psychologist funded by an insurance company. A few days later because of my balance problems from my head injury - fell down the stairs and got take off to hospital on a spine board with a several large bumps on my head. The hospital released me after 8 hours - unless you are in danger UK hospitals release you asap.

A month later the report from the insurance company comes through with an opinion that I could return to work. My doctor and a subsequent Neurologist were less than impressed by the report especially the last hospital admission and would not sign a "fit note" for at least 6 months.

As they pointed out a fall down the stairs could not only put myself in jeopardy but also any colleagues

Thanks. The largest impact is memory. Distractions are a real issue and can cause me to forget what I was doing. The reduced processing speed placed me in the 4th percentile. I literally can not process all the information flooding my brain. As a result pieces of it never make it into short term memory. It is common for me to stop mid stride and just sit/stand there while my brain catches up. This is often accompanied by a total loss of what I was doing.

The neuro-psych was paid for by WC so even though my pcp recommended him he is their doctor. I am at present in a no mans land as far as doctors go. The neurologists discharged me. My pcp is acting as the managing dr:) but WC refuses to accept him. I am perfectly OK with that as it allows me to pursue doctors my pcp/np recommends without having to fight WC.

NP was great with report and recommendations. Report was 18 pages long with 1 page of recommendations for daily life and 1 page for occupational recommendations. The test can be expensive and if you can get a Dr to recommend it that can really help with ins. My wife and myself were ready to pay for it out of pocket, about 7 grand. And looking back considering how it turned out for me I would have been unhappy spending that much but OK with it.

I am no longer surprised about how awful some doctors can be. The neuro I saw was personable but had awful bed side manners. The pcp I saw even though he is a gp is head and shoulders above neuro. Here in the states we are considered fit to work unless a Dr writes a work restriction. I am seeing gp today and will ask him to reinstate work restrictions as they were before neuro discharged me. They did not restrict me from work but afforded me some protection with regard to hours worked,"cognitive" ,ladders and scaffolding," dizziness", and weight lifting restrictions," back."

[QUOTE=rmschaver;957102]Thanks. The largest impact is memory. Distractions are a real issue and can cause me to forget what I was doing. The reduced processing speed placed me in the 4th percentile. I literally can not process all the information flooding my brain. As a result pieces of it never make it into short term memory. It is common for me to stop mid stride and just sit/stand there while my brain catches up. This is often accompanied by a total loss of what I was doing.
[/QUOTE

I know what you mean, processing time is so much longer even writing a single page letter can take several hours. Strangely even following a receipe is a struggle even though the steps are laid out.

Hi sospan

Not to hijack the thread but I wanted to share a tip.... it takes me hours to make supper and the main problem is I keep re reading everything not sure if I've added the ingredient or completed the instruction.

I purchased a clear piece of plastic, either the protectors that you put a piece of paper in for binders or some type of desktop blotter, and a dry erase wipe off marker.

If you can put the recipe in the protector that's great or if its a book paperclip the plastic on then you can use the marker to check off everything as you go. When you're done you just erase the marks and use the sheet again next time! I can't cook without a recipe right now so I use this method to get by.

Hope maybe that helps you or someone. Sorry rmschaver :)

CC

Excellent idea - never thought of that

Will keep it in mind. Or I will try.

I am glad you made it threw the test and seem to be standing strong:DMy neuro-psch test was the break to my diagnosis and it was a LONG HARD DAY....but I got what I wanted!Answers and the start to recovery!As for me the acceptance took about a month to accept the reality....but so worth it to get direction.:grouphug:

Hi rmschaver,

I just got back late last night from all day neuro psych testing in a city 2.5 hours away. Winter storm on the way there the night before meant major anxiety meltdown due to life threatening highway conditions and barely any sleep at the hotel, so I think I was pretty tired for the testing yesterday.

I'm completely wiped and brain is fried today but wanted to say I'm glad you shared the outcome of your experience. Helps me prepare for the outcome of mine. I think I have the same major issues as you do... Preliminary comments from the doctor cite memory and processing as the big red flags. But the report will be ready in a couple weeks.

I'm "only" coming up on four months post injury (happy to still be considered early in recovery) and he said that I should improve greatly by 6-8 months. I'm still holding out hope.

However I just wanted to say thanks to YOU for posting and giving back on here, too. You've been a big help to many of us. :hug:

Hi msrrio,
That test was booked and done quickly. Didn't even know you were going for one! I'd like to have one done too but I can't afford the $2000+ . My neuropsych says I'm not aware of how much my mind has really been affected and the tests would show me what we need to work on.

I'm guessing this was booked by WC? Will you get the results or are they only for their use? If you get them let us know how it went!

Glad to hear you're getting to see people. Will you get to see the neuropsych for treatment too or just the tests?

Have you been feeling any better? Hope your sons feeling much better now!

CC

CC any doctor you see WC or other must give you their report if you request it. This is especially important with NP testing as the recommendations can be extensive. Mine was two pages long.

CC:

This was booked a month ago by WCB. I will get a copy of report.

This won't be for treatment. It was ordered by WCB, presumably to determine if I'm a big fake or not. That's putting it very basically I guess but mostly true.

Hopefully the neuro psych will include some recommendations for me.

I'm feeling much the same. Head pain, brain fog, stuttering like crazy.

Son is feeling some neck pain and dizziness still.

Rmschaver sorry for the hijack post, I didn't mean to make it about me. I'll start a new post now....in mere moments... which will be about me. :winky:

It's OK if post goes awry. We are here for the same reason and a good thread is a good thread no matter where it goes.

Glad to hear you are making progress.

Many of the dysfunctions diagnosed by a NPA are not necessarily treatable. Instead, the knowledge can help us accept the dysfunction and start working on accommodations and work-arounds.

Knowing I have very poor visual and auditory short term and immediate memory allowed me to learn to not depend on these memory functions. I have to use other ways to make up for these limitations.

I also know that I have severely slowed processing speed and need to Stop to Think to resolve cognitive struggles.

By accepting these limitations, I have greatly reduced my stress load and can accomplish far more with the same limitations.

As you learn your limitations from the NPA report, tell us and we can help you with work-around skills.