2nd opinion doctor
 

The Owcp doctor agreed with plexus/nerve root disorder (TOS) diagnosis.
Put limitations of no repetitive motion, no lifting,climbing,pulling, pushing and etc.. Plus recommended three therpies a week and pain management. Thats from thier doctor but I still have to meet with a vocational rehab counselor. What pssibily could I do?

Hi billy027; You don't say what location you live in. I have gone through voc rehab. Is it determined that there will be retraining? Or is this a labour market return? Usually there is an interview with a counsellor and an interest test. Unfortunately, wc's first interest is to get you off the system. It doesn't seem to matter if you like a certain field. Good luck. It's important for you to know up front if there is retraining or if you will get help preparing resumes and have benefits durning a job search. Let us know how you make out.

I don't know.
 

It's in the Phila. Nj area. Federal owcp.
Thier dr. also said only four hours of work.
I can't see doing any job right now with this injury

Dr & w/c sent me back to work as a test :confused: to see if I could handle it or not had no restrictions at first - but had to get some added as I began to hurt again. I lasted 2.5 months. I knew I could never do that work again.

Any time you get restrictions - be very sure to follow them all the time esp if you do go back to work. Some employers might not be clear about them or they mat try to trick you into doing more than you are supposed to do.

I was confused at the time about if my restrictions meant only for at work or all the time. I did do more at home but it wasn't repetitive so it didn't bother me as much. I was totally messed up for a while then I didn't do much at all.

Be very cautious with the therapy- communicate with the PT if you have any increases in pain or any new pain or symptoms.
I hope they start with pain relief therapy first before moving into more active things.

Gosh Billy there is so much I could add for you about voc rehab eval. My son's went well, my daughters they treated ehr like scum saying she could ppump gas, cook and serve at Micky D's, and hostess cutomer support at Cracker Barrel, then said she did not show for the appointments, had to go to court...the judge was po's, the kid couldn;t even stay awake from medications, in horrible flare that day. Last we ever saw of w/c, the judge ordered a settlement be reached.

There are p's and Q's to watch with these guys, they are as bad as IME doctors. It did not matter that should could not cut her own food, droped her own plate on the floor, is hse had a can of soda in her hand, her brain could not feel it and it would drop...loss of sensory feeling, and if the eye losses site of can, boom it falls.

So he figures she could do any of theose jobs, IDIOT.
Son had a lot of anxiety, he was unable to stay in the resturante when he met with the woman voc rehab. He had to go outside. The side effects of long term pain, and being unable to do ann the active life things he did, lack of sleep, meds, have side effects...so this women said no job she could reccomend for him.

For me, I just decided to go back to college part time and finished my degree, I work two four hour days. It is 7 years post injury. I mostly sleep in between and do what I can to care for family and home.

Having a doc on your side treating to give a supportive report for you, the restrictions too ahrd for any employer to meet is criticle. FOr example, you want nothing heavier then a quart of milk a few times a day, sitting no more then 20 minutes with a break, standing only as needed 5 minutes, not reaching above the waist, no lifting above the waist. Stooping occasionally, no ladders, step stool, computer ten minutes with break, no more then opne hour a day. ETC...

Do you have a supportive doctor? If w./c is giving you trouble you need this.
Hope the condensed version helps.
can;t fit a lifetime of dealing with the w/c system for 14 years on this page.

feel free to ask ?
Dianne

Thank you
 

My doctor is supportive but thier using the second opinion drs. limitations. They are not bad but I am concerned about it. Is there anything I specifically should know about meeting the couunselor. What not to say? What to say?

I prefer not to go back to Po they don't follow limitations and treat limited duty people like crap. I talked to counselor on the phone and she acted very friendly. I don't trust that much though.

Billy, volunteer nothing. Don;t take the friendliness as having your best interest at heart. Far to many times over the year saw this in action and come back to screw folks over by gaining their trust.

Only answer the questions. Paint a picture to your limitations to the counsilor.
If they ask about driving, tell of medications make in limited, of support of arms needed, limit to a 20 minute drive and that is with switching hands and rest arms *** they fall asleep. If they ask about sleeping, pain the picture of how and if naps, etc.

If they ask about making food, the limits to quick meals, microwave or someone other cooks....To dressing, when you do dress it is in easy wear, many things you have are liesure and pull on not zipper or buttons.

Computer work, limited to days to pay bills read news, can not type for more then few minutes.

Who does grocery shopping, if other does it state, if you do a small store, limited items and weight, state that. Recreation...what is that. family get togethers, watch a son play little league when you can (when these apply).

WHen they are accessing, they ask, do you email friends or talk on the phone...meaning, Oh, you can use a computer and talk on the phone type JOB!!!! That is how they sneaky twist it, remember that.

You think it is a friendly comment , do you email family or talk to them on the phone and next thing that you know they recommend a job monitoing security camera's, telemarketing, or receptioning, hostess.....

Just state the facts in as few words, do not go into details, when you feel interogated or trapped, If it is No then that is it, if yes, only give what you need,

I hope that it goes well, if the results are not favorable it is not the final word...you still have a say. Also with limitations, if you can not do them voice to the doctor what you can not do and how you can do something lesser. Like not a gallon of milk but a quart....or two liter bottle of soda in not resonable for you to be carrying around and to pour.

Good luck
Di

billy 027, It's important to let the vocational rehab counsellor talk first. Let them put everything on the table first. I'm glad your doctor is there for you. Wc has decided you can work 4 hours a day? Not too long ago I was deemed at working 40 hours a week:eek: I know how stressful and unfair the system can be. I am now appealing thier decision. The truth is they will expect you to try. Once thier decision is made, it's full speed ahead. I still shake when I have to call my casemanager :eek: It just puts a bad flavor in my day.
My Doctor never released me to work but thier medical advisor said I could and therefore I was deemed and given a job search and additional 13 weeks of job search and cut off. My Doctor suggested a cppdisability. I'm not trying to upset you and my heart breaks for you being in this unfair system. I really hope someone will step up to the plate and back you. Have you any more spealists you want to see? I always reccomend you see as many Doctors as you can. Good luck and my thoughts are with you Billy.

My doctor says no work. Thiers says 4 hours with limitations.

So they use thiers.

hi billy just a thought did there doc do a physical exam of you or is the doc going by the reports from the other doctor you have seen. If he has not seen you then write a letter back to them requesting so. Make sure you say things like how can he say these things when he has never seen you where as your doctor has and is aware of what you can do and can't get your doctor to write a letter as well being firm about what your limits are. The same happened to me with comps doctors it worked for me. I hope everything works out for you i know dealing with all this **** can really be frustrating and cause more pain because of how they treat you. If you would like any help with writting a letter let me know i can show you the types of things i put in mine it might help or not anyway i am around if you need some help or feed back good luck

Thier doctor did physical exam. Including hurting me by yanking my arm up past the rom I had. He stated that I need pt and pain mangement and limitations as stated.

Thanks to all for advice. I tried to call my lawyer for his advice but he doesn't call me back!!!
The meeting is on July 30 with vocab counselor. Is it good ideal for my wife to go with me?

Hi Billy,

Did you ever say on here what kind of work you did or did I just miss it? And if your job caused your TOS? Sorry if you've already said.:o I'm not on WC or SS so I don't know anything about those kinds of cases at all but as you've seen, several people on here do. So, I don't know if taking your wife is allowed in these kinds of things but if it is, it's always been my experience that it's good to have someone else with you at dr.'s, etc. appts. My husband goes with me alot- it just helps to have another "set of ears" listening to what the dr.,etc. says, in case you miss something that's said or forget. I've heard of alot of people taking tape recorders with them to important dr. appts. (if the dr. will allow it:rolleyes: ) so they can listen later to make sure they remember everything.

Job is with the post office and its with w/c

Oh my, that's a tough job to do with TOS.....I was a massage therapist but can't do that anymore.:( But, while I worked in a chiro's office, I was technically self-employed but luckily have insurance through my husband's job. It appears to "take an act of Congress" (literally) for people to get SS or WC benefits that they're entitled to. I wish you good luck!

By all means take your wife. Most injured worker's get more respect when witnesses are present at meetings. This injury after all effects the whole family. Maybe it would be useful for your wife to take notes.

This is a HUGE decetful way to put you in a flare and the findings are exagerated!!!!

A trick these dictirs use. They grab the arm pull it up and yank into positions saying that you have good range of motion. The absolute responee when a futer doctor or anyopne reading is in this position to respond: PLEASE DON'T TAKE MY ARM...I will place my arm as I can to where you want it. If you grab me you will hurt me severly!!!!!

Then if they want your arm up raise to comfort level, if you can not do what they ask, you are at your limits stop...These quaks don;t care that one can end up in a flare for months, or an ER from thier insensitive actions.

They know darm well what they are doing, how cruel to intentionally cause a person such pain to get a supportive action to their claim, even falsy and injuring someone.....ERGH
I have stopped Many doctors from doing this to loved ones and my self.
Please do take your wife,
Di

Hay Billy i would think all you can do is go and keep track of your pain levels and when it really hurts just keep going back to the doctor. Make sure he keeps track and ask for some type of pain meds. To get you through all of this pain. But most importune just do what you can if it hurts you let them know that it causes pain because they are not suppose to push you to the point of causing pain don't be afraid to speak up to them other wise they well push you. Oh do you have to have surgery or have they said yet? I would think because you worked at the post office you made good money so maybe they will send you back to school to start fresh that is what they are doing to me because i sailed for a living and made a very high wage so if they sent me to work at min wage they would have to pay to much to make up the difference. So it only makes cents to find me a carer where i can make a good living and be able to do the job.

Yes, I still go to dr.
Thier dr. recomended therapy and pain management so that should not be a problem.

No discussion of surgery, yet

Today,

Is the day I meet with vocab rehab counselor. My wife is going with me.
Do have scheduled appointment in August with pain management dr.
and also a ssap test.
Can't use arm -interesting to see what counselor will have to say.

Fable that represents the owcp
 

I am going to say this again (not just for you) but mostly for others (remember this is a public forum) because many, many -- too many -- people seem to believe that their agency, workers comp examiners, workers comp physicians and especially assigned nurses are in their side. This is NOT truth. They are NOT your friends (even though sometimes, rarely, some ethical OWCP-assigned physicians side with the injured worker).

Let me finish with this fable that was actually told by the federal disability lawyer I mentioned above:

The rabbit had been able to elude the fox, hopping safely into the arms of a briar patch and out of the immediate reach of the hungry predator. Seeing that he would not be able to have the rabbit for a meal, he decided instead to show concern. “Are you alright, my friend?” he asked, trying to put on an expression of empathy.
“Quite well, thank you,” replied the rabbit, still panting from the close call and looking to and from with suspicion.
“Very well, then,” said the fox, who began to walk away. He paused, turned around, and added, “I promise not to try and harm you anymore.”
“Are you quite serious?” asked the rabbit, surprised at this sudden announcement.
“Quite serious,” the fox replied, then walked away. As he walked, he uttered under his breath, “At least -- not for today.”

(From “More Fables, Ancient and New”)

Saw rehab counselor
 

She seemed okay. My wife went with me. The counselor didn't ask much but said she would send info to my employer. No use of arm-only 4 hours.
I told her I'm concerned for my health getting worse-went back once lite duty and everything got worse as no restrictions were followed. We'll see but I hope Po doesn't offer job-thier cruel even fellow employees to injured workers.

Finally, got approval for therapy and pain doctor.