Psych asks, why did they send you?
 

If ever anyone needed proof that Canada's doctors are living in the dark ages, well I have a story for you. I just got home and want to tell you this while its fresh and before my memory loses it all.

Was referred to a psychiatrist. Of course in the interest of time and expense, I was referred to the local psychiatrist. Yes, I live in a city with ONE of those for the entire population. Welcome to Saskatchewan. My city's population is 15,000 so for many of you this would compare to a small town.

He began by asking why I was referred. I explained for post concussion syndrome. He asked, "but why?" I said, "I don't know. They said I needed a psychiatrist."

He says, "who's they?" I said "the doctor and WCB". He says "to be honest I have no experience at all with post concussion syndrome. I've heard of it but I've never dealt with it."

Instant sinking feeling in my gut that once again I'll end up without help.

He said also, "I hate WCB cases I refuse to deal with them. I has accepted your case before they told me it was WCB so it was too late. I will send a report but they will ignore it anyway. WCB are professional bullies who dictate what they want no matter what I recommend." (I couldn't believe he said that!)

He went through asking the usual questions to determine if I'm suffering depression. Then said, "what you need is a neurologist, not me, and that's what I'll write in the report. But WCB will likely not listen. Which is unfortunate because they could have you seeing a neurologist next week in a neighbouring city for the right money, and they do that all the time, they coerce doctors to see patients by paying them huge dollars. That's what you need to happen here."

"Your GP knows a little about everything but not a lot about anything, that's why they are called general practitioners. They send you to us because they don't know what to do with you. But I don't deal with this... What do you call it? Post concussion syndrome. You know more about your condition than I do."

He said I have symptoms that mimic depression but cannot be determined to be depression. Therefore no meds. No therapy plan. No progress yet.

Story of my life!

Symptoms today: head and neck pain, confusion, stuttering, feeling fullness in head and ears.

Exacerbated by ineptitude of medical professionals. But hey at least this guy was honest. That was refreshing despite the outcome! I prefer cold hard truth to pandering any day.

That sucks. If you were having problems with depression or anxiety then that's where he could have helped you by prescribing meds. I thought you were having some of these problems? Are they gone now and if so that's great!

Who you really need to see to help you through this is a neuro psychologist and maybe a speech therapist? A neurologist will be very little help unless they are in a concussion clinic or something. They are only good if there's structural damage to the brain or if you need surgery or meds. Wouldn't hurt to see one but probably won't help either.

No matter what its just going to be time.

Sorry you didn't get any answers or help from him. I'm actually glad I'm dealing with private long term disability and not workers comp. They sound horrible! Keep in mind though they're still being fair and haven't cut you off. That's a good thing!

I hope your day gets better.

CC

Good question...
 

About anxiety or depression. I have my bouts with both but in this guy's opinion it's "situational" and does not require medication I guess.

Which is fine I guess? I don't know. I'm at the mercy of whatever is recommended. I guess we all are. :)

I don't have a big beef with WCB as much as he does, clearly. I'm not sure what happened in the past to sour him this way but I kind of found it amusing! He has been a psychiatrist for 30 years he said, and has only taken WCB cases a handful of times.

In 30 years you'd think he'd have run into PCS more than once but... Nope.

That is HORRIBLE!!!I agree with cycle he should of tried to help with the anxiety and depression part....My theory today is people SUCK anywhere!Do they have malpractice in Canada by chance?Just curious?You will get some help from a neuropsych! Do not give up!You are a fighter and you are in my prayers.:grouphug:You should of dropped rosemary oil threw his office while talking to this clown!

I wasn't at the appointment so I could be wrong here but.... I don't think think this doctor did anything wrong or is a bad doctor. Psyciatrists up here pretty much won't see you unless you are suicidal or need to be followed on meds. You have to see a psychologist or counsellor for lessor issues. Which of course is expensive!

I think, but could be wrong, that if msrrio had told him she was crying every day or suffering panic attacks or anxiety constantly he would have talked to her and seen her again PCS or no PCS. Because she didn't even feel she needed to be there he didn't feel she needed to be there either!

There is such a thing as a neuro psyciatrist but seems to only be in big cities. I'm surprised with only 15000 people you actually had a Psyciatrist!

I think he could of at least listened to you about how you were feeling and then break it down to you to find a support group or something in a nice way. I had to go through a psychologist when I was diagnosised with perpherial nueropathy (8 years ago), and she listened to my fears and concerns. She said the best thing to me, "it's alright to share with others what is happening (my fears)" because I was trying to "be strong" and hold in all my fears and not share with my loved ones because I didn't want to burden them.
Good luck and take care of yourself and stay positive. Keep your eyes on all the blessings in your life and just take care of yourself (health wise). :hug:

He actually wasn't a bad doctor, just really uninterested in taking my case. He seemed decent enough but seemed very frustrated with the system, with having to see me, with me being referred to him by a GP while in his opinion I need a neurologist and not psychiatry. He admits he knows NOTHING about PCS.

I thought people might find that interesting.

He doesn't live here, he practices here as a "locum" doctor. His practice is in a bigger city.

I did cry in the appointment but I find with PCS confusion I'm very subdued in person. On here where I can type out thoughts I'm more animated.

Just to clarify I didn't decide I didn't need to be there. I just can't always answer when doctors ask 'why are you here' my brain just automatically says 'I don't know'. I did my best to explain and was honest about despair at times.

Again he simply said those are likely symptoms of the syndrome and not his area of expertise.

I found that interesting.

I feel so sorry for your tribulations.

It brings to mind:

- Do you have a lawyer?
- Have you asked him to give you a copy of his report?
- Have you asked him to assure some statement of his feelings about you needing a Neurologist? - even though he is of the opinion they won't listen.

- Have you discovered the name of your WCB's representative's supervisor, and fired off a letter of complaint concerning your representative's lack of listening skills and lack of concern for your problem? (and a copy to the Head of the WCB would not hurt) - also to your lawyer(if you have one).

I am a proactive person when it comes to my concerns with my mTBI - I talked to the representative with the Work Comp of the employer until they started throwing attitude at me about things - once that occurred, they got my attitude, my lawyer's attitude, and were never allowed to discuss anything with me, nor setup anything without my pre-approval and acceptance of arrangements from that point forward.

This may prolong things, but its on my terms, as I am the victim of the injury, not them - and if Im having a bad day when they call, I let them hear it, and feel it with my voice, my slowness, my sluggishness, my delayed thoughts, on speaker phone with my wife in attendance as witness. They get the full brunt of my problems............although my wife would rather prefer to just tell them to go to H*** those days, I just can't.....

Good luck to you.....Hang in there....

Thank you for the compassionate reply. Everyone is so supportive here. I'm glad we help one another.

To answer. I do not have a lawyer. I debated going the legal route earlier in my journey but put it on back burner as I don't really feel capable of all the work they require. In my experience with lawyers unless you do most of the work you will not get anywhere. So in my injured state I can't even remember to eat, dead serious. I have reminders for everything. And still my husband has to text me to ask if I've eaten or drank anything in the daytime while alone.

The thought of having to advocate for myself and do more paperwork is just impossible to imagine. So I do my best but like I said I'm very subdued in person. I don't like to talk much because of how I sound, plus my thoughts are difficult to organize aloud. Paperwork makes my head spin so I avoid all those stressors.

It sounds a bit melancholy but the truth is I have only enough fight left in me to cope with my every day survival. Adding any expectations from more 'professionals' is just not an option yet.

More answers: I didn't even think to ask for a copy of his report. Didn't occur to me. I wish it had!

As for the WCB case worker, besides one bad altercation in December she has eased up somewhat... Well, it's not like she's pleasant but not adversarial at least.

I admire your strength in dealing with difficult situations. I'm kind of a mouse sometimes... I get confused enough that I don't even know how to defend myself. Can't think fast enough to keep up. I'm so much smarter in the written word. It's crazy how that works.

Verbally I'm just not with it, at all.

Thanks for the tips and inspiration though. I will think on it.

I do not know if the law is the same in Canada or not but I would call his office and ask for a copy of his notes and findings. BTW a psychiatrist is able to prescribe meds for anxiety and depression where a therapists and psychologist are not able to. This guy is in the dark ages!! Your GP maybe able to if you trust him?her and he/she is willing. The emotional component in PCS can be a bear.

Use the notes to show you are seeking help and co-operating fully. Keep demanding the care you know you need. All to frequently it is the squeaky wheel that gets the grease. I know it is not fair or right. With WCB you have to be your best advocate!!