Can anyone inform me what the protocol is, or even your experience, with an exam done by a Neurologist?

I was sent to one for my Work Comp case. I have CRPS II in my right hand & arm that has spread to left arm. I also have an injury to my neck, bulging disc (original dx ,cervical disc disorder, & occipital neuralgia), and 2 torn tendons in my RT shoulder (one they think is a "full thickness tear"). I also have an injury to my ulnar nerve, resulting in ulnar nerve neuritis.

I tell you all of this as a "clue" as to WHAT all they may have been trying to look for, in the eyes of a Neurologist. I've only seen Ortho's, Chiro's, and PM, for 5 1/2 yrs.

I I know, primarily, I was sent there due to my CRPS. He was supposed to determine HOW MUCH of a disability rating I should have. My attorney told me he was supposed to "look at everything" wrong with me.

But all he did was check my reflexes with his "little hammer" and he measured my arms above & below my elbow. He also asked if I had been give an EMG. I did in 2002, was n egative. He said he was surprised I didn't have another one so he MIGHT order one.

Otherwise, he didn't even appear to look at my hands (which were both mottled blue off & on throughout the time I was there), he never had me move my fingers, hands or wrists, to see if they were stiff, etc. He never even asked about what brought on pain or what helped my pain, etc. (I'd printed out a list of things Neurologists are looking for, by a Neuro on the internet, so I could write things down he may need to know. But he ONLY asked about HOW the accident occurred. That's ALL).

Does this sound right? My attorney is NEVER interested in asking about these things, so I can't ask him.

Thanks for any input! If it does seem this is out of the ordinary, I may try to tell my attorney about it.

Denise

OH BOY! First let me ask - Was ANYONE else in the room when you saw that neurologist? Your mother, sister, cousin, anyone on your side?

If no - You could be in trouble....

**** For you and everyone else - If you are going to see ANY Dr./Specialist, whatever, regarding your condition but requested and/or required by "the other side" - Have SOMEONE, ANYONE with YOU. These Dr's can be bought and paid for and they will say and do anything to help the other side and decrease the monies due to you.

***Also - Bring a tape recorder with you when ever going to these adverse Dr appointments. Be sure to ADVISE EVERYONE at the appointment that you are recording it. Depending on your state you may or may not have to ask for permission to record them. Check into it - If you must ask and they decline make sure it is noted on the tape.

Another thing - It concerns me greatly that your attorney did not advise you to bring someone with you OR he/she themselves did not attend with you. This is a warning sign for me.....Your attorney should have advised you on this. My personal opinion....I'd be looking for another attorney - Especially if as you said - "He's not interested in these kind of things" - I feel he left you to the wolves.

Next - You need to immediately (before it leaves your mind) write down the details of that day. (Even if you had someone with you) - Put everything in writing just like you did here but even more detailed - What they did look at and ask - What they didnt do, look at and/or ask - do this so that if it goes to court your attorney can say "How could you come to that conclusion if you didnt even look at....".

You need this to protect yourself and your financial interests in this. I've been through this and they attempted to screw us over. (In 1995) They lied in court - BUT - We had the written documentation and also a recording and cought them in their lies. We all want to believe the best in people but TRUST ME - They will rip you off if they can.

Best of luck to you - It was good that you wrote - Hopefully this information will help you and others and you get the compensation and monies you deserve.

I totally agree with HWR.
so it was a IME or QME? the work comp ins sent you to this "neuro"?

Worker's Compensation, Social Security, Long Term Disability
(book that explains the calif. work comp law)
www.nolo.com/product.cfm/Obje...364F65F6C/104/

(Lots of article on work comp) www.workinjury.com

(includes summary of changes in new california law) http://www.socrates.berkeley.edu/~lo...pensation.html
(calif. lawyer's QME advice) www.boxerlaw.com/bg04011b.htm
(calif. lawyer's depositon advice) www.boxerlaw.com/bg04006.htm
(cynical advice on IME's)
http://www.workerscompensation.cryst...states/IME.htm
(calif. voters injured at work) www.viaw.org
(calif. attorneys for injuried workers) www.caaa.org
(patient advocate for insurance, medicare, SSA appeals, etc) www.patientadvocate.org
(links about filing and getting social security) www2.rpa.net/~lrandall/disabled.html
(several articles on legal info. related to LTD insurance) www.silverandtaube.com

Injured Workers' Alliance Home Page- based in Oregon but plenty of helpful advice-
IME/QME/AME section-
The goal of IWA is to reform Oregon's Workers' Compensation System to force employers and insurance companies to act in a responsible, moral, ...
www.injuredworker.org/ - 34k - Cached - Similar pages

Injured Workers for Change
workers compensation,worker's compensation, workers comp,worker's comp,injured worker,legal resources,personal injury,medical,lawyers,injured, ...
www.injuredworkers4change.org/ - 23k - Cached - Similar pages

Injured Workers 4 Change - Injured Workers Web Sites
"A great source of information on workers' compensation, created for the injured worker. This book contains over 150 pages of important information about ...
www.injuredworkers4change.org/injured.htm - 39k - Cached - Similar pages

Workers Compensation Insurance . com
Not all workers compensation insurance providers handle injured worker claims in a timely and compassionate manner. » The nation is unaware of the hardships ...
www.workerscompensationinsurance.com/ - 12k - Cached - Similar pages

Thanks for all your info, Jo55,

You'rre always so helpful. But I'm in no shape to read anything right now. Cn barely type. I've been in bed sleeping hours out of each day lately. Which is better than NO sleep for days due to pain! But, it apparently is the Lyrica affecting me. I've gone down 100 mg (to 100 mg a day) & it's helping a lot, but I still feel like I can't even drive to the store safely. Wierd. I was on 250 mg before, & felt fine. I'd cut back, to prepare for the Neurologist appt.

My attorney NEVER has suggested someone go with me. On one Agreed Med Exam (who was missing large parts of my records, & I leanred later had a WRONG statement by one doc, who was actually very nice), so this AME had an "attitude". He was misinformed that I had been told I had "Raynaud's", which is TOTALLY different from RSD, & not caused by trauma. My sis drove me, but was told to stay in the waiting room.

This time, I was told on Friday I had the appt on Tues, w/the Neuro that was a 2 hour drive away. Too short of time to get someone to drive me.

So, haave you been to a Neuro? Did he "exam" your hands?

Thanks again, I'm going to go on your sites when I feel like I can understand them!

Denise

Hi HWR,

Thanks for all your info! Boy, I wish I'd had it BEFORE this doc visit. It's my LAST ever work comp exam. My deposition is being taken by the work comp insurance company on Feb 23rd.

Supposedly, this doc was "chosen" by my attorney and it was a QME visit. But I've learned I can't trust my attorney any farther than I could throw him. Nothing would surprise me.

But, I can pray. I know God can, somehow, right every wrong. He definitely hates it when people lie and deceive to hurt other people.

So, please pray for me too, that a "fair" settlement is reached. Thanks,

Denise