Hey everybody,

I am scheduled to go to an "IME" for work comp this Friday and I don't wanna go (I am stomping my feet as I type this) I'm afraid that if my arm doesn't mottle for the doc he is going to say that I'm fine and then I will truly be screwed! The doc I am going to sent me a huge packet of papers to fill out and they also want me to bring any test results I may have, trouble is I haven't had any tests because work comp quit paying my medical bills right after my diagnosis of rsd!! I was recently approved for medicaid and am scueduled to have MRI of neck and left shoulder and emg of both arms but the tests won't be done before I go! Not that an emg or mri will show rsd anyway, right? This is the second "independant medical exam" I have been ordered to go too and I know the cards are stacked against me as far as proving I have RSD! Just wanted to whine for a minute, I'm sure many of you have been in this same position! I guess the only thing I can do is go and hope against hope that all will go welljen

just get strong and go and make sure when he asks a question, you describe your worst days dealing with that problem. don't try to make yourself look good, but of course, don't lie either.
my prayers are with you jen. joan

Is this Federal WC? If so I know they have a list to go by and they will ask or should ask you these questions. Depending on the answers it will tell something like you possibly have it or most likely or you do. I just got this paper a couple of weeks ago for my doctor to fill out. So if he doesnt use this you might want to ask him about this test per se. Hope this helps.

Hi Jenny, I wanted to wish you luck at this appt. I have been through all you described, in Ca.. It really sucked, don't expect this appt to be anything nice. This dr. is on the payroll of the insurance co., of course.

And although you must tell him how bad it hurts, be careful. He will be more than happy to put "hypochondriac" on your chart.

Also, make sure that your lawyer or dr., whoever will get the copy of the report, gives you a copy. You'll want to go through it carefully, and make notes of the things that the ins. co. dr got wrong. You'll want your own dr. to specifically go over those points at your next exam. You'll want HIS opinion to be very clear on your records that the ins. co dr. is dead wrong.

I hope this helps... PM me if you have any other questions either before or after your appt. I got tired of lawyers that didn't care about my case... after all, WC lawyers are notorious for being the bottom-of-the-barrel at their job. No lawyer worth his salt would work for 8% of the settlement amount. At least, that's the percentage that Ca. WC lawyers got at that time. I have no idea what it is in your state. Anyway, I got tired of them and decided to represent myself. I didn't do too badly when it was all said and done.

Best of luck,
Rogue