I appreciate this site, and all the people that share their stories and experience. We can all learn from each other. My question is: Have any of you been to a WC hearing and would you share that experience with me?

My atty. called me today and told me that the WC court date is 4/08/09, at 9:00 AM, in OKC. This is to settle the dispute of the TTD ordered by my treating PM doctor, 2 months ago. On my last follow up visit to my PM doc, I shared that the TTD script he wrote was not recognized by the WC ins. co. or their atty. PM doc said that he had never had this happen before, and was not pleased. He told me that he would write in this report that I was TTD as of 01/05/09, TTD at the present time, and TTD in the future.

I am having a hard day. Sympathetically mediated pain syndrome/chronic pain(CRPS I), the monster that has changed my life forever, is difficult to control. My emotions are just a mess. I cry when I talk about it, or cry at anything, no matter how small, that may bother me. It is embarrassing. The thought of going to court scares me. How will the syndrome effect my emotions when I take the stand. Can I hold it together???

I have seen a psychologist every 2 weeks because of this syndrome, since 4/08. I take 20 pills per day;also,Tens Unit pain creams and pain patches, heat pad. I don't sleep much. I have water PT twice per week.I have an atty. that tells me to "hang in there",while WC ignores me. I have a PM doc that tells me straight out that I will never be my active self again.

I think how much work I placed in my dream of finishing my college degree.I had dropped out in 1979. I did it, took me 18yrs. to put that goal back into action. I then went directly to grad school, in Studio of Fine Arts and Psychology/Behavioral Science. I achieved the dual Masters degree in 2001; I was 42 yrs old.

Currently, I am married (27 years), with a son(21 years old). It was hard on all of us; the sacrifices each of us made for this dream. It was for all of us.

Amazing how it doesn't seem so long ago. I am now 50 yrs. old now, and cry from the burning pain and all the symptoms of the syndrome, the loss of my active self. I cry from not being able to be touched without first bracing myself. On 3/24/07, my life and my body was not mine to control,anymore.

I had no idea what hell I was about to endure as I entered the WC arena.

I am angry. I am tired. The WC system is cruel and unusual punishment for anyone that has dared to challenge the insurance company.

"I am a warrior; I will be triumphant." That is my meditation chant.

I must not forget this part of myself.

Thank you for being here for me.

hugs,
Dew

Do you mean that they're not paying you any checks? TTD is Temporary Total Disability which is a term used to basically regulate the checks they send. I was a wc case myself but never went to court over anything. The minute I got a lawyer they started to pay me and never messed me over in that respect anyway.

I had a deposition and a mediation when I settled out. I'm sure some other people on hear will have some court experience to relate. Sorry they're putting you through it too. It seems to be the norm, especially when rsd invades. They don't like seeing that dx! The wc laws are different in every state but some things, like procedure are kind of the same.

Glad you found you way here. No one understands better than we do!

Big Hugs,

Karen

thanks for your reply. having a rough day..will comment more later.

Dew,

I hit a wrong key and lost my posting so if this is a repeat let's just blame my meds.
I'm sorry to hear about all the legal hassels you have in addition to your health.

It sounds like you are doing some treatments that I hope are helping.

We all have a condition that has changed our lives. Your doctor might be correct, but, sometimes they aren't when he says you will never be your active self. You may have to change the way you do things not stop doing them all together. You have to decide how much you want to do something and keep in mind the price you may have to pay in pain. For example hugs really hurt me (I have full body RSD from the top of my head to the tip of my toes) but a good hug is worth the pain because the hug helps me emotionaly.

As hard as it is for us it is just as difficult for those who love us. Be sure to let them know you appreciate all they do for your. They are part of your support group and they care about you.

It's o.k. to have a bad moment or day and get emotional. Don't let the emotions consume you. We have been dealt a very difficult hand to live with RSD. Don't let it define who you are as a person. We have a disability don't let it disable us completely.

I like your attitude about a warrior put on the armour everyday and fight the battle to win. When you don't feel like you have won ask yourself what can I do differently.

I can't offer any knowledge about court. I am still waiting for a hearing date.

Good luck and if you don't know God know is the time to start. He will give you a peace that passes all understanding.

Good luck
Sbowling

Thank each of you for your comments. I do appreciate each of you so much.

The TTD issue is because I had attempted to do a sedentary job for 2 months. Due to the inability to take my daily meds, as it was not safe for me to drive to and from work..and the dozing factor, I was unable to do the sedentary job. So much for the FCE report that stated I could. Since I attempted to do the sedentary job, and was not able to do it, and WC has me seeing and being treated by a PM doc...I am due TTD. The PM doc faxed a script stating that I was to be on TTD as of 1/5/09, so that I would receive TTD weekly pmts asap. WC atty stated to my atty that if it is not in the report that summarizes my visit with PM, it does not exist. My atty filed Form 9, hearing on TTD.

PM doc was none to pleased in 3/09, to find out that WC atty. ignored his request. So, in this follow up visit, PM doc stated that I was TTD on 1/5/09, and in the present, and in the future! Mind you my atty. and WC atty have been going at it between themselves between Jan. and Mar. Meanwhile, I am attending water PT in TX, at a rehab hospital that specializes in my syndrome. WC agreed to this treatment; however, they have yet to pay any mileage since 1/09. I go to PT twice per week. So, WC owes me $8000.00 in TTD, and $850.00 in travel.

I have come to know that WC is not dependable. I think expectation can make one allow his/her self to feel so helpless when the expectation is not satisfied. I think that "logic and reasonable" are terms that WC does not understand.

Again, I do feel better today, and your comments warmed my heart.

Dew

Your WC company wouldn't happen to be the Hartford, would it?

WC is an evil system that is long due for an overhaul.

Good luck with your hearing. I have not had to appear in court yet, so I don't know what it is like....but you should get some feedback from your attorney as to whether the judge will loose patience with you if you are too emotional. Court dates are few and far between (another evil system!).

Keep us posted on how you make out!

Sandy

I agree Dew, wc and certain words just do not exist in their universe. To say they're evil is somewhat of an understatment I think. Deny, Delay, Deny, repeat. lolol

Hang in there and I really hope the next days fly by to your court date and the judge throws the book at the wc evil company!!

Big Hugs,

Karen

The WC ins. company is Travelers. You may have seen their commercials on TV; the big red umbrella,

My atty thinks that once the WC sees the March '09 report from the PM doc, that WC will cave and pay what they owe. We will see...

I am not holding my breath, as their have been so many promises broken by WC concerning "pmt. is in the mail", that I prefer to expect the worst from these heartless pains in the ****. That way if a positive experience actually happens...I am happily surprized

I don't know how to dress for court. I live in p.j.'s at home. I go to PT in my p.j.'s and a t-shirt, and then pull them off and have my bathing suit underneath. I don't like anything touching my skin that is heavy weight or textured in anyway. I bring my own soft towel, as the rehab. towels are really stiff and lack that soft, comfy texture of my own towel.

Any ideas?

Dew

Do you have a loose long dress or jumper that looks neat and professional? If you could find one in a soft cotton fabric that would be great.

No loose,long dress in my closet. I may have to bite the bullet and go shopping for that dress.

The thought of shopping really makes me cringe. I need to look professional.

Thanks for your reply.


Dew