Hi All~ I am guessing this is how I enter into the TOS forum?? I have been in pain since 9/2005 and continued working until 5/2006 not knowing what was wrong. 5/2006 went on med LOA and continued seeing docs at Kaiser for headaches, pain in shoulders, arms, elbows, wrist and hands, my ears started ringing and I have had a hearing loss (now 3), I have fullness in my head when I get up from a sitting position and sometimes from just turning my head. Kaiser did MRI's and found I have a bulging disc in C 5-6 some in 3-4, so they concentrated only on my neck gave me a few steroid blocks but ultimately couldn't find anything wrong with me for the symptoms I was posing to them. They all but thought I was nuts and offered all kinds of meds which didn't help. We dumped Kaiser in 12/06 and Jan. 07 went for my first visit to Kerlan-Jobe in L.A after 2 visits it was determined that my neck wasn't the issue and TOS was suspected. I had a Brachial Plex. MRI which confirmed the TOS. PT is too painful for me so I have stopped it. The docs won't give me meds, only sleeping pills as lying down on my sides is painful and both arms go numb and fuzzy... I most recently was referred to Dr. Ahn in L.A, he wants to do the rib resection surgery, I opted for bilateral scalene Botox injections (if I can get some info on them). I am presently getting acupunture and looking for someone that does medical massage. WC is a whole different issue, it was brought to my attention in Jan. of 07 that I should have been on WC since I went on LOA in 5/06, so I filled and boy did that open a can of worms! Of course I was denied and had to hire an attny. I am anticipating a QME in the near future, all the docs picked were orthopedics???? Shouldn't I be going to a Thoracic Specialist? Can I fight the attny on this?
I don't know what to expect anymore, my body is tired and in pain 24/7, I have no meds, not enough info to make a decision, and frustrated with the docs, WC and the attny!!! I can see why people throw in the towel.
On a brighter note I love this site and have aquired some great info and only wish I had found it sooner.
Any advise or info is greatly appreciated. Sorry I rambled on but nobody gets it except you guys. Thanks! Mimi

Hi moved your post for all to see!!!!!!!!!!


ok guys this was posted in the new member area...by Mimi4
in the lets intro ourselves...pls see her intro there...

Hi Mimi hope you don't mind but more will see this here!!!!

Social Security Disability question-mental exam tomorrow
My attny suggested I apply for SSDI and I did and have been seeing their docs at my caseworkers request. I now it's short notice but tomorrow I have a "mental exam", yes, a mental exam????
Can anyone give me a heads up on that?
Thanks.

I copied/merged both of her posts to this thread.

I had to go have a mental exam also. It wasn't bad at all. I was just very honest and have had depression/anxiety long before TOS hit me. They asked me all kindsa things about my family, my life before and after getting TOS. That part me me cry......I miss my life before TOS!!

They also tell you words and after a few minutes ask you what those words were. I was on topamax at the time so i couldnt remember anything anyway. I cant remember the other tests but they were fine.

I also was told to bring all my medication bottles with me.

I did leave feeling like my whole life had been put under a microscope, but I am a private person who holds things in too much.

Good Luck! Ihtos

MimiI am sorry you are here but welcome. You must find a doctor who will listen to you and give you meds if that is what you need. I know what it is like to be in pain and not know what to do. You need to live a fairly"normal" life. Everyone needs to get up each day and do routine things without being in pain. I hate taking meds but can't live without them right now. You may need someone to talk to, a psychologist perhaps to help. Just taking sleeping pills will only help you sleep, not survive the day. I hope you can find someone to listen to you and help.

Linda

RU having your botox with Dr Jordan?

He is my and many others' doc on the forum. great doctor.

I went to Dr. Jordan for my testing and I really liked him. Originally the referral for the Botox was to Dr. Jordan but he has changed his billing policy and will not bill my insurance for the procedure which means I have to come up with cash before they will schedule the appt. and that's alot of $$$$$. I have another dr. lined up for the procedure if I decide to go that route.

The mental exam was a joke........nothing like yours. It was so non-descript that I don't know how it will make a difference!
Thanks for the info!