[Brachial6]

Hi to all my Thoracic Outlet Syndrome friends! I was injured on 4/27/1990 at work, my case continues almost 19 years later. I have to see Dr. Sam Ahn in L. A. this week for the Agreed Medical Exam final report. I have had 6 surgeries for a work injury to remove scar tissue and the 5th surgery I got a staph infection from the operating room at UCLA. This left me with worse chronic pain than ever at my left and right clavicle's worse on the left radiating pain in every direction. (TOS) I have been unable to work since the staph infection in 2000 and remain a chronic pain patient. I do not want anymore invasive tests or surgeries. My pain medicine physician says there is a 1 in 10,000 chance any surgery would improve my condition. My daughter says for me to just answer Dr. Ahn's questions at the appointment. Does anyone have any helpful advise for me as I go to the agreed medical exam? I sure hope my case is settled in the near future as 19 years with a workers compensation attorney and waiting for a final settlement is certainly a long time out of my life. Any suggestions for my visit would be appreciated. I don't feel like Dr. Ahn is on my side at all! Thanks in advance. Jacqueline

[(Broken Wings)]

Bless your heart. You've been through enough. You definitely need compensated for your suffering.

I've been examined once, for an IME (independent medical exam). The report was written by an expert in his field, negating to my medical picture but what could I do? He was highly sought out by defense attorneys and good at his job. Need I say more.

An Agreed Medical Exam may be a little different but I would "Google" the heck out of his name.

About the exam, my basic knowledge to pass on would be: You're under exam when you pull onto the parking lot. You're probably being watched to see where and how you park, driver?, getting in and out (assisted/unassisted), confusion about where to go, carrying purses, records, MRIs (they're heavy), drinking, smoking, putting on lipstick or fluffing hair. Not telling you to stage anything, you understand. I'm just letting you know what I've seen and heard so you'll know it could happen. They get paid a lot of money for these exams and they do things to earn it, too.

Registration: I would bet you're being observed for sure at this check in point. Handwriting, retrieving license and ins info, answering questions. Sometimes they want to take a picture of you for their file. I've even heard doctors critize claimants for the way they're dressed, bleached/colored/gray hair. There's just no right thing here that you could be if they take that approach. Just be yourself. Just remember, they get paid a lot of money for these exams and they do earn it.

Don't be surprised if you have to wait a long time. Waiting around in the waiting room seems to be part of the exam too.

Be courtious but keep your mouth shut in these areas. You don't know these days if you're being watched by survillance, audio or digital recorders. That goes for anywhere these days but this day in your life will be documented and hence will be used as evidence in your comp claim.

Examination: You're not going to be treated; you're going to be evaluated. Don't ask for meds or opinions. Your attorney can't prep you or they call that staging the claimant and it never looks good in court. There's a fine line, though. If your claim's ligetimate, you don't have to stage anything. I'm sure you know that TOS is a controversal diagnosis and arguable. That's what the defense attorney gets paid to do.

But 19 years, you win the "Tough Man" contest today.

You're correct, they're not exactly on your side. It's supposed to be an "independent medical exam." Meaing, independent from a treating physician and independent from influence.

Each examiner will have their own style of examination and they can ask you very personal questions. The doctor is not God. You're not under interrogation. If it's too personal, let that be known as your response. Don't argue about it and don't let it upset you. Remain focused if the pain don't overload you... and for sure if that happens, let that be known.

Take your meds on time, if that's what you normally do, and bring water with you if you can. If not, ask for water to take your meds.

Be truthful and let them do their job. Just remember, that's what they get paid the "Big Bucks" for.

You should have a treating physician that will give you a report in support of your claim.

Hang tough

Originally Posted by jacqueline64

Hi to all my Thoracic Outlet Syndrome friends! I was injured on 4/27/1990 at work, my case continues almost 19 years later. I have to see Dr. Sam Ahn in L. A. this week for the Agreed Medical Exam final report. I have had 6 surgeries for a work injury to remove scar tissue and the 5th surgery I got a staph infection from the operating room at UCLA. This left me with worse chronic pain than ever at my left and right clavicle's worse on the left radiating pain in every direction. (TOS) I have been unable to work since the staph infection in 2000 and remain a chronic pain patient. I do not want anymore invasive tests or surgeries. My pain medicine physician says there is a 1 in 10,000 chance any surgery would improve my condition. My daughter says for me to just answer Dr. Ahn's questions at the appointment. Does anyone have any helpful advise for me as I go to the agreed medical exam? I sure hope my case is settled in the near future as 19 years with a workers compensation attorney and waiting for a final settlement is certainly a long time out of my life. Any suggestions for my visit would be appreciated. I don't feel like Dr. Ahn is on my side at all! Thanks in advance. Jacqueline

[gibbrn]

as a Canadain i can't comment on what needs to be said specifically to your doc but I can give this advice.....

1. write a list of questions you have on a note pad leaving room for your written answers.
2. take someone else with you as they may hear things you don't hear from the doc....our chronic pain kinda takes over our brain and we don't hear all we should hear....
3. perhaps take a tape recorder and ASK if you can record the interview for your records as you need to write it out later.....or whatever the case is....

4. go calm and centered.....try not to be anxious and worried ...don't let the doc convince you of things you know are not true.....always remember that YOU know your body best!! after all your surgeries and issues I'm sure you get that by now!!!! LOl

I guess those are my major ones to remember for an appointment......
hope others can give you more advice.

Best of luck with it
love and hugs,
Victoria

[Brachial6]

Originally Posted by (Broken Wings)

Bless your heart. You've been through enough. You definitely need compensated for your suffering.

I've been examined once, for an IME (independent medical exam). The report was written by an expert in his field, negating to my medical picture but what could I do? He was highly sought out by defense attorneys and good at his job. Need I say more.

An Agreed Medical Exam may be a little different but I would "Google" the heck out of his name.

About the exam, my basic knowledge to pass on would be: You're under exam when you pull onto the parking lot. You're probably being watched to see where and how you park, driver?, getting in and out (assisted/unassisted), confusion about where to go, carrying purses, records, MRIs (they're heavy), drinking, smoking, putting on lipstick or fluffing hair. Not telling you to stage anything, you understand. I'm just letting you know what I've seen and heard so you'll know it could happen. They get paid a lot of money for these exams and they do things to earn it, too.

Registration: I would bet you're being observed for sure at this check in point. Handwriting, retrieving license and ins info, answering questions. Sometimes they want to take a picture of you for their file. I've even heard doctors critize claimants for the way they're dressed, bleached/colored/gray hair. There's just no right thing here that you could be if they take that approach. Just be yourself. Just remember, they get paid a lot of money for these exams and they do earn it.

Don't be surprised if you have to wait a long time. Waiting around in the waiting room seems to be part of the exam too.

Be courtious but keep your mouth shut in these areas. You don't know these days if you're being watched by survillance, audio or digital recorders. That goes for anywhere these days but this day in your life will be documented and hence will be used as evidence in your comp claim.

Examination: You're not going to be treated; you're going to be evaluated. Don't ask for meds or opinions. Your attorney can't prep you or they call that staging the claimant and it never looks good in court. There's a fine line, though. If your claim's ligetimate, you don't have to stage anything. I'm sure you know that TOS is a controversal diagnosis and arguable. That's what the defense attorney gets paid to do.

But 19 years, you win the "Tough Man" contest today.

You're correct, they're not exactly on your side. It's supposed to be an "independent medical exam." Meaing, independent from a treating physician and independent from influence.

Each examiner will have their own style of examination and they can ask you very personal questions. The doctor is not God. You're not under interrogation. If it's too personal, let that be known as your response. Don't argue about it and don't let it upset you. Remain focused if the pain don't overload you... and for sure if that happens, let that be known.

Take your meds on time, if that's what you normally do, and bring water with you if you can. If not, ask for water to take your meds.

Be truthful and let them do their job. Just remember, that's what they get paid the "Big Bucks" for.

You should have a treating physician that will give you a report in support of your claim.

Hang tough

Thanks so much for your very helpful reply to my thread on Agreed Medical Exam. I do have a treating physician who has been very helpful to me! He has said no more invasive tests or surgeries, I agree completely with him! Thanks so much, Jackie

[Brachial6]

Thanks for both replies to my thread! I appreciate all the input I did receive! Jackie

[tshadow]

I am shocked by this thread.

If one does not want surgery, the work comp system CANNOT hold that againsgt you and must determine your pernanet disability and future med to include a future decision and close out your case (with either money set aside more more meds or keep meds open.)

Further, I am confused. Did you go to all of those surgeries with the same doctors? I would've flown myself to Denver (as I did) after the first surgery just to get another's view.

God bless you and I hope those infections are past.

[thursday]

Originally Posted by tshadow

I am shocked by this thread.

If one does not want surgery, the work comp system CANNOT hold that againsgt you and must determine your pernanet disability and future med to include a future decision and close out your case (with either money set aside more more meds or keep meds open.) .....

CA has a dumb system for sure!! Even after you settle with Future Care all of your treatment has to be approved by the WC's Utilization Review (UR).

Jackie- I think you're atty would tell you that if anything is questionable in this AME report you may officially disagree. If you'd like to understand more on this w/o having to bother your busy(?) attorney you could definitely get an understanding from the book California Workers' Comp: How to Take Charge When You're Injured on the Job here is the link

I am so sorry you have had such a terrible time on top of being injured. You have my sincerest hope that your case will be settled favorably in the near future. Please keep us posted!