[MsRriO]

Biggest fear right now: being forced back to work before I'm ready. And trust me, I'm not ready at all. I have every symptom I've had since injury, some new ones, like the verbal processing delays, are very pronounced on "bad" days.


I see my GP (is that a Canadian term only? Forgive me please... ) "doctor" on January 3rd.


For reassessment. This scares me senseless. I'll explain.


Not sure how it works in other parts of the world but in Canada when you're hurt at work you file a claim with the Workers Compensation Board, (WCB) which covers 90% of your wage loss while recovering.


Like any insurance provider, they are great until you cost them too much. They send a TON of forms which are difficult for me to process and I usually end up crying. They rely on doctors recommendations via.... what else... A form.


I've been off 7 weeks. Their patience is tested. Last week my WCB case worker was very harsh and said, well it's JUST POST CONCUSSION SYNDROME, your concussion is OVER, so if your doctor won't let you return to AT LEAST modified duties, we will initiate an independent assessment. Then OUR doctors will decide your case.


Sounds fair.... And foreboding. After all why would a doctor hired by WCB ever have dirty hands? (My sarcasm is apparently uninjured)


The constant appointments, the forms, the phone calls, they all exhaust me and I get frustrated that I'm being "rushed along" by the very establishment causing the setbacks.


I'm thankful for the wage coverage. I am. I try to focus on that and tell myself I'm certainly earning it.


I'm scared beyond words of facing my work environment again. It's a casino. Ever been to a quiet unflashy one??? Lol... I love my career, I love marketing, I love giving away cars to a massive excited crowd or throwing concerts in the huge theatre at work but whaaaaaat, no WAY can I tolerate this in a mere 17 days.


17 days that include the HOLIDAY SEASON, no less. Always restful.


So do I get to decide to leave the job I was born to do? So that, as my case worker said, I can "AT LEAST DO PAPERWORK?" Should a fall at work ruin a career?


I am dreading the third of January. Anyone else relate? Looking for platitudes even... I'll take anything at this point. Scared and powerless.


-Rri

[concussedlawyer]

Wow-that would be a particularly tough job to go back to.It sounds like you have worked hard to build a career. My heart goes out to you. I find PCS very humbling, I just can't do everything I could do before (yet). Although there are ups and downs for me I can trace an upward trajectory, particularly if I am in the right mood.

[cyclecrash]

Hello,

I personally think you're WAY too early in your recovery to be thinking of giving up your career! I'm not sure how workers comp works, because I am on Long Term Disability, but I had 6 months on short term disability and now 2 years on Long Term in order to get back to my current job.

If at the end of the 2 years if I can no longer work at my job but can work at ANY job then I will be cut off. If I can not worker at ANY job then I continue on Long Term Disability. Of course this is all not as easy as it sounds because there's the mountains of paperwork and doctors to see and of course it has to be proven that I cannot work.

If you can't work, you can't work. That's what workers comp is there for. Do they have deadlines? When I was on short term I had to have doctors letters every two weeks and phone conversations with the insurance company, it was very stressful and I felt worse every time it came up.

The long term forms took me two weeks to do, with crying and lots of help from my mother, because they were so in depth and long. But they're done and I'm approved, for now at least.

I have a really great neuro psychologist on my side sending very detailed explanations of what's going on with me, why, what our plan going forward is, etc. They seem to like that. Of course it's costing me a fortune too......

Sorry I'm getting very long winded here.... just wanted to say... don't give up your career yet! I couldn't imagine going back to my casino right now either but some day soon maybe you can! Also, don't be afraid of workers comp just be prepared to maybe have to fight a little.

I hope you're having a good day.
CC

[thedude58]

Originally Posted by MsRriO

I've been off 7 weeks. Their patience is tested. Last week my WCB case worker was very harsh and said, well it's JUST POST CONCUSSION SYNDROME, your concussion is OVER, so if your doctor won't let you return to AT LEAST modified duties, we will initiate an independent assessment. Then OUR doctors will decide your case. -Rri

I think your case worker is at best, ignorant, and needs to be told so. Have you worked with a lawyer? It seems to me, that person has no respect for you as a human being in need. You might think about writing a letter to your elected member at Queens Park. My 'concussion', after 40 years, is definitely NOT OVER. I want to give your case worker a kick in the....
For what its worth: A Psychiatrist can diagnose PCS in Ontario, however I'm unsure about how much time must pass before a diagnosis is made, if any.

Jamie

[MsRriO]

Thanks just doesn't seem enough. I even laughed at the kick in the .... comment. Humour is most definitely my go-to coping mechanism!


I have a tendency to have high highs and low lows with this PCS business. You're right it's soon in my recovery to make any rash decisions, I just feel pushed.


You know the phrasing, "it takes a special kind of person to work in (insert noble profession here)" well I have been saying, it takes a special kind of hole to work at the WCB! Lol...JK... Kinda.


The lawyer part sounds expensive.... But intriguing. I'll think on it, which at this rate could take me months.

[Virginia in Canada]

Sorry to hear about your problems with WCB. I was injured in a car accident on Oct. 9th and have been off work since Oct 19th. I am on short term disability through work and just had a meeting with my GP and my Rehab worker. It was decided that I would not be attempting a return to work for at least another month. My Rehab person will be initiating my LTD forms next month to begin the process (in case it is necessary) because it will take 2-3 months to go through the process of applying. Might be helpful if your GP began doing a SCAT2 assessment at every visit in order to provide additional information to your worker - it is directed towards sports injuries but the basic principles are the same. Best of luck.

[MsRriO]

Today was full-on dizzy, nausea, flat on back, ice-pack-necked awful.


I'm making up new compound words as I go, it seems.


All I can think about is how on earth will I get better in time to appease the WCB


trying to block out that anxiety and pressure.


This is so hard on my spouse... He is literally doing EVERYTHING around here and I'm feeling terrible for him; he is recovering himself from a heart attack just over six months ago! 2012 was not our year.


Thanks for listening/reading. I'm maxed.

[Mark in Idaho]

MsRrio,

Give up on trying to appease WCB. If they make you go back to work, just be prepared to crash at work. It may take a few crashes on the job for WCB to get the message. Try to limit the risk of messing up as you crash.

Hopefully, you will be given more time to recover after you crash at work.

My best to you.

[MsRriO]

Originally Posted by Mark in Idaho

MsRrio,

Give up on trying to appease WCB. If they make you go back to work, just be prepared to crash at work. It may take a few crashes on the job for WCB to get the message. Try to limit the risk of messing up as you crash.

Hopefully, you will be given more time to recover after you crash at work.

My best to you.

Sounds reasonable. And probable.


Been up all night because husband had chest, arm, shoulder and neck pain last night (same as he had with his heart attack in summer) so I had to buck up and take him to the ER, leaving my son with my mom. Had to drive, and I did it. Had to be supportive, and I did it. Through major pain of my own.... But adrenaline is amazingly powerful.


Got him home again at 8:30 this morning... Long night. Lot of stress, worry, no sleep, beeping, bright lights. And I survived.


Tests all negative, stress induced pain, so we're thankful it wasnt a second heart attack. Put many things in perspective. We got through another scare together before 2012 is over!


I'm in severe pain today but it's just another day. Really, all I have is today anyway. And I'm on the right side of the grass.... Or snow in my case.


I can do anything through Him who strengthens me. Right?

[MsRriO]

Reassessment takes place tomorrow.


I have a list of symptoms to rattle off but know full well what I'm up against. I am shocked at how inept my medical care has been. I'm not naïve enough to think it will be any different tomorrow.


I remember having a faint hope that maaaaaaybe 17 days really WAS long enough, and that I could go back to work with modified hours or duties. Maybe I'd avoid the big drama with WCB. They would call off the dogs, so to speak.


And here I am, the night before, with zero improvement. Bring on the drama I guess! WCB promises a full independent investigation.


Wish me strength!