Saw the neuro psych Feb 14th.

He said he would send me a copy of the report, in two weeks time.

He didn't send me a copy, nor my doctor. Just straight to WCB.

During the test day I seriously failed several tests with poor memory, had acute stuttering and acute head pain.

His initial verbal comments were that I had significant short term memory deficits and very slowed processing. He dismissed the pronounced stutter and said it was "strange" that it fluctuates in severity. (We all know PCS symptoms come and go but this guy had no experience with PCS. He simply was a paid talking head found by WCB) I find it interesting how his verbal comments vary from his report...

Yesterday WCB called and went over some of the notes quickly with me. They "cannot release" the report to me, they say. I have to call the NP myself to request a copy (which I did, left him a terse voicemail) WCB did say they will send a copy to my doctor.(after grilling me about why I changed from my initial doctor)

WCB was so pleased that the NP report is "completely positive". Lol of course it is. It was paid for, to BE positive. I'm injured, not dumb. And no, that's not conspiracy theory or depression talking. Corruption is the reality of WCB and if you think differently, bless your heart. The NP guy didn't even include my doctor! And yes he had all the addresses, he asked for them on test day and I obliged.

Summary that my case worker told me verbally today: although there are some slight delays with recovery, patient has history of depression and migraines. This could be the cause or recurrent issues at hand. Full recovery is expected soon and patient can then return to full time employment when symptom free from the injury.

Worker said, see? Your medical history caused these recovery delays not the injury itself.

It was just like she scratched a winning lotto ticket. She was SO excited.

I could almost hear the palms rubbing together as they will soon write me off the expense column.

In other news thanks to Mokey I recently found a place that would see me to test for convergence insufficiency and I tested positive. I get my prism glasses in about 10 days. Hope they help, since I'll be sent back to work soon apparently.

However I'm thankful I had four months off, my post is simply to comment that NP's are definitely NOT experts (mine was not well read on PCS at all and proved he could be bought for a price) and WCB is a corrupt, sad excuse for compensation.

But, it is what it is. I will return to work after seeing a "multi-disciplinary panel" hired by WCB to determine when, and how fast, and if there is anything that can be done for my ongoing symptoms. (I can predict that one, a big fat no, they will pin it on depression and migraine and wave goodbye to me)

Like I said, I'm grateful I've had this long, just wanted to share never assume any doctor has your best interests at heart. Mokey sent me a link to a vision therapy practitioner in my area that was more helpful than ANY of the people I've seen so far.

Therefore joining NeuroTalk has been more helpful in my struggle than anywhere else. Consider yourselves hugged. Lol

And please, continue to help newbies, we are lost, and sometimes abandoned without you.

Stay positive!! Get a copy of the report (your right!) and see what it says. I think the doctors WC uses are terrible in most cases. They act for WC and not the patient.
Hang in there. Great news about the prisms..once you get used to them (it took me a few weeks!!!) hopefullythey will help.
Keep on healing!

When you get a copy of your report, there may be evidence it was improperly interpreted. Be sure to ask for the scales and scores. Did you do the trail making tests where you have to trace from number to number and number to letter to number to letter ? This test is often misinterpreted.

Getting the times for Trail Test A and Trail test B will be valuable. Did you take a long question test called MMPI-II ? (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory version II) The scales in it can also be misinterpreted. It can indicate depression when organic brain injury would be the correct diagnosis.

Write down your recollection of everything he said before you get the report. You don't want your memory polluted with information or anger from reading his report.

Don't lose heart. Your case is not over yet.

My best to you.

Hi MsRRio,

I was wondering what happened after that nightmare testing. I was hoping you would get some recommendations on how to proceed but having gone to doctors paid for by Insurance Companies I wasn't too convinced you'd get any help. I was hoping psychologists might be different.

My suggestion would be to find your own neuro-psychologist that understands concussions and have her read the report and either provide her own findings or explain it to you (if needed) with some possible treatment plans.

From what you said above, workers comp hasn't actually said you have to go back to work right? I'm still reading it as pretty positive that you can "return to full time employment when symptom free from the injury" That doesn't mean now! Also he is saying that your recovery is slightly delayed... meaning you have NOT recovered yet.

We are very complex beings and everything works together so thinking that a history of migraines and depression isn't going to effect concussion recovery would be wrong. Just like my fibromyalgia and prior history of 4 whiplashes is definitely affecting my recovery but is not the reason I am this way to begin with. The concussion is why everything is flared up.

Without the concussion you would not be having migraines and depression/emotional issues but without your history of migraines and depression perhaps you might have been one of the lucky ones better before one month. It is clear that a history of psychological issues is a warning of possible delayed recovery.

I know that it sounds like she's diminishing what you're going through and the stress of constantly worrying about either being forced back to work or cut off WC must be also contributing to how bad you're feeling. WC people and insurance people will NEVER say anything to make it sound like they agree you are really sick. I was off with cancer and they were all rosy and I was going back to work anytime. It's their job never to talk about things in the negative and get you back as soon as possible.

My insurance company is starting an independent "get her back to work" strategy so I know how scary it is to think about having to go back before your ready but mine hasn't actually said "you're going back NOW" and neither has yours so try to stay positive and keep healing.

The good news is that you are getting to a point where hopefully you'll start to see some large steps forward! Those prism glasses could be a huge step in the right direction and getting a little exercise to keep the oxygen going to your brain and you'll be seeing some results soon!

I hope today is a better day for you. <hug>

CC

I've been reading your posts for awhile, and I am really, trully sorry for your plight.

It started me researching:

- this is what Saskatchewan says their Work Comp is.

- this is what others say the whole system is.

I have been reading through alot of it, and other areas. I get the impress that "the others" are closer to what it is?

Actually, here in the USA, more and more of the rights the employees had under the older federal guidelines have begun to swing more and more on State levels with the Federal "blessings", or at least 'non-intervention/protection' to the employee; and more and more the employee has had to 'prove' more about the injured status.

As others have said, hang in there - if at all possible, get an attorney, fight as much as possible, get your own providers, do not accept their decisions if you know you are right and they (WCB examiners) are not.

Best Wishes.

I can hear the panic in your voice, and I am so sorry that there seems to be some "over positivistic" interpretation of your testing by WCB.

Although expensive, do get a neuro-pyschologist who is your advocate. You need someone to help you, not WCB!

In addition to getting the raw data of your neuropysch testing, if you see a neuro-opthalmalogist, they can also test your visual processing speed.

The prism glasses sometimes helps, but the disorientation and slow processing may need specific visual therapy.

I cannot imagine how with all your struggles in what setting and at what pace WCB thinks you can work.

I often think that housework is a good indicator of where you are in your recovery. If you can master grocery shopping, cooking and some chores, then it might be time to go onto the next challenge of community work/volunteer work and then actual employment.

If not, you need to rest, heal and pace yourself.

Deep breaths and find someone to help temper WCB's expectations!

Sorry to hear you got a rotten egg for a doctor.. I have had one and know how awful a experience it can be. You have gotten some good advice about the report, the scores on it, and possible following up with a second opinion. This is only one step in the process don't read too much into it. The NP will have a lot of weight with WCB. Get the report and read it thru, if you can afford a second opinion then you can counter his opinion. One good thing you should be able to determine what his credentials are. If you do seek a second opinion pick some one with better credentials. If it comes down to a legal fight the doctor with the best credentials is given the most weight in a court or commission.

Totally agree with what Concussion had to say. I worked for insurance companies and they are the biggest scam going along with disability from our government. You need to get a lawyer. Don't accept their decision. You can do appeals but in your condition will need help.
I would get a private neuropsychological evaluation as I have been told this is the "silver bullet" to getting on disability and with WCF.
Talk with the people on the workers comp forum, they should be able to tell you how to appeal and not get tricked into accepting their decision.
I am sorry. I felt the same way about my doctor appointment yesterday. Do you know what he actually said about the 3mm space of brain getting no signals that showed on my MRI? He said "this is just like having a mole on your skin". WTF?
I am sure they would not bother mentioning it as abnormal if that was the case. I have got to find a different doctor. I have been being treated by a moron.
Hang in there. I know you can hold your own with anyone. You are one smart lady who does not take any crap.
Brain

MsRrio,
I forget the exact circumstances of your injury but since it happened at work have you considered bringing a lawsuit against your employer? I mean, if the insurance they have is insufficient then it would seem like you could sue the employer.
I don't know just a thought.
Stand your ground. Don't back down.
Brain

For letting me sorta vent, again. I didn't even think my initial post was negative, I just have a dry way of saying things, sometimes I'm even amused at how absurd life is.

CC and Mokey, my Cdn friends, you have such a way of seeing the glass half full. Thanks!

Berkeley and rmschaver thanks for your encouragement and compassion.

Concussion your second link is exactly right. We have a corrupt system. Thanks for the links! And to care enough to look things up is very cool in my books.

Brain patch thanks for the belief in me and reminding me that I'm smart, and to be strong. I cannot sue because in Canada, workers forfeit the right to sue their employer by collecting WCB benefits.

Mark the number/letter test you mentioned was not one of the tests I took. I didn't even think to check the names of the personality tests. I was so not "with it" that day. Word lists, drawings, blocks, and fill in the dot questionnaires were the biggest parts of the day. I will write down his comments before I see the report myself. I doubt he will even send my copy. To me that speaks volumes.

I know my case isn't over. Thank you everyone for reminding me. You're all such supportive people. Thanks for trying to boost my outlook.

I do know that I've been told by doctors (verbally) that whatever WCB wants, they get. Long term injuries are their worst nightmare so they insist on the reports they desire or refuse to pay the doctor. My psychiatrist even ranted about them and refuses to take WCB cases.

Anyway I'm not out to change the world. I just need a little more time to heal before returning to work.

I'm nowhere near ready in my opinion, because I am unable to perform basic hygiene tasks let alone much housework without intense head pain. I haven't had one day without the head and neck pain and intense brain pressure yet. I am unable to turn my head properly to drive. Plus I cannot process decisions well enough to drive.

I have such memory issues with basic life skills that I cannot fathom how I'd be useful in the workplace right now. Today I tried to put makeup on because a friend was coming over, and I was stumped as to what to do with lip gloss. I opened it, looked at the wand, and raised it to my eyes like mascara. Then I could smell it and thought oh that's for LIPS! Funny story that I told her when she arrived, but a sad commentary on how much further I need to go.

The stutter has improved somewhat lately. I don't know if that's because of the Elavil I'm taking, the increased sleep, or just time.

In brain injury timelines I'm early in recovery but to WCB it's way past time to get to work.

When I get my glasses I'll report back about progress.

If I do return to work before I'm ready I'm reminded of Marks early words to me. Basically, I will crash at work if I overload my brain and a few possible outcomes may happen. Either I'll get sent back onto benefits or LTD or I'll get fired. I'll still be alive. The world won't end.