[Bruins88]

As most of you know my story already, does anyone feel they arent being treated properly by their Neurologist? I know I do. Youve read my posts about the constant headaches, brain fog, and confusion ect. Youve read about my seizure like episodes. But now that he has a normal 20 minute eeg, and a normal mri brain scan, it seems like hes even less interested. I dont know if its because its a wc case or not, but he wont give me the time of day. Just keeps saying yea they sound like seizures and yea you just need more rest because you should be healed by now.

Im at wits end, and I do not think I can get a second opinion at this point in time.

I mean, maybe he has bad bedside manner, and does understand? I know my cognitive therapist knows my deficit, as shes clearly told me that she has informed him of my memory and cognitive issues. I just worry that 7 months in (had a nightmare about it last night), and they may stop covering me because of the normal mri and normal eeg. I know some of you have mentioned a neuropsych test. Im not sure what that is, but my therapist has clearly said she knows my cognitive issues. Not sure if thats a leg to stand on though.

I just fear that im going to be sent back to work again still injured, like I was in May, not fully recovered, and hurt myself even more, just because he has a normal mri and normal eeg. They know that all I want is to go back to work, but at this stage, theres no way I can function normally with these headaches and foggyness.

Im fearing it big time right now, and really dont know what to do. I would gladly go back to work in a heartbeat, as long as they understand what I can and cannot do and for how long. But im starting to get the impression that the Dr thinks because I have a normal eeg and a normal MRI, that I must be crazy.

Thanks

[Hockey]

Does anyone feel their doctor DOES take them seriously?

Sadly, poor treatment (medically and bedside manners) seems to be pretty much universal among TBI patients.

The new director of the Brain Injury Association in my province asked a group of us what would be the number one thing she could do to make our lives better and, to a person, we said, "Teach the doctors to stop treating us like garbage."

I think neurologists get frustrated because they have HUGE egos, and their inability to "fix" us confronts them with how little they really know about the brain. Rather then accepting this as the current limits of science, some seem to adopt a "blame the victim" attitude.

[Mark in Idaho]

Work Comp doctors can be problematic. They often don't get paid enough to take the time to care.

Sometimes, the only solution is to try to work and fail at the task. Have you considered getting a work comp attorney ?

[Mark in Idaho]

I think a big problem with doctors is the patient. Often, there IS LITTLE the doctor can do but the patient continues to insist that the doctor heal them.

[Hockey]

If the doctor can't heal the patient, they should say that; NOT tell the patient their problems are "all in their head." A little humility and honesty would go a long way.

I am grateful to the doctor who had the courtesy to tell me that what I was looking at wasn't recovery, but adaptation. Knowing I would have to live with things, meant I worked at adapting and maximizing what I've got. I think I'm a lot further ahead than I would have been, if I was sitting around waiting to be "cured." It also allowed me to make more realistic plans for the future and to stop beating myself up over my deficits.

[jinga]

[QUOTE=kevbo887;1080383]As most of you know my story already, does anyone feel they arent being treated properly by their Neurologist? I know I do. Youve read my posts about the constant headaches, brain fog, and confusion ect. Youve read about my seizure like episodes. But now that he has a normal 20 minute eeg, and a normal mri brain scan, it seems like hes even less interested. I dont know if its because its a wc case or not, but he wont give me the time of day. Just keeps saying yea they sound like seizures and yea you just need more rest because you should be healed by now.

Sorry to say Kev but you are falling squarley into the trap the WC IC has set for you. YOU NEED TO GET YOUR OWN DOC not a wc doc - get an mri of neck and go see a neuropsyc for testing. ALL IC's I have dealt with would rather go to their grave then approve anything for a head injury. Literally you would need to put a gun to their head to get em to do it. That is the real deal! Stop letting the IC dictate all your options! If you have pvt ins use it and let them fight with comp over who is responsible. do this now before more and more time passes. There really is not other advice to give then this

[Bruins88]

Well thats the weird thing. The actual work comp dr was fantastic. Knew all about concussions and pcs. Was very helpful. This dr I see now is a nuerologist. Hes not an actual wc dr. He is just one of many who accepts WC.

I have my own private insurance, but my pcp refuses to see me because its WC related. Ive tried multiple times already and get the same response.

[jinga]

Originally Posted by kevbo887

Well thats the weird thing. The actual work comp dr was fantastic. Knew all about concussions and pcs. Was very helpful. This dr I see now is a nuerologist. Hes not an actual wc dr. He is just one of many who accepts WC.

I have my own private insurance, but my pcp refuses to see me because its WC related. Ive tried multiple times already and get the same response.

cant you just go see a specialist w\o your pcp? even if you had a neurologist who was ok they would have ordered the NExam

[SarahSmile0205]

I felt a little annoyed with my neuro until our visit last month... she is determined to find help for me... it is nice to finally feel like i have someone on my side!

[Mark in Idaho]

Medical doctors often do not have any way to validate your symptoms. The EEG and imaging tell them everything is normal. So, they reject any complaints.

It is the NeuroPsych Assessment that can validate dysfunctions. The problem with NPA's is the NP may have a bias against prolonged symptoms from an mTBI.

Many doctors refuse to work with WC because of the lousy pay formula. They have to write out reports but get paid little for their time. Those that do WC cases often have systems that make the report writing worthwhile. PCP's rarely have the time to invest in this.