[nevergone]

my injury is from a accident at work and due to time off I have to have a meeting I'm not worried as I know I am genuine but I'm worried about how to explain how I feel to someone that's never had it ESP as they can't see it and outwardly I look 'normal'

my job involves lots of heavy lifting and I'm constantly on my feet to be honest I cannot see a time when ill feel well enough to go back

sometimes I feel like I'm improving but then I slip back (as per my last thread!)

I'm unsure how to handle it as I can't remember what drs have said to me I have been referred to a neurologist and have to have a brain scan but its so hard for me to explain my symptoms without sounding like I'm just feeling sorry for myself

[Eowyn]

Originally Posted by nevergone

my injury is from a accident at work and due to time off I have to have a meeting I'm not worried as I know I am genuine but I'm worried about how to explain how I feel to someone that's never had it ESP as they can't see it and outwardly I look 'normal'

my job involves lots of heavy lifting and I'm constantly on my feet to be honest I cannot see a time when ill feel well enough to go back

sometimes I feel like I'm improving but then I slip back (as per my last thread!)

I'm unsure how to handle it as I can't remember what drs have said to me I have been referred to a neurologist and have to have a brain scan but its so hard for me to explain my symptoms without sounding like I'm just feeling sorry for myself

I sent my employer a link to this booklet from Mayo Clinic: http://www.mayo.edu/pmts/mc1200-mc1299/mc1298.pdf It has very helpful explanations of the basics of brain injury and what the implications can be in the workplace. It also has recommendations for some accommodations that may be helpful for if/when you return to work.

[Nellyzen]

Please report your issues as soon as possible. I thought the same about my hand pain, even decided not to file at the time since this was supposed to be just a cyst removal and it turns out I have much bigger problems than I thought.

No job is worth your health, found out the hard way.

[Jomar]

If it is a work comp injury claim, you probably shouldn't be sharing too much info with employer.

*Your doctor should be writing any restrictions as a rx note to employer.
Employer needs to follow those restrictions for you - as well as you need to follow them and if something isn't clear , dr needs to rewrite it for clarification..*

If claim might be denied or disputed - the employer (& work comp ins) might use something you say against you.

Might be good to get a comp atty to represent you if you don't have a clear cut claim with witnesses & that the accident was not your fault in any way.

But if you get atty they should tell you to not speak with employer, co workers or comp adjuster about injury or claim.

These are some general tips I learned during my wc claim. Some after the fact..

PS
Keep notes or a journal of appts, dates , symptoms, comments and request copies of all reports & tests..

[Mark in Idaho]

Read the valuable information at www.tbilaw.com and www.subtlebraininjury.com. Attorney Gordon Johnson has great insights and experience with how employers and WC insurers will try to use your own words against you.

Personally, I would ask for the meeting to be done by written correspondence.

What are your current symptoms ?
Try to list them with the worst first declining to least problematic. I and others can help you phrase these symptoms so they are more likely to be understood.

As I suggested a meeting by written correspondence, you can state that you struggle to organize your thoughts in impromptu situations.

Just know that 'A closed mouth gathers no foot." Take a voice recorder to record the conversation. Make it a hard and fast requirement to be able to record the meeting. No recording, no meeting.

My best to you

[nevergone]

thanks everyone I will have someone with me to represent me

I have no prob with them asking to see my medical records; I have nothing to hide its just so hard to explain how it feels my symptoms are

pressure in my head - feels like my brain is too big for my skull
dizziness
extreme sensitivity to bright lights and sounds
my legs and arms don't feel right my legs feel like they're tangled up
loud sounds eg someone shouting makes me dizzy as does stress

I also can't really concentrate on anything my memory is really bad and I used to be a really organised person but not anymore I can't fill in forms properly and if there's anything else going on (noise etc) I can't do it at all as I can't concentrate properly

*sigh*

[Mark in Idaho]

I understand your struggles. Here is my way of explaining your struggles. I put it in quotes.

<pressure in my head - feels like my brain is too big for my skull >

I call these mud head aches. They make it difficult to focus because of the strange sensation.
" I have a almost constant sensation of pressure in my head that makes it hard to focus, sort of like living with a head ache."

dizziness

"I have bouts of dizziness. This makes it difficult for me to feel confident in movements, especially if I need to carry something that could be dropped or worse, land on me as I fall "

extreme sensitivity to bright lights and sounds

" I am hypersensitive to bright lights and sounds, especially multiple sounds. It makes me feel like there is far too much happening around me. This can make it near impossible to concentrate or lead to an anxiety like attack. "

my legs and arms don't feel right my legs feel like they're tangled up

" I struggle to feel confident in my coordination. My legs and arms feel confused. I often need to stop what I am doing so I can do just one task. It is like the old saying, He can't walk and chew gum at the same time. I can not multi-task with my motor skills."

loud sounds eg someone shouting makes me dizzy as does stress

"I am easily startled by or someone shouting. This increases my dizziness. Anything that increases stress levels causes this same increase in dizziness and loss of coordination."

I also can't really concentrate on anything

my memory is really bad and I used to be a really organised person but not anymore

I can't fill in forms properly

"If I need to fill out a form, my mind gets overwhelmed by all of the empty fileds that need to be filled in. It is like my brain feels the need to fill in all of the empty fields at the same time rather than methodically work my way through the form on field at a time "

fyi, I have a trick for dealing with this. Put a blank sheet of paper over all but the line you are working on. The filled in fields will not be much of a problem but the empty fields below will be a challenge so covering them will make it easier to visually process the form.

and if there's anything else going on (noise etc) I can't do it at all as I can't concentrate properly

" I am easily distracted by any ambient sounds or other activity. It pulls my focus away from the task at hand and may create a safety risk to me or those around me. "

Hopefully, I have helped you understand your own symptoms. You need to understand them before you can help someone else understand them.

My best to you.

[jinga]

follow - Jo Marr's advice say as little as possible - It will not be in your best interest. Unfortunately these are the times we live in. Unless you know your employer extremely well and trust they value you do not confide in anyone!

[nevergone]

I will be saying as little as I can get away with thanks guys x

[Superstition]

Thank you for asking this question. I fell headfirst down stairs in my home 3 weeks ago and slammed my head into the wall at the bottom of the steps. My family dr seems to have a very good grasp on PCS so I feel like I'm getting good care but I'm worried about when I return to work in a month. HR says I HAVE to return in 4 weeks and work for 30 hours that month or I will lose my health insurance. I provide health insurance for my husband and kids as well so I can't afford to lose it. I'm afraid I'm not going to be ready to return but feel I have to try to just get through 3 hours a day to meet the 30 hour requirement. My boss is fine with me being part time but I'm afraid of anyone talking to me about how I'm doing. I work with small groups of students. Reading makes me nauseous. Noise overwhelms me. I have problems with sensory overload and often times I can't think of words. These will all be problems for me to be able to perform my job. I'm in a bad spot.
Do all of you seasoned PCS people think I can make it through this? Do you think 3 hours a day will be doable? How generic can I be in my responses to coworkers and my boss. I don't want them to know exactly what I'm struggling with other than headaches and extreme fatigue or I'm afraid I'll lose my job and my insurance.