FCE

[brneyedgirl40]

Its me again from tx.I finally was approved for my new treating doctor and was excited after 7 months to finally get some treatment.I have seen him like four times and it seems like its just one test after another.I have had another mri showing my herniated and bulging discs,then a emg and a nerve conduction test..Now I just received a call from them today stating I have to come in next week for a fce.What is the point of this exam?I am wondering when treatment will actually start instead of just one exam after another.I just want to get better and have some kind of life again.Thanks to everyone on this board.Its nice knowing you are not alone and have alot of people here you can relate to because they have been through alot of the same things.

[lucky]

(07-11-2012 04:20 PM)brneyedgirl40 Wrote:  Its me again from tx.I finally was approved for my new treating doctor and was excited after 7 months to finally get some treatment.I have seen him like four times and it seems like its just one test after another.I have had another mri showing my herniated and bulging discs,then a emg and a nerve conduction test..Now I just received a call from them today stating I have to come in next week for a fce.What is the point of this exam?I am wondering when treatment will actually start instead of just one exam after another.I just want to get better and have some kind of life again.Thanks to everyone on this board.Its nice knowing you are not alone and have alot of people here you can relate to because they have been through alot of the same things.

A FCE is a Functional Capacity exam that is generally done when a Injured Worker is at MMI.

The therapist conducting the FCE will do exercises physically and mentally to determine where you can be placed in the work force such as sedentary, light work, medium etc.

A word of advice; If you try and exaggerate at a FCE you will get a bad malingering rating. They will be looking to see if they think you are faking so be yourself.

Many believe a FCE holds no merit in a court of law. I know the results from my FCE weighed heavily in my Rating but....

Obviously, some Doctor you have been to has told the IC you are at MMI and it is time to cut you lose or Vocational Rehab if your state offers it etc.

If you do not go when scheduled, you could lose all your WC Benefits.

[brneyedgirl40]

Lucky, thanks for responding to my post.I just dont understand why they would think I was at MMI when I have had a DD and an insurance appointed doctor both do a thorough exam in the last month and they stated I am not even close to reaching MMI and both stated I needed injections and/or surgery.I still have not had any treatment at all.I guess it doesnt matter.I am in the process getting in with an oral surgeon due I have a severely abscessed,impacted tooth.Can I call and rescedule the FCE if its in the same time frame?Will I stil lose my benefits if I have a note from the doctor stating I had surgery?Thanks for yor help!!!

[1171]

(07-11-2012 04:20 PM)brneyedgirl40 Wrote:  Its me again from tx.I finally was approved for my new treating doctor and was excited after 7 months to finally get some treatment.I have seen him like four times and it seems like its just one test after another.I have had another mri showing my herniated and bulging discs,then a emg and a nerve conduction test..Now I just received a call from them today stating I have to come in next week for a fce.What is the point of this exam?I am wondering when treatment will actually start instead of just one exam after another.I just want to get better and have some kind of life again.Thanks to everyone on this board.Its nice knowing you are not alone and have alot of people here you can relate to because they have been through alot of the same things.

It can also be used to establish a baseline to measure future progress.

[brneyedgirl40]

I appreciate your response to my post.That does make sense.Especially if they are planning for me to try physical therapy first to see if that helps.I find myself always expecting the worst when it comes to this whole process.I had to fight for so long to get to this point, I am just expecting for some other issue or problem to develop.I need to be more positive and less anxious about everything.Thank you!
quote='1171' pid='145417' dateline='1342060955']

(07-11-2012 04:20 PM)brneyedgirl40 Wrote:  Its me again from tx.I finally was approved for my new treating doctor and was excited after 7 months to finally get some treatment.I have seen him like four times and it seems like its just one test after another.I have had another mri showing my herniated and bulging discs,then a emg and a nerve conduction test..Now I just received a call from them today stating I have to come in next week for a fce.What is the point of this exam?I am wondering when treatment will actually start instead of just one exam after another.I just want to get better and have some kind of life again.Thanks to everyone on this board.Its nice knowing you are not alone and have alot of people here you can relate to because they have been through alot of the same things.

It can also be used to establish a baseline to measure future progress.


[/quote]

[UndercovrAngel]

Unfortunately, you can't reschedule. As stated before, you could end up loosing any benefits you are getting at this point in time and have your claim closed as being non-compliant. However, if the tooth is pulled close to the time of the FCE, take a note from your dentist stating date, time and procedure... this can be put into your records and taken into account when doing the FCE.

Many FCE's are now done by computer which keeps track of your pulse, heart rate, and several other things that will actually show how hard you try to accomplish the task assigned. Just do the best that you can and if the pain gets to be to much, let the tech doing the testing know. Most will stop that particular part of the test. I had 3 FCE's done during my injury/claim on my right shoulder, arm, wrist and hand during 2008-2010. Each showed that I was using maximum amount of strength as well as effort, but that no progress was being made in my recovery and that instead, I was continueing to degress and the results were worse each time. I am now getting ready to challenge the IC once again for more treatment/ care as my arm is getting worse and the Dr's feel it has now progressed into my neck.

Angel ^j^

[1171]

(07-11-2012 11:41 PM)brneyedgirl40 Wrote:  I appreciate your response to my post.That does make sense.Especially if they are planning for me to try physical therapy first to see if that helps.I find myself always expecting the worst when it comes to this whole process.I had to fight for so long to get to this point, I am just expecting for some other issue or problem to develop.I need to be more positive and less anxious about everything.Thank you!

you're welcome.
knowing you have the tendency to see things first in a negative light is a good start in developing a balance or at least a more objective outlook.

I suspect you were at the other end of the spectrum in the beginning of your claim and went along believing all was well and there would be no rough spots.
as you can see neither is reality. be on guard and question whenever it doesn't make sense as not everything is as it seems on the surface.

Be well.

[bronco54501]

My first fce was done at the begining, before pt.. Like it was stated allready my dr wanted a base line and of course wc wanted to see if I could perform at some type of work... The fce went in my favor and pt began 2 days later. After a lot of procedures and pt I had another fce almost a year later and they released me to return to work.. 1 1/2 years later I reinjured my self and another fce was performed, more pt was granted but never was released to return to work. Then an IME was ordered for my hip and pelvis (i had multi injuries) pernounced MMI and had impaiment ratings done. While still under drs care and being treated wc sent my dr reports to one of thier quacks and put me at mmi for my back.. I havnt recieved any ttd since feb 2011, I have had many more procedures since but my private ins picked up the tab..

SO it does go to show even when it all seems to be going smoothly it can change over night......

[lucky]

My only FCE was when I was at MMI; I guess it varies state to state.

[brneyedgirl40]

It is so good to have you back UA!!I hope you are doing better and recovering from your surgery well!Have missed you being on this site.I had an emergency appointment today with my oral surgeon due to I was running 104 fever from my abscessed tooth.He was booked up for the next two months but is making an exception since I am so ill and working me in on his lunch break.Unfortunately it is the exact date and time I have my FCE scheduled in Dallas.I explained this to him and he stated thats the only time he can perform the surgery.He also stated that if I delay it any longer I will probably end up in the hospital with sepsis.I called every oral surgeon in town so I could schedule it another day and the earliest anyone had was Aug 26.,I received your post about emailing you or writing you on facebook and I promise I will do that very soon when I am better.I definitely want to hear how you are doing and catch up.Happy to see you on here again!!!Take care!

(07-11-2012 11:53 PM)UndercovrAngel Wrote:  Unfortunately, you can't reschedule. As stated before, you could end up loosing any benefits you are getting at this point in time and have your claim closed as being non-compliant. However, if the tooth is pulled close to the time of the FCE, take a note from your dentist stating date, time and procedure... this can be put into your records and taken into account when doing the FCE.

Many FCE's are now done by computer which keeps track of your pulse, heart rate, and several other things that will actually show how hard you try to accomplish the task assigned. Just do the best that you can and if the pain gets to be to much, let the tech doing the testing know. Most will stop that particular part of the test. I had 3 FCE's done during my injury/claim on my right shoulder, arm, wrist and hand during 2008-2010. Each showed that I was using maximum amount of strength as well as effort, but that no progress was being made in my recovery and that instead, I was continueing to degress and the results were worse each time. I am now getting ready to challenge the IC once again for more treatment/ care as my arm is getting worse and the Dr's feel it has now progressed into my neck.

Angel ^j^