New and full of questions

[Bad Boy Bad Boy]

From what you wrote, I take it you feel the doctor isn't really helping you, or helping your with your pain.

So, I would say to you, get your Attorney on the phone, explain you need medical help, and needed yesterday, you need more help with pain then just Mortrin. And the doctor you have now isn't listening to your problems. Tell the attorney to start procedures to get you a new doctor like yesterday.

For in your State of (((South Carolina))) SC, you have to use a doctor the employer states to use. For how long, I don't know that yet. But get the attorney working on that as soon as you can.

Then yes, PT is going to be good for you in more ways then one. It will get you out of the house, and to be honest, that is the best thing. But, if it helps you, that too will be good.

Just follow your instructions, never go against them. You attorney does the rest.

[jayne]

has your back and tailbone area been xrayed? sound like that area needs help...if you cant sit there...I also have a problem there...do you have a medical supply area around there? a medisave or really good drug store...I bought a pillow to sit on that looks kinda like a donut in a pillow case it keeps me from sitting right on my tailbone it helps good luck

[Bad Boy Bad Boy]

An employee may secure the commission's approval of a change in treating physician only upon showing some reasonable justification for the change, such as:

1. Inadequate treatment is being rendered;
2. It appears that treatment is needed by a specialist in a particular field and is not being provided;
3. No progress being made in improvement of the employee's health condition without any adequate explanation;
4. Conventional modalities of treatment are not being used;
5. No plan of treatment for long-term disability cases; or
6. Failure to cooperate with discovery proceedings (i.e., the doctor will not answer written or oral questions pursuant to Interrogatories or Deposition).

Can I get a second opinion if I am not happy with the doctor to whom the insurance carrier refers me?

You can talk to the insurance carrier and see if he or she will allow you to go to another doctor, or you can request a hearing by completing Form 50 and have a Commissioner make a determination on the case.

http://www.wcc.state.sc.us/NR/rdonlyres/...Form50.pdf

[jddancy]

I am in Calif and am not sure how much our states WC is the same/different but it is a long road! I was so full of questions and wanted to know what was going to happen (with my husband). He was injured just 2 years ago and we are still not done just being evaluated. Getting an attorney is one of the best things you have done. It is very long and frustrating thing you will be going through so sit back and be patient. We also had many things rejected and our atty told us that is just what they do. They fight and fight and then hope you will back down but if you have an atty, he will do the fighting for you. I want to give you a little heads up, from someone that has lived with someone that has been off of work for over 2 years. My husband was electrocuted with 700 volts of DC and was leaning against a water main and the shock went through his head. So he has some of the same things you have with your head injury. I have learned a lot of concussions since then!! He was shook so hard he had to have shoulder surgery but was then thrown across the room and knocked unconscious. He doesn't know for how long. Anyways, he was hospitalized for 4 days. He appeared normal on the out side and used to tell me "He wished he would have lost his legs" because it was more evident and easier to understand. He has the same memory problems as you. Basically our neurologist explained to me that you can have 1-20 concussions in your life. There is no telling which one will do the damage that is permanent. This was the one for my husband. He has had a few before but it is also with other problems. He also doesn't sleep, has no appetite, doesn't have a concept for time, and sex drive is almost non existent. All 4 of these things were HIGH on his list of things he did well. He LOVED to eat!! He was a technician for medical facilities and was always under the gun for time and we used to always ask him what time it was because he could get it within 5 min! We have been married for 20 years and sex was still an every day occurrence. He was a great sleeper. So sad and I feel for you!! Also, the Dr.'s have tried to explain to me and I would like to also share with you, that someone that is used to working and then loses their job PLUS mental issues, can get very depressed. So try to work HARD at doing soduko (sp?) and things that help your memory. It is something that may come back but like a muscle, work it out!! That will keep you busy plus help your memory. I am not sure how long ago your injury was, I think I remember 5 months, hang in there! I was told, brain injury is 18 months and I personally saw a huge difference in month 1 and month 18. He is not normal, but better. It is sad, but I feel that he will continue to get help. He is doing cognitive memory work with a neurologist right now and that helps, but he forgets to use it. I will try to follow your progress and hope you hang in there and realize it is nothing that will be quick. I was so worried about the financial aspect of it all. He made awesome money and we lost alot but have learned to adjust our lives, and now we are doing it once again. As many have told me, you will not get rich on WC but my most important thing was always for my hubby to get help and that has been a fight all along!! Hang in there!!

[crimsonmedic]

Bad Boy Bad Boy Wrote:An employee may secure the commission's approval of a change in treating physician only upon showing some reasonable justification for the change, such as:

1. Inadequate treatment is being rendered;
2. It appears that treatment is needed by a specialist in a particular field and is not being provided;
3. No progress being made in improvement of the employee's health condition without any adequate explanation;
4. Conventional modalities of treatment are not being used;
5. No plan of treatment for long-term disability cases; or
6. Failure to cooperate with discovery proceedings (i.e., the doctor will not answer written or oral questions pursuant to Interrogatories or Deposition).

Can I get a second opinion if I am not happy with the doctor to whom the insurance carrier refers me?

You can talk to the insurance carrier and see if he or she will allow you to go to another doctor, or you can request a hearing by completing Form 50 and have a Commissioner make a determination on the case.

http://www.wcc.state.sc.us/NR/rdonlyres/...Form50.pdf

Thank you. I know we have had to file a form 50 in the past I think. We did have a court date set for June 29 but medical records for the treatment of my head had still not come through so they had to cancel it, due to lack of evidence. Without the order for the Catscan of my head they said they could not push the issue. I just finally managed to obtain the doctors order on Thursday for it. They are suppose to be talking to the opposing cancel in refernce to that. I have made a list because if I do not right stuff down I do not remember anymore. Which is really frustrating. I appreciate your help. I am going to ask my lawyer about the possibility of a second opinion and if I am entitled to one for the entire case or one for each doctor I do not agree with. I think the whole process is going to be one big long fight. If i wasn't treated for it when they flown me for the emergency procedures they do not want to approve it as being a result of the accident. I also have to agree about getting out of the house being a big help. I have been going to therapy and getting the fresh air and a change of scenery does help. I am so use to being on the go and not staying in one environment. One of the reasons I loved my job so much. I didnt have an office desk I was mobile my office was in my van.

[crimsonmedic]

jddancy Wrote:I am in Calif and am not sure how much our states WC is the same/different but it is a long road! I was so full of questions and wanted to know what was going to happen (with my husband). He was injured just 2 years ago and we are still not done just being evaluated. Getting an attorney is one of the best things you have done. It is very long and frustrating thing you will be going through so sit back and be patient. We also had many things rejected and our atty told us that is just what they do. They fight and fight and then hope you will back down but if you have an atty, he will do the fighting for you. I want to give you a little heads up, from someone that has lived with someone that has been off of work for over 2 years. My husband was electrocuted with 700 volts of DC and was leaning against a water main and the shock went through his head. So he has some of the same things you have with your head injury. I have learned a lot of concussions since then!! He was shook so hard he had to have shoulder surgery but was then thrown across the room and knocked unconscious. He doesn't know for how long. Anyways, he was hospitalized for 4 days. He appeared normal on the out side and used to tell me "He wished he would have lost his legs" because it was more evident and easier to understand. He has the same memory problems as you. Basically our neurologist explained to me that you can have 1-20 concussions in your life. There is no telling which one will do the damage that is permanent. This was the one for my husband. He has had a few before but it is also with other problems. He also doesn't sleep, has no appetite, doesn't have a concept for time, and sex drive is almost non existent. All 4 of these things were HIGH on his list of things he did well. He LOVED to eat!! He was a technician for medical facilities and was always under the gun for time and we used to always ask him what time it was because he could get it within 5 min! We have been married for 20 years and sex was still an every day occurrence. He was a great sleeper. So sad and I feel for you!! Also, the Dr.'s have tried to explain to me and I would like to also share with you, that someone that is used to working and then loses their job PLUS mental issues, can get very depressed. So try to work HARD at doing soduko (sp?) and things that help your memory. It is something that may come back but like a muscle, work it out!! That will keep you busy plus help your memory. I am not sure how long ago your injury was, I think I remember 5 months, hang in there! I was told, brain injury is 18 months and I personally saw a huge difference in month 1 and month 18. He is not normal, but better. It is sad, but I feel that he will continue to get help. He is doing cognitive memory work with a neurologist right now and that helps, but he forgets to use it. I will try to follow your progress and hope you hang in there and realize it is nothing that will be quick. I was so worried about the financial aspect of it all. He made awesome money and we lost alot but have learned to adjust our lives, and now we are doing it once again. As many have told me, you will not get rich on WC but my most important thing was always for my hubby to get help and that has been a fight all along!! Hang in there!!

Thank you for your encouragement and hope. I use to do the Sudko on a regular basis. I have been trying but have had difficulties even doing easy ones. I have to say I agree with the wishing the injury was more easily seen. It is frustrating trying to explain to a doctor these things are happening. I have even had food aversions. I use to eat peanut butter cups everyday. That was one of my treats. I still cannot touch them. I understand the not getting rich part. In all reality that's the last thing on my mind. I really am concerned with getting the treatment I need and not being miserable. I have two children 5 and 7 and I feel it has all been really unfair to them. My poor fiance has to deal with my emotionalness and mood swings. I dont like being like this. I have invited people to my house and forgot and when they called to say they were on their way it confused me and they told me what I had said the day before. It is a new world. Confusing and frustrating. I have been setting alarms on my phone and scheduling reminders about everything to try to stay on track. I appreciate your story it has made me feel as though I am not completely crazy.

[crimsonmedic]

jayne Wrote:has your back and tailbone area been xrayed? sound like that area needs help...if you cant sit there...I also have a problem there...do you have a medical supply area around there? a medisave or really good drug store...I bought a pillow to sit on that looks kinda like a donut in a pillow case it keeps me from sitting right on my tailbone it helps good luck

No they haven't done xrays of the area. They just referred to the Catscan doing for my internal bleeding when I complained about the pain and difficulties. I do have something like that I think. My mom brought it over to me, it is foam inside a case and has a crochet case over it. It is square but does have a hole cut out in the center. It does help a little. It is one of the things I try to carry with me everywhere I go.

[Bad Boy Bad Boy]

Listen, just do like what I had done when there were memory problems. I kept a small note pad in my pocket, and a pen. Doesn't look out of the normal if you think about it. Then when ever I made plans, or said I would call someone back, I just wrote it down. As time went on, it was a great thing. For things were just falling right into place then. Then I kept a larger pad and pen at my desk, or where ever you stay mostly. I just wrote my note right at that place. Then it made life easy on the wife and kids too, for they were able to view my notes, and help keep everything in tack. It worked well for me and the family. Just let them know what your doing as for the notes go, and ask them to view them when ever as they should feel free to do so. They all the sudden start to jump in and help you better. Plus they don't feel burden in doing so. After a few weeks, it becomes a normal thing, and everything just seems to fall in place.

Minnor ajustments work well with problems that seem large.

[crimsonmedic]

Bad Boy Bad Boy Wrote:Listen, just do like what I had done when there were memory problems. I kept a small note pad in my pocket, and a pen. Doesn't look out of the normal if you think about it. Then when ever I made plans, or said I would call someone back, I just wrote it down. As time went on, it was a great thing. For things were just falling right into place then. Then I kept a larger pad and pen at my desk, or where ever you stay mostly. I just wrote my note right at that place. Then it made life easy on the wife and kids too, for they were able to view my notes, and help keep everything in tack. It worked well for me and the family. Just let them know what your doing as for the notes go, and ask them to view them when ever as they should feel free to do so. They all the sudden start to jump in and help you better. Plus they don't feel burden in doing so. After a few weeks, it becomes a normal thing, and everything just seems to fall in place.

Minnor ajustments work well with problems that seem large.

Thank you so much for the advice. Its all just a big adjustment in little steps in one way or another I think. The notepad will definately be of help. I think the learning how to do stuff different is the hard part. I talked to my fiance and now have a calendar and a note sheet to keep track of stuff. the calendar is printed pages in a binder so I can flip to it where I normally am. Sometimes it is the little things that we don't think of that can be the most help. Now I just got to work on getting in the habit of using it regularly.