Pain Clinic/Vocational Counseling

[katicabogar]

Hello, Everyone,

Yesterday I met my new(fifth)vocational counselor the first time. If some of you remember, I am in vocational rehab for two years now. Anyway, she wants me to go to pain clinic first what my AP and IME docs recommended due to severe pain and depression. I was told by lawyer, this type of pain clinic lasts for about 30 days, every day from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. She said I will be evaluated and "worked" with different type of specialist. The voc counselor also added, after I am done, I might be in a lot of pain but mostly it will help me. She also said, half of her clients benefit from this type of pain clinic, other half doesn't.

Now I am VERY SCARED, I don't need more pain.
What type of pain clinic is this? Lawyer insisted, it is not a work conditioning program. Anyone went through similar program?
Also I was told, we have new law here in WA state regarding voc rehab. Previously, re-training allowable was only $4000.00 or 9 months in community college. It is now two years and I think $10000.00. At least this is good news. Bad news is, my wc doctor agreed with both IME's(one was for neck/shoulder)..this IME doc said, I have no problem with neck/shoulder as EMG tests showed no nerve damage. My doctor said before, I still have severe pain in arms/shoulder/hands due to neck condition. He requested more tests, was denied by w/c. W/c wants to use him for paperwork only and he had enough, wants to get rid of me now. I am not even sure what happened, maybe he was "bought" up by w/c?

Kat

[Lilly]

Oh Kat, I'm so sorry you are being subjected to MORE crap!
Obviously, IC is trying to make your life more miserable by sending you to this clinic for 8 hrs a day! Are they going to make you actually stay from 8-4? My IC did the same thing as punishment (my lawyer said & believed) because we turned down their settlement offer. BANG, immediately after the refusal, I had to do 6 wks of work hardening, while they continued to deny my Lyrica, that i couldn't go with out!!! I did the 6 wks & had to double the amount of the other pain meds that I was used to taking. I was not accustomed to being on my feet that much, and ended up loosing the big toe nails on both of my feet! It was very painful, every step...and I was not allowed to wear sandals. Well, I took breaks every 2 hrs or as needed. Those buttheads had me doing all the dirty crap that the other employees didn't want to do.....but oh well...I did it, and got it over with. Little good did this work hardening do, as I still couldn't find a job. Somehow they thought it would look impressive on my resume by working in a donation store!
I have no idea what type of pain clinic they have in mind for you...sounds like work hardening to me, but if your lawyer insists it's not.... then what the heck is it? Possibly pressure point therapy, massage, or some sort of mind teachings or hypnosis to talk yourself out of pain. It'll be interesting to see what the other replies will be...hopefully someone has been through what they want you to do.
Have you tried searching the web about the pain clinic type, or it's name?
I will keep you in my prayers, and hope for an end to this stuff soon! ((Hugs)) Lilly

[katicabogar]

Lilly, thank you for responding. I know you went through a lot also and I think, I am heading that way, too. My claim is four years old, w/c trying to close it desperatly by pushing me back to work, but on the other hand, denying all treatment. This clinic where I have to go really scares me. But I will do what I have to do and if I can't stand the pain, I will let them know. One of the IME doc said all this pain is in my head, so maybe you are right, they might try to hypnotise me out of the pain. I just pray they believe me that my pain is real and not just in my head. I hope they will give me the proper tests what w/c keeps denying and they might recommend the right treatment. I am tired of this but I am not giving up.
Lilly, I may have to do same thing what you did, start sending out resumes and see who would hire me. I know nobody would, I am 55 years old, I am in pain constantly and it showes on my face. Mentally I am also a mess....the voc counselor asked "how are you?" and I started crying. Started telling her how much pain I was at that moment and I am telling you, she was shocked. But that's the reality, pain wore me down and I can't pretend everyting is fine. So we will see.
Hopefully, other people will respond who went through this type of pain clinic, but if not, I will let you know how it went. Meantime, I will do some research on the internet.

Lilly, wishing you the best and hopefully, your w/c trial is coming to the end soon.

Kat

[iwofndadvocates.com/blog]

Sad to say you are facing an uphill battle with WC, it seems no matter what you do to follow what they want, they will always want more done. The one thing you have to realize is WC by having you do this pain clinic for this time frame are trying to prove that you can travel each day to and from the clinic, and you can handle an eight hour day. This way they can put it in their notes that you are able to work, even if you can not handle all of this.

You might want to discuss this with your lawyer, and point out that doing all of this could cause you more pain. What a seriously injured worker may be able to do one day, may put them in bed for two days with so much pain they can not move at all. The inability to do this for thirty days in a row will show that you are unreliable for employment too, if that is the case with your injuries.

[katicabogar]

Iwo, you may be right, but I am planning to take the bus, not drive. Also, here is the schedule as I was able to go to this pain clinic website and it sounds just plain weird.
This is from Monday thru Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 with half an hour lunch and they rotate these programs on different days:

Occupational Training
Physical Therapy
Vocational Counseling
Medical Education Classes
Relaxation Training
Pool Workout
Self Management skills classes

Some of these "classes" last for one hour, some for two and some for half an hour and start all over again. I am even more scared now, I am e-mailing lawyer what if I can't keep up or do some of them? Also, one day is just set for relaxation training and pool workout...I AM SCARED OF WATER, I never go to pool, I can't even swim. Once I almost drowned and since than I panic when in water.
I was hoping someone went through similar program and can give me some advise.

Kat

[sparkey]

My daughter goes to a pain clinic where just the other day she told me that 2 days a week she will be having to go to PT. She is in a program where she see's a doctor, then see's a PT, OT and all this on one day. She has fibro and is the daughter that was very ill to ulcerative colitis. They give her medication, but she also has to go through all this counciling on the same day. Takes hours on these days when she goes. It sounds sort of like the same thing, except it is only 2 days a week. She starts doing it tomorrow.

As far as WC. Whatever their doctor says goes. If they say you do not need medication they STOP. If they say you need to go to therapy you need to GO, or they will say you are not complying. I would get in touch with your lawyer and see what can be done about the pool. Maybe they can eliminate that part and put you into something else. Advocates is right, they could turn around after and say you can handle a 8 hour day after all is said and done.

[Lilly]

Kat....if you have to do the course....and you are in great pain...simply go home if you can't stand it. Go to the ER if need be.
Talk to your lawyer...this whole deal sounds fishy to me, and i agree w/ all the others, they are trying to prove that you can handle 8 hr days away from home!

Good luck, let us know what transpires. Lilly