Depression claim

[katicabogar]

I had an IME a few months ago trying to add depression to my claim and of course IME doc saying not injury related.

My PCP is treating me for depression over a year now and agrees it is due to the constant pain and to the fact, w/c denying treatment more than two years now. Also, when I had evaluation for SSDI last year by their pshycologist, he also agreed my depression was due to the fact that I was in constant pain and couldn't get treatment. SSDI doc recommended disability as he thought I was not able to work due to these facts(SSDI still denied me).

Although IME doc for the w/c denied my claim, he still recommended treatment, some type of multi-discplinary(can't spell)pain clinic and now w/c agreed to pay for it. In fact, they are willing to pay for taxi to take me there and probably will pay for hotel for more than a month as I am too far away from this clinic.

I don't understand, why are they willing to pay for this? They are saying depression not injury related, so why pay for this clinic?

My lawyer appealed to the Board to reverse denial of depression...
do I have a chance to add this to my claim?

I also had a hearing a few months ago trying to get treatment for the two little finger's triggering and judge denied claim saying, IME doc was more credible than my own.

So here I am after four years in this system, no treatment at all since 2006, having in voc rehab the third time in two years trying to push me back to same type of work where I got hurt, so what's next?
This so called pain clinic where I have to go specializes in patients trying to "talk them out of pain". I am supposed to attend occupational therapy, physical therapy, vocational counseling, mental counseling, swim therapy five days a week eight hours per day for a whole month, maybe longer. I am nervous already, I feel they will find a way saying I am not co-operating and will try to use it against me. I am sick of doctors, therapist, counselors most of them saying the pain is in my head. Recent EMG test still showed carpal tunnel after several surgeries, my fingers won't work, can't really grab anyting, right shoulder is in terrible pain and could go on and on where I hurt, but still no treatment.

Thanks for listening.

Kat

Kat

[dar666]

Hi Kat, it is very fustration i feel bad for every one caught in this system. I wanted to tell you, after several carpel surgerys your pain sounds like you have RSD/CRPS. Do you know what that is? Has any body mention it to you. I have it bad and i was approved for SSD Comp still pain in the butt. Let me know i want you to tell me other pain you have Right Shoulder and neck and fingers and many other symptoms. Email me if you want. I hope things get better for you.

[katicabogar]

Thanks, dar666. Yes, people in the past suggested I might have RSD, but I don't know what to do. I don't have insurance, I can't pay for testing and w/c keeps denying all type of tests or treatment. When I mentioned RSD to several doctors, they were quick to say without any test, that I don't have it. But I have this feeling I have it for a while and it is spreading as I have this burning now in my leg, too.
I tried to do some research regarding this and it seems, not many doctors are in my area who can dx this condition. It seems to me many doctors in my area don't even believe RSD exist.
Maybe, when I go to this pain clinic, they might help me. That is my only hope right now.

Kat

[Still in Limbo]

Kat, it's Sad to Say, but in Normal w/c Claims, Mental Claims such as Depression or RSD/PTSD is Very Hard to get Added to a Claim. I have Failed Back Surgery Syndrome, Retrolethesis, Chronic Pain, and the List goes On, and My Attorney told Me that if I could Possibly Deal with the Depression through My PCP rather than Adding it to My Claim would be Better for Me, because some Judges look at a Depression Claim as showing Weakness and Laziness!! He said they Look at it as a "Cop Out" Claim, and I Personally think that is a Total Crock that the Judges would be so Naive as to Think this Way, but I do Believe My Attorney that it Happens with some Judges! This System is so Tough, it's a Wonder ANY of Us are Left Sane after having to Deal with this System!! My Very Best, as Always!!

[lfoster21]

I am very happy that they are paying for your Pain clinic and I do hope they pay for the hotel. I know in VA, they do pay for the transortation and hotel...if the Drs. office is further out. I want to share with you, that once I began pain management, it has been life changing for me. I finally had a Dr. who believed in my pain..after all, pain is what they specialize in. So, after hearing everyone else tell me that it was in my head or saying the the films look good etc., I finally had someone that told me that he knew that often, Drs. did not take pain seriously. But not only did he believe me, he also knew what was causing my pain.

It is possible that they are paying for this, even though they denied adding depression to your claim, because they know that pain can bring on depression. If they can treat the pain, hopefully your depression will lesson or go away. Then you could get back to work. However, if they just claim you depressed and don't treat the pain, you will always be suffering and they will have to cont. to pay you. I don't know, but that is definately a possibility. Also, once you are approved for the PM Dr., anything that he says is wrong with you, goes a lot further than any of your Drs. from the past. (At least, that is what happened with me.) So, if your PM Dr. states that he believes you are in pain and depressed from the pain, they could add it to your claim. But that will only happen, if after the PM Dr. does all that he can think of and you still have not gotten better. Obviously, if you go for treatment and you get better, it won't make a difference if the depression is added to your case or not, as you won't get a settlement or any type of pay out after that. However, if your PM Dr. finally says that you wont be getting better and you are depressed, because of having to live with the pain, then your lawyer will want to add the depression and you may be entitled to a higher amount, when you ask for a settlement. Does that make any sense?

As far as what happens after Voc. rehab, that will all depend on what your PM dr. says you can do. If he says you can work with restrictions, They will likely have you cont. to look for work or train for a new job, that would fit your new restrictions.

I would not be afraid of Pain Management, Ireally believe you will begin to feel better than you have been feeling. They are not there to judge you or to try and catch you doing something that you can not do etc. They are there to help you find something that will help your pain. It may help get rid of some pain and it may help you learn ways to take your focus off some of it. But within the occupational therapy, physical therapy, vocational counseling, counseling, & swim therapy...you will be able to find out what helps you the most and will also help you find what you can do for some enjoyment or as a hobby when you are finished with the clinic. For me, it was the swimming & Accupuncture therapy. I never expected either of those to do anything for me. In fact, I thought that the swimming would hurt me even more and the accupuncture was worthless. Both of those have gotten me on my feet, about 25% more than I was able to do.

I truely wish you all the best and hope that PM works for you. Please let us know how things go. Also, please do not worry about going to this clinic. If there is anyone that will understand and believe what pain can do to a person, it is a pain dr.

[sparkey]

Kat you and I are in simular situations. I have two EMG's that say I have recurring carpal " mild". I go to PM and if it were not for them, I would not be back working today. After 2 yrs of having about 10 different doctors and diagnosis, they are finally saying RSD. I have had all the treatments you could possibly think of. Now I am being treated for RSD by receiving gangloin blocks.

When you start PM they will decide if it may be RSD and probably offer the injections to you. I am going for my second one in Nov. It did give me little relief after the first one. I also want to tell you that my depression claim was denied in court also. They found the IME doctor more credible that it was not a depression from work. I ended up losing them paying for my medications. The do still pay for my monthly PM appointments and my blocks. My pain is also up in my shoulder now and I do my PT exercises that I had for 7 months, 4 x's a week and have a TENS unit I use when really bad. I does make the pain go from my head by wearing this machine when it is at it's worse.

RSD is very hard to diagnose. Alot of doctors will say you do not have it. I had 7 out of the 8 symptoms ( the 8th being the nails). Finally one day at PM my arm was all flared up, red, rash, swelled , blue etc. and my PM doctor finally said RSD. Go to the PM like Ifoster said as they are the ones that can at least control your pain to get you to a somewhat function. My depression is sort of going away. It is not as bad as it was in the beginning. Alot of it you need to accept that you will not be able to do the things you did before. Mine was my loss of my career that I loved so much.

It is very hard to claim depression for some reason. I did receive a 10 % award for my injury and continue today to work and go to PM for my treatments. I do not feel I will EVER be 100% pain free, but hope these blocks relieve some of the pain. Good luck.

[Lilly]

Kat , I'm so sorry that you are in such a predicament. I too believe the pain mangmt may be to your benefit. Pain doctors are able to recognize & dx RSD...and it sounds to me like this is one of your problems. I pray you get some long needed help.
Are you still in voc rehab?
Are you able to stay away from home that long? What if one has a family w/ children,dog or cat or other obligations that require one to be at home? It's difficult enough to leave for the weekend....I can't imagine a month!!
Take care & prayers for you! Lilly

[katicabogar]

Thank you All who responded. I know when something is really bothering me, many of you are willing to listen and give me good advices. I hope, this pain clinic will help, but the truth is, I just don't trust them. Since going on to their website and reading they specialize in patients, who "needs to be talked out of pain", I just can't trust them. The other reason I don't trust them, because w/c was so eager for me to attend. I mean, they keep denying everything since 2006, all of sudden now they are willing to pay for this clinic's therapy and taxi, too. W/c is the major contractor of this pain clinic, it is actually a work hardening clinic, so more reason I don't trust them. But I try.

Lilly, you are a psychic...yes, I do have a big dog and a cat and I already told my attorney, what am I supposed to do with them if I have to stay away from home for a month? Told atty if hotel is willing to take dog/cat, than fine. Not sure what will happen, attorney is trying to discuss all these with claims manager. Here is more reason for me to be stressed out...as I need more.
I am still in voc rehab, with the Fifth counselor, whom I seen once and who pushed me into this clinic and now she is passing me on to the pain clinic's voc counselor.

Sparkey, I know our symptoms are very similar and I know your story as I followed it since last year and hopefully these new shots will help you.

Ifoster21, I actually prefer naturopath medicine over traditonal one and I know accupunture helped many, but I don't think they will offer this to me. I read the five day program and learned it includes swim therapy..that would be fine, except I am terrified of water since almost drowning a few years ago. If I have to do it, I am willing to try, but only in waist deep water.

Regarding the RSD, if I have it, hopefully someone can dx me with it, so I could at least know what's wrong with me. I think the main reason for my depression is not knowing what's wrong with me and why am I in so much pain. The other reason for my depression is the doctors...I used to respect them and trusted them, now I don't. Since my injury the way they treated me is depressing...when I see a new doctor, they listen and seems they believe me...after a while, they look at me like I am nuts and try to get rid of me. Especially, after they learn, I don't have insurance, w/c is not paying for any treatment and I don't have cash neither.

Well, hopefully next year by this time, all of these will be behind me and I can go on with my life without dealing with w/c or any doctor.
Wishing same for all of you.

Kat

[lfoster21]

I was wondering if this was a work hardening program...thats a bit different from Pain Management as many know it. Reg. PM is there to dx. your pain and find ways to lesson the pain and help you live better, with it. WH, on the other hand, is at the PM clinic, but it is not neccesarily to dx. and fix the problem that is causing the pain. Yo are mainly there to get stronger, so that you can get back to work. That is why the w/c is now paying for it, all of the sudden.

As for the water excercises, whn I went through that, I used floaters, since I am not big on the water as well. Also, the program was all done in wais/chest level water, so I would not worry about that. I buily up a lot of my leg/core muscles, just from this type of excercise. So, I hope the same will happen for you.

I would highly recommend that you keep a journal with you and ea. day note what they had you do and what caused excessive pain etc. A friend of mine was in WH and they were not allowing her to keep the restrictions that her Surgeon had given her. They would not let her take breaks to move/stretch and one day they had to take her out in an ambulance, because when she told her worker, that she was in a lot of pain, he told her that if she left early, she would be noted as not cooperating and would be taken off of W/C.

I will be praying for you and please keep us updated. Hopefully, since you have pets, they may not make you do this...since it is so far away. Make it clear that they can not go 10 hrs. etc. with out going out.

[katicabogar]

Ifoster,

I think you realized why am I being so nervous about this clinic. Two years ago, I went to this clinic for FCE(different location), because my surgeon tried to set my restrictions. They tried to push me into work hardening that time, as it is business for them. My surgeon said, it would make my condition worse, but the clinic called my case worker who tried to push it, also, and my surgeon got really upset with them. I used to work in the medical billing field and I know how these clinics work...they would do anything for business and since w/c is their main client, they are there to please them. I know I have to be very careful with them , but I just go to ER if I can't stand the pain anymore.

Well, thank you for your well wishes and I will let everyone know how it went. I am still hoping I don't have to go that some miracle will occur.

Kat