[(JD)]

After 24 years of disability I am just now going to have a FCE (functional capacity evaluation.)

Actually, I had one in 1995 when the rehab center then ordered a whole grouping of aids to help me with daily living... reach extenders, door knob grips and the like. They also provided an ergonomic keyboard...but I no longer have a desk top.

This FCE isn't by order of the doctor like the last, it's really coming from the disability insurance company. I have to see their doctor. There's no knowing if it will be legit or not. If they are paid off by the insurance company already, then it won't be. If they are legit and fair and honest, then it will work to my advantage and gaining more assistance for daily living. I hope for the latter, of course.

Pain and ability is mainly subjective. I don't look forward to this eval... I will go off my pain medicine for the day (or until it's over, which could be short time.) I already know I can't do many of the items on the list... and some I can push and do but will pay for it in spasming and increased pain (some immediate and some hours later and the next day or two or three.) It's difficult to know when to push and when not to... you want them to know you are trying to cooperate, but you really don't want to overdo. You don't want to overdo if you really can't do that stuff IRL daily living, and also for the resulting increase in pain and spasming. But if you don't push a bit, or even try, they might say you're malingering or uncooperative.
You'd hope they'd know that after that long of time on my"own" and disabled that I really know what I can and can't do, right? (Well I still go to physical therapy 3x a week just to maintain.)

Sigh. They scheduled it for next week when I already have 2 doctor appointments scheduled. I tried to call them at 4:20pm but they were gone for the day. In a way, that's encouraging because my appointment is set for 1:45pm during the day...so that means they won't take long on my FCE. In a way, that could be bad because they haven't allotted much time and that may mean they already made up their minds.

Ok... positive thinking... this can be the boost I need in obtaining the home help I need....

[(JD)]

I just received a call back from the doctor's office that this is scheduled with.... and they had it down as a 45 eval for a wheel chair.

Hmmm the insurance adjuster scheduled it... now I can believe that they only said that to save money...or they are doing an end run and paying the doctor to say I don't need a wheel chair but having it come across as I don't need anything. Arrrggghhh! Attorneys and insurance companies... don't cha jes luv em?

I had to reschedule since they put it in the middle of two other doctor appointments I had. Now I wish I hadn't done that, it gives them more time to change it up again. But for my own self care, need the other appointments. So now it's scheduled for Feb 1st in the later morning. I'll have to move my physical therapy appt but will need it afterwards I think. Monday mornings are tough for me...so it's a good time to eval. (having been 3 days without PT)

[bebop]

sky your attorney can or should be able to get an independent evaluation done. mine did thank goodness! whatever you do don't make yourself do things you know you can't do. you can do a small attempt but don't push it too far. the slightest pain you tell them and stop! my dr had me at a 10 lb weight limit. the fce took me down to 5. so it did work in my favor. good luck with it! mine was done at a physical therapy office.

[shezbut]

You'll be in my thoughts, Sky.

I hope that you don't push yourself too hard during the evaluation. I'd like to look at the positive side. While the doctor determining what you can and cannot do is linked with the insurance company, that doesn't mean that he or she is going to underestimate what you can and cannot do. Right?? Right

Very best wishes to you!

[(JD)]

Thanks for your replies.
Unfortunately, my attorney is paid for by the opposition, and she sides with them and against me more often than not. (I've tried to hire other attorneys, she lies or something to them and they change their minds.)
I am not allowed to go outside the authorized doctors and facilities from the insurance company. I've even had an in-home evaluation BY THEIR OWN PEOPLE but because it showed I needed extensive assistance, they do their usual DELAY AND DENY tactics...and twist my own doctor's words and intimidate her so she requests what they want her to...
and then they delay some more.

My own doctor wants a legitimate independent evaluation so she knows I'm not in pain from my imagination and to find out how much more I can progress. She is dissatisfied with my quality of life and feels frustrated that all she can do is write pain scripts. But she fails to realize that she can demand anything for me, and does provide the scripts for my physical therapy. I also have pain management and dental doctors who have input as to my needs. The insurance company just doesn't want to pay.
I've been requesting for over 14 years more assistance due to my hearing loss. They are playing the mexican standoff game. My attorney insists I have an ENT who is authorized. The ENT office says I need to provide authorization. No one will provide the ENT office authorization directly because... they're already authorized. grrrr to be continued...

I wish I hadn't put off the eval for next week to the 1st. BUT it conflicted with good appointments. PLUS now they might realize they goofed and actually change it again so that I do get an FCE. Or not. grrrr
Anyway, I can use these 3 weeks in adjusting my attitude about my pain so that others don't think I'm ticked and not cooperating?

Sigh.

[(JD)]

I think I am glad I put this off until the 1st of February. Though the weather has been cold (and that helps keep my pain down) I still have dealt with break through pain. Doing a FCE in the midst of all that might have sent me into a 2 week flare.
So this is the first I've thought about it since posting. Now I'm going back to forgetting about it until that Sunday night (I hope.)
Things almost NEVER are what they appear to be, or are scheduled to be. I need to not worry about WHAT mess ups the doctor's office and the attorney's have done on this one.

[(JD)]

I had my eval.
I think she's a real doctor!
I mean, you know ... I've seen SOOOOO many
doctors who were paid off ahead of time
by the insurance company ...
they have their diagnosis written down
before they even see you?

Anyway, she didn't. She was quite upset (politely so)
that instead of the attorney and adjuster sending her
my medical records ...
they only sent a deposition from my MD
requesting the eval!

So she's set me a new appointment for in 6 weeks.
She wrote me a few scripts
And while she can't begin to understand
what I've been through,
where I'm at
regarding pain and life skills ...
she appears to care.

Now, of course, that can change
And there's always the possibility
that the insurance company won't
allow her to see me again since
she obviously believes me.


I could use her on my team though.
She's a physiatrist.
That's a DOCTOR of physical therapy.
Doctors carry weight with attorneys and judges.
Though my physical therapist instructs ...
he isn't a doctor, so his reports mean nothing.

I mean, he's only been working with me
for 23 years! How would he know anything? lol

[bebop]

so she didn't do the testing? because she didn't have your records? that is odd. when I had mine done it was at a pt clinic. they did everything there and sent in report. they didn't have my records that I recall. just did what they were hired to do. evaluate me. not sure why yours would give you scripts though.

[catrules]

I totally agree with what you said about pain and ability to function. I have had chronic pain for such a long time, that I am able to largely ignore it, even though it is still there. Of course, it limits my abilities for intense activity, but I can manage the basics. I have a pretty high tolerance for pain, but there are days here and there where I can barely get out of bed. And none of this even begins to touch the effects of my mental health pain. I would go back to my old job in a second, if I truly believed that I could do it without being a hinderence to my co workers. However, I know that is not possible.

I now work a few hours a week at a low stress job, where I make about one quarter of what my hourly pay was before, but it does make me feel like I am serving a purpose, and it gets me out of the house. It helps that I feel very comfortable there, and do not have the anxiety and panic that I do in other situations.

I hope that your final evaluation has the outcome that you are hoping for. Good Luck

Cat

[(JD)]

She did some very basic checks, pinkie finger to thumb strength, walking, bending (at hips) I told her range of motion is pretty good, thanks to PT 3x a week.

There's always the chance that they won't allow her to see me again.
She wrote scripts for both my PT and my psychologist!
Of course, I showed each theirs.
It's like, YEAH that's what we have been doing!
My psychologist INSTRUCTS doctors at the U of Miami Medical Center, regarding pain patients.

The physiatrist wants me on a daily routine.
Yeah and people in...... nvr mind

She wants me to put on my TENS unit and a lidoderm patch (which script the adjuster has not authorized yet!) just like routine when I wake up every morning and get dressed, just make it routine. I couldn't begin to explain (though I did almost try) how DIFFICULT THAT IS... get up every morning? "Automatically" get dressed (as in throwing on clothes?) :NOO: I mean, here it is 3 am and I haven't been able to sleep yet...and I have PT at 11 am an hour away!

But it's a nice thought. It's important I don't allow her expectations to change my life right this moment, as the stress of just seeing her in 6 weeks and having to have my routine written out for her can do, occupying my brain even now.

BUT I did print out an information sheet for anyone who comes to help me if the dog needs emergency care.

[(JD)]

Well folks ... NOW I have to go
in for a real FCE.
It isn't with the doctor, but at the same
place.
Next Tuesday.
8:30 am.

IDK about you but I don't function well before 11 am.
AND when there's something important the next day,
it's just enough to set me off and keep me from
being able to sleep at all the night before.

It's an hour away too ... and obviously I'll be
in rush hour traffic.
I tried to get them to reschedule it, but she
acted like I was just putting it off for "time" or
something stupid like fakers do?
AND they only do this on Tuesdays and Thursdays
so there's no way NOT to disrupt my routine with
physical therapy.
NEXT ... I asked them to fax all the paperwork to me, so I can read it over and fill it out (I don't do that well under stress, and almost not at all in morning times!)
They refused to send it all, some of it needs to be signed with a witness.
I told them fine, I won't sign anything, but want to read it ahead of time.
Nope. No. No way.
I asked how many hours do I get to do the paperwork (tongue in cheek)
she said I get 30 minutes for registration.
Then up to 4 hours or more for the eval.
Soooooo
I'm trying to not freak out
and know that
if they are legit, they will see how I really am
and
if they aren't legit, it won't matter anyway.


One additional poke by the attorneys. They sent me a letter, with a legal agreement that I had to sign and return ASAP ... it's agreeing to
the minimum hours of help --which they are calling house cleaning only.
WHO ARE THEY KIDDING?
I'm about to go for an FCE that might actually be legit, and that means they will see that I need much more than the minimum the insurance company is trying to get away with...and surely more than house cleaning.
So my ASAP won't be til the end of March, after the FCE and after I see the new physiatrist about it.

Just ranting, I know.

[(JD)]

No replies.

Anyway ... I've requested transportation.

[(JD)]

Attorney just returned my called...says I'm not supposed to be getting an FCE, but a pain evaluation.

They'll call me back when someone knows what I'm doing.

[roadracer]

I have never had a "fce" (at least I dont think so), but I know how frustrating different evaluations can be, especially when there only agenda is to save money. They will try to save money every chance they get, no matter how it affects the person.
It is all simply so they can save money, they would rather no one gets any help, so they can buy that new car, or a bigger house.

Sorry, that probably dosent help you feel better, just wanted to say I can relate to the greed in the system, and hope that will change soon

Good luck with your FCE

[(JD)]

Well...now it's going to be Friday already.
I could use the time next week to see my orthodontist, but need to make an appointment. I can't do my regular appts AND the FCE AND see him too.
And I need my back teeth built back up to hold my jaw where it's supposed to be ... the migraines are intruding again.

Sigh.

Waiting on God I guess.

[pegasus]

Ok, I don't really understand the system over there but I can see you are worried. Is this thing still going ahead on Tuesday? Please keep us posted and remember to breathe. Thinking of you.

Hugs (((((((((((( Sky )))))))))))))))

[amante]

Sky,
Sounds like torture all the changing and hoops you are having to go through, just to get the evaluation you are meant to get. I will say a pray that all goes well. Good luck when it actually happens and of course keep us posted.

[(JD)]

Thanks for the support. Still haven't received a copy of the report (yet they were able to send me a two page bill prior to sending it, wanting me to pay for the copy. )

My pain psychologist had the physiatrist call him and he determined that the physiatrist is in lock-step with "the system" ... hmmm guess if you go to a surgeon you expect to get surgery (so go to a rehab doctor and you expect the "she can do more" response?) Well, doh. But how would anyone know what "more" I can do, in place of doing what, when they didn't even ask or evaluate that! I knew better than to get my hopes up of having another real doctor to assist me. But what disappoints me as well is I've asked my MD twice to send a copy of the eval report to my pain doctor: nothing so far. Going on what, 7 weeks now? Seems a hiker could have hand carried it by now.

I just want to give up trying.

[sabby]

(((((((((((((((( JD )))))))))))))))))

It all sounds so dang frustrating and certainly not a good thing for your pain levels when your emotions and anxiety get going over this. I wish I had the magic answer for you to get all this straightened out and running better. In the meantime, I wish you peace.


sabby

[(JD)]

Well .. of course the report doesn't change a thing about me physically. I am who I am and do what I can do.

It might change how my MD assists me though. It was her insistance for me to have the eval so she would know HOW MUCH MORE help I needed in the day to day stuff. She needs to discuss it with me. I've called there a few times asking them to fax it to my pain mgmt doctor (psychologist) and yet nothing. You'd think if they have it, they'd also be calling me for a consult appointment. I will have to call my attorney tomorrow or email her, asking her to demand the opposition have the report sent to my doctors!

I've pulled back in all areas of my life, trying to just smooth through you know? That was part of my taking a break from PC too. I have NO obligations anywhere right now ... except to get to my therapies for good self care. I've added weekly (at least) movie going too. Doctor's orders.

But still life intrudes. I have been having issues with posting at neurotalk (I think cleared now) and getting into chat here (can go in by the backdoor) and Yahoo not allowing my password for email pick up. (Someone gave me a backdoor on that too... but I'm anxious that someone did this in phishing somehow, and I still don't know anything.) Now I have to reset the passwords for email on my iphone, and not sure I will be able to access it at all.

Breathing.