Hi all, I have a question. My neurologist last week said I had reached my MMI (Maximum Medical Improvement). I told him that none of my memory problems had been addressed, and until they were I did not know how I was going to be able to go back to work. His response was then I would probably never work again. He then referred me to a neuropsychologist to see if I was depressed, sleep deprived, or brain damaged. Oh, this is also a denied Workers Comp case that we are litigating. (I feel backwards and hit my neck and head on a tile floor while teaching last October.) Has anyone been to one, what should I expect? Are they harmful or helpful in trying to diagnose the problem(s). I REALLY need some feedback, the whole situation is the pits, and I am ready to get on with my life in whatever condition that may be. Thank you in advance for your input. I am still trying to get disability started through my outside insurance carriers, but am held up while they wait to see if WC pays....SIGH
~Mim :wave:

Hi. Mim. I was sent to a neuro psyc in April of 2005. I was sent by the Voc Rehab who ws testing me for employability.. It was centered around thyroid probs, chronic fatigue and brain fog..I had had previous head injuries from accidents and they were concerned this was tied in..All the testing he did was memory recall , simple\complex tasks, hand/eye coordination types of tests. He dx'ed me with dementia probable cause was thyriod and depression.GAF score 50..He gave a very thorough report which was one of the best things that got my SSDI approved.. They sent me to a regular psyc who confirned the dementia but said I wasn't depressed, anxious though(I agreed with that)GAF score 40..So it was all book/paper test for me no diagnostic type of eguipment..I hope that helped..God Bless..Kim

THank you for responding! The neurologist said he thought if I was unable to go back to work now, then I probably never would. Do you think that is why he sent me to a neuropsychologist? To perhaps lay the ground work for disability? No one tells me much except to go here, see this doctor, wait for a report, go see this doctor. Sigh......Thanks for reading and responding!
~Mim :wave:

Hi Mim.. I am suprised you didn't get more responses.. The neuro was testing me to see the extent of my memory problems and my employability..It was the next appt. the phychitrist that reccomended me to apply to SS after seeing all my health issues..Plus when you reach 55 they see that as advanced age..Unles you have one of the listed disabilities with the problems associated they look also for the mental aspect (depression/ anxiety)to decide..The neuro said I appeared depressed. I said frustrated that I can't work but not depressed...Anyway they seem to believe the neuro more than me ..Hey what do I know I just remodeled buildings.. Anyway they want to see tests and reposts to see there is a real and multiple issues.. If you are that ill be persistant..They denied me at first but I appealed and got a lawyer(didnt need) but the ALJ looked at my case and awarded me an on the record desicion..I was denied at the beginning of Sept. and recieved my award paper in Oct.. I also got my congressman involved and my wife and I had to seel our mobile home and move back to Pa..We were also in a christian housing shelter..The judged considered my testimony valid.They are still trying to find whats wrong. They say fibromyalgia, and I go to a rheumy next month.. Today I have an mri to do..Thank God my wife has good ins. It cost her $280 a month.. God Bless. It's may faith in the Lord that gets me through..Kim

Well I have completed 3 hours of verbal, visual, and reaction type testing and know I have a brain cause it has a big cramp right now....lol. I am undergoing 3 more hours on Thursday. I guess we are figuring out what works right and what doesn't. What does GAF stand for? Thanks!
~Mim :wave:

The GAF or Global Assessment of Functioning Scale is a number that reflects your current level of psychological, social, or occupational functioning. It is based on a scale where the low end represents the most impairment and the upper end reflects the least difficulty. It goes in ranges of increments of 10. A 50 is in the high side of 41-50. The DSM describes it as "serious symptoms (e.g.,suicidal ideation, severe obsessional rituals, frequent shoplifting) or any serious impairment in social, occupational, or school functioning (e.g., no friends, unable to keep a job).

I went for 3 more hours of testing on Thursday and just now am getting out of bed from a killer headache it inspired. I have 1 or 2 more hours to go then I will be told my results. I will just be glad to have someone tell me what is wrong with me! I hope your MRI turned out well. I have insurance, but I have to pay for it, although I was hurt at work 6 months ago, I am having to fight wc for back pay and medical care. It is just another thing to add to stress. Of course the neuro is thinking it is just depression, but it is frustration and concern over my future. Any way, thanks for the information!
~Mim :wave:

Keep up with your post..I am praying for you. that it all works out..God Bless>kim

Thank you so much Kim, all prayer is welcome! I went for my final testing today. I totally bombed out on the short term memory tests yesterday. I can't help but feel stupid with all this testing! I want God's will to be done, but I am also praying they now have tangible evidence from all this testing that there is brain damage from my fall. I think it will help me to accept it better when I am not constantly trying to fight insurance and workman's comp. Anyway, I hope all is going well. I have my "sit down" tell all conference next week with the neuro psych, so I will be sure to let you hear the outcome. Thanks for the support!
~Mim :wave:

Well I got good news/bad news I think. The good news is no permanent brain injury. The bad news is that the neuropsych thinks I need medication adjustment for above average depression (go figure, there is an average...lol), high stress and depression need neuropsychotherapy, pain management for my cervical and shoulder injury (chronic pain myofascial syndrome and fibromyalgia), and physical therapy for same as well as assistance with my cpap machine ( I feel I need a full face mask, cannot get used to chin strap). Apparently this is what contributes to my cognitive impairments. Are these considered disabilities? I sure know I don't function like I used to. A GAF score was never mentioned. Hope all is going well with everyone.
~Mim :wave:

I went to a neuropsychologist in 2003 when MS was suspected by my neurologist (and later confirmed by MRI and LP testing) to establish "baseline cognitive functioning." I have a copy of that report and the language is very interesting. The recommendations are NOT very encouraging for my disability bid, but very encouraing for my ability to function in the workplace! But that was 3 years ago... (I should probably be evaluated again to show how things really are worse now, you think?)

Are these considered disabilities?
mimgregg, in some states "fibromyalgia" is considered a disability. You will need to check your *state's* Social Security Disability website. Each state has their own list of what they consider a *disability*. :eek:

(I feel backwards and hit my neck and head on a tile floor while teaching last October.)
The above is what you stated in your original post. Why exactly did the Workerman's Comp board deny your claim if your injury occurred *on the job*? :confused:

Hi Mim good to hear back.. It's hard to get SSDI in Pa with just FM.. I was just awarded awarded Oct. 05 after 6 mo. wait, which is a short time..I have hashi's thyroid, sacroillitis and am chronically fatigued( dx'ed FM jus two days ago).They neuro psyc dx'ed me with dementia from the thyroid/FM brain fog..They say I am depressed but I told them frustarted because I can't do construction any more.. They like to see a phycological issue as well as physical. My age is advanced according to them and there isnt alot of non thinking and low labor jobs in my area..They say it hits males alot less but the get hit harder..just playing with my grandson a bit makes me feel like I worked drywalling for eight hours the next day. Anyway thing is people can look at you and think nothings wrong but hey tell them just swap bodies for a day..Anyway sorry for the rambling..Keep us posted..Kim
God Bless..Happy Easter...Jesus is returning soon.

Hi Lisa and Miz Migraine. To Lisa, I would suggest a recheck if it has been three years. Miz Migraine, you had a good question as to why they rejected my claim. All 30 of my students, my aide, and an office worker witnessed the accident, and the WC doctor has sent numerous reports, but apparently the person in charge of where I teach decided that this was a reaction to my wreck in 2001, and therefore was not their problem. I have the full support of staff from my school, just not the person in charge of our district. Her goal as she stated to the all the employees is to cut back, and there are too many claims being made. I finally get to give a deposition next week. I had no chooice, I had to sue for my rights.
~Mim

Thanks Kim, and a Happy Easter to you and your family also. I have Graves Disease, but am hypo due to burning out my thyroid with radioiodine. Also have IBS which I thought was as close to cured as is possible right now, and it came back. Obviously stress will amplify pain and nerves......but I feel so fortunate when I read the health boards, I hope my posts are'nt coming across as negative. :) I am really hoping that getting into therapy will teach me coping skills so that I will be employable even if it is not teaching in the way I was. I may get fortunate and get hired on to train new employees in basic technology. I think I could deal with one or two people at a time instead of 30+ with behavioral disabilities....actually most people could.......LOL. I have gotten weary of taking my problems from God to try and fix, so this weekend reminds me to be thankful and trust in Him.
~Mim :wave: