Aa
I need to Vent Sorry
I am scared and confused, everything is getting worse and I have no support from my family, they all think I am making it up and as soon as I stop thinking I have the problems they will all go away.
bigger problem, this all started after I was in a car wreck while working, and I have been forced off work since aug since my medical director didnt feel it was safe for me to be driving 300 miles a week. I am not eligible for FMLA or STD since no doc has stated this to be a disability and my neurologist thinks I can go back when I feel like it. Yet without anything having been done they still wont let me drive.........I am not eligible for workers comp since that requires a doc to say I am off because of my injury, which he doesn't feel I need to be off. They other girls insurance company wont cover the medical bills until I settle and they are now stating that they dont think the accident caused this, even though I know it made everything worse.
I am going to loose my job cause this doc wont admit something is wrong with me. I can't drive in this fog and I can't go back and call off every other day. ldfkjas;lkjg;laksjdg;lskjg;lasdkjg;alkgj;ajg
just had to get this off my chest thank you for listening and not telling me to "stop thinking you are sick and you wont be"
bigger problem, this all started after I was in a car wreck while working, and I have been forced off work since aug since my medical director didnt feel it was safe for me to be driving 300 miles a week. I am not eligible for FMLA or STD since no doc has stated this to be a disability and my neurologist thinks I can go back when I feel like it. Yet without anything having been done they still wont let me drive.........I am not eligible for workers comp since that requires a doc to say I am off because of my injury, which he doesn't feel I need to be off. They other girls insurance company wont cover the medical bills until I settle and they are now stating that they dont think the accident caused this, even though I know it made everything worse.
I am going to loose my job cause this doc wont admit something is wrong with me. I can't drive in this fog and I can't go back and call off every other day. ldfkjas;lkjg;laksjdg;lskjg;lasdkjg;alkgj;ajg
just had to get this off my chest thank you for listening and not telling me to "stop thinking you are sick and you wont be"
I am very sorry that you have to go through this. If you were hurt during work I would guess that you have seen some doctors that are paid through your employer's insurance. You will get no where with them. In fact they are basically paid to say you are OK to work.
You must somehow bring to their attention that before the accident you were able to work. After the accident your symptoms are making it impossible to work. Even though this was probably a prior medical condition the accident brought on the symptoms.
My suggestion is that you see or talk to lawyer. Explain to a lawyer that you have no where to turn for income. Someone has to make some kind of decision as to what is going on. They will leave it like it is for as long as possible so that you can not collect anywhere.
When you talk to a lawyer have the info ready about Chiari and maybe even download a brochure. You need to bring this to doctors also and let them see that any kind of trauma can bring these symptoms on and that before this happened you were able to work.
I have been through the rings with W.C. Every state is different so that is why you need a lawyer who knows what they are doing. That may be the only option you have, Once other people know this their attitudes may change.
I think the most important thing is arm yourself with facts about Chiari when you see doctors and flat out ask them exactly what they know about it and find out exactly how much they don't know. That is why a fact sheet or brochure may come in handy from a highly known institute or someplace like that, that knows CM. Once they see that ,maybe it would help. If they see something in black and white they will see that you have some proof that the accident made you worse.
By the way I do not have CM but my daughter does. I have DDD in my low back and I have 4 messed up discs in my neck that they now consider DDD. Doctors always sent me back to work saying that I was fine and that I needed to just live with it. I had days and even weeks when I could barely walk and if I could walk I could not move my head. I went through some really hard times because of an injury at work. I know what you are feeling. I used to cry on a regular basis about the treatment I was getting. It was horrible. I finally lost my job but they would not admit it was from from injury so I could collect unemployment. I did and still do look for a job I might be ale to do but I am having hard time with that one.
Just remember that if you are dealing with an insurance company they are not there to help you, but the ones paying them. It really is not personal to you. They need to prove that you are OK and that it is not accident related, but you may need help proving that it is. One more suggestion is if possible always take someone else to the doctor visit with you. You will be treated differently if you are alone. Doctors will do and say whatever they want when there is no one else there to witness it. Trust me on this one. I found out the hard way especially if this is a visit with any kind of insurance doctor. It is your right to have someone present with you.
The hard spot you are in is that W.C. can say this is a motor vehicle accident and then the other insurance can say it was work related and your insurance probably won't touch it all.
Good luck. I wish you the best. Keep your chin up and keep fighting for yourself. You have to, no one else is going to go out of their way to get you some money or help for that matter.
Chadry
You must somehow bring to their attention that before the accident you were able to work. After the accident your symptoms are making it impossible to work. Even though this was probably a prior medical condition the accident brought on the symptoms.
My suggestion is that you see or talk to lawyer. Explain to a lawyer that you have no where to turn for income. Someone has to make some kind of decision as to what is going on. They will leave it like it is for as long as possible so that you can not collect anywhere.
When you talk to a lawyer have the info ready about Chiari and maybe even download a brochure. You need to bring this to doctors also and let them see that any kind of trauma can bring these symptoms on and that before this happened you were able to work.
I have been through the rings with W.C. Every state is different so that is why you need a lawyer who knows what they are doing. That may be the only option you have, Once other people know this their attitudes may change.
I think the most important thing is arm yourself with facts about Chiari when you see doctors and flat out ask them exactly what they know about it and find out exactly how much they don't know. That is why a fact sheet or brochure may come in handy from a highly known institute or someplace like that, that knows CM. Once they see that ,maybe it would help. If they see something in black and white they will see that you have some proof that the accident made you worse.
By the way I do not have CM but my daughter does. I have DDD in my low back and I have 4 messed up discs in my neck that they now consider DDD. Doctors always sent me back to work saying that I was fine and that I needed to just live with it. I had days and even weeks when I could barely walk and if I could walk I could not move my head. I went through some really hard times because of an injury at work. I know what you are feeling. I used to cry on a regular basis about the treatment I was getting. It was horrible. I finally lost my job but they would not admit it was from from injury so I could collect unemployment. I did and still do look for a job I might be ale to do but I am having hard time with that one.
Just remember that if you are dealing with an insurance company they are not there to help you, but the ones paying them. It really is not personal to you. They need to prove that you are OK and that it is not accident related, but you may need help proving that it is. One more suggestion is if possible always take someone else to the doctor visit with you. You will be treated differently if you are alone. Doctors will do and say whatever they want when there is no one else there to witness it. Trust me on this one. I found out the hard way especially if this is a visit with any kind of insurance doctor. It is your right to have someone present with you.
The hard spot you are in is that W.C. can say this is a motor vehicle accident and then the other insurance can say it was work related and your insurance probably won't touch it all.
Good luck. I wish you the best. Keep your chin up and keep fighting for yourself. You have to, no one else is going to go out of their way to get you some money or help for that matter.
Chadry
We are all here to help each other deal with our day-to-day issues...& 'venting' as we call it is a type of 'therapy' we all need...so vent away. Sharing our struggles as well as our victories is one way to give ourselves & each the hope & the strength to carry on.
I continue to drive & work because none of the med professionals I have seen since my Chiari dx will admit that my symptoms are related to CM (the NS even told me I am too old to being having Chiari symptoms). I've been able to make the adjustments I have needed to so far to deal with the tunnel vision & driving and the dizziness & balance issues so far...and the pain & headaches, well I've learned not to wince in public. My immediate supervisor knows about the possibility of me falling asleep at my computer either due to CM or the Lyrica & he said he would support me if I 'caught' by another co-worker. As my symptoms continue to worsen however, I'm going to have to take a stronger stand w/my dr's. to finally commit to CM being the cause of my symptoms.
We are all 'sick' (sorry guys) & thinking that we are not will not make us "all better"...so don't even go there girlfriend!!! Just be yourself with us 'cuz we love you! :-)
I continue to drive & work because none of the med professionals I have seen since my Chiari dx will admit that my symptoms are related to CM (the NS even told me I am too old to being having Chiari symptoms). I've been able to make the adjustments I have needed to so far to deal with the tunnel vision & driving and the dizziness & balance issues so far...and the pain & headaches, well I've learned not to wince in public. My immediate supervisor knows about the possibility of me falling asleep at my computer either due to CM or the Lyrica & he said he would support me if I 'caught' by another co-worker. As my symptoms continue to worsen however, I'm going to have to take a stronger stand w/my dr's. to finally commit to CM being the cause of my symptoms.
We are all 'sick' (sorry guys) & thinking that we are not will not make us "all better"...so don't even go there girlfriend!!! Just be yourself with us 'cuz we love you! :-)
Don't apologize for venting! That's what we are here for.... to support each other because even when you have people that support you they can't fully understtand what we are going through!
If your PCP is willing to work with you have him send you to another doc ... preferably a Chiari Specialist. You could also send your records to one of the main specialists and see what they say
If your PCP is willing to work with you have him send you to another doc ... preferably a Chiari Specialist. You could also send your records to one of the main specialists and see what they say
COMMUNITY LEADER
...u r so welcome...I also wanted to let u know, that there r some chiari drs that do not recognize chiari 0 either.....My herniation was not bilateral....my left side was 6mm and my right side was 4 mm...but the overcrowding was a bigger issue and a CSF blockage....so, do make sure they r checking all of this...I am so much better after surgery and u r not alone.....or crazy.
"selma"
"selma"
thank you so much for all your support.
Everyone here has made me feel as though I am normal again and not crazy. I am hoping that the WI institute will see my case and help me. I live in a small town and there isn't much around here adn I can't get a referral for a second opinion let alone for a specialist I have asked for.
Work is my biggest problem and I work for a bunch of nurses that take care of people that are dying,.,,,,,,,,,,I thought I would have more support from them, or at least understanding. But I guess when docs don't understand how can they.
thank you again for all the support.
Everyone here has made me feel as though I am normal again and not crazy. I am hoping that the WI institute will see my case and help me. I live in a small town and there isn't much around here adn I can't get a referral for a second opinion let alone for a specialist I have asked for.
Work is my biggest problem and I work for a bunch of nurses that take care of people that are dying,.,,,,,,,,,,I thought I would have more support from them, or at least understanding. But I guess when docs don't understand how can they.
thank you again for all the support.
COMMUNITY LEADER
The problem u r running into is the drs u r seeing r not chiari specialists and do not recognize it as chiari bcuz they look at the size of ht eherniation and not blockage of CSF, overcrowding and symptoms......once u get ur info to a chiari NS u will see a difference in how they deal with u and ur condition.
"selma"
"selma"
yes my primary doc said I have it and the MRI revealed a 4mm herniation. But he instantly referred me to a neurologist who said that isnt a chiari and dx me with post trama syndrom and migraines............all the symptoms are chiari like and after reading posts on here it was as if someone else was typing how I felt for me. The neurologist wont do an MRI of the neck or spine....... they completely ignore my concerns.
I go next week for an MRA, MRV and another MRI of the brain. all I can hope for (i know this sounds horrible) is that it grew since the last MRI so that the difference will at least make him realize I am not making this up.
I go next week for an MRA, MRV and another MRI of the brain. all I can hope for (i know this sounds horrible) is that it grew since the last MRI so that the difference will at least make him realize I am not making this up.
Hello, totally understandable vent... I personally don't view this as venting. Just sharing very real concerns about what is going on in your life.
That is a good question, about the dx.
As for family... yes, perhaps more of the group here than care to admit it can relate. Some in my family actually came to my surgery just so they could talk to the doctor and see if I'd been making up the symptoms. Now their fine... hard to take if you allow yourself to think about it. But at the same time, if you do have a Chiari dx, then no doubt you are painfully aware some of these symptoms could sound really strange to someone who doesn't feel them. By the time of surgery my wife had documented some 45 different symptoms that she attributed to CM. I didn't even belive that is what they where from... so is it any wonder someone who doesn't feel them personally has questions? No doubt just as I wished family would just believe me.... now that most of the symptoms have died off [post-op] looking back it's easier to see why it seemed so strange to them.
No excuse I know. You need them now and want their support now. Here is a suggestion that looking back I would have done months ago it things could be done
over. [uhhh no thanks, only a fool would want to do that again] I wish I'd sent the URL for this forum to those family members and told em, "take a look, I'm learning more about what is wrong with me here than I have anywhere else". I do hope all this cyber babble will help you a little in some way.
That is a good question, about the dx.
As for family... yes, perhaps more of the group here than care to admit it can relate. Some in my family actually came to my surgery just so they could talk to the doctor and see if I'd been making up the symptoms. Now their fine... hard to take if you allow yourself to think about it. But at the same time, if you do have a Chiari dx, then no doubt you are painfully aware some of these symptoms could sound really strange to someone who doesn't feel them. By the time of surgery my wife had documented some 45 different symptoms that she attributed to CM. I didn't even belive that is what they where from... so is it any wonder someone who doesn't feel them personally has questions? No doubt just as I wished family would just believe me.... now that most of the symptoms have died off [post-op] looking back it's easier to see why it seemed so strange to them.
No excuse I know. You need them now and want their support now. Here is a suggestion that looking back I would have done months ago it things could be done
over. [uhhh no thanks, only a fool would want to do that again] I wish I'd sent the URL for this forum to those family members and told em, "take a look, I'm learning more about what is wrong with me here than I have anywhere else". I do hope all this cyber babble will help you a little in some way.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Hi...is this medical director an employee of ur company?....and if so, the company is in fact saying we do not want to give u work....so, can't u collect unemployement...bcuz u r willing to work, no dr has issued a statement saying u can not work...it is work saying they do not want u to work.....so in essance, they stopped ur work.
I wonder how ur employer will feel if u apply for unemployment?
And Lizzy has a good question, were u dx with chiari?....and were u checked for a blockage, and a syrinx?
"selma"
I wonder how ur employer will feel if u apply for unemployment?
And Lizzy has a good question, were u dx with chiari?....and were u checked for a blockage, and a syrinx?
"selma"
HI Lu
vent away....
OMG how I can identify with the BS that you get from people about making things up…but that is there ignorance and stupidity,
I don’t know how your medical insurance laws work so I cant comment on them…
Where the driving is concerned if I were you I would not drive, if you crash it is not just you who suffers, you could cause others to die or be securely injured, that to me is a no brainier, I have not worked or driven for the best part of 3 years, I learned to accept that I cannot drive because of my illness, I could not live with the consequences of harming someone because of this illness.
Dont loose hope, i have found the support i need right here....
Ray
vent away....
OMG how I can identify with the BS that you get from people about making things up…but that is there ignorance and stupidity,
I don’t know how your medical insurance laws work so I cant comment on them…
Where the driving is concerned if I were you I would not drive, if you crash it is not just you who suffers, you could cause others to die or be securely injured, that to me is a no brainier, I have not worked or driven for the best part of 3 years, I learned to accept that I cannot drive because of my illness, I could not live with the consequences of harming someone because of this illness.
Dont loose hope, i have found the support i need right here....
Ray
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Chiari Malformation Community
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
In this special Missouri Medicine report, doctors examine advances in diagnosis and treatment of this devastating and costly neurodegenerative disease.
Here are 12 simple – and fun! – ways to boost your brainpower.
Discover some of the causes of dizziness and how to treat it.
Discover the common causes of headaches and how to treat headache pain.
Two of the largest studies on Alzheimer’s have yielded new clues about the disease
