L&I Psychiatrist

[Infinity165]

Hello Everyone,
I am shceduled for a psychiatric evaluation with L&I because of my herniated disk claim and I was wondering if anyone has ever gone through this. If so, would you please share with me what to expect. I guess since I have had the bad experience with my Dr. not believing me that I am in pain all the time and has never brought up the fact that I have or may have fibromyalgia (I was told by an arthritis specialist that I have 3 things the matter with me, fibro, arthritis and herniated disk) or believes that my arthritis in lower back is caused from the herniated disk, will a psychiatrist think I am crazy too if I bring all that up?
I'm sorry, but I am in the fiberfog sooo much that I can't seem to think cleary and the words don't want to come out right. Thanks to all for all your support and info.
Blessings, Infinity165

[FurballsMom]

I had to deal with L & I  one time due to a carpal tunnel injury at a job I had at the time.  This was years ago, before I was put on disability.  They denied me, so I had to go through the insurance I had at work.  I managed to still continue to work, but only because the people I worked with were willing to torque things that I couldn't torque at the time.

From what I knew even before that time is that L & I is famous for denying people who should be getting work compensation or disability through their jobs.  Sure enough, they did that to me, too.  I was lucky that I could still sort of do my job and that I had medical insurance through my job at the time.  It was the first time I had medical insurance through a job, too.

I don't want to scare you, but being forewarned is fore-armed.  L & I  is famous for denying people who should be getting compensation the first time through the process.  It's similar to what SS does to people when they're trying to get on disability because they need to be.

[VaBreeze]

Labor & Industry.  Thank you for clearning that up for me.  Since you indicated to me you injured your back at work, which caused the herniated disc. problem, it would be expected that your employer would request this type of evaluation.  They most likely already have your medical documentation on record, so the best thing is to just be totally honest at your evaluation.  It sounds like they are trying to determine whether or not to continue giving you benefits for your injury.  

Good luck to you.

[VaBreeze]

I'm not sure what an L&I is, so you will need to explain that a bit more for me to understand this part.

Are you being evaluated due to filing for disability?  If not, it would seem that your physician thinks your problems are psychiatric in nature and is sending you there because of his belief.  I can't help but recall that they also had told my mother, who had cancer, that her pain was all in her head.  That was until they found the huge tumor on the base of her spine.  I'd find out exactly why you are being sent for this evaluation.  If your doctor feels you have a mental disorder because you are in pain, you should consider getting another doctor who knows about fibromyalgia.