Support and Chronic Pain Community Group
Welcome! This room is for CP/IP survivors. This room promotes fun, family, support and compassion. No Drug Seeking Posts or Promoting of such activities are allowed here. Please, No "F" Bomb--keep swearing to a bare minimum. No posts that are "fighting" with another person/group on this board or another.
I am starting to wonder what doctors get paid for sometimes. Well actually it is my substitute doctor and my PT that are irritating me. Since my failed attempt to go back to work I have talked to both of them about my pain and how/why I can't continue with the ease back program. They are good about it and understand my pain but both of them asked me the same question "So what is the next step?". I felt like screaming "How should I know? You're the doctor!!" Instead I just mumbled and stammered "I don't know".
I've done everything they've asked or suggested, I've taken all the medication, done all the stretches and core strengthening exercises (for 4 months), I rest as much as I need to but stay active enough not to get too stiff....I don't know what the next step is. I just know I can't handle the office. Every doc I've seen has acknowledged that I've done everything I should be doing, I'm doing all the right stuff. Its even in all the reports. I am a perfect patient, I am agreeable and cooperative so why isn't it working? And what do we do next? I sure don't have a clue and I'm hoping my PM doc will have some suggestions on the 27th when I see him again.
If it weren't for insurance it would be easy. I'd just wave the white flag and stay home on disability for now, wait and see if it heals up over time but insurance is starting to feel like a big schoolyard bully and I never handled bullies well. PT and the PM doc have both said they don't care about insurance in the sense that they are not concerned if I get back to work they just want to make my life more livable. I'm just not sure how I handle the insurance guy,I'm going to be getting very short with him very soon cause my life is not just about working. Yes I'd love to be able to work but I'm not going to subject myself to excruciating pain to endure it. I can find meaningful things to do where I have more control and can accommodate my pain in a reasonable manner.
I just wish they'd all stop asking me what the next step is because i really don't know. If I am forced to come up with an answer it will be "The next step is I give up and admit I can't do it".... Insurance won't like that but its all I've got, my fight is gone for now, at least my fight to go back to work. I've accepted it for now and just want them all to leave me alone. Sorry to be so negative but that's how I feel today.
ssLisa
I've done everything they've asked or suggested, I've taken all the medication, done all the stretches and core strengthening exercises (for 4 months), I rest as much as I need to but stay active enough not to get too stiff....I don't know what the next step is. I just know I can't handle the office. Every doc I've seen has acknowledged that I've done everything I should be doing, I'm doing all the right stuff. Its even in all the reports. I am a perfect patient, I am agreeable and cooperative so why isn't it working? And what do we do next? I sure don't have a clue and I'm hoping my PM doc will have some suggestions on the 27th when I see him again.
If it weren't for insurance it would be easy. I'd just wave the white flag and stay home on disability for now, wait and see if it heals up over time but insurance is starting to feel like a big schoolyard bully and I never handled bullies well. PT and the PM doc have both said they don't care about insurance in the sense that they are not concerned if I get back to work they just want to make my life more livable. I'm just not sure how I handle the insurance guy,I'm going to be getting very short with him very soon cause my life is not just about working. Yes I'd love to be able to work but I'm not going to subject myself to excruciating pain to endure it. I can find meaningful things to do where I have more control and can accommodate my pain in a reasonable manner.
I just wish they'd all stop asking me what the next step is because i really don't know. If I am forced to come up with an answer it will be "The next step is I give up and admit I can't do it".... Insurance won't like that but its all I've got, my fight is gone for now, at least my fight to go back to work. I've accepted it for now and just want them all to leave me alone. Sorry to be so negative but that's how I feel today.
ssLisa
I ask myself if I'm accepting or just giving up. To be honest, I'm just not sure. I don't have the answer for you but I just wanted you to know I understand what you're feeling.
Mike
Wish you didn't feel like you have to apologize for your feelings.....it's good to talk about them...
You sure the docs aren't trying to get a sense of what you would LIKE to be next? Maybe they don't want to push you to keep trying to work if you can't.....or don't want to tell you you can't if you still want to try...
Maybe you should just come right out with what you posted......you have tried your damndest......you're like to give it a rest for now...
Do you have no arbitrator between you and the insurance guy? They're usually working for the companys' best interest.....not yours.......do you have an attorney?
Just seems it's time to put all your cards on the table with docs.......and get some help....legal aid or something dealing with insurance guy.......he is NOT your buddy....
Best of luck with this, Lisa.......hugs.....jc..
AnswerA: I have to figure out how to live now without being able to work.
AnswerB: I don't know what the next step is, I just know that I cannot physically, mentally or emotionally continue to fight my body and the pain anymore to try and work.
AnswerC: I don't know, right now I just need to figure it out.
My friend, you are not in an easy position, I know. Just remember that there is nothing wrong with telling the truth. Insurance is a bully, that is what they do. They pride themselves on getting people to win the least amount of money. They suck!
You are just in a position to have to learn a new life one moment, one day at a time. Remember...it is ok to feel that way, it is ok to say "I can't" or "I don't know".
Hold tight my friend and just believe in your self and what you feel.
HUGS to you
I hope and pray you find answers soon,
Comforting hugs,
Toni