wc sending me to Neuropsychiatrist

[wt1949]

Hi folks, this is my first post, I have been reading for a few days now and really enjoy and learn. I fell at work in Feb. O7, I injured my back, after months of test and phy-theropy I finally got my nuro Doc (from a panel of 4) to have a discagram done. They did the last 3 disc. They all were badly torn, so bad infact that the radioligest questioned the pain Dr who did the test if he maybe missed one of the disc with the needle of dye. The pain Dr.said he watched the dye go in all the disc and watched it run out. I have had extrem pain since my fall. I am at MMI now for the second time. My nuro surg said he did not feel comfordable doing fusion because I had 3 torn disc and that one or two above them could be torn but they would have to be tested to know. He would not consider disc replacement. He put me at MMI and told me to go back to work on light duty. I told him I could not stay without pain med. My job said they probably would not have a place for me due to my limitations and having to take pain med. Now, today I recieve word that wc has made me an appointment with a Neuropsychiatrist. Whats up with this?? Has anyone went through this?? Thanks WT Ala

[CRABBY]

I have not hadthis type of experience, and cannot offer any information, but did want to welcome you to the forum, you questions will be answered by more experienced on this forum shortly...hang in there.... if you have been reading the forum for alittle while, jump over to off topic for some insightful support and encouragement and just good old fun....

[ksgirl]

Hi WT! I also wanted to welcome you. This is a wonderful forum with a lot of knowledgable people. I'm so sorry that you are going through workers comp, but you have found a great site. I wish I could help you, but I am not at MMI yet, and I can't get my dr to do any more tests or refer me to anyone. I'm sure someone will be here soon to give you some ideas.

[chrischris]

Hi Wt: Sounds like you are going thru an awful time with your injury. Your neuro doc must have sent WC a referral to a neuropsychiatrist, who will evaluate your situation and make any further recommendations. These specialists are called in when a severe head or sprinal injury has occured. That was a good move on his part.

I don't advocate injured workers running out and hiring attorneys, but in your case, you will need an attorney right away, if you don't have one already.

I don't understand how your doctor could release you to work if your injury is this severe. According to your post, they don't even know exactly how severe. Without legal help, you will be on a path of destruction; with your job, your physical health and your mental health. I would also find an attorney who has handled WC spinal injuries.

Hopefully there is someone else on this forum who has firsthand experience, who will come along and help you.

I wish you all the best.
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Neuropsychiatrists also called Behavioral Neurologists
• are MDs: They are physicians, who are medically trained at medical schools and have thereafter specialized in an extremely complex area.
• are an unusual, highly educated medical subspecialty.
• their background is in psychiatry and neurology
• they specialize in pathology of the higher brain at the clinical neurological and psychiatric levels
• they are clinicians who focus on managing difficulties, assessing prognosis and prescribing medications
• usually perform specialized neuropsychiatric evaluations
• use detailed structured history taking questionnaires which are amplified clinically and also use tests that are standardized for a particular population and will commonly find areas of abnormality which may or may not be clinically relevant and also
• neuropsychiatric evaluations involve assessments of higher cerebral cortical functions, integration of brain symptomatology such as temporal lobe phenomena, correlations with neurological and psychiatric diagnoses and appropriate prescriptions, and several clinically relevant neuropsychiatric tests.
• also rely on neuropsychological tests and such measures as ambulatory electroencephalography.
• neuropsychiatrists are often the "captains" of the treating team for neurological conditions with associated psychiatric disorders or psychiatric conditions with neurological disorders.
• typical patients with neuropsychiatric conditions include patients who suffer from
• seizures with behavioral, emotional or thinking difficulties • traumatic head injuries with personality or other changes including post-traumatic stress disorders
• headaches or migraines with mood changes, depression or anxiety
• movement disorders such as tardive dyskinesia with associated medication or psychiatric elements
• brain injuries or disturbances
• temporal lobe disease