Yesterday's appointment, summarized

[hummingwolf]

Do you know why you are here?
Here, sign this form and write today's date.
I won't tell you the date, that is part of my test.
You just gave the wrong answer.

So, tell me about your childhood.
How did you feel when your mother died?
When did your hair turn grey?
Have you ever colored it? Why or why not?
Why no makeup? Don't you use it?
What did you study in college? How long did you go?
What jobs have you had? Ah. And relationships? Oh.
Before you got sick, you'd read about your disease, yes? How many symptoms had you heard of before you got them? Oh? You got sick though you never heard of it before?
Are you sure?
Hmm. Maybe--
I'll give you three words: Door, green, Chicago.
Remember them and say them back to me.
What drugs do you take? Do you drink? Do you smoke? Do you love? Do you hurt? Do you eat enough?
Are you in pain now? How much? On a scale of one to ten--
Sit on that chair, maybe it will hurt you less.
What do you watch on TV? Do you ever watch the news?
Do you know who's our president?
Who's secretary of state?
Who was our last president? And the one before that?
Do you ever think about killing yourself?
And how serious were these thoughts? What did you do?
Are you a danger to yourself now? How can you be sure?
Do you get along with people? Do you talk to them often? Do you think they talk about you?
Did you ever get tested for--
or for--
or--
What were the words I gave you? Door, green, Chicago, good.
I think I've seen enough.

I think you tend to minimize your depression.
You're in more pain than you say you are.
Yes, you're sick and need some more tests--
But you could still be much happier, I think.
This drug might help, and this or this--if you find a way to get them.
I don't make the decisions, but I make a recommendation.
I hope they decide in your favor.

Comments

[sophy.livejournal.com]

Sounds a lot like mine.

Except she also pulled my mom in for questioning. My mom broke down in tears. heh
Also, she didn't tell me anything about how I'd done - memory wise or anything else. Interesting. I wonder what that means.

*warm hugs*

[hummingwolf.livejournal.com]

Well, I didn't have anyone else present, so she couldn't pull people in while I was there. Besides, the woman before me arrived 45 minutes late for her appointment and there was a bit of a rush as a result. I think the psych. had a lunch date or something. At least, unlike the doctor the SS people sent me to months ago, this woman knew what fibromyalgia is. She was skeptical at first that I'd actually developed all those symptoms before I'd ever heard of the disease, but she did know what the common symptoms are and why they pose problems. She does think I should get a neuropsychological evaluation done somewhere to find out if my cognitive symptoms really do fit an ADHD diagnosis or not, if for no other reason than that those results would be good to have on hand to show to Social Security.

[skygypsy.livejournal.com]

I won't tell you the date, that is part of my test.
You just gave the wrong answer.


/me snickers in rememberance of similar occurrences

I'll give you three words: Door, green, Chicago.
Remember them and say them back to me

*chortle*
hahaha, i forgot that little trick!!


On a scale of one to ten

/rolls my eyes
i always HATED that. irritating doctors.
i always wanted to yell at them:
I JUST FUCKING HURT YOU STUPID FUCKHEAD!!!
but i never had the energy to.

ahh, nostalgia walking
(heh. suddenly in my head pops "dead man walking". *giggle* *snort* why yes, i'm feeling fine, why do you ask? ;) )


I think you tend to minimize your depression.
You're in more pain than you say you are.


thank god, hallelujah, amen, someone finally SEEES THIS!!!

I hope they decide in your favor</i. I HOPE SO TOO!!!!! *huggles* (and hee, this was brilliantly written cb. not that that was your intent, but... ya know, just thought i'd share. ;) ) and i'm glad you were able to make it to the appt! yayy! what next? when will you hear from the state or county or whatever numchucks are in charge of getting you officiated and all that crap?? *more huggles*

[hummingwolf.livejournal.com]

Yeah, the scale of 1 to 10 is just ridiculous. Telling her or anyone else, "My right hip is a 6, the rest of me is 3 or 4, but there are days when I'm better and days when I'm worse" is just so arbitrary. I hurt enough that the pain keeps me from doing what I want and no I really can't sit still on this damn couch of yours--is that really so hard to understand?

Heh. Glad you thought it was brilliantly written.

No idea when I'll hear from the Social Security Administration. They may have me jump through more hoops before they decide anything, for all I know. Grfle.

[skygypsy.livejournal.com]

jeepers, apparently i'm having "i" tag issues today! :P

[hai-kah-uhk.livejournal.com]

Gak.

But you probably knew I was going to say something like that.

[hummingwolf.livejournal.com]

Heh. I didn't know for sure, but could've guessed it.

[gurdonark.livejournal.com]

This questionaire reminds me of the various interview games on LJ.

[hummingwolf.livejournal.com]

Maybe that's why I've been resisting Anois' Shower Meme--I knew that I'd have enough interview questions to deal with this week. Well, now I don't feel so bad about the lack of showering in my LJ.

[stevenglassman.livejournal.com]

::puts on gangster hat::
You want I should rub 'em out, boss?

[hummingwolf.livejournal.com]

Nah, that's not the way to get approved for disability benefits. At least I don't think it is. Thanks for the offer, though.

/me wants pictures of you in that gangster hat.

[unwilly.livejournal.com]

Wow, a doctor who actually seems to have a clue and wants to help you.

I better check and see if it snowing outside and HelLA just froze over.

Man, I really hope this leads to some good place for you HW.

Un

[hummingwolf.livejournal.com]

But of course this doctor with a clue is one I'll likely never see again since her entire clientele seems to be made up of people trying to get approved for Soc. Security disability. Ah well, I truly do hope her recommendation helps.

[wig.livejournal.com]

*hug*

[hummingwolf.livejournal.com]

Thanks.
::hugs back::

[madralaoi.livejournal.com]

Well, it seems that she at least asks you questions...
I SO hope you'll get the help you need. It's sad that our society can't help people like us...when we can't really help ourselves either.

*sends lots of huggles*