Pain Assessment Need help please...
#1
Posted 15 November 2004 - 02:01 PM
I'm being sent for a "pain assessment" this week.
I would LOVE to know what to expect, how should I answer questions, what happens etc.
Also, is Ralf Schnabel ok?
He is located in Mt Eden, Auckland, Clinical and Neuro Psychologist. What does all this mean..to have a pain assessment?
is there going to be anything physical involved?
The letter I have says to allow 1.5 hrs for the appointment...1.5 hrs of sitting? ohh noo.... not fair. will make me super sore!
Also, after my complaint and 20 questions email I sent to the CM about my rehab (or lack of it), they have asked me to attend a meeting with both the CM and her manager.
ideas on this too please...help!!!
Where is ACCLAIM Auckland located???
info wanted ASAP pleeease...
Cheers
#2
Posted 15 November 2004 - 03:05 PM
Ask if you can get up and wander around when you need to - that is the only way I cope in any situation. Embarrassing as it is, I tell people in meetings about my injury, and even lie on the floor sometimes if that is what I need. There may be a bit of physical stuff, but do not do anything you don't feel comfortable about.
This assessment isn't usually too bad. The one to beware of is the Functional Capacity Evaluation. If you are asked to do one of these, refuse. I know of several people whose injuries have been aggravated through this, and ACC's policy is (now) not to suspend entitlements from refusal to comply with FCE - although, not so long ago, they did.
#3
Posted 15 November 2004 - 03:14 PM
#4
Posted 15 November 2004 - 07:00 PM
Nothing Physical involved with this. Lots of talking and Pschological stuff. Lots of filling in forms at the end. I went and am still fighting the battle.
Stumpy

#5
Posted 15 November 2004 - 07:01 PM
Were you given the choice of Pain
Assessor? If not you can refuse to go this person and you can nominate the person of choice.
It will be a person with about 8 pages of questions and you will be asked to put on a scale of 1 - 10. well, noone can measure pain, so I suggest you do not put in a number-. that will blow his computer programme for a start!!
On no account sit there like a martyr. Move around, show you are in pain etc.Even have a lie on the floor for a bit. It is this person's job from ACC to tell you it is all in your head and you need "Cognitive behavioural pain management." A load of crap . They will tell you it is all in your head and you can "work thru it" etc .
So be prepared and on NO ACCOUNT, GO BY YOURSELF AND TAPE IT AS WELL.
Good luck.
#6
Posted 15 November 2004 - 07:18 PM
As usual, they have sent me an invitation to attend the assessor of their choice. Just emailed her to ask for a list! Will see how that goes. cheers for that! will yak soon once I get sorted.
#7
Posted 16 November 2004 - 08:37 AM
"this is not always the case that we have a list available, there are not many clinical psychologists to choose from especially those that specialise in pain management, ralf schnabel does specialise in pain management, I suggest you discuss the choice with your GP if you feel unsure and let me know"
Is my doc supposed to KNOW him?
#8
Posted 16 November 2004 - 10:09 AM
Also, does your GP think you need Pain management if you are still undergoing treatment? He can contact CM for you while you are there, then there is a witness. This exit process is soooo stressful!!
Good luck Aphinity!
#9
Posted 16 November 2004 - 12:48 PM
I don't know how it is there...but be prepared to be videotaped. They videotaped me in the stair wells and throughout the whole ordeal. Some of the taping I knew about...but most I did not.
They also have a habit of manipulating the answers so demand a copy of the results. I agree...don't go alone either
I was able to obtain a copy of my results and was completely shocked at how they had changed and manipulated the whole thing.
Good Luck!
marilew
#10
Posted 16 November 2004 - 09:26 PM
CAN ANY ONE TELL ME WHAT A CPA IS AND WHAT HAPPENS
TAR
#11
Posted 16 November 2004 - 09:53 PM
You will be interviewd by a kid who says she is a psychologist and asked what do you expect from the Pain Clinc. She will ask you all sorts of questions about what you do all day. Then a Physio, so called will assess you and get you to lift things, which you mustnt do. It is all designed to trap you. He will make you do things like move your arms etc. Then after seeing a video you will have to see Alchin or his ilk.
He is utterly useless and a liar. So beware and take a witness.He is averse to taping so if you want to tape, I suggest you write in and tell them you will be taping, otherwise do it secretly!!
Then after all that they meet, have a chin wag and come back and tell you you are not coping and need to do a course of their head banging stuff.
It is all psychological, no hands on stuff at all.
So you will come outa there saying what a waste of a morning.
If you tell them you are there under duress from ACC CM, they will call the meeting off. OK, that is OK as long as they call it off and NOT you!!!!!!!!!
We were told they are sick of ACC sending people there who don't want to be there!!
Have fun and good luck. DO NOT go alone to this place. You cannot trust them. They are doing it for ACC not for you.....!!!
#12
Posted 16 November 2004 - 11:06 PM
Who decided you were to have this? Was it recommended on an IMA??
If CM decided this, it must be discussed with your GP first.....
I would be asking a few questions here.
#13
Posted 17 November 2004 - 12:06 AM
My chiro advised me to say, when asked about what my pain is like and how bad, to kick him in the "youknowwhat" and say "just like that". He too, as a provider is being hassled. Hassled about the amount of treatments he gives a claimant, about the amount of claimants he has, and yet he states he must save them thousands of dollars by helping patients get their mobilty back, their pain levels reduced without the expense of surgeries and drugs and specialists etc.
Here is a chiropractor specialising in Bio Skeletal stuff saying even he thinks its all a big farse, a complete joke.
He understands the pain I have, even wanted to offer me a wheelchair on my first visit. It wasn't the fact I was bent over and limping, but the fact he could see the pain in my face, my eyes.
But yet again, I have to go visit a stranger, have them delving into my life, MY PERSONAL LIFE and try PROVE my pain is REAL.
But I am going to go along, it should be interesting. I have read a few "self help" books that deal with the way our minds do think, and will carefully analyse the beat round the bush questions they may use to trick me.
I am also going to meet my CM and her manager, complete with support person, laptop, recorder and a huge list of points I wish to raise regarding my case.
I am snuffing around for a job now as I cannot afford to be on this entitlement much longer, still in pain, but debts are piling up fast, basically I am getting in the shit financially, and all this ACC crap is just a bloody joke, just more hassles and stress and worry.
So, it will take me a lot longer to sort my back out, if it doesn't stuff it completely, and I will reminise in my old age, that had I got it sorted in 2004, I might of had a completely pain free life.
I will do my damdest to expose them, claimant or not.
#14
Posted 19 November 2004 - 08:17 PM
http://www.who.int/icidh/whodas/whodasvers...proxy_intDC.pdf
you will have to register to get a copy of it and as it is from the World Health Orginisation the site is quite safe
#15
Posted 01 August 2005 - 10:55 AM
#16 Guest_Percy_*
Posted 01 August 2005 - 11:52 AM
liar.
It is all in yer head mate with them. No hands on help, just mental stuff.But of course they do have pain block "experts" as well. Avoid at all costs!!!!!!!
Your problem sounds very complicated and hope the Acc aren't pushing you into Voc Rehab before your conditon has stabilised?
good luck
#17
Posted 01 August 2005 - 04:36 PM
happy happy joy joy,DOGMA
#18
Posted 16 April 2010 - 08:54 PM
#19
Posted 15 July 2010 - 12:06 PM
