Hi Everyone,

I posted before that I'm involved in a workers comp lawsuit. I want to thank everyone for all their helpful information in my search for an AME.

I spoke to my attorney about a SPECT scan and a fatigue lab. She thought it would be helpful for me to gather more supporting evidence for my case. I'm going to push to get some testing done. I have some
questions:

Are there any other tests that are helpful to show evidence of injury?

I'm looking for tests that I can do locally (I'm in northern California), so if you know of any, please let me know where you took them. I may be able to find something in my area myself if I know what tests to look for.

Thanks!

Airy

I had an MRI, EEG and a neuro-psyc exam... All nominal. I couldn't sleep for the EEG though, and this may have compromised the test. You have to stay up all night so you can sleep during the test, and the excitement of the office environment kept me awake.

Watch out for the neuro-psyc exams... They contain a \"Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)\", which is a test for personality disorders. I was not told this in advance... They did not even tell me the name of the test in advance so I could learn about it. They simply called it an \"inventory\" when we set the appointment. There is also a \"fake bad\" scale, (targeting those who fake illness) which is used in courts as argument for malingering in injury litigation. A \"wrong\" answer here will earn you a very nasty label!

Most everyone who takes it IS diagnosed with some kind of personality disorder! My neurologist and psychologist were both \"non-believers\" in MCS (struck me as neocons) who thought/assumed I was some kind of nut looking for an angle for a law suit, and worded their reports accordingly.

My psychologist wrote in her report she felt I had tried to cheat the MMPI by attempting to paint myself in the best possible light, and she therefore could not determine if I had a personality disorder or not. I answered all 500 or so questions as honestly as I could as I was desperate for help at the time.

This, after a half dozen or so different allergy tests... The doctors were desperate to find something other than MCS as the \"real explanation\" for my illness. It was really an eye opening experience. The bulk of American medicine is dead set against MCS as a legitimate condition, and doctors will work together to dance around the issue with plausible deniability whenever they can.

Every doctor I saw appeared sympathetic at first, but when I read their reports, I found they were looking to explain away my problem, rather than diagnose it.

The work comp system (especially in California!) has evolved into a very powerful machine, designed primarily to frustrate, deny, delay and discourage all who enter its doors! I started my journey in California work comp, and eventually went private, just to escape the brick walls. When I dropped down to part time at work, I found I was denied private health insurance due to my neurological exam that was done private pay, outside work comp. Modern medicine is very vengeful to those who pursue MCS through \"their\" system!

Mind how you go!

Post edited by: bolam56, at: 2009/03/02 05:59<br /><br />Post edited by: bolam56, at: 2009/03/02 06:14

Have you had toxicology tests done? Blood and fat can be tested for various chemicals including volatile organic compounds.

also Lymphocyte sensitivity tests.

Both of these have proved helpful to me even though I was tested many months after leaving work.

Hi Airy,

I'm happy to here you found some help with regards to finding an AME.

I can't really add much to what Bill and Helen have said but I would say if you can get a SPECT scan then that is the one to go for. It's the test that most frequently shows indisputable brain dysfunction in MCS patients.

The only other suggestion I can think of that might be taken seriously is a porphyrin test. Porphyrins are heme(iron)-containing substances that are involved in the liver's cytochrome P450 detoxification pathway. Levels have been noted to be abnormal in some MCS patients and an inherited condition known as porphyria leads to many of the symptoms associated with MCS.

Helen - That's great that your lymphocyte sensitivity test was helpful. I believe it isn't taken seriously by a lot of medical professionals.

Bill

It sounds like you experienced the horrors that I'm now experiencing. What a nightmare... I can't wait until this is all over. A neuropsych test was highly recommended to me. It's good to hear the otherside.

Hey Helen,

It's been 10 years since I've been at the job. Is that too long for that VOC test you described?

I had blood work done on me 2 years after I was in the building, but it showed nothing. There was something I remember where it had to be done within 6 months of being in the building for it to be valid, so it got dismissed.

Maff
As usual, you are very helpful. I'll look into those tests.

I found a dubious, diagnostic test link:
www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/Tests/tests.html

A SPECT scan was on there, but when I read the information, the test itself isn't dubious, but people who try to \&quot;balance the brain\&quot; by treating from a SPECT scan is considered experimental.

Unfortunately, the lymphocyte test was on there. That isn't to say that it's unhelpful, just that science probably needs to catch up to prove it works.

Thanks again everyone.

On the plus side, the judge ruled that I was injured at work. Workers comp is still trying to deflect the blame anyway they can or minimize the percentage of my injury, that's why I'm hoping some objective tests may help my case.

I'm dropping off a letter to request some diagnostic testing tomorrow. Wish me luck.

Airy

Hi Airy,

Great news that the judge ruled in your favour Sounds like you are doing the smart thing by seeking extra evidence for your case though.

I'd take everything Quackwatch says with a pinch of salt. It is run by a retired psychiatrist with a giant chip on his shoulder about alternative medicine who will label anything that has not been proven beyond all doubt (in his mind at least) as \&quot;quackery\&quot;. He even co-authored a book that presented a one sided view that MCS is all in the mind (ignoring all contrary data):

Chemical Sensitivity: The Truth About Environmental Illness

The first review on Amazon.com is very good!

Good luck with testing request <br /><br />Post edited by: Maff, at: 2009/03/03 20:18