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May need to go back on LTD again - relapse

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    May need to go back on LTD again - relapse

    Hi Everyone

    I have been back to work full time now since September 2012 after being on LTD from May 2011 - September 2012 (16 months). It seems that I am relapsing. Family members along with my daughter have pointing this out to me for the past 3 months. I am seeing my family doctor on Wednesday this week. Work has been rough the past 8 months. They decided they no longer needed to abide by my work accommodations as I have been back to work for a year now. They even requested a new letter from my doctor, they determined they were doing everything as stated in the 'new letter'. If I go back on LTD my income will be $500 less per month and being a single mom I need all I can make. If I go on LTD again should I apply for CPPD right away? If I do go off work, I would need to collect UI sick benefits for 15 weeks before the LTD would kick in (waiting period of 118 days). Feel crappy having to do this all over again.

    #2
    Seeing my family doctor after work today, my 19 year old daughter is coming with me as I tend to minimize or make excuses for my mental health. I am still not able to find a psychiatrist in my area. Been on the wait list since February 2014. My physical is poor as well which is just a stressor for the Bipolar. My workplace is very stressful as well. I never did reveal to them my mental illness when I came back to work in Sept 2012, my doctors letter just stated I was diagnosed with a medical disability. Wish me luck!!

    Comment


      #3
      Lots and lots of luck!
      AJ

      Humans punish themselves endlessly
      for not being what they believe they should be.
      -Don Miguel Ruiz-

      Comment


        #4
        I saw my family doctor yesterday and she put me on medical leave effective today. I have applied for UI Sick benefits and contacted my LTD provider. I asked her if she thinks I could ever work at any job again, and she replied honestly no. I do have some other physical medical issues I need to deal with as well. She has referred me to a Pain Specialist and our local Spine Clinic. She feels my meds for Bipolar need to be reasssed and she is not qualified to do so, and wants me to see a psychiatrist. The problem - we have no Psychiatrists in my area that is accepting new patients. I called out of my area where there are openings and they cannot take me because I have to deal with my own health network area. She has put me on a wait list here for a program at the hospital but it is a 3 month wait to see anyone. An option she gave me was for her to admit me to the hospital mental health unit, that way I would NEED to be seen. She also suggested going to the ER. I dont know if its my meds needing to be changed or if its the other physical issues triggering my episodes. With my doctor suggesting going on CPPD, do I start the application now? I know I will need to see a psychiatrist to help me with the forms but I dont even have one. And being on CPPD is a huge cut to my income, I worry how I will be able to leave off it, and help support my daughter. How do I find a social worker that can Help me with it? Its alot of stuff to figure out.

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          #5
          So I am back again - my brain is going faster than I can comprehend - I have limited health benefits - but I looked them up and I do have coverage for a Clinical Psychologist - not sure what their fee is - but I have $250/ year. Would seeing them as opposed to a psychiatrist be helpful? I may not be able to see a Psych. for 2-3 months. I found out my family dr is off now until Tuesday and its a long weekend here (Victoria Day Monday). Im thinking now I should have been admitted to the hospital.

          Comment


            #6
            I wouldn't be surprised if the psychologist was 100 to 150 dollars a session. Sometimes you can get into a place that charges on a sliding scale depending on your income. Usually those have a longer waiting period. Your $250 won't take you very far. You may find it helpful seeing a psychologist but that wouldn't address adjustment of meds if needed.

            You may want to consider going to ER if needed. Tuesday is a long wait if you're not doing well.
            AJ

            Humans punish themselves endlessly
            for not being what they believe they should be.
            -Don Miguel Ruiz-

            Comment


              #7
              Thanks for the reply AJ!! I called 96 offices today no one is accepting patients. Started cutting myself but not too bad, I just needed to feel something I guess. My employer is being a douche bag as usual, wanting my office keys, demanding to know when I will be back. I just told them this morning at 9 am I was of on med leave, maybe they will be happy to get rid of me? My arms are broke out in hives, not a good thing (signs of stress). Feeling pretty hopeless right now, tired, head pounding thoughts. I havent slept in 2 days.

              Comment


                #8
                Music video for 'Over The Waterfall', Emily Maguire's song about her experiences of living with bipolar disorder, taken from her fourth album 'Bird Inside A ...

                Comment


                  #9
                  Hello Canuck_Girl_65. You can start your application for CPPD. You do not need a psychiatrist to complete the forms, your regular doctor can do it ,assuming that they are a licensed Dr., and not an intern or naturopath etc.

                  If you haven't slept in several days and are starting to injure yourself you should go to the nearest ER. The longer you go without sleep, the worse that you may get. Good Luck and Take Care. paul m
                  "Alone we can do so little;
                  Together we can do so much"
                  Helen Keller

                  Comment


                    #10
                    I received an email from my LID provider - this is what they have instructed me to do -

                    "No to CPP at this time. They have a more stringent definition of disability and a longer waiting period, so the protocol would be to apply for the LTD with Manulife and once approved they will advise you and provide the CCP forms in due course. In each case, they will be looking for a medical diagnosis that causes you not to be able to work at your job, prognosis, treatment plan, etc. So hopefully you will have an opportunity to see the specialists in the next four months."

                    What do you all think? I also found out today my employer picked up my office keys, blocked me as administrator from the two website pages. Seems kind of hasty to me. Maybe they dont want me back after I was off before for 16 months. I know I dont need my LTD Provider to provide me with the papers to fill out CPPD - as I already have them.

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Hello Canuck_Girl_65. It always does my heart good to see that the paid people at the LTD offices know less than the volunteers around the country do. LOL. (well actually it's kinda sad to see bad advice be given out by them)

                      CPPD used to say that you had to wait 4 mths before applying and they still won't pay benefits until 4 mths is up, however the following is taken directly from the Gov't's website at : http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/s...it/index.shtml
                      -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      "When do I apply?

                      You should apply as soon as you develop a severe and prolonged or terminal medical condition that prevents you from working regularly at any job.

                      Do not delay in sending your completed application forms. You must apply for the CPP disability benefit in writing. The date your application is received affects the date your benefit begins."
                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      It takes CPPD an average of 4 mths to approve a disability claim from the time the receive all of the paper work anyways. So even if you apply today, your waiting period would be up before you ever rec'd an approval.

                      CPPD does generally have more stringent requirement than do most LTD providers. However I have found that some LTD providers would prefer that you not apply because it makes their case for someone going back to work that much harder. I would hang onto that email, so that if you do get approved for CPPD and your LTD provider tries to say that you can work you can rub it in their face.

                      For more info on LTD providers and your rights, please read the MDAO's guide to LTD's. Although the MDAO is an Ontario organization, the advice applies everywhere.

                      http://www.mooddisorders.ca/guide/gu...erm-disability In it they also discuss "own occupation vs any occupation" something that LTD providers (and sometimes CPPD) love to use as an out.

                      BTW neither LTD's nor CPPD need a diagnosis of a specific illness. It's how severe the symptoms are is what counts. For example an airline pilot may have an unknown illness that causes sudden seizures. Seizures can be caused by a variety of illnesses and it may take many years to find out the correct cause. However nobody would really want that pilot to be flying their plane and in fact he/she may not be able to work at anything due to the sudden blackouts. Take Care. paul m
                      "Alone we can do so little;
                      Together we can do so much"
                      Helen Keller

                      Comment


                        #12
                        I'd suggest going to ER so that you can be seen faster. Since you are not sleeping and also cutting yourself you may be seen right away. I went to ER in January and it took me four months before I saw a psychiatrist who was able to help me and that was faster than if I had not gone to ER at all.

                        Of course you need to be ready to stay if you are a danger to yourself or to anyone else.

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Originally posted by Canuck_Gal_1965 View Post
                          Seems as though I'm now in love with Emily Maguire (or, at least, her music). Never heard of her before. Thank you!

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Paul - if I apply for CPPD now and if I am accepted does that mean my LTD Provider will need to pay me my monthly benefits without going thru their process? As you have recommended I need to apply now for CPPD? Eventhough I am now on a wait list to see specialists?
                            TY

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Hello Canuck_Girl_1965. I wish it was that simple. You still have to go through the LTD providers application and abide by their rules. However if you do get accepted by CPPD and turned down by your LTD provider it would give your lawyer a much stronger case when you appealed your turn down. Take Care. paul m
                              "Alone we can do so little;
                              Together we can do so much"
                              Helen Keller

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