Received The Results From My Mh C & P

[Cherie33]

Hi everyone,

I picked up the results of my mental health and irritable bowel syndrome C & P exam today. Not sure what to make of it though.

Here are a few things that she had to say:

Comment on Effectiveness of Therapy:

Veteran complains of depressive symptoms, pani attacks and auditory hallucinations in spite of all of her medications listed. She also reports the "the medications overwhelm her and she gets tired of taking them". Please note that her comments about ineffectiveness of treatment were not found in the treatment notes dated Jan. 9, 2008 (see following excerpt) "She reported that her depression as well treated with her medication and denied hearing any voices"

Frequency, Severity, and Duration of Non-PSTD Psychiatric/Medical Symptoms:

She reports depressed mood daily, social withdrawal, sleep impairment, auditory hallucinations, difficulty completing tasks, procrastination, low energy, headaches feelings of worthlessness, passive suicidal ideation. Symptoms are moderate, duration since the last exam (2 years). She reports panic attacks 2-3 times per week with current mild distress, duration since 2007.

Psychomotor Activity:

Lethargic

Are Hallucinations Persistent?

Yes

Comments or elaboration of any items in the MSE of for items not covered or other comments:

Concerning auditory hallucinations, she reports these are sounds of people talking as if she is in a crowded room. She was not responding to internal stimuli today, and did not appear psychotic. Regarding suicidal thoughts, this is merely hopelessness thoughts with no plan or intent.

Reason given for unemployment"

depression and difficulty completing vocational rehab

Axis I: Major Depressive Disorder, Recurrent; Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia

If any additional mental disorders have been diagnosed, explanation of how the symptoms are related to or are part of each mental disorder: Panic Disorder is a new diagnosis in the anxiety disorder classification and reflects her sudden arousal of anxiety with physiological symptoms.

Axis II: Deferred

Axis III: See medical history

Axis IV: financial concerns, husband's illness

Axis V: GAF = 55 (current)

Is there reduced reliability and productivity due to mental disorder symptoms? Yes

Examples and pertinent symptoms, including those already reported:

Low energy, procrasination, and depressed mood may reduce her reliability and productivity. She is a caretaker of her husband, has some social contact weekly at church, has contact with her mother and is able to use her computer for support.

The Irritable Bowel Syndrome C & P Exam:

Basically she asked me some questions and she had these things to say:

This disability's impact on occupational activities: Difficulty reaching, Pain describe other effects: Diarrhea alternating with constipation.

Are there effects on usual daily activities: Yes

Chores: Severe

Shopping: Severe

Exercise: Severe

Sports: Severe

Traveling: Severe

Feeding: Severe

Bathing: Severe

Dressing: Severe

Tolieting: Severe

Grooming: Severe

I'm not really sure what to make out of any of this, any comments would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Cherie33

Edited May 21, 2008 by Cherie33

[ruby]

I am not sure anyone can really answer you question especially without the whole report.

The Psy part, she said you were inconsistent by pointing to your last visit (Jan) where you said your meds were working but your telling her your meds don't work.

Again the same thing with the hallunications--you said your having them she observed you weren't and your last vist you said it was under control.

She also indicated your assessement may not be reliable due to your problems.

Is there reduced reliability and productivity due to mental disorder symptoms? Yes

Examples and pertinent symptoms, including those already reported:

Low energy, procrasination, and depressed mood may reduce her reliability and productivity. She is a caretaker of her husband, has some social contact weekly at church, has contact with her mother and is able to use her computer for support.

What does it mean who knows.

The IBS part is what you reported, what is important is her observation of your symptoms.

[john999]

If they accept you are having auditory hallucinations you should get 100%. You can't be having auditory hallucinations and not be psychotic. That is one distinct symptom of psychosis. The exam is inconsistent and contradicts itself.

[Pete53]

Leave off the GAF and its good. With the GAF it makes no sense considering her comments. 55 is a killer for 100%. Do you have an Independent Medical Opinion?

[Ricky]

She also indicated your assessement may not be reliable due to your problems.

Is there reduced reliability and productivity due to mental disorder symptoms? Yes

Ruby this means that there is reliability problems with employment

[Cherie33]

If they accept you are having auditory hallucinations you should get 100%. You can't be having auditory hallucinations and not be psychotic. That is one distinct symptom of psychosis. The exam is inconsistent and contradicts itself.

John, my pyschiatrist knows that I hear voices, that is why I am on meds for that (2 meds to be exact). It should be in my medical report. Also, Ruby, she referred to 1 visit with my doctor, what about all of 6 years that he has been treating me? In one part of the report she says that I have auditory hallucinations, in another part she says I said I didn't. Whihc isn't true. I will post the entire report tomorrow if it will help any.

Pete, I don't have an IMO. I don't have insurance and have only been treated at the VA.

Cherie33

[Cherie33]

So fellow veterans,

What does all of this mean?

"Leave off the GAF and its good. With the GAF it makes no sense considering her comments"

"The exam is inconsistent and contradicts itself"

How is the VA going to make sense out of this? And how long do you think it will be until I hear something from the VA? Then I'll know what step to take next.

(Please see my other post for the full C&PExam report.

Thanks,

Cherie33