Stop The Meds For The C&p Exam?

[Warone]

Wondering if the VA and C&P exam considers the veteran is now dependent on Zoloft, Wellbutrin and Ambien to live a normal life without depression and anger, etc... I'm not such a butthole with a short temper when I'm taking these pills and I can get at least 4-5 hours of sleep every night. so the Examiner, just like my Psychiatrist writes, "Session with patient today was pleasant, he is in good spirits, no sign of depression, etc." In others words, while I'm taking these darn pills, my symptoms are masked. Should I worry about this when I file for benefits. Should I stop the meds so I can be my normal un-drugged self (short tempered, depressed, angry, worrisome, etc.) when I see the examiner? When I file. (Apparently not all of the worry is masked because I'm worrying about this stuff!)

[Tbird]

No. Do not stop your meds ever without Dr supervision.

[Philip Rogers]

During my 24 yrs of dealing w/the VA and my PTSD, I have taken meds twice, for about 3 months each time. I prefer to deal w/life as it is. Over the yrs I have mellowed, tho. If the meds do you some good, stay on them, however, if not, I would avoid them at all costs. Most meds are for short term use, which the VA completely ignores.

I am and have been rated 100%, for PTSD, P&T, for the entire 24 yrs. No meds, except for those two times. jmo

pr

[meghp0405]

like others, I would recommend that you CONTINUE taking your medication. And be honest with the examiner. I've reviewed a few rating decisions recently where the veteran was denied his/her claimed disabilities. The examiner wrote, due to over exaggeration in explaining symptoms, severity of symptoms not symptoms listed in STR's

Yes, I believe that the C/P is crucial to any veterans claim, but the good examiners can see right through you like a window. To tell them what they want to hear because you studied some book or web site on what to say, I believe is wrong as two naked boys in a hot tub on sunday morning!

I honestly believe that when a vet goes to the doc, he/she has to tell them everything and make sure it gets annotated in your records.

Edited December 28, 2013 by meghp0405

[Pete53]

They are supposed to consider the meds you take and why you take them.

[brokensoldier244th]

Supposed to, yes, but do they? It depends on your GP. If your C&P is done by a contractor that is just there to connect the dots? I wouldn't be so sure. Its a personal decision.

[Loose Cannon]

Whoa...back up just a minute!!! I still can't get the "visual" outta' my head of the 2 naked boys in a hot tub on a Sunday morning!!! Thanks Meg...I needed a chuckle :-)

LC