Quick background:

• I had a neck injury in May 2016 from a whiplash/impact injury (object struck neck at high speed) which was a work accident (baseball coach - it was a baseball). I sustained my 4th concussion. Positive diagnostic on nerve block at C0. Did every injection up and down the neck to check for more relief and other things. Neurostimulator was implanted in my neck in 2017. Despite all interventions I still face difficulties and am limited but do not have structural injuries that cause things like loss of function, paralysis, etc. My neck was not broken. I am of course in 24/7 constant persistent significant pain. If I lose "control" over it, it usually results in vomiting. It caused circadian rhythm disorder (Delayed Sleep Phase - didn't sleep until stimulator implantation), memory and focus issues, and the pain makes it so sleep, sit, stand, move, not move, very low exercise tolerance, it doesn't matter, I'm in pain at all times.

Medications:

1. Gabapentin 2 x 600 mg (1200 mg) 3x / day
2. Amitriptyline 100 mg 1x/day (night also aid sleep)
3. Ketamine nasal spray 2-4 sprays every 2-4 hours
4. Medical Marijuana

Other relevant info:

• I am in a different, much more privileged position than most. At my age of injury (24), my father's insurance allowed me to stay on under "Dependent Disability." Even in retirement, the insurance allows the continuation for me to stay on the insurance as long as the doctor signs a 1 page paper every 1-2 years (once I'm off of it, I'm pretty sure I can never get back on even with the documentation and forms -- I'm kind of grandfathered in. Hoping this is last time I need to do this anyways). My original doctors (neurosurgeon and pain dr) both did it with no qualms. My pain dr left a few years ago and when I changed to my current dr I asked him if he would be willing to sign my paperwork and he had said he would. In 2024, he kept his word and signed the paperwork. There's an extra fee which I also immediately paid of course. He did not give me a hard time that instance
• The form just requires the doctor to note what my issue is and what disability code it qualifies under for coverage and then just has to sign it. I also included the 2024 form so he could reference it to sign as I have done each other time I've needed renewal (I have copies of every year going back to the original).

Interaction:

• Greeting: each of Hi, how are you/what brings you in today? (required 4 month routine follow up)
• "Hi, I was wondering if you would be able to sign these papers for me like you did last time?"
• Dr: "What is this?"
• "To renew my private insurance. The last one/copy you signed is on top"
• Dr: "I don't have time for this fucking shit" then threw the separate papers (copy) from last time out of the way into the wall in front of him
• Dr: "I see 50-60 patients a day"
• "I wasn't asking to do it right now"
• Dr: "Which means I'll be doing it at 7-8 PM at night"
• Dr: "Normally charge $150 for this shit"
• "I have the cash for the fee like last time"
• Dr: "It's not about the money, it's about the time"
• "I'm sorry"
• Then a little more grumbling alongside making me explain from the beginning what my neck injury was, the implanted stimulator, briefly noted some difficulties I have, and so on

He filled it out and signed it. Then I had to take drug test which thinking now I'm pretty sure I wasn't due until my next appt but I don't care because it's clean. Also looked to see about other doctors and turns out he's the CEO of the practice (which has several branches, locations, and probably close to 20ish doctors total?) which means I can't really swap in practice again most likely without making things more difficult for myself?

I'll probably delete this in a few days so I don't accidentally cause myself more trouble. Just needed to share. Thanks for reading!

Edit: 1 page for him that is part of a multi-page packet, there are forms I have to fill out that go with his page, which I already completed, and there's some instructions. Hopefully clarifies it better. The page just basically asks what is the issue and what are the US disability codes that coincide with the issue and then he has to sign it