Story I don't know who to believe at this point, giving up on a cure and living a simple life while waiting for disability benefits.

[calebzz1]

Hello everyone, I wanted to provide an update to my current situation.

I'm trying to explore the neurological side of my visual impairment since it seems to be more functional and psychogenic in nature.

I went out with my mom yesterday to see a neuropsychiatrist who doesn't believe in medication but something called neurofeedback for a second appointment after the initial consultation.

I received a QEEG which analyzed my brain.

Apparently I'm heavily deficient in cognitive efficiency, focus, concentration, memory, mood and brain speed.

The test wasn't an EEG as I thought but it was actually better.

Also, my relaxation score was a bit low.

Everything was fine until the provider was going over my results and the financial part hit.

Apparently I have to undergo forty sessions and the whole program costs a whopping $4500.

The down payment is $600 and it could be lessened to two payments of $300.

After two months of that, $150 for 26 months.

That is pretty daunting to say the least considering my mom roughly gets $1700 per month and that goes to the rent and electric bill.

It's doable but would it even help?

Who knows.

Also, keep in mind that he stated improvement was possible with a 98% success rate but no guarantee of a cure.

It's difficult financially because my mom and I rely on her SSDI benefits until I can get SSI myself.

I wish I could get SSDI but have around 36/40 work credits and it is impossible to get a job for now due to my symptoms.

Anyways, my mom and I get to the front desk, right?

Immediately, the vibe shifted.

The lobby was full before and now it's absolutely packed with people.

Before, there were only a few.

I mentioned multiple times that I would like to call later and schedule an appointment as I wanted to go over the financial part with my mom first as we only have a limited amount of money each month.

Suddenly, the provider went full salesman mode and was aggressively pushing for myself to make an appointment the upcoming week.

Also, he mentioned that I should open my CareCredit account back up to cover the payment.

He also stated that I would definitely be able to come up with it somehow, the atmosphere was off to the point where it felt like a "team-up" with the receptionists and him suddenly shifting gears.

I got that "notch below" feeling in my chest and firmly stated that I wanted to be escorted to the elevator as I was over it and didn't want to engage further.

Keep in mind, in real-time I can barely see what's going on and I'm chronically stressed.

I have a short fuse but keep it on the low.

I had my LASIK surgery at TLC and immediately felt like I was back to signing the contract of undergoing a payment plan to get surgery done all over again.

Here's a brief picture on how I got scammed by the center, no full refund by the way as they only offered a partial one and I didn't want to sign a legal contract.



The neuropsychiatrist center had a strange elevator that's old-school and hard to operate which made it even more annoying.

My mom had a tough time getting up the stairs.

Thankfully, the receptionist was really chill and we communicated in e-mail prior.

I think that she could tell I was annoyed, far from the polite and intelligent man who sent the e-mail.

There was this dude with glasses who awkwardly tumbled as I charged forth with my cane trying to leave LOL!

I later saw him outside, wanted to tell him that I was okay as he seemed chill but it's all good.

We left and I felt pretty sour to say the least.

I saw a kid who randomly kept staring while I was trying to get transportation home and I said "What?" because I already felt indifferent and annoyed with people.

I waved and said "Bye kid!" when the mom drove off, low-key felt like a bitter old man but I wanted to get back to the apartment.

I'm mean off of SaSu.

I'm glad I got the QEEG and proof that it is indeed more neurological than expected but the financial barrier was wild.

I will take the information over to my other neuropsychiatrist who deals with medication on the 15th and go from there.

Maybe they can figure out if I'm being scammed or not.

Hopefully I can communicate how I feel on a higher level since the first one was a bit egocentric and had a formula of some sort.

I'm willing to try his treatment but it's very expensive and it gets to the point where you don't know who to believe anymore.

Every provider states something different, like my second neuro-ophthalmologist there is no cure and I'm rolling with that for now.

At the end of the day, I know I will get disability benefits of some sort but wish that I wasn't barely functional day after day.

I live a hard life with my condition but try to make the most out of it and help when I can.

I miss being able to properly read, watch movies, television and play video games like I used to.

I can't believe I'm really stuck seeing double every couple of seconds with my eyes while dealing with a nasty blur.

At least I get some moments of normalcy but otherwise it's pure chaos.

If you guys want a picture of my brain map or more information feel free to reply or send a direct message.

I appreciate this community always being there.

I'll be sure to keep you all updated if anything changes.

 

[timf]

I would be cautious about any medical treatment that has multiple sessions but wants all the payments up front. You would think that they would charge based on a sessions by session basis.

 

[whywere]

Now I will start by saying that I am 70 and have had a full life experience of what I just read about your predicament.

First off, if it was me and thinking back through the decades of situations like what you have encountered, I would start by looking for another provider if it is possible, because in my experience, if they are going full court press on you then they might not have your best interests in mind and heart.

I so detest providers who try and "sell" a person. Especially medical and dental and the like, they are supposed to be "professionals" and have the patient in mind and not anything else.

More than once in my 70 years I have had to experience having to take a huge step back, NOT sign ANYTHING upfront, go home think it through, maybe look around for another provider if possible, and go forward.

I have saved myself money, grief and much more, by taking time to evaluate and making my decision without influence from a provider.

You are a VERY kind soul, and it would make me so darn sad to see you not get the help that you need but the money angle of the long-term value of the said situation.

In my point of view, any firm, no matter what product or service that they are selling, should think of the client first and fore most and all the other pieces of the business angle will fall into place on its own.

Be careful, be thoughtful towards yourself and your mom and look at all the angles, NOT only in the here and now BUT the future of the situation.

Hugs and love to you, my good friend.

Walter

 

[calebzz1]

I would be cautious about any medical treatment that has multiple sessions but wants all the payments up front. You would think that they would charge based on a sessions by session basis.

Thanks for your advice, they actually do offer a plan at $150 per session but it's still very expensive.

Here's the full list of what I received, made sure to use a software that redacts personal information but worst case if you come over please bring some food and drinks LOL!

The center actually has a lot of options.

Now I will start by saying that I am 70 and have had a full life experience of what I just read about your predicament.

First off, if it was me and thinking back through the decades of situations like what you have encountered, I would start by looking for another provider if it is possible, because in my experience, if they are going full court press on you then they might not have your best interests in mind and heart.

I so detest providers who try and "sell" a person. Especially medical and dental and the like, they are supposed to be "professionals" and have the patient in mind and not anything else.

More than once in my 70 years I have had to experience having to take a huge step back, NOT sign ANYTHING upfront, go home think it through, maybe look around for another provider if possible, and go forward.

I have saved myself money, grief and much more, by taking time to evaluate and making my decision without influence from a provider.

You are a VERY kind soul, and it would make me so darn sad to see you not get the help that you need but the money angle of the long-term value of the said situation.

In my point of view, any firm, no matter what product or service that they are selling, should think of the client first and fore most and all the other pieces of the business angle will fall into place on its own.

Be careful, be thoughtful towards yourself and your mom and look at all the angles, NOT only in the here and now BUT the future of the situation.

Hugs and love to you, my good friend.

Walter

I really appreciate you responding Walter.

I remember your response to one of my posts a while back.

Yeah, I posted my earlier experience with TLC before to emphasize how I was manipulated financially.

I'm a lot more skeptical and wary of agreeing to financial traps that won't really improve my condition.

A lot of providers talk but when it comes to actually solving my condition they don't offer anything concrete.

I'm the type to always be wary in general.

I can't be charmed by a person's physical appearance and voice to sign up for something that won't work.

I didn't mention this in my original post but another red flag is that he didn't really let myself talk about how I felt during the experience and what actually happened.

The process felt very railroaded and linear.

My mom stated that he could have been a narcissist but I feel like he was individualistic and a little rigid.

I would need to see concrete proof or improvement for my actual symptoms to even consider signing up for a financial plan which would be disastrous in the long run.

I definitely will take your whole advice wholeheartedly and I'm planning to see a neuropsychiatrist that utilizes medication on the 15th.

I called the office recently and let them know that I will be sending over all the information I got from the other center to have the second neuropsychiatrist determing whether I should go down that route or not.

Honestly, I wish I was more kind outside of SaSu.

I'm traumatized in a way because I age regress often with my mom because as an adult I'm too bitter and cynical now.

I feel locked out of so much it's almost overwhelming but I focus on what I can do and try to be grateful.

Finally, here's the documentation I received if you are curious.

I used a software to redact personal information but feel free to stop by and bring some grub and beverages if you find out my location.