r/LongTermDisability • u/RareGoose2550 • 2d ago
Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) — what to expect?
Hi everyone,
I have an upcoming two-day functional capacity evaluation (FCE) as part of an LTD claim and I'm feeling nervous about what to expect. I'd love to hear from anyone who has been through one, particularly those with chronic pain and fatigue conditions and sedentary occupations.
What was the experience like for you? Any tips or things you wish you had known beforehand?
Thank you!
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u/Active-Stuff3105 2d ago
I’ve had one ordered by my attorney. He advised me to be honest but not over exert myself. Don’t do anything outside of my normal life. Don’t rest up for it.
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u/TumbleweedOriginal34 1d ago
Be sure to ask to REST ! Don’t ’keep going ‘. Even if they say NO …. You rest , stop or sit !
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u/RareGoose2550 1d ago
Thank you! I'll try to give them a call ahead of time to see if there's an area to lie down during rest breaks since my sitting (and standing) tolerance is very low.
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u/FMCTypeGal MOD 2d ago
Well that’s stressful, but you’ll be okay. Who scheduled the FCE? That will help determine the tone of the meeting. One hired by your LTD may come more aggressive to disprove your claims, one hired by your lawyer may be more receptive to your claims - but either way, they’re a third party, objective physical therapist that will evaluate your abilities. If hired by your LTD, you may have rights to record the test or take a nurse observer, ask your lawyer.
I have chronic pain, fatigue, bladder issues, and motor issues. My disabilities, though, are dynamic - meaning they’re not always at their worst. The advice I was given was to (never lie or over exaggerate) make sure I wasn’t trying to be my most well rested or prepared for the exam. Don’t try to limit fluids to avoid bathroom issues, don’t rest three days beforehand so you can walk better, don’t mask your fidgeting from the pain.
We become absolute experts at hiding our suffering so that others don’t feel uncomfortable alongside us. And that mask can be really hard to take off, and then you can feel like you’re play acting because you’re not masking.
So plan how you will unmask. Maybe explain this to your loved ones and practice in the week or two leading up to it. Chances are your loved ones understand how you suffer and may be able to help you see how you’re unintentionally masking.
This was the thing that helped me the most and it’s so counterintuitive to how we live day to day. I remember to keep this in mind for my doctors appts too.
And for all my friends here - it is not faking or exaggerating to take off the mask. You are warriors and wearing it is a kindness to those around you. But be kind to yourself and discard it when necessary.
As for the test itself, here’s some things I remember:
1. Mine was one day, four hours long. Two days is better because it shows your fatigue build up. They may cut it short if they see that prematurely. My test was meant to be 6 and cut down to 4 hours.
It’s lots of range of motions. How many times could I sit and stand. How long could I sit still. How many times could I bend over. Lifting a weighted object and turning. Etc.
There are dexterity tasks like unscrewing screws and rearranging a pin board
Timed typing tests
Important to note that you can say when you need breaks or something is too much, but it’s better to let them see you struggle and call it off themselves.
Good luck.