Hi everyone I am new to this board but not really that new to RSD. I got it after a carpal tunnel and ganglion cyst removal in my right hand and I am right handed. I Have been through 3 blocks all which did not do much more than make my neck stiff and hurt like hell. I am now just seeing a pain doc and shrink in the DEs moines area. The shrink I have seen twice with very little personal info exchanged and already he is giving into the case managers pressure to put me at MMI after only two sessions. My pain doc is also ready to do the same after only two months of seeing him. This guy was highly recomended by my attorney and several others including lawyers and doctors. I was told he was the best and hates insurance companies so he would be my best bet. From the first day I met him he has accused me of faking it behind my back of course in the notes given to the work comp robocase manager. He tells me that I am the one who has to make myself better, it's all in your head..blah,blah,blah. My attorney still thnks I should stick with him but I really don't know what to think. He gives me plenty of pain meds, I just don't know if I trust him. They are all trying to get me to go back to work as a furnace installer. There is no way that this is even possible physically. I really don't think at this point that any work is going to be an option. My days are so unpredictable with the pain and emotions. What do I have to do to make these people understand what this is like. Any expert could take one look at my wrist and see that I am not in good shape. I am really concerned because they are talking about putting me at MMI on Nov 2 which means no more TTD checks, WHat in the hell am I suppose to do then? Sorry you got RSD but time to suck it up and go do a job that they know I can't do? IT makes no sense at all. You would think that they would understand considering they all admit I will never get better and am in a lot of pain but they just don't seem to care. They are also telling me that I should take oxycontin and lortab and all of these other drugs and go hang sheet metal with RSD in my wrist! And they are telling me to drive under the influence which should be a crime in itself. where do these people get off showing blatant disregard for my well being and for the law?
I'm sorry to hear you are having such trouble. If it isn't bad enough having rsd, we also have to deal with lawyers and useless dr's...it just adds to the stress and adds to the pain.
On the rsd side, it sounds like you do need a dr that can give you the best treatment. You do need to be happy with your dr, knowing that he/she is doing their best to give you some of your life back. But I understand this is complicated when lawyers etc are involved.
My rsd is in my right arm, from fingers to shoulder, so I understand about the working issues. I used to do admin, typing all day! Can't do much of that now, I'm very slow and press backspace more than any other key! lol
Anyway, I just wanted to say welcome to the group. We've got some great members here and we all go thru similar things, so there's always great advice and support here from those that truly understand your pain, disability and life changing issues.
I don't know if this is the best day to reply to your post since I am having the biggest PITY party you have ever seen but here goes.
I have had RSD for 3 years now. I worked up until they did an arhtroscope of my shoulder and my left side--neck, back, shoulder, arm and hand is affected with RSD.
My doctors are very good and pretty much let me control the medications I take or don't take. Yes, I live in pain 24 x7 but I much rather do that most of the time then be a zombie the rest of my life.
I can't work no doubt about it. I worked as THe Laboratory Manager and Bench Tech for almost 25 years at a private clinic. Ican't hold a needle in my left hand nor would I tust my judgement due to the years of pain which DO affect your memory and decision making senses. I once could do 10 different things in my head and work on testing at the same time. I am lucky now to be able to keep the train of thought to write this response. I can tell you I would not want me making life and death decisions for a patient in the state I am in right now.
I have lost my income from my job which was 40% of our household income. I could not file for unemployment because I am not able to work. I was turned down for disability because the I guess the disability doctors I saw thought I should step into that lab again. I wonder if they really want me making the decisions which my testing would tell the doctors how to treat them. ANyway, I have an attorney and have been fighting my insurance company and an appeal to the disability people for over 2 years now. So, that means I have not had any income for all that time.
What do you do ?? You find doctors that are interested in you and your care.
You find doctors that will reevaluate you and tell you straight what to expect and what your expectations should be. You understand that the system is not for you it is to keep you OUT of it so they don't have to pay money to you. THey don't care how you will support yourself or your family. THat is not their problem. You get a knew attorney if you have to that will listen to you and be on your side. If he/she is not totally committed to you then you have lost already.
And most of all you don't do what I am doing today...fall into a black pit where nothing seems to be right. I know mine is because my doctors wanted me to get off my medication that treats depression for a new medication that also could help with nerve pain. I was forwarned that for about 2 weeks I wouldn't feel good mentally or physically but I really didn't expect it to be this bad.
Take care..search for people with a true understanding of RSD or CRPS as it is now called. I have not seen a pain managment doctor because my neurologist is treating me. I have done extensive research into the treatmenst pain management doctors use and other than invasive methods my neurologist is very capable of treating me. I have read alot on this board and spoke to many people that have had sympathetic nerve blocks with little or no success and if it did help them then they had to have it done repeatedly. That treatment is not for me.
I don't know if this has helped you any but is the way it is ...at least for me.
I have RSD in my right dominate hand and I currently dealing with some WC BS like yourself. In my case, things have went well w/my doctors and attorney( helped me fight for almost a year to receive treatment). However, I having trouble recieving TTD b/c my employer is appealing an order from WC to give me TTD which means another legal fight.
Basically, you need to get a new attorney ASAP. What's happening to you shouldn't be occuring if you have a competent WC attorney. Your attorney may be on your employer payroll.
Also, you need to get enrolled into Pain Management Clinic. The doctors in these facilities will be able to better facilitate how your care should be managed b/c regular doctors have no idea.
As a fellow IW, you have my sympathy. I wish you good luck w/getting a better WC attorney. Stay strong and don't let RSD Hell/WC Hell take you down.
I don't know if this is the best day to reply to your post since I am having the biggest PITY party you have ever seen but here goes.
I have had RSD for 3 years now. I worked up until they did an arhtroscope of my shoulder and my left side--neck, back, shoulder, arm and hand is affected with RSD.
My doctors are very good and pretty much let me control the medications I take or don't take. Yes, I live in pain 24 x7 but I much rather do that most of the time then be a zombie the rest of my life.
I can't work no doubt about it. I worked as THe Laboratory Manager and Bench Tech for almost 25 years at a private clinic. Ican't hold a needle in my left hand nor would I tust my judgement due to the years of pain which DO affect your memory and decision making senses. I once could do 10 different things in my head and work on testing at the same time. I am lucky now to be able to keep the train of thought to write this response. I can tell you I would not want me making life and death decisions for a patient in the state I am in right now.
I have lost my income from my job which was 40% of our household income. I could not file for unemployment because I am not able to work. I was turned down for disability because the I guess the disability doctors I saw thought I should step into that lab again. I wonder if they really want me making the decisions which my testing would tell the doctors how to treat them. ANyway, I have an attorney and have been fighting my insurance company and an appeal to the disability people for over 2 years now. So, that means I have not had any income for all that time.
What do you do ?? You find doctors that are interested in you and your care.
You find doctors that will reevaluate you and tell you straight what to expect and what your expectations should be. You understand that the system is not for you it is to keep you OUT of it so they don't have to pay money to you. THey don't care how you will support yourself or your family. THat is not their problem. You get a knew attorney if you have to that will listen to you and be on your side. If he/she is not totally committed to you then you have lost already.
And most of all you don't do what I am doing today...fall into a black pit where nothing seems to be right. I know mine is because my doctors wanted me to get off my medication that treats depression for a new medication that also could help with nerve pain. I was forwarned that for about 2 weeks I wouldn't feel good mentally or physically but I really didn't expect it to be this bad.
Take care..search for people with a true understanding of RSD or CRPS as it is now called. I have not seen a pain managment doctor because my neurologist is treating me. I have done extensive research into the treatmenst pain management doctors use and other than invasive methods my neurologist is very capable of treating me. I have read alot on this board and spoke to many people that have had sympathetic nerve blocks with little or no success and if it did help them then they had to have it done repeatedly. That treatment is not for me.
I don't know if this has helped you any but is the way it is ...at least for me.
Take care and God Bless,
brighteyes
Brighteyes:
You have been lucky to find a knowledgable neurologist. Where I live, there wasn't a neurologist who was completely familiar and knowledgable in RSD. So, I was lucky to get admitted to a Pain Clinic which is familiar w/RSD and instrumental in discovering treatments for RSD/CRPS. So, the nerve blocks have been effective for myself. I guess everybodies expereince w/RSD
is different.
Ultametly, the key to getting the RSD into remission is finding a facility that is competent, patient centered, and familar with treating RSD/CRPS.
As a fellow IW I can understand what you are going through b/c I am going through some financial drama as well. Sometimes, it feels like the drama never ends. I guess this is the systems way of trying to break our spirits but we got to stay strong and lean on each other. Hang In There.
I have RSD in my right dominate hand and I currently dealing with some WC BS like yourself. In my case, things have went well w/my doctors and attorney( helped me fight for almost a year to receive treatment). However, I having trouble recieving TTD b/c my employer is appealing an order from WC to give me TTD which means another legal fight.
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