Quote:
Originally Posted by swampcricket
Dr put in for ketamine times two both were denied we are in the appeal process now but that can take up to three more months. I'm just throwing this out there and don't want to offend anybody but if you have just a chance and its a small chance that amputation could give you pain free why not try. I'm just at the end of my rope I'm tired of being in pain and need relief and if amputation can give you that why not try. They did a study in England I believe where there was 30 people that had amputation 16 were pain free afterwards with no recurrence of rsd . I'm looking at it as a 50/50 chance and the way I have felt over the last 6 months I may just take the chance.I'm not saying its right or wrong but it is a chance. I have also read that it didn't work at all. Don't get me wrong I want to try anything possible before amputation but when the surgeon brought it up I actually felt there could be relief quicker then waiting for bwc to approve treatment. I apologize for rambling on I just needed to vent.
|
When you're desperate, you're often willing to take chances that you would never consider if you were a more stable mindset. Many of us have been through procedures by doctors we thought were trustworthy and had excellent reputations that have made us worse, not better.
I underwent a radiofrequency neurotomy that might work for some patients with RSD/CRPS but absolutely exacerbated my condition--it was after this procedure that I became sensitive to sound and light, and much more sensitive to touch, vibration, wind, clothing, etc. Several doctors I told that the procedure made me worse, brushed me off. Years later I found a warning on Dr. Hooshmand's website that that procedure should be avoided at all costs. Eventually I found a doctor that was conservative to not cause more harm and aggressive in trying to help me find relief. And I've had to switch docs a few times since then, and that is what I insist on.
My injury was a WC injury as well, and I have been dealing with the issues related to it for many, many years. They don't make decisions based on what is in your best interest, but rather what costs them the least amount of money. I have gone out of pocket for both meds and treatment when I clearly should not have needed to, but my health is my first priority. As I wrote earlier, there is absolutely a way to take control of your medical should you wish to, you must make sure that Medicare approves the set aside first (even if you have not yet applied for SSDI.)
There are many steps I would take before agree to being a guinea pig and potentially decreasing my quality of life. Going to a pain psychologist to help discuss your options is often a good place to start.
Outpatient Ketamine can cost as little as $1000 out of pocket--I would beg, borrow or steal if I couldn't afford it BEFORE amputating an arm. And again, I would amputate in a heart beat if I believed it would work.