Hi Hope,

What a joy to sign in and to see your note here this morning!
I appreciate your taking the time to read and to respond.

I agree with you, totally.

In this case, I was already strapped to a table, with my arm supported off to the side. I did not realize a student would be trying to perform a direct intravenous injection. I am usually asked for verbal consent if a student is practicing a procedure. I was not asked to give consent. This team was in a hurry. I had expressed concern and had asked for: a smaller needle or a butterfly, for a topical anesthetic and for an experienced medical professional to complete the injection. I was then asked if I was afraid of needles. My response was "no," I am not afraid of needles, yet, all things considered, I feel we should be more careful about causing more pain today. I think the supervisor felt my concerns would be addressed if he just did the procedure fast and proficiently. He went ahead did it very quickly. He had the second needle in before he had addressed my concerns. (I think he felt he was addressing my concerns by moving fast and getting the job done.) He was clearly in a hurry and did not want patient feedback or questions. He was clearly irritated when my husband had a question before I went into the procedure room.

I feel all of the testing ordered is necessary. I do feel more awareness on the part of the medical staff would be very helpful. I also feel neurology should be offering more, and different treatment, calming the flare much more. I want to get the testing updated/completed locally and have the results available for a capable pain clinic with a CRPS specialist. The only local pain clinic has been abandoned by some very good pain medicine doctors. They were tired of interference from the hospital administration, which was not allowing these doctors to practice in the ways these doctors had felt were most beneficial to patients. Thus, I am likely going to have to go elsewhere for adequate treatment.

I have contacted a pain clinic in another state, in hopes they can see me soon. I continue to search for additional resources.
I think we have enough information to move forward with treatment. It's been "controversial" here simply because doctors here have not specialized in CRPS and are unsure of how to treat. While this new attending neurologist has just come from a highly reputable neurological institute, and he recognizes CRPS and knows which tests to order, I am reasonably sure he will find restrictions placed upon CRPS management at this hospital.

I hope to have a consult with a CRPS expert if possible, as soon as possible.
It just makes sense to put the fire out, if possible, as soon as possible.


DejaVu