Hi Samantha,
Hi again, My mother died at age 46 under the care of an idiot. My father sued and won the suit. That's been 35 years ago, but it was like yesterday. He lived 8 years and never remarried. We had a video deposition, because we knew she wouldn't be alive for the trial. Anyway, my daughter is a court reporter and I know she did a case of rsd against a Dr. for negligence. I know we got a medical practice attorney from a bigger city 100 miles away. Local attorneys don't like to up against their golfing buddies. Insurance companies representing Drs. etc have deep pockets. Most of these go on a no cost and attorney benefits by a percentage of the award and nothing if there is none.
I didn't sue my Dr. I wasn't diagnosed for 4 years. You have two years from the 'event' causing the rsd or 2 years from when you were diagnosed in most states.
We had moved states after my surgery and physical rehab. A few months later, it moved to the other shoulder, RSD. More physical therapy. Still didn't know it was RSD. A couple years from the original surgery, I was water skiing and felt a pull in my left hand.(surgery side-left breast and arm pit.benign) Fingers swelled and so painful. Dr. said it was Rheumatoid Arthritis. Didn't sound right so flew back across country and saw a sports injury group I knew and was diagnosed in 1 minute and had neuclear tests at the hospital.
The surgeon that had ruin my life, went on vacation the day following surgery. My arm swelled up terrible and his partner withdrew fluid 3 days. Doc came back and my arm was frozen, sent me down the hall to Rehab Dr. to oversee P.T She said the Doc messed me up. I came back home and got a neurologist and hand specialist and started PT again. It was rough again. Used a Tens Unit. My hand was frozen solid-fixed fingers straight. They were able to get them to bend just part way and desensitize my hand. That is such an important part of treatment-desensitize. But at least, I can cut my food now and drive, shut my car door myself, zip my clothes, button the, and type. Then I was ok for a while, then it moved to the other hand and then both feet and legs. Saw another neurologist , joined a rsd support group. The neurologist said full body, generalized rsd. Now have the lesions, high blood pressure, heart condition. RSD is an automic disorder that effect the circulation, blood pressure, high and low, loss of memory, the limbic part of brain controls short term memory, decision making. depression. Depression is no small matter, The meds for everything makes you lose your energy level. I had spasms, electric jolts during sleep that would raise my head right off the pillow. Had jerks, involuntary movements. My toes starting curling off the floor. Dr. had me exercise in the pool, dailey and got them back down to the ground.It's in my spine,lower back, neck, face, Internal organs. I don't leave the house maybe 3-4 times a month. Can't walk long or stand long.
3 years ago I woke up and stumbled into the door and bathroom, I passed out and was out over an hour. When I woke up, couldn't get up, but beat on the wall and my husband opened the door. I lost my bladder and colon, and just said call 911. He said he heard my get up-was upstairs at his office- it was at least an hour. Paramedics came and couldn't find a pulse, I had passed out again. Told my husband I was dead. Then got a pulse and got to hospital. The blood pressure was 60/40. Was in 4 days icu and $16,000 tests-Think the bill was $30,000.
I'm tell you all this, not to just talk about myself, but to let you know the road ahead can hold so much we don't know about. I expect someday I'll be in a wheelchair. I had the flue this week and blood pressure shot up 160/109 I'm on two different blood pressure meds.
Sometimes I'm sorry I didn't file suit, I can't work, I loved my job and social life. My husband and I traveled a lot. Lots of trips as our daughter grew up. I was traveling a lot with a girlfriend, in fact, the next day from the passing out we were to go to Maui. I miss that, we went every year. My husband doesn't like to go as much as I do. My daughter and I traveled a lot in her teenage years, and then we vacationed the 3 of us.
Our economic lifestyle has changed too as result of not being able to work. There are so many losses. My Dr. now says, it started with my breast surgery 12 years ago. The following day my arm swelled up so much.
Anyway, just something to think about or talk about to those that love you. No matter what you decide to do, it's always good to make a timeline of your health conditions, or journal.
I'm going to exercise and stretch now. I gained so much weight on the meds, I'm working really hard to get it off. I'm almost up to 15 lbs.
I hope I didn't offend you or try to get in your personal affairs. Certainly not to discourage you. I just remember, when I was told, I had never even heard of RSD and not a clue what lie ahead. I can't even get disability, as we've always been self employed. Take care, Loretta