Dew, my wife broke her wrist in 2002 and was diagnosed with RSD soon after. Through her work we had HMO coverage with a company who had full time representatives at her company working on the same floor both working in the benefits department. In 2003 she announced she was diagnosed with RSD to her employer. That is when things became much worse for her. The company increased her work load and discription and at the same time several doctors under this HMO refused or did very little to help her. Late 2005 I vigorously got involved with her in what doctors and treatment she should receive. I witnessed time and time again doctors refusing to lift a finger to help her. I was dumb founded and didn't understand what was going on. My wife knew the whole time what the problem was and said it was her employments relationship with the HMO that was causing the problem and it was to force her out of employment. Early 2006 my wife short term (6 months) disability was signed by a female doctor at the pain rehab link I posted earlier. She attempted to control Suzy's pain then the doctors where switched on her. The new doctor did little and refused to control her pain and precribed one Vicodin, the weakest form, per day. When Susy's short term was over her company required the doctor's signature to continue her on to long term disibility (two years). We went to doctor and he refused to sign the paper and walked out of the office. He spent 5 minutes with Suzy and never saw him again. He told Suzy's employer she was Ok and she should return to work in which Suzy couldn't. She was terminated.
Suzy was relieved because she knew with precession that her treatment would now improve. We picked up coverage from my work and with in a week we found a doctor who has taken good care of her these last 3 years.