Hi Daniella,

My GP has known me and my husband for over 15 years. He and his staff write a lot of my scripts, including my pain meds. They know us and trust my family not to abuse the drugs. Right now I am trying to cut back on some of my meds and they are helping me with that, but when I was really sick and needed to increase them last summer they were there for me, too. He plays a HUGE role in my healthcare - keeping an eye on my bloodwork, my blood pressure, my cholesterol, etc. If you are taking meds for your RSD you need to make sure that you have regular check-ups because some of the stuff that we are prescribed can have some awful side effects (i.e - Topamax & Neurontin). He and his staff also order tests for me when I want them - like MRI's for my cervical spine or brain when I was having really bad head pain. I believe that my GP's files contain copies of my PM docs reports and all of the other docs I have seen since I got sick (there have been quite a few).

My PM doc is up in Boston, about 60 miles away from here. Because he is in another state, he can't write scripts for pain meds for me. He performed blocks last year and is doing lidocaine infusions for me this year. He doesn't have ketamine, but has talked about trying to get it next year.

There is no one in RI that I would trust to take care of my RSD. (When I was initially diagnosed, before I knew much about RSD, the first RI doc that took care of me chose to perform trigger point injections over that first 6 month period, deeming nerve blocks "too risky," thereby probably costing me that all important window of opportunity for remission. I'll never know...) The trigger points also caused the RSD to spread.

Both of my docs are exceptionally busy (because they are both well-loved). It takes a long time to get in to see either one. That's a definite disadvantage to seeing great practictioners. If you can find one doc to help coordinate your care that you like and trust, it would make things easier for you. Maybe your friends can give you a reference.

Good luck and take care, XOXO Sandy