Hey

that dr sounds like he doesn't want to know about RSD and is basing his knowledge of RSD onto stuff circulated 20 or so years ago. I think you have to decide whether he WILL learn what it is or whether he refuses to. Also - is he your "specialist" or your PCP? In the UK in med school less than a day is spent on chronic pain conditions and of that RSD is mentioned for about 10 minutes and a GP (PCP) is unlikely to see many cases - so he might be educatable. These are just some ideas you might want to think about when discussing doctors.. and before you change drs.

1) Is he willing to contact drs with a speciality in RSD?
2) is he willing to try a multitudes of treatments/ drugs etc to try and get it "under control".
3) He is correct saying that RSD is a pain syndrome BUT it has neurological effects, rheumatological effects, psychiatric/psychological effects, orthopaedic effects etc etc etc.. therefore will he treat this in a holistic manner?
4) are you on opiates? if you went to a new dr would they continue prescribing them?
5) how much further is it for another dr? are there any that know about RSD?
6) what are his views on physio? if he believes that RSD is due to stress then has he suggested a pain management course which will teach you how to handle stress etc?

I really hope that this gets sorted out! It might be a misunderstanding and he might be willing to learn about it - but if not then you need to find someone else, who you are comfortable with and who understands what this life is like, even if they only understand to a certain extent!

Good luck and love

FRxxxxxxxxxxxxxx