Dear Kellie -

I would seriously urge you to check out the practice group set up by Robert Schwartzman, M.D. in Philadelphia, whom I flew out from California to see 3 years ago. Although Dr. Schwartzman is now seeling a lighter patient load, and has consequently a 3 year waiting list, thare are other very, very good RSD doctors within his practice group. I know that Roz on our board saw Jahangir Maleki, M.D., and thought the world of him. Their contact information is as follows:

Robert J. Schwartzman, M.D.
Jahangir Maleki, M.D.
Department of Neurology,
Drexel University College of Medicine
Drexel Neurological Associates
219 No. Broad Street, 7th Floor
Philadelphia PA 19107-1519
215-762-7090
215-762-3161 (fax) [Attn. Carol for new appointments]

Best of luck in your search.

Mike

p.s. While I've been treated regularly at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester MN since I was an infant, and continuing through a cardiac work-up this last summer, I have only had - at best - mixed results in working with there RSD and pain specialists and know a number of people who have had the same experience. Part of the problem there is that their Department of Neurology has for many years been under the influence of a now semi-retired specialist in peripheral neurology, who, having done some great work in his time, is a MAJOR hawk against the use of opioids in patients with chronic pian conditions. Secondly, they are really reluctant to get into the treatment of RSD patients who live outside of their immediate area, where they believe, and perhaps rightly so, that RSD treatment is often a hit or miss situation, on account of which multiple appointments over time may be required before they get things right. I know that I was not a candidate for either in-patient ketamine infusions or thalidomide treatments, only because I didn't live nearby, on account of which it would be hard for me to be seen in follow-up appointments. Hope this is helpful.