Quote:
Originally Posted by ballerina
I used to believe that CRPS/RSD was rare but I don't any more. We know four people who have been diagnosed, not close friends but colleagues.
Both my pain management doctor and Neurologist treat many CRPS patients. My primary care physician, whose practice is in a rural area, also treats CRPS patients and several years ago his physician's assistant was disabled due to CRPS.
I used to be troubled by strangers asking me about my service dog. I got some good advice from an NT/CRPS service dog veteran who explained why she was very open with questions from strangers and her explanation made sense to me. Now, if asked, I begin by explaining that my dog helps me by picking up things steadying me, assisting me with dressing, etc. due to a neurological disorder. I am now open and if anyone asks I tell them I have CRPS. I am amazed how many people indicate that they have a friend or relative with CRPS.
I think there are many of us out there!
I am in the same prayer department with you Jim!!!!!!!!!!!
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There are instances where you would anticipate larger spikes of RSD, such as military in active combat. Also, the plethora of hand surgeries caused by overuse of computers (in the past 20 years) might account for a chunk of the rising numbers. But, unless there are environmental factors contributing that I've never heard of, multiple legitimate RSD diagnoses in a rural area is surprising.
I'm not suggesting that they're all faking RSD, or don't have serious health issues. But rather that docs in a rush to treat potential RSD patients aggressively and early (which is commendable), are assigning a diagnosis of RSD prematurely.
I've actually used the question of how many RSD patients have you treated as my beginning question to determine a doc's credibility (excluding RSD specialists, of course.) Even a regular pain doc should only have seen a relatively small number of RSD patients over the years. If their numbers are over inflated, I know they're throwing everyone with neuropathic pain under the RSD umbrella. Question them further about some of "our" non-pain related RSD complications, and from their confusion, you'll see what I mean.