Originally Posted by irish4luck

I had an awesome, compassionate, caring, and supportive physiatrist (pain specialist) who had been with me from the beginning, a week or so after my auto accident. She was completely aware of my day to day challenges, struggles, frustrations, and sometimes emotional breakdowns due to the level of pain and loss of us of my right arm and hand. She also empowered me to tell her what I needed and then would figure our how she could, to the best of her ability, meet that need. She has now moved on to Hospice and Palliative Care. I met with her about a week ago at my regular appointment and we discussed her decision. She was actually teary-eyed and asked for a hug before she left at the end of my appointment.
I am so scared, apprehensive, and worried that the doctor/physiatrist I am now assigned to will not be as compassionate as she was. My P.T. knows my new doctor and said that he is extremely knowledgeable about RSD and what to do for each case, is highly respected by his peers, but does not have the same type of "bedside manner" as my original physiatrist.
I'm in a internal battle: RSD knowledge & compassion vs. RSD knowledge and blunt personality.
Am I making too much of this? My biggest fear?: being touched and prodded in places on my arm that will set off a "flare." WHY DID SHE HAVE TO LEAVE!!