ER, what have they done for you?
 

I'm in bad shape and have avoided the ER over the years, but due to insurance issues, this is my best option currently to try and stop new spread.

Thanks in advance.

Hi Lit Love
 

The ER, may be able to get you some temporary help. they also have the inside, on how to get to the best doctors as soon as possible. Can get you in to see a specialist faster. I had no insurance either, and this was the way to go for me. I wish you all the best. ginnie

Ginnie, I am insured, that's not the issue at all. I've been hoping I could avoid having to go to the ER, but I'm experiencing spread due to a hold up of med approval (meds that have kept me stable for years.) I have a good RSD doc, but I can't travel the distance to him in my current state... I'll call him and ask what the ER can offer as well, but I was hoping for advise from others. Spread is in my jaw, starting across my teeth, and it appears my tongue. It hurts to eat and talk. My doc said he'd request a sympathetic block for my jaw at my last appointment, but things are escalating to a point I'm scared.

The ER in my town took unnecessary x rays, assured me "this is just what happens when your body heals" called it good. Then, instead of billing my insurance, billed my past info and turned me into collections because I live at a new address and never received a bill. I will only go to ER if I was on the verge of death. lol just my experience.

Oh lit love
 

so very very sorry you are experincing that kind of pain. Hope you can get in touch with your doc. and get some sound advise. Try not to panick, but I do know how bad pain can effect someone. Let me know what you do, and if you can get that injection. My heart goes out to you. ginnie:hug:

I went to the ER for basically the same thing. I specifically asked for a doc at the ER that knew something about RSD. I had to wait quite a while for him, but it was worth it. He told me that it was the Vegus nerves that the RSD was effecting. Meds given Gabapentin, Valium, Percocet, and if it the pain gets out of hand then IV Dilaudid. The trick as I know you know, is to stay ahead of the pain, otherwise it takes more big gun drugs to turn it back around. As far as a permanent solution… I do not know of one. But I do understand. It effects my teeth, gums, jaw, eyes, neck… absolutely no fun. So sorry hon. Hope you get relief soon!

Thanks Vrae! I got part of my meds, and I'm going to try and get in for a sympathetic block asap. The jaw issue seems to have taken hold. My teeth and tongue calmed down once the meds hit my system. I'm wearing a strip of Lidoderm patch taped over my jaw. It seems to be helping somewhat...

Your info is greatly appreciated! It's by far the worst area I've ever had to deal with spread.

Glad to hear you were able to get some meds. I hope you feel better real quick! It really does suck and is so painful! So Sorry hon.

I haven't been to the er since being diagnosed with rsd.

I don't want them to think I am seeking drugs as I am already on all kinds of medications....I figure there's not much more they can do for me.

I usually just suffer though whatever is going on, take my meds, go to bed, and wait to see what tomorrow brings.

Sigh....
Abbie

I want to add....
 

Be cautious of the sympauthetic nerv block. weigh your options carefully.i understand your options are limited but I say this because I had a sympathetic nerve block and I regret it wendy day.not to say you will because as we all know everyone responds differently I would just be cautious.i wish you the best.

I've had many blocks, over many years, and always responded well. :)

I'll admit, I haven't gone to the ER since I was about 16. I had age on my side then, so I was able to go straight into the children's ER where the doctors were quite nice and helpful. I went a few times for severe flares mainly. The doctors there didn't necessarily know about RSD, but they were absolutely receptive and did not tell me it was in my head (lord knows we've all heard that a time or two).

All of that being said, I'm a little hesitant to have to go to the "big girl" ER since I'm over 18...I am thankful to be near two excellent hospitals to where I'd at least feel somewhat comfortable going there, but I'm not sure about the hospitals near you. The best advice I can say is plan on going to the ER during the day...not at night. More specialists will be there during the day versus on-call doctors at 3am. Also, if they need to run tests, the necessary people will be there to run the equipment.

I feel like I rambled and I don't really know if I fully answered your question. I'm sorry if I didn't...Best of luck though!