how to find good doctors
 

Hi all!!! I am a little frustrated today, I can't seem to find a good doctor who knows much about RSD. My doctor now couldn't believe that my RSD had spread to my other arm without having injured it so he put me through a lot of painful tests and sure enough it was! He just doesn't listen. I found that lots of doctors say they "treat" RSD but they don't know a lot about it. Anyone live in the Washington area have any ideas? I live about 1hr away from Seattle. Let me add one thing... I did find a REALLY good pain guy named Dr.Vu from Good Samaritan pain clinic....he seems to know more than the doc in charge of my care. Thanks!
Jennelle:confused:

Excellent question. I would like to know if there is a way to find a doctor in my state as :confused:well.

Hi Jenelle,

I'm sorry you having such a stressful time. I know how you feel it's bad enough be in such pain being unable to find a doctor who can help makes it worse. Finding the group of doctors who can help you manage your pain takes time and patience. I'm from OH so I don't know any doctors in your area. However, if you go to webmd.com 3/4 of the way down on the screen there is an option for doctors. It will ask for the area code and city you are searching in start with a neurologist and work from there. It doesn't come to my foggy brain right now. I have read about doctors in California that work with RSD.
If it's a primary care physician you are in need of try nurse line. You can also contact the RSDS association at RSDS.org and they may be able to help.
I know it can be confusing and frustrating trying to put together your medical team. Don't get to worked up it will make your pain worse.
I wish you the best of luck in your search for relief,
Take care,
Sherrie:hug:

Hello quackingmoose,

I live in OH. However, about 5 years ago I traveled to Philly to see Dr. Maleki back then he was a partner with Dr. Schwartzman. Dr. Maleki help me understand the complex condition I was facing and who needed to be on my medical team. Pain Management Physcologist, PM doctor, Primary Care Doctor. I also see a chiropractor (we have a nerve condition and our nerves run through our spine). Dr. Maleki wasn't fond of a DC 5 years ago. A couple of years ago I went to see Dr. Schwartzman in Philly. He is a research doctor for RSD and uses ketamine to try and reboot the nervous system and put the RSD/CRPS in a stop. Dr. S thought seeing a DC was one of the best things I do for myself. Both doctors use to practice together, I'm not sure if they still do. They have different approaches to managing RSD.
I wish you the best of luck finding the relief that works for you!
Take care,
Sherrie

I would caution you to be REALLY careful in selecting and keeping your RSD docs. I have written here (often by now) of how I was referred in June of 2008 by my ortho in RI to a PM doc who had a degree from Harvard med school and was voted best PM doc in the state by RI magazine - who referred me to a CHIROPRACTOR for care early in my diagnosis, instead of ordering blocks, which are typically considered standard early on. By the time I got to a good teaching hospital in Boston my RSD had spread full body.

Due your research and be very careful who you trust. Try to get to a good research facility.

Good luck.

Sandy

Good point Sandy! We have University of Washington up here that I have been trying to get a hold of to see if anyone is doing studies or if they have specialists. My OT found a doctor but unfortunately my case manager said they didn't call her back. I think part of my problem finding good doctors is because I was hurt at work and no one wants to touch a workers comp case. As an RN, I have worked with tons of drs, and after awhile you know the good from the bad. It is just hard knowing that until you see them and picking from a list hasn't helped. I did find some sites that let you see if they had complaints against them and such but you had to pay for the info.....seems wrong to me. Hope this finds you Well!
Jennelle

Hi Jenelle,
 

I live in Colorado and I found it litterly impossible to find a good Dr. for RSD. I went to the U. of C in Denver and they used me for a guinna pig. Saw several Drs. there and none of them really knew anything about RSD. Also saw one in the Springs and he was a joke too. Saw another on in our area and he turned out to be a pill pusher and knife happy. He gets a lot of patients from around here and he sure messes them up.

My PCP does all of my medical care. I go to other Specialist for other things and I end up asking him to help me and he gets out his books and on the computer.

I think it's like the others said, make sure you can trust these Drs. and if they offer you a procedure that is too invasive ask if you can go home and think about it and then study up on it. Keep looking until you find one that you feel comfortable with.

Ada

I just remembered we have this in the TOS forum stickys.
I you have Drs names you can look them up. Or do searches by location, etc.

http://www.ratemds.com/social/?q=node/11

[RateMDs.com allows patients to rate and read about their doctors and dentists.

We average over 800 new ratings per DAY, so please keep checking back.]

this is a basic pain management search results for WA-
http://www.ratemds.com/social/?q=nod...ip=&radius=120

Also, do a check of your Dr or one you are thinking about seeing at the State Medical Board. Be sure to ask if the Dr has practised in other states.

Here is a link that gives a directory to every states board.

http://www.fsmb.org/directory_smb.html

This link has more for Texas, but also national links..such as HIPPA laws.

http://www.tmb.state.tx.us/links/links.php

gosh I love this site!!!
 

You all rock!!! thanks again!!!
Jennelle

My husband also sees Dr. Maleki. We travel from NYC to see him a couple of times a year. He is the ONLY compassionate, understanding, and very knowledgeable pain management doctor we have seen. I hope you can find someone like him near Seattle.