Good RSD MD In So CAL
 

OK...I have switched from the TOS forum as you know to here & been reading & reading. I relate so much to all of you.

Now, where can I find a proficient RSD physician in Southern California, preferably Orange County??

Hi Cindy -

I've got a great pain specialist in LA, brilliant, compassionate, self-effacing, accepts most insurance, etc. He also gave me a referral to Robert Schwartzman, MD in Philadelphia the first time I saw him in 2003 - at which point I was almost 2 years into this - when I asked who was doing the most cutting edge research in the country in CRPS. (I subsequently went out to Philadephia on a couple of occasions, but never got ketamine due to pre-existing glaucoma.) He is:

Steven H. Richeimer, MD
Chief of Pain Medicine, Assoc. Prof. of Anesthesiology and Psychiatry
Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California
Director, USC Pain Center
1520 San Pablo Street, Suite 3450
Los Angeles CA 90033
323-442-6202
332-442-6255 (fax)

He generally sees new patients for an hour and a half, with 15 minute follow ups, every 60 - 90 days, because they are so busy. That said, they will give patients a series of staged 30-day refill prescriptions for Schedule II drugs "(do not fill until _______)" and are great about handling all other refills over the phone. In case of crises, Dr. Richeimer or his clinical fellow will call you back right away. While he performs a number of procedures, including blocks of all kinds and Zometa infusions, it is my understanding that he does not have his own in-patient practice, although he consults extensively at the USC Norris Cancer Center.

The USC Medical Campus is just east of Downtown LA, right off the 5, 50 -60 minutes from Anaheim, depending on traffic. It was never convenient for me, coming for most of the time from the Westside, but I have found the quality of care at the USC Pain Center to be the best in Los Angeles, and never have I felt hussled to try a new drug or procedure with the sense that there might be a little something extra in it for the doctor: something I can't say the same about across the board.

Sorry I can't offer anything closer to your home. When I lived in Huntington Beach, years ago, the doctors would send their tough cases to UCLA: a place by all reports to be avoided like the plague when it comes to CRPS and pain management in general, notwithstanging an otherwise top-notch neurology program.

Hope this is useful. Good luck in your search.

Mike

Dr. joshua Prager
UCLA California pain management Center.

he is seen alot online about RSD and has published in texbooks.
310-264-7246

I go to him. He is very straight forward and will tell you what you are up against. I am 20 so i have a long road ahead of me and I really liked him beacuse he included my family in everything because it does affect everyone around us.

Also in the same office is Dr. Ezekiel Fink...

I worked for neurosurgeons in Beverly hills and my dr sent our patient with RSD to him and he worked wonders. They are both in the same office. i would recommend going there even though it is a drive, he knows his stuff and this is all he treats is people with RSD/CRPS nothing else.. So his entire practice is based on this. Also he has a nurse practicioner that works with him that you can contact all the time that can contact him and call in anything if needed for flareups.

Any questions feel free to ask.

Hannah -

Among the adjectives I used to describe Dr. Richeimer was "self-effacing," which means "reluctant to draw attention to one's self." Which is an all too unusual trait in a brilliant man. I was treated briefly by Dr. Prager a number of years ago, and do not believe the same could be said about him. Has your experience been different?

Secondly, do you have an understanding as to whether Dr. Prager's office accepts insurance, or are the bills something your family handles for you?

Mike

usc doc
 

Dr. Richeimer is by far the best in my opinion. He is very understanding up on the latest and a very compassionate man. Most importantly takes ins. Prager does not and will only take you after he reviews your medical records and decides if he WANTS to take you. I agree with you Mike.

LA Doctors
 

Hey --

In LA, there are quality options available to you.

I've a good deal of experience with Dr. Prager.

The best way to describe Prager is that he's, as the expression is used in the movie business (where I toil), the classic star ****er.

He's very much is into patients who have wealth (he doesn't take insurance, and he's pricey - the initial consultation is about $700) or prestige. If you didn't know that he is a very prominent doctor, and especially renowned in his field, a major guy in RSD/CRPS practice, plugged in to the handful of other experts in this area, the press clippings that hit you when you walk into his office will let you know you are in the presence of 'greatness'. Indeed, Dr. Prager is very much the great man of medicine. If you didn't know that, he'll tell you.

That said, he really does know his stuff. He's written textbooks on RSD, and if you go to him you'll get top notch treatment. His staff is very good too, as is a neurologist from Mass General, who is out here working for him now. I wanted to be very agressive, and he was great, doing everything I asked and more. In a lot of ways, nobody in LA is better with RSD than Dr. Prager.

I had nerve blocks done, a ketamine infusion (about $2500 a pop, with the surgical center fees). Everything is cash. But what I did find was that, consistent with the great man theory, he quickly loses interest if he doesn't have success. He isn't a long term sort of guy. The time I was with him though, he was good.

To clarify an earlier post, Dr. Prager is not actually a UCLA doctor. His offices are there in the medical plaza, but he is an independent guy. The actual UCLA Pain Center is a place to stay far, far away from, which I have elaborated further about on another post.

I subsequently have moved on to Dr. Steven Richeimer at the USC Pain Center, who, at least from my treatment so far, is to be highly reccomended. Knowledgable, thorough, and very much the caring kind of doc (who takes insurance, a big plus).

The info on Dr. Richeimer originally came to me through Mike. I concur with everything he's posted.

I've found it's always a good idea to follow Mike's erudition in all things.

-- Dennis

Please note that a sumultanous thread "Joshua P. Prager, M.D" is running discussing the same doctors at the same time at http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...622#post583622

THANKS, DENNIS
so u concur with sk8ter

Does Dr. R do anything for Fibro?

Sounds like USC wins
 

What ins does he take?
I am so over shut downs with FM & the RSD constant pain going on 11 years now.