Can someone help me? First visit with Dr. S in PA...
 

Happy New Year everyone....

I wondered if those who have had a consult with Dr. Schwartzman in PA could help me... My first appt. is coming up in March... for the appt. do we have to stay there overnight or longer??.. or is it a long day?? I have to travel ~ 6 hrs. to see him... I realize we have a bunch of exams to go thru so I am just trying to do my homework.... thxs very much..

KS

Heres to a low pain YEAR everyone!!!:grouphug:

This was what I did..
 

I saw Dr.S. for ketamine boosters only, so yes I did have to stay over night I am about 2 - 3 hours away.

You are seeing him for a regular appt. from what I understand so staying overnight is really not necessary, but you are traveling so far it might be wise. There is a Hampton House Hotel about 2 blocks from his office and they will give you a discount if you make them aware you are seeing him. The hotel is clean and could not be more easy to access. If you call his office and speak to Carol his secretary, it's been about a year or so and that was his secretary at that time, she will give you the schedule of the day so you know how to plan. But 6 hours is a long way if you can swing it I would stay over. The rate per night when I stayed was $99 a night, I am sure that has gone up but like I said it is very clean and they do give you a full breakfeast and are very nice.


I hope I was of some help,

Gabbycakes

gabby cakes... thank you..
 

It does help me very much.. my in-laws live about 90 minutes from there so we most likely swing there the first night but if I'd had to stay my family ocould shoot for the hotel you have told me about..I really appreciate your help..Did you like Dr. S and did the boosters help you? Number of boosters depending on the stage of your condition which is determined at your first appt. right??? When you had the boosters done you didn't have to be an inpatient?? They only do the ketamine "coma" in Germany am I right???

So nice to hear from you... thanks, KS:hug:

Hello KS,

My first visit was about 2 hours long. Dr. S is very knowledgeable about RSD. He will bring several interns in the the room with him. He will ask questions have some test done. I went back the next morning and we talked about a 10 day out patient ketamine trial. I went back about a month after my first appt. for the ketamine treatments. It wasn't working for me. I need more than can be given as an out patient. He offered the Coma in Germany or Mexico (this was 2 years ago). I'm not ready for that.

The nice thing about being his patient is, when you have questions about how RSD is affecting you or a treatment option you can call him. He returns the call himself and you can get your questions answered. My referring docotor told once you become his patient you are always his patient. His main treatment option is Ketamine that's what he does he research on.

Like most everyone on here we have been through countless doctors. It's nice to know Dr. S's knowledge is only a phone call away. I live 8 hours away in Ohio.

I wish the best of luck during your appt. Sandy is his scheduler and she will be able to give you a better idea how your appt. will go give her call.

Thxs....SBowling
 

I really appreciate your info. on my upcoming PA visit..must say I am apprehensive about it...of course that is to be expected..I am really apprehensive about the insurance being on board... that will make or break this next step...but your information was really helpful in what to expect for the first visit... I have spoken to Sandy and carol before while the appt. was being arranged...my Dr. here insits it be a asap appt. and my RSD seems to be the most aggressive form he has ever treated..that in itself makes me wonder if they can help me in PA. but I am open for the visit..can't hurt to try right?...

Have a great..less painful day..and thxs again..KS

I did have in-patient ketamine infusions first...
 

I had the 5 day in-patient procedure in NYC at the Hospital for Special Surgery 3 times. The different in the procedures is that in Germany they put you into a coma for 5-7 days and then bring you out of in it. In the states they take you to a pretty high level but you are not in a coma. The follow up procedure with the boosters is the same from what I can tell, but each doctor likes to handle the boosters differently depending on how the 5 day or coma procedure went.

I had to go to Dr. S for my boosters because my NY doctor did not do the boosters. A lot of what goes on is up to each hospitals review board because he procedure is experimental. Some do both the procedure and the boosters and some do one or the other. I was also lucky with my insurance company I was covered for about 90% of the procedure each time. I did have some out of pocket but it wasn't so bad...

I do feel the procedure worked but things eventually come back to it's original form.

Good Luck,

Gabbycakes