Need Help, Please.
 

Hi Peoples!, I need some help with some questions to ask my PM doc. I was able to get an appointment for Monday. The issue is the denial of SCS and the new neck/shoulder pain, kidney pain and the nasty little heart palpitations that seem to happen everyday. I always feel so rushed, and do not know what to ask for, or what the next treatment option should be. I think that I am really just too tired and discouraged to fight the WC system anymore. I got to see my 2.5 year old grandson on Sunday, and could hardly stand to have his little arms hug me, and it broke my heart that he was so concerned about "Nana's boo-boo. Peace and low pain levels to anyone. Lisa

Hi Lisa
 

My heart really goes out to you.....I certainly 'know' that feeling of being 'rushed'.......it sucks and makes us feel 'insignificant'....:(
If i were you, I would say exactly that as soon as you get the one on one with the Dr. Let him/her know how discouraged you are and that you always feel rushed when you get in for the office visit.
Also, I would write down all the points you want to hit on while you are there. Sometimes you get these Drs' that use up the whole office visit talking about stuff that doesn't pertain to your particular concerns. Politely steer the conversation to what you have written on your list and don't leave until you get some answers or some plan of action.

Caring
Rae
:hug:

Do not be shy. My last PM appt. I wrote out 2 pages of concerns,questions etc. and pulled it out of my purse-No Secrets- and went thru my list 1 at a time. It was the best visit I have had in a long time.Hope this helps-Fondly-Carol

Lisa, I've heard so many stories about WC and their slowness in providing care. If you are having new pain-spread- in neck, shoulder pain and kidney pain-heart issues, do yoou think it's a good time to have an invasive procedure? Please, please, please, do a lot of research on SCS-many have had spread from the procedure. Yes, some have success. but if do decide to have it, it seems it would be better while you are in a positive calm state. There are many physicians that will not preform surgery during stress time.
I know one questionairre I filled out here on this forum, if we got RSD following surgery, were we under stress at the time of surgery? YES Many physicians feels that complicates surgery. Just please do some research on SCS.
My RSD Doc just built two clinics with HBOT in each of them. I've saving for treatment this summer. I'm so excited that it possibly will help me. He has had some wonderful results on other issues.
Did you say you have an attorney? There are good ones and bad ones. Hope your brother passes the bar. I'm going to start the battle with SSDI-I'll be 62 next month and have no health insurance when we sold our business and no one will cover me. Don't give up your rights because you are exhausted or feel beaten down-I did and am now sorry. Do you have a family member or trusted friend that can fight for your side on the WC? I have a friend that is going to help me fill the form out-she got hers the first time with no rejection. Has cancer.
Take care of yourself, get your sleep and right meds-are you seeing a psychiatrist? When I went full body in about 9th year, my neuro said it would be good to see a psych. I didn't like the two names he gave me, so I looked in yellow pages and good a wonderful man out of New York. He is a neuro. a psychiatrist and pharmacologist. He's very strict on meds and goes slow with changing anything-a very caring man. My husband and daughter have been with me to see him. For 5 years I was seeing him one hour a month then one hour every 6 weeks to 8 weeks. Worth the money. Only takes cash. I live in Arizona-what part of the world do you live in?
Take care, your new friend, loretta

Need Help, Please
 

I am so sorry you are having these challenges.

The primary goal is that you receive the care you need as quickly as possible. In order to accomplish that, you are most likely going to have to do so outside of the WC system. Although most will not acknowledge it, most physicians have a "separate" system by which they handle WC patients within their office. WC patients are typically seen in a block schedule limited to a single day, for example. WC patients present challenges to the physician due to the realities of the WC reimbursement system. It is unfortunate, but a sad economic reality of how difficult it is to be a physician today.

My recommendation is that you schedule an appointment with compensation outside your WC claim. This can be with your current physician (you will need to specify this at the time you make your appointment) or with another physician.

In California, for example, a physician receives no reimbursement for services until a WC claim is settled. Because this can take years in many cases, it is expensive for a physican to accept a WC case. I do not know the rules in Ohio, but my guess is that WC is an obstacle in your receiving the care you deserve.

RSD is a time-sensitive disease. A small investment now, even if it must be made out-of-pocket, can make a huge difference in your medical outcome.
We all wish you improved health. You have great support from your friends on this site!