A Third RSD Story from Fox
 

Rare Pain Syndrome Tricks Immune System and Doctors:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,596774,00.html

With this being the third story on RSD from Fox in a short period, I'm wondering if a Fox exec is experiencing RSD in their life/family.

Hi,
 

My thoughts exactly. I bet an employee or a family member has it on the Fox channel. I do love Fox though. They don't mense words about anything.

Thanks for this.
Ada

Mycah, I too find this very interesting, wondering why 3 segments on RSD have been done by Fox.
I also wonder who is paying for these treatments, as I was told that this procedure costs at least $50,000 and the first one didn't work and she was able to go back to germany for a second one and is thinking of a third? I know insurance does not cover any of this. I know personally that it scares the h*** out of me, because I know they put one of dogs to sleep using ketamine. I have had this stuff since 1986 and Dr. Schwartsman told me I was stage 4 and palliative care was my only option. so I am on pain meds and PT. Still wondering the same as you "Why" Foxnews.
Wendy

Hi,
 

This is a big money maker here. I still say that Swartzman gets a kickback for each patient he sends over for the treatment. There are patients he won't even see again after telling them they have RSD. I would say money is definatly an issue since insurance doesn't pay for the treatment. I don't think they have a giveaway like the lottery

Ada.

Hi Mycah and thanks for passing on the information. Although I wouldn't wish this on anyone, but maybe this is what needs to happen so all who live with this disease can get the appropriate care that we need and deserve. I mean there is no other disease out there that doctors and people treat the patient so downright disgraceful. I have had this for a long time, I believe nine years, the first five years I took nothing for pain, I just wanted them to fix the problem, or at least help me find the source of my pain. Then I mentally broke down from the pain so I caved and tried to manage the pain. Let's face it, we are desperate for some type of relief and unfortunately, it is a money trap, when you hurt like this you will try about anything to make the pain go away and some doctors use this to their advantage, and along the way we lose so much of our life that by the time we do find a doctor that truly care and understands there just isn't much left to work with, it just makes me so sad. It seems as though lately, there has been more acknowledgement of this disease and that could be the beginning of what we have all been praying for. God Bless all and wishing you a pain free night and thank you Fox News!

I so agree with you Ada...If the first treatment doesn't work, then why keep continuing...Ketamine is a very dangerous drug, but I am starting to consider the infusions, pill or injections. Being placed in a coma is completely scary to me, especially watching people come out of it, if in fact they ever do. Ketamine can cause permanent brain damage, if used extensively and I do think that Dr. S has to be getting some kind of kick back....for those who have been put under, congrats, but the majority of stories that I have researched have not been so positive.

Interesting...
 

I am one of "those" recommended for the "sleep" by Dr. S...possibly, if I had a nice fury coat or wore a collar, I would get immediate treatment...and my ins. co would be off the hook..As a non-medicine taker, tummy issues..it has made for a long haul on my body and mind .... but I try to counteract it with nice stuff...Oh man, sometimes I think I need "wings"!!!

Thanks Fox news..

Hugz, Kathy~KS:grouphug:

Excellent article
 

Thanks For posting this. Excellent article. :D

I just don't think that's fair to say about Dr. S...and Germany has been shut down for quite a while, so it's not even applicable any more.

If you haven't met Dr. S. or been treated by him, you have absolutely no grounds on which to judge him.

Thousands of RSD patients have been helped by ketamine. My doctor alone - Philip Getson - has been dealing with it for years (first with Dr. S in Philly, then on his own in Jersey) and has seen a good majority of his patients get their life back. He wouldn't still be in business if it didn't work, how would he keep his old patients or attract new ones if ketamine didn't work?? And how would he get insurance to pay?

I started low dose ketamine infusions on April 19th. I am now off Fentanyl, at one time I was up to 100 mcg. I do still take Fiorcet for headaches, and once every few days might need to take 5 mg of oxycodone. That is a huge difference in the strength of the meds that I need to control my pain, all because of ketamine. And I am back to work full time after a year off for medical leave because of my RSD. What an incredible gift....I just pray it lasts.

Throwing unproven accusations around about docs that have dedicated their lives to treating RSD patients strikes me as just plain mean. Dr. S. could have retired years ago. He was one of the first docs in the US to start using ketamine for RSD. And so far there is NO ONE to take his place at Drexel that is as devoted to taking care of RSD patients and finding a cure for RSD as he is. Patients that have met him LOVE him. And really, how much of a kickback could he be getting from a $50,000 fee for a coma when there hasn't been that many of them anyway? Please....

We need more docs like Dr. Schwartzman on our side. Let's not beat him up.

With the right docs, and at the correct levels, ketamine is very safe and very effective.

Sandy

Hi Sandy,
 

I am not saying that the ketamine might be safe in the right setting but putting people in a coma for days just seems too extreme.

Why would he tell one person with extreme RSD he can help them and the next one comes in being in the same shape and he doesn't help them. He gives them a diagnoses that they already have and that's it. I think there has to be a difference in the financial situations in a lot of cases.

50,000. is a lot of money, even at a 10% kickback for every patient would soon add up.

Why did they shut down the clinic in Germany?

If you read about people that have seen him and know some then again it's the percentage of how many a Dr. helps to how many they turn away with the same diagnoses.

I know of a few that got nothing but a diagnoses out of him. It's one thing to help people because you want to but another to help the ones that have the cash.

Ada