Munchausen
 

Does anyone have any information regarding RSD and Munchausen? A friend just asked me who was accused by IME after several Dr's agreed with RSD. Any information, studies, documentation, etc would be appreciated. She and her family knows she does not have this everything in her medical history is explainable, yet this ding-a-ling has accused her of this after one visit. The ole "It's all in your head" with a formal name......*sigh* just another victim of a nasty Dr..........ggggggggrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!

Oh my God I am so appalled by this Doc. Have they no compassion.

Hi Hubby with RSD--Well, Munchausen is DELIBERATELY and INTENTIONALLY FAKING of "feigning" illness for SECONDARY GAIN (in the context of the Insurance Companies), for MONEY.

Now, I am by no means an expert, but for an IME doc to "label" someone with the Pshychiatric Term of "Munchhausen"...FIRST, they need to be a QUALIFIED Psychiatrist or Psychologist; secondly, this Psych would have to administer the MMPI test... a MEDICAL MD CANNOT DIAGNOSIS PSCYCHIATRIC CONDITIONS--they may have a "suspicion", BUT, a COMPETENT MD would REFER the patient to a Psych for PROPER psychiatric diagnosis...(which includes conducting the appropriate TESTS)....

Who on EARTH is this IME???? Does your friend have an atty?? This IME needs to be DE_BUNKED PRONTO...

Certainly, with severe RSD and intractable PAIN, SOME patients may END UP having serious psych issues (SUICIDE comes to mind...) but psych conditions are NOT the CAUSE of RSD...I am not sure what studies are out there re Munchausen's and RSD--maybe some of the more experienced and knowledgeable contributors to this forum can steer you in the right direction.

OMG--my blood is boiling for what your friend is being subjected to.:mad:

Brokenwings

Ok - Not sure how much I can put here as far as legalities....BUT I can tell you that this Dr saw her for approx 30 minutes - was hired by insurance company - this dr has a 6 month internship in psych - whatever that means??? Otherwise in his "credits" has done PLENTY of w/c seminars, insurance company work, etc.... Asked her about past medical issues for about 25 minutes, examined her for current condition area of injury for less then 5 - was PAID approx $2000.00 for this visit from what I can figure....There were NO tests like the MMPI that you mentioned, nor any other "psych tests", but has written in a report that can and will be used in court and has diagnosed her with Munchausen.........

Oh and I should also mentioned - looked a little into this Docs history and apparently his main accusation towards people is them "faking" their conditions/injuries..........:mad:

Hi Again Hubby w RSD--well, ALL Medical Doctors are required to do a rotation in various disciplines...however, a 6 month "stint" does NOT qualify a MEDICAL Doctor to be a Psychiatrist...let alone DIAGNOSE a psychiatric disorder...

If your friend's attorney is SHARP, he will do the homework re this particular IME to EXPOSE HIS BIAS. First, the atty should DEPOSE the IME, and GRILL him re his "qualifications", other cases is which he testified, what PERCENTAGE of his Medical practice is DEVOTED to DEFENSE exams, etc...the particular IMEs experience and QUALIFICATIONS in TREATING PATIENTS wtih RSD, not to mention how he arrived at a PSYCHIATRIC diagnosis...a good attorney could make MINCE-MEAT of this guy.... and IMPEACH HIM---and jurors do NOT LIKE "shady" paid for by the IC docs....it blows uo in the Defenses' face, and potentially results in an outcome VERY MUCH in favor of the plaintiff..if this is CIVIL litigation (as opposed to Workers Comp) the monetary damages could be staggering...

Well, I might just have to do a little research re Munchausen's/RSD...frankly, I do not believe there really is much out there, but I am not sure. It is more of a "legal myth" that the Insurance Companies would like to perpetuate...

Brokenwings

Just to clarify
 

Just to clairfy....This IME is saying she has Munchausen regarding herself - NOT her children - IME has said that she has made up in her head the burning pain, muscle spasms, sores, deep pain, cramping, temperature changes, etc........in herself.

There is so much out there on Munchausen By Proxy involving one and their children I just didnt want the two to get mixed up.

from here- http://www.clevelandclinic.org/healt...asp?index=9833

[What are the symptoms of Munchausen syndrome?

People with this syndrome deliberately produce or exaggerate symptoms in several ways. They might lie about or fake symptoms, hurt themselves to bring on symptoms, or alter diagnostic tests (such as contaminating a urine sample). Possible warning signs of Munchausen syndrome include the following:

* Dramatic but inconsistent medical history
* Unclear symptoms that are not controllable and that become more severe or change once treatment has begun
* Predictable relapses following improvement in the condition
* Extensive knowledge of hospitals and/or medical terminology, as well the textbook descriptions of illnesses
* Presence of multiple surgical scars
* Appearance of new or additional symptoms following negative test results
* Presence of symptoms only when the patient is alone or not being observed
* Willingness or eagerness to have medical tests, operations, or other procedures
* History of seeking treatment at numerous hospitals, clinics, and doctors offices, possibly even in different cities
* Reluctance by the patient to allow health care professionals to meet with or talk to family, friends, or prior health care providers
* Problems with identity and self-esteem]

The IME is doing what he is paid for-- and it stinks - but the best proof against it is also with consistent symptoms, regular appt reports and charting by her own doctor- and a good atty that will prove the bias of the IME.


this link is for Oregon - but much of the IME info and other info with how best to deal with the system is good for many areas.
http://www.injuredworker.org/
http://www.injuredworker.org/ime.htm

W/C
 

I found after 14 years going through various w/c cases, that when an IME doctor comes up with a far out syndrome, and spent 30 minutes with the patient, that is favorable to your friend.
Judges do not like so improbale unlikely diagx by IME doc's. The doctors credicility of whom is more likely the better credibility is weighed by the judge. If their doctors hav long history with symptoms consistant with RSD, and put it next to doc that spent 30 minutes and came up with something even the judge is not going to buy...lol, he will say your friends doctors are more credible then the IME doc.

The judges know these doc's get paid for their opinion, and since they are not the treating doctor can get away with saying such unreal stuff...but that makes them look nutty to judge, and your friend is really great shape.

If he came up with auto immune, or lyme disease not realted to accident or injury then that is more challangable. I mean at least soemthing believable. But this is so far off the charts even the judge will chuckle under his breath when eh reads the report.

I would not be surprized if the w/c ask for another IME in six months, and receive another diagx more believable....It always comes down to whose doctor is more credible!
Dianne

Hey there - This is what we thought too as she is working closely with several doctors and has been for the duration of her condition. She has had all the tests to rule out anything else, has had the same dr's regarding her condition, and is still with the same hospital/clinic group, has made almost all of her appointments, etc. (Not even close to the symptoms that someone with Munchausen has) So we thought that with it being so far out of the park that it just might help her, instead of hinder.

She is just frustrated and angry and we are as well, she asked that if there is any research out there or write ups against the association she could forward them onto her attorney. I told her we would see what we could do...thanks for your help and your thoughts, we will forward them onto her.

What ticks me off about this definition - and it's no surprise for it to come out of a big institution like the Cleveland Clinic - is the alacrity with which it could be applied to patients with chronic conditions, whose "subjective" symptoms worsen over time. And to the extent the patient educates him or herself and sees multiple specialists in an attempt to find a new treatment angle, the patient is just tightening the noose around his/her neck. It's almost like they have a diagnostic code: patient is a pain in the butt.

If you'll forgive my Yiddish: Shtup es in toches!

Mike