RSD and need surgery.
 

It looks like I may need surgery. My PCP noticed I have elevated bilirubin and ordered an abdominal U/S. I have gall stones. I have been referred to a surgeon about taking out my gallbladder. :( I see her tomorrow morning.

I have concerns about having surgery with RSD. I am worried about spread, etc. How do they do things like this when you have RSD? To make matter worse, I am in the process of finding a new PM dr. My current one doesn't know I have found one I like...but he is a state away (Utah and I am in Arizona). So, do I stay with my current PM dr until this is taken care of? But I have started the meds from the Utah dr. I would have to disclose this to the AZ dr. aaahhh! Should I just stop and go back to the AZ dr.? I JUST started the meds with the Utah dr. so going back would not be that hard. sigh. Why can't anything be relatively easy for me??

what is everyone's experiences with surgery?

Thanks.
Janel

Definately do a block before... and take plenty of neurontin/lyrica and tramadol for 3 days before and for about 2-3 weeks after! After the surgery, I would take as much pain medicine as you need to keep you at bay. I wouldnt even mess with vicodin, because thats like candy to us... just take diladid that did the best for me. Also, I had fetanyl suckers for me for breakthrough surgical pain. The biggest thing is to keep your mind calm with calm music, and to take care of your body as much as you can, not overdo anything and take as much time as you need to rest after surgery, but make sure to do some walking just to keep your body moving. The biggest help for me was blocks before surgery, high doses of meds for a few days before surgery to keep the cns at bay... hope I helped a little. Let me know how it goes!

I am sorry you may be facing surgery. I am also a little confused by the post so I am sorry if I my response is off so to speak.
I have not had surgery but any type of medical procedure that is not with an rsd doctor I talk to that doctor and explain my condition and the possibles that can happen with spread etc. Some doctors will say they know but they really don't so to educate them is important. So the doctor today you see I would talk to him or her about your condition. Maybe your pain doctor could also talk to the person who does the surgery. Now for the pain doctors why were you switching from the current? I don't think you should be without a pain doctor especially after the surgery. If you are switching because the current pain doctor is not good is there a way you could even do phone sessions with the out of state one?
I hope things get better

anesthesiology consultations
 

Dear Janel -

Please see the reply I just posted to catra on exactly the same question, at http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread151992.html (post #2).

Good luck!

Mike

Mike - I did read that post. thank you!

Daniella - I am switching pain dr's because I just have a gut feeling that my current dr. doesn't know the most current stuff about RSD. He is kind, etc and would be great if it was just a back problem. ykwim? He is wanting to do radio frequency ablation..which I have been told by many to NOT do (people here have said to RUN from a dr who wants to do that). Anyway, I just got a call from his office...I was told that he said he doesn't think I need anything different for the surgery and just go ahead with it. No block, etc. I am worried about that.

So, after meeting with the surgeon, she said I need it removed. :( But, I am heading for Seattle for 5-6 weeks. We are staying with my parents. So, I am seriously considering trying to do the surgery there so my mom can help with my kids (6 of them..just like my name here). Less stress for me. :)

The reason I went to the dr. in Utah was because he offers Ketamine and is willing to think outside the box. I was impressed by him. He went through ALL my records before seeing me (I had brought them with me). He then spent over an hour with me discussing everything, his treatment plan, and why this is what he suggested. I feel good about what he thinks.

Thanks everyone. I will probably hear back from the dr in Utah tomorrow since today is his procedure day.

Janel

Surgery
 

[B]Don't Worry About The Surgery [U]If[You Really need it. Success with RSD patients is TOTALLY in the hands of The ANESTHESIOLOGIST!I have had My Cervical Spine Fused on 5 Levels. Hardware on each Level. I've had a knee replacement. I've had my left wrist pinned & TOTALLY FUSED with BONE HARVESTED FROM BOTH HIPS.
I HAVE HAD MANY, MANY serious surgeries, all the while having Bad RSD. THE surgeries where I spoke to the Head of Anesthesiology ( not always easy) always went well. There was ONE OTHE SURGERY WHERE I SUCCUMBED TO THE ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON SAYING "It is just a brief Scope" THAT IS THE SURGERY THAT PUT ME DOWN FOR YEARS. I HAVE LEARNED MY LESSON! It may be an ordeal to speak with the HEAD OF ANESTHESIOLOGY BEFORE SURGERY, but DO IT!
Stay with whatever doctor you intend to continue with. Stay with the one you feel takes you with certainty &is the MOST KNOWLEDGEABLE & WILLING TO WORK WITH YOU. Also, make sure your new PMD doesn't see you as a guinea pig to begin doing Rounds of EPIDURALS AGAIN.
My Two Cents[/PHP][/PHP][/PHP][/PHP][/PHP][/PHP]

Dear Janel

gallblader surgery started my rsd hell. i have 80lbs of swelling on my abdomen from it and am disabled in bed. i pray that you can find some other way to work on your gallbladder and not be cut.
God bless you
Lori