RSD exacerbation
 

Hi my name is Renee, I was on the old forum some years ago. I have had RSD for 13 years. I am having a really bad flare. I had a medial maleolus fracture,it happened last week in May. It is healed but RSD is very bad. I am only able to walk 15-30 minutes 2x day. Fortunately, I have a wheelchair that I found at a yardsale for a reasonable price. Itook MS Contin in June but I hate narcotics & stopped it. I am using Ultram,resting & elevating leg, and marijuana for pain control. Ultram really wires me which isn't good as RSD gives me insomnia too. I have found marijuana to be an excellent pain killer. I like it in tincture form best & edible form.It lasts longer.When I have a flare the my interstitial cystitis flares too. I started having severe elbow pain 2 1/2 years ago. I had low dose ketamine tx in 2003 with Dr. Harbut. I think I need it again. Does Medicare pay for it? Actually I have an Advantage plan medicare this year so maybe I should call the company to see? At any rate I would have to go out of state. I live in West Virginia.

Sunflower,
Sorry you are having such a bad flare up. I've heard more and more people saying they are getting reimbursements from health insurance companies and Medicare, after the treatment is done and paid for up front by you.
I have recently decided to try a high dose ketamine inpatient program. What was your experience like with the low dose treatment? How much help did it provide? Was it lasting?
I hope you are feeling better soon, I've been in bed for weeks so I know just how you feel. Thank you for any help you can provide.

Sorry you are having such a flare. I am not sure about Medicare. I know my insurance will not cover ketamine and I will have to pay out of pocket. I have heard some depending on where they go getting coverage though. Some doctors like the one I may see does not even accept it but I think you can try to summit it on your own.
How did the fracture happen? Were you doing better before that with the RSD? If so what do you feel at that time was helping you? Do you have a pain doctor that deals with RSD and what is there thought on treatment?
Hope you feel better

Sorry you are going through this... I have never heard of Medicare paying for ketamine... but you never know. I want to submit mine to my insurance, but I doubt it. The only insurance I have heard of that has paid has been Blue Cross.

So sorry you have a huge flare... It just seems like it never ends. I have ketamine infusions every 4 months or so much they wear off around 2 months for sure, and I am past two months. The next few months will be really rough. But I TOTALY recommend it. It takes the pain way way down for a long while after having quite a few of them (as long as you dont get hurt which I tend to do because I am 21 and still want to do things with my family and tend to overdo things, and tire myself out and get hurt then). Good luck with it! I hope Medicare pays for you! I definately would get them though, especially with a break, it will make a huge difference. :)