Getting a referal to a pain clinic
 

The physio I was seeing has discharged me, and they're getting the doctor to refer me to a pain clinic.

Problem is, I get very anxious about things I dont understand... So can anyone explain roughly what a pain clinic does? Anyone been to one before?

xx

A pain clinic focuses on helping reduce your pain. I see a pain management doctor at one, and I think it's really important for RSD. Most pain management doctors are anesthesiologists. I think that most have a lot of experience with RSD, but make sure yours does before you see him or her. They have a variety of treatments that they can try with you to find something that works from medications to procedures to implants. They will usually start with more conservative treatment and work their way up, but it depends on other factors and they'll come up with a plan for you. Good luck!

Are you currently in England? The health care system is so different between the US and the UK, that I'm not really sure most of our input would be much of a help.

You should have access to many treatments and meds, including Ketamine, that are expensive and aren't universally available for those of us in the US.

Letter to new doctor pre-first visit
 

A week piror to ANY first time doctor consult, I always write a detailed but brief one page letter describing things about my history that no office form can fully clarify. You must be as open as possible and confirm the doctor actually read it before you go to your appointment. This will save a lot of time and aggravation as many specialists love to hear themselves talk and make you feel what you have to say is not legitimate or valid. If he responds well to the letter then the relationship between you and this new physician will likely be a healthy one. Its always worked for me in some way or another so I would give it a shot (no pun intended). :D

Thanks everyone :)

Im waiting for the referal to come through so I guess I should write everything down now so its ready for when it comes through.

This is all very new to me - I only recieved the diagnosis about a month ago, before then I had never even heard of RSD!