neurologist or anesthesiologist?
 

Can anyone tell me the difference between the two docs? Is one better over the other? Is the neurologist a better doc for rsd? The reason why I ask is because my pain doc is the anesthesiologist and I would like to know what a neurologist could that a pain doc can't. My attorney is not sure if a neurologist can do any more than a pain doc. So if anyone could help me and tell me what a neurologist does differently than an anesthesiologist I would greatly appreciate it. I got a referral to see a neurologist by my ortho doc but since he is not the authorized doc I have to get the referral by my pain doc and say it is wc related. If he does not do that then I can't see a neurologist. So please if anyone can tell me the difference between the two docs I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you to all that can help. It is more appreciative than anyone will ever know.

Sincerely,
Tracy(screwballpookie)

Tracy,
An anesthesiologist (Pain Doc) should be able to give the appropriate injections and are more likely to manage and prescribe narcotic or opioid pain meds for chronic pain. From what you have said in previous posts, you need to find a new one that will look at your case with a "fresh" set of eyes and be willing to work with you. A neurologist specializes in the nervous system/brain and could also have a slightly different approach to the disease. I personally see one for my ongoing migraines. My understanding is that those of us with RSD need a TEAM of specialists and doctors.....all working together on our behalf. An internist, neurologist, therapist, psychiatrist, pain specialist, and GP could all be part of our team. It is important that they all know what the other hand is doing, so to speak, so that different treatments do not overlap or become remiss.

I think it may take some trial and error for you to find the right combination, but you ARE worth getting good treatment, and it may require some diligent leg work on your part to get all the balls moving in the same direction. Firstly, find a Pain Doc (a different one, if possible) that is willing to listen to you and take you seriously and work with you. Go from there. This is just my opinion from what I have read on the disease. I will be curious to see what other members say having dealt with this longer than I have. Best wishes to you!!!!

I don't know.

I don't believe you'll be able to get any of the heavily regulated pain killers from a neurologist. My doctor said he'd send me to a pain doc if necessary but so far the neurologists have been doing an adequate job with the pain levels I think.

I'm afraid of the drugs and the addiction. None of the ones I've tried have really been very effective anyway. This is part of the reason I'm afraid of them; as long as I'm not using them there's an alternative.

Do what works for you. Let the docs know how you're doing.

I was told that the best Doctor to see that can treat RSD is an Anaesthatist (sp?) as they can give you the nerve blocks and prescribe Pain medications that most Neurologist's can't.

I see both an Anaesthatist (Pain Management Doctor) and a Neurologist and they have both helped in different ways but the doctor that helped me the most was my Pain Management Doctor as he has been prescribing the medications and sending me to Physical Therapy. I was referred to my Neurologist by my Pain Management Doctor when I developed the really bad Myoclonic Spasms as he couldn't help me with those as he had never seen them before and thought that the Neurologist would have more advice and treatment options for me.

I see my PM Doctor every 6 weeks and see my Neurologist every 3-4 months. Neurologist's usually just work in conjunction with the PM Doctors and the PM Docs can refer you to them whenever they feel that they might be useful.

Not many Neurologist's know anything about RSD so some can be pretty ignorant and rude. I am SO lucky that my Neurologist knows about RSD and it was actually him that said he thought I had RSD and got the referal to my PM Doctor.

I hope you find a doctor that you like soon but I would say that you are better seeing a Pain Management Doctor (Anaesthetist) as they seem to have more treatment options and know more about RSD.

I want to thank you all for your urgent responses as I see my attorney at 2pm central time today. I am sure this will all help so myself and my attorney can understand the difference between the two. Thank you all so very much. You all mean the world to me. If I didn't have you to help I don't know what I would do. Thanks again and i will let you all know how things progress.

Sincerely,
Tracy(screwballpookie)