I don't understand, exactly how these WC ins. companies can lock you into one doctor?
It seems you should have the freedom to see who ever you choose, this is still America, for a while anyway.
I think you should be able to call around, call the ins. company, and have them specifically deny coverage of a "good doctor" that you've found and want to see. (Find out what the doctor needs), and ask the doctor that you're seeing, for referrals to certain doctors.

Why is this system so broken?

(I was a Master Plumber originally, and quickly learned on a "leak through ceiling", from bathroom above, once I got it diagnosed, to quickly rip that bathroom out, before the ins. could take control.) It seems that they're better at "duping" folks into buying their line, once they get control. On one job, the client was paid some $500, before I arrived on the job. Luckily, her plumber didn't show up.
I went in, and found water damage so extensive, (Including an antique grandfather clock) that this elderly woman, and her husband (who had dementia) were paid well over $30,000. Yes, you read that right. Think anyone at that Ins. company cried for that poor couple, who had been paying premiums for over 40 years?

Now, can someone tell me why WC isn't the same?
If you get hurt, and go to YOUR doctor, and let him "take control", it seems to me, that you've got it all over the ins. company?

There are Lazy lawyers, and do nothing Ins. companies. We've got to stand up for ourselves?

Pete

Hi Tracy,
I can understand how you feel about the disease spreading, mine spread very quickly thougout my body. One thing I do want to encourage you to do is don't give in to wc. They make you jump through hoops in hope that you will go away. As everyone else has said it is time to find a new doctor. Can your lawyer work with wc to find you someone who specializes in RSD? If you had a family doctor before your injury I believe you can see s/he now. In the state I live in you only have to see wc doctor for the first 30 days then you can see the doctor you choose. Unfortunately, the only thing wc is interested in is making sure you get back to work. That's what they get paid for.

I think the hard part is hellping our love ones to understand our disease. I don't blame them. I never heard of RSD (and I am a nurse) until I had a student who had it. I only barely understood it at first myself. I don't know if financially it is possible for you to join RSDSA. I think it was $25 to join and they sent me a lot of good information including cards that explain exactly what it is. Did you see the article in People magazine concerning RSD. When my daughter read it and came upon the part were the patient states the burning in his feet feels like someone is holding a blow torch to them, she looked at me and said is that really how it feels. Of course, I said yes and I could almost see the lightblub over her head. All we can do is try and educate our families and pray for the best. I believe our families love us irregardless of what illness we acquire.
Hang in there.
wishing you better days,
Hope

Hi Loretta,
How did you go about searching for a psychologist that had knowledge of RSD? The closest support group to me is about 1 hour away.
Hope

I don't want to "popularize " this, but the rsdsa.org will accept you as a member, even if you can't afford it.
Send an email to Mr Broatch!
He's the man!

pete

Hey all,
Once again thank you all for your help and support. wc is so strange.
I got fired from my job back in 2003 because I brought permanent restrictions in from one of many docs and they said see ya cuz they couldn't abide by my restrictions. I have tried to get a job and have had no luck. I went back to college hoping to help myself get a job. I went to college for becoming a Health Information Technologist. I have tried to get a job after college and still no luck. I stopped looking because I could feel myself spiraling backwards. I didn't want to be there again. I am still trying to climb but am really struggling to do so. I did settle out of court 2 yrs. ago with an open file, but wc has not paid for any of my meds or doc bills since we settled. Now we are going back after them again for not doing as was agreed. It all went through state and everything. But I am still fighting. I have been fighting wc for the last 6 yrs. it has really been a struggle but so far I am making it. I am not sure how since we are living on my hubby's income but we are. I have tried to get disability and have been denied 6 times and I now have another atty. to help me appeal that. So it just seems like fight fight fight here. I get so tired of fighting for everything but i am not a quitter. I keep going after what is rightfully mine. So I guess we will see how it all turns out.
Again thanks to everyone and you all take good care of yourselves.

Sincerely,
Tracy

Tracy....WOW I cannot imagine going through all the legal BS that you are having to go through. I wish I had some words of wisdom in the department, but I do not...sorry. I do however have an idea about your family situation. I am very new to RSD and have done some research and bought some books on it. I plan on sending one of the books to my husband in Iraq, so hopefully when he comes home he won't be quite so shocked to coming home to a "different" me. It is a VERY readable book, and does not have a whole bunch of medical jargen that leaves you feeling stupid and like "huh?" Perhaps if you got your mom to read it she might understand a bit more? It's called Living with RSDS, your guide to coping with RSDS and by Linda Land and Peter Moskovitz, MD. Hope this helps even just a little. Hang in there, I know that you're trying.

Hi Tracy,

I read on a post that if you are denied disability, rather than opening a new claim, keep appealing the original claim.

Like you, my medical care is in the hands of W.C.
I wish my injury never happened, but since it did, I truly wish it didn't happen at work...at least I would be dealing with my regular health insurance that ironically I have through my job....

I am frustrated that I can't see doctors through my OWN health insurance and I am a 'prisoner' and captive' of W.C.
For example, both my doctors have requested many more months of aqua therapy because the swelling in my foot and leg is pitted and severe and can cause even more irreversible damage...

...Uh, they just authorized only 8 sessions of aqua therapy (two weeks)...so..back to the battlefield to get more authorized.

I have to say this, though,....the more they come through with their unethical, money-centered decisions, the more I will fight...( I just need to fight calmly...)

hang in there, Tracie
hope4thebest