Hi Dennis,
Yes, the irony would be *Larry David-ish* if your letter circulated amongst the doctors, and there you were with an unrelated medical need! Write the letter anyway, though, and keep it just to fuel your search for competent RSD care.

Better yet, if at all possible, can you pay another $10 co-pay and go back to him with a binder in hand full of supporting documentation, articles, research reports ( print out some or all of fmichael's links and include them!)
to educate him that your condition cannot be simply dismissed with his inadequate diagnosis (diplomatically, of course..)

His saving grace is that he did suggest meditation, but he went no further than that.. By the way, I just completed a MBSR class, that has helped me immeasurably and will continue to help in years to come!!

I am trying to curtail any high expectations, but I FINALLY have an appointment with a neurologist at UCSF Medical Center at Mount Zion Pain Management Center at the end of the month. (Dr. Rowbotham)

(The only neurologist I have seen in the past told me that "CRPS doesn't spread, that's why it's called regional......." duh...
I never returned for my follow-up appointment..)

I am *reluctantly* allowing myself to hope for miracles with Dr. Rowbotham's findings, or maybe just some new and innovative ingredients in any future lumbar blocks...or a suggested lidocain infusion...or bier block to the foot..something, anything..

My previous and 'assigned' pain management doc wasn't even an anesthesiolgist, and I fear that I have lost valuable time.. such as 1 to 2 years!!!)
I researched the net and found Dr. Rowbotham's name on my own..

All this said, Dennis, I hope you find a doctor-partner who you can respect and who will partake in your treatment with respect for you as well..sometimes it seems that searching for the ideal doctor is like Don Quixote chasing windmills..

I hope your apointment with Dr. Luc Jasmin brings you new beginnings and intelligent insight...... (I was born in Montreal, too!!)

I won't give up...has anyone sought out a shaman??
Hope4thebest

Hey --

I saw Dr. Rowbotham back in March. The neurologist I mentioned, Dr. Luc Jasmin, was based at UCSF and worked closely with Rowbotham.

He's very good, definitely worth a visit, whether you're in San Fransico or have to travel for the appointment.

The most important thing I could say is that he 'gets it' with respect to RSD and other pain issues. You'll find it easy to connect with him on an intellectual level, and there's a humanistic element as well. I was impressed.

He'll provide an agressive game plan, and in my case, he analyzed my records and freely admitted the complexity of my specific issues, yet sort of put himself out there with respect to a diagnosis. There wasn't the fear, the insecurity that I've found in many of the doctors I've visited (as I'm sure is similar to your experience). He was open to suggestion with me.

If you haven't already, read his published papers before you go (sorry, I don't have the info for the links at hand). Guy knows his stuff.

Good luck.

-- Dennis