whats hurting most?see that dr. first. i would choose an internist over general/family bcuz our autoimmune system is compromised and the meds we are on screws up the gastro systems.

as far as a neuro or pain management, i would choose whoever is considered best in your area.

Mike

I have found that an Anesthesiologist that has a Sub-Specialty in Pain Management is the most knowledgeable in RSD. I've seen others - almost every specialty out there that deals with Nerve Disorders - but Anesthesiology is best for me.
Good Luck!

I see a Pain Management Doctor, Neurologist, Physical Therapist, Psychologist and my GP.

My Pain Management Doctor in my opinion, has been the best doctor I have seen for my RSD. He has helped me a lot and not given up on me when most others did. Instead, he gave me medications and treatments to try that might help ... unfortunately did but he is still there for me even to this day!

My PTs work closely with my PM Doctor and they give me exercises to try and help with the RSD and Dystonia. I see them fortnightly most of the time now (I used to see them weekly but they thought I needed a break for a bit).

My Neurologist has been really great too. He doesn't know too much about RSD but deals with the Dystonia and Myoclonic Spasms that I have. I don't see him that much (every 3 months) but I know he is always there for me and is constantly on the look out for things that might help me.

I don't see my Psychologist that much as she is in London which is 3 hours from us (she was the only Psychologist I saw that I liked) but I have her email address and know I can contact her whenever I need to. She gave me lots of breathing techniques etc to try and help me 'deal' with the pain.

My GP doesn't know that much about RSD other than what we have told him so I only usually see him for referals to other Doctors but he is really interested in learning more about RSD.

I hope you find a good Doctor for you, Abbie! Don't give up until you find one you are comfortable with - thats critical!

Alison

Hi Abbie,
I see a diabetic doctor, my pcp & the pm doctor. My pcp doesnt really know alot about rsd--which alot of them dont, they have told me that my pain is all in my head. The pcp is new just a few months ago & she has done more for me in this short time than anyone else has done in years. She cant write prescriptions for the kind of meds that I need for the pain thou. My diabetic doc is also great--hes been thru the last couple of years of my pain but also cant write the scripts. Like everyone else here has said it is extremely criticial that you get a doctor that will "LISTEN" to what you tell them. The pm doc that Im seeing is nothing but a moronic idiot & Im hoping to change that soon. Hope that you are able to find a good one because they are "hard" to find. Best wishes.
Janet

PM is the only one that has a clue!

I totally disagree with you on the PM statement.

I think any Dr. that is willing to learn about RSD is able to take care of a Patient with it. I have seen enough PM Drs. that I have no faith in them where others on here do.

I do believe an Anesteologist is good due to the fact that they know a lot about anestesia and they are now using them today to help with the pain and they also do blocks and seem very up on managing pain around here.

I did want to say too that my PCP does my pain management and has for about 9 years. I saw enough PM Drs. that he got sick of them. I also have an Anesteologist that has done my blocks.

You know me too. I'm not being smart with you. We email back and forth and I consider you a friend so I'm not being rude about this, this is just my opinion.

I see by the poll that it is about equal on who people see also.

Ada

Sorry Ada,

I should have clarified that a bit. For ME with the 5 or 6 docs I have seen since this all started, my pain management doc, who is also an anesthesiologist, has been the most helpful. Neither internist knows much and they don't want to, the ortho knows a little more but is jaded because somehow I ruined his perfect surgery by getting RSD and the neurologist who first diagnosed me before anyone else including the surgeon who caused it, knew enough to tell me I was a train-wreak and go straight to pain managment!

I certianly did not mean to project my humble experience on everyone else or say that all PM docs rule! And I understand that everyone (likely) has a doc that cares, knows and goes the distance for them and can vary in specialties. Mine just happens to be my PM doc.

Hmmm....perhaps I misunderstood this thread, I thought Abaski wanted to know what our personal experience was. Sorry, I'll be more careful next time.

I might have misunderstood the question. Today my pain has been very high due to the weather here so it could be me.

I'll reread her question. Sometimes I can read them several times and if my head isn't in the right place then I don't concentrate.

I have seen several different Drs. and some are so smart on things that they don't even specialize in and some are dumb in areas they do specialize in.

I had a great Hand Surgeon that has retired but that man knew his RSD, TOS, Fibro, and so much more that I was amazed by him. My PCP, what he doesn't know, he will read up on. He gets those books out and brings them in the room and talks to me like I know what is going on in the medical world. LOL

I hope you are feeling better too.

Ada