what a night mare, I think your venting is mild considering what you have been through --mine would be considerably worse. I am shocked to hear you are not on any pain medications?.. I dont know how you are surviving. The cold air in your lungs is not familar to me and I thought I had felt everything rsd has to throw, but Im afraid I cant help you there. I'm sorry I hope someone else can.
I am confused about your meeting , I did not know your goal and could not figure out what the doctor was talking about- all sounds so combatitive from the doctor. Almost competitive. Hope things improve. cz

United health paid for all of my procedures. all arrangements were made my dr. s 's office , I never spoke directly with the insurance company. im a little confused in this thread so I apoligize! cz

HI,
Blue Cross originally did pay but are refusing to now. Dr. S. office did make all the arrangements originally but then Blue Cross notiifed them they weren't paying anymore. The only reason I had contact with BC was becuase of the appeal process. Dr. S's nurse sent me his newest research and I sent it on to Blue Cross but it didn't help. I actually got a denial for my 2nd appeal in the mail over the weekend.I don't know if I'm going to continue with the treatments. I'm too tired to fight them aymore.
hopeful

I'm so sorry for your battle with insurance and second denial. I understand about being too tired to battle. I'm 61 and thinking of applying for disability. My Dr. said he would support me with the application.
I'm glad you are seeing a psychologist. How was the visit? Professional help for myself helped and continues to help. I went thru 2 plus years with a wonderful counselor when my parents died in the 70's & 80's. And 5 years ago, when I was diagnosed full body I found a wonderful psychiatrist, nuerologist, and pharmacologist. He has helped me so much and is also my pain management Dr.
In my case, I did have swelling as my first symptom after benign breast tumor and armpit tumor. When they withdrew fluid 3 times, it was green. Of course they didn't mention that meant infection -no antibioics and sent me off to rehab dr. for frozen shoulder and she oversaw my physical therapy. Surgeon couldn't get rid of me fast enough. Then after remission of a year, spread to other shoulder. Besides full body, I have internally too.
Thank you for your kind words, I have tears rolling down my face. Your kindness touched my heart. I feel your pain. I try to be supportive to everyone struggling as we all do. I'm thankful to have a supportive family. It did take time for that to happen.
If your psychologist isn't right for you, don't hesitate to change. I changed with my first experience. One visit and I knew he wasn't right for me. The second one was a jewel. and my first psychiatrist is a gem . I've been seeing him for 5 years.
Take care and hope you are feeling better soon. Your friend, loretta soft hugs

Hi Loretts,
Thanks for being so kind. The therapist appt went well. It was really just preliminary info but she seems like she will be good. She said she can help me with some coping skills. She actually said her husband had a spinal cord injury and she has had 4 RSD patients in the past, so she has some background working with chronic pain[You are so lucky to have one Dr. that has all those specialties.
hopeful
QUOTE=loretta;579991]I'm so sorry for your battle with insurance and second denial. I understand about being too tired to battle. I'm 61 and thinking of applying for disability. My Dr. said he would support me with the application.
I'm glad you are seeing a psychologist. How was the visit? Professional help for myself helped and continues to help. I went thru 2 plus years with a wonderful counselor when my parents died in the 70's & 80's. And 5 years ago, when I was diagnosed full body I found a wonderful psychiatrist, nuerologist, and pharmacologist. He has helped me so much and is also my pain management Dr.
In my case, I did have swelling as my first symptom after benign breast tumor and armpit tumor. When they withdrew fluid 3 times, it was green. Of course they didn't mention that meant infection -no antibioics and sent me off to rehab dr. for frozen shoulder and she oversaw my physical therapy. Surgeon couldn't get rid of me fast enough. Then after remission of a year, spread to other shoulder. Besides full body, I have internally too.
Thank you for your kind words, I have tears rolling down my face. Your kindness touched my heart. I feel your pain. I try to be supportive to everyone struggling as we all do. I'm thankful to have a supportive family. It did take time for that to happen.
If your psychologist isn't right for you, don't hesitate to change. I changed with my first experience. One visit and I knew he wasn't right for me. The second one was a jewel. and my first psychiatrist is a gem . I've been seeing him for 5 years.
Take care and hope you are feeling better soon. Your friend, loretta soft hugs[/QUOTE]

Dear hopeful,

I am so sorry to hear of your news. May I suggest that you reach out to Jim Broatch, the Executive Director of the RSDSA? He's an MSW by training and seems to know his way around close quarters. His email address is "Jim Broatch" <jwbroatch@rsds.org>.

Tell him an "inactive" attorney from LA in your CRPS Neurotalk forum suggested that you contact him. I'm not sure what he would suggest, but my first thoughts - besides doing everything possible to preserve your legal rights, such as they are, are along the lines of a PR initiative, with lots of outreach to media. As in, what issues could be more pertinent to the spirit of the moment? What you really need is to be connected to an interest group that's already in the thick of the fight, and viola, you're the new poster person!

Mike

Hi MIke,
Thanks for the info. I think I might e-mail him and tell him the situation. I don't know if I am equipped to be a poster child though.
Thanks again,
hopeful
I'll let you know if I talk to him.

Honestly, this is what the insurance company is waiting for to ware us down and toss in the towel as far as coverage.. they will win again at the risk of our wallets.. but sadly this is our health and future we are talking about.. I am sure those who make these decisions on whether to pay or not still go home to a "pain free evening" while we wrench in pain....24/7 for the rest of our lives.. I, too am drug free treatment as my system is sensitive to everything offered so far... and still work full time... it is a haul everyday...and I hate hearing that we hit walls on our possibilites of medical intervention... so not right..it just isn't!!!

Thanks,
I think I might be reqrouping again and going for the third appeal. My family really wants me to. You are right the people who sit on these panels probably do go home to pain free lifes. If they only knew. I understand what you mean by everyday is a haul. I hope we all find relief some day.
Thanks for the words of encouragement.
hopeful

I am so sorry to hear about your issues with BC and CRPS. I can't even get into see Dr S until 2011.