Yesterday I went for my physical to my new doctor that I had only seen once before.. we hadn't discussed RSD too much except for me to let him know what I had and him to await my records and go in for my physical 2 weeks later.

It started off ok, then he said he had been rehersing how to say this but that he felt that we could not call this CRPS because it included more than one limb.. my worst nightmare, I had figured since he hadn't said anything on our first visit he was one of the up to date docs.. well I was upset but reasonable as I explained that I have been through this before.. and that I could bring him in studys and reports etc.. he wanted to know why it was so important to me! by this time I was in tears (partly because of the pain of the physical as well) he didn't want to see studys and didn't care how many doctors diagnosed me with RSD in 4 limbs or full body because HE knew it didn't spread so he couldn't call it CRPS in his notes (I can understand this, except he was wrong).

And we gently argued about the term "regional" the doc said they called it regional because it stayed to one region.. and I said no that is the problem with the new terminoligy CRPS that the Taxinomy is misleading (he raised his eyebrows at that) I said "The term regional is actualy ment to convey that the RSD can spread throughout the regions and regions can mean half a body.. and I have it in both sides.

He decided after a bit to stop the physical because my pain levels were too high (stress I think) and he went to get me some paperwork while I dressed.. he was gone for quite a bit.

When he returned he sat down and looked at me.
My doc said "I owe you an apology".
I said "What?" he said "I am very sory", then he paused and said "I learned a valuable lesson today, the next time I get a new patient I will get my facts straight first".

You coulda knocked me over with a pin..
I said "thank you"
I think I was in shock..
I realy like this doc.. I did before this and even while we were arguing it was a ohh no please understand thing cause I could see he was capible of reasonable.. and I think alot of mutual respect was gained at this apointment, but talk about an exhausting experience with a happy ending

Then last night my grandaughter knocks a mug onto mu foot and breaks my baby toe, it is black red and it flared my leg up, cource it's the same foot my RSD started in.. feels like there is a piece of broken glass in it or someting sharp, when I step with that area of the foot.. so I am back to heel walking.

Anyway I expecialy wanted to tell you about my doctor, he is definatly a keeper as a family doc.. it has taken me a year to get one in the area I live we are so short of docs here, and I realy like this one, I can respect a doctor who will go and look things up and then apoligise to me like he did.

Sandra

I'm sorry to hear about your broken toe and the pain it has caused.

Getting your docotor to understnd you and not take the attitude he couldn't learn from his patient it a trait a lot more doctors could learn.

Take care of yourself!!
Sherrie

I so hope the toe will be OK. Good luck. Fear of reinjury is my second biggest fear I think.

That is incredible that a doctor would admit a mistake or apologize. You need to try to keep that one if you can.

Wow !

And I was just warming up for my "that doc is an idiot and you need to find a new one" rant !

It's refreshing to know that one of the 'high and mighty' will admit they are wrong. I still hate that he was so determined in telling you that you were wrong, repeatedly, when he clearly has no expertise in RSD. Why can't docs just admit that they don't know everything instead of implying their patients are dumb, exagerrating, or lying ?

Sorry about your toe !

Hi..
If you look back 7 even up to 5 and mabie 4 years ago there was no information out there about CRPS spreading (I was looking then).. the odd blog mabie and one study that was getting no credibility because it had only 27 participants.. personaly I think that enviromental and invasive treatments are influencing spread in alot of cases.. some other countrys have alot less spread than here, mainly as far as I can tell places that do not have the the early medical advances we tend to.

The doctors were taught what their medical books say. and that wasn't much.. my doc is a family doctor, I brought him up to speed so now I think I can relax somewhat and I know he won't mind if I do bring him in the odd medical research study..

My toe is BLACK today and very sore, flareup's not as bad as I expected, only to my knee and deep ache and sharp.. gota love the subcutanious lidocane infusions seems it's built up in my system. my surface touch sensitivity is so much better since being on it, and it's helping with this break too I think

Thanks for your well wishes it means alot,
hugs
Sandra

Take care