[tjack]

WC doc suggested to my primary care doc to send me to a physiatrist.
So frustrated with this wc doc it started out bad with him anyway when he told me I must have a black cloud over me, I try to remain positive inspite of all of this and I didn't need what I took as a very negative insult . He agrees that the RSD has spread to my arm after falling and bruising it badly at work after tripping on a loose piece of carpet that was all buldged up causing me to fall into the door jam. But refuses to say that the bruise recieved in the fall caused the spread. He says the rsd caused the spread. Before the fall I just had it in 1st left leg then spread to rt leg. I didn't have any signs of it in arm, shoulder & neck until after the fall. Also refuses to say my recently diagnosed neuopathy ulnar nerve in both arms is work related. Im a bookkeeper and do alot of data input and count large somes of cash by hand everyday. Very repetitve stress on my elbows and forearms. I litterally have callouses on elbows and forearm from reaching across my desk to reach the keyboard, to do data input aprox 6 hrs out of 8 5 days per week 8-10 hrs day.This is so frustrating!
The psysiatrist diagnosed the ulnar nerve damage. Not a pleasant expierience.
Not sure why they are sending me back to the physiatrist. Can they help the RSD, or possibly make it worse? What exactly do they do except poke neddles and zap you?
Stress & Pain levels have been high this past month so I find it hard to think straight.
Been very depressed for the first time since being diagnosed in my left leg with this RSD stuff. Dr. did put me on anti-depressant for the depression and to hopefully help me sleep better. Sleep has been few and far between. Hope it helps!
I know I'm babling and maybe not making good sense. Just warn down and confused about all of this.
Thanks for listening
TJ

[keep smilin]

Originally Posted by tjack

WC doc suggested to my primary care doc to send me to a physiatrist.
So frustrated with this wc doc it started out bad with him anyway when he told me I must have a black cloud over me, I try to remain positive inspite of all of this and I didn't need what I took as a very negative insult . He agrees that the RSD has spread to my arm after falling and bruising it badly at work after tripping on a loose piece of carpet that was all buldged up causing me to fall into the door jam. But refuses to say that the bruise recieved in the fall caused the spread. He says the rsd caused the spread. Before the fall I just had it in 1st left leg then spread to rt leg. I didn't have any signs of it in arm, shoulder & neck until after the fall. Also refuses to say my recently diagnosed neuopathy ulnar nerve in both arms is work related. Im a bookkeeper and do alot of data input and count large somes of cash by hand everyday. Very repetitve stress on my elbows and forearms. I litterally have callouses on elbows and forearm from reaching across my desk to reach the keyboard, to do data input aprox 6 hrs out of 8 5 days per week 8-10 hrs day.This is so frustrating!
The psysiatrist diagnosed the ulnar nerve damage. Not a pleasant expierience.
Not sure why they are sending me back to the physiatrist. Can they help the RSD, or possibly make it worse? What exactly do they do except poke neddles and zap you?
Stress & Pain levels have been high this past month so I find it hard to think straight.
Been very depressed for the first time since being diagnosed in my left leg with this RSD stuff. Dr. did put me on anti-depressant for the depression and to hopefully help me sleep better. Sleep has been few and far between. Hope it helps!
I know I'm babling and maybe not making good sense. Just warn down and confused about all of this.
Thanks for listening
TJ

TJ..
I am happy to listen and I feel really bad for you.. listen you should not have to keep the company of someone in this capacity if you are NOT comfortable relating.. AND they are playing difficult on your watch..too..Last thing you/we need to to be treated poorly and having to defend ourselves...AND live with RSD!!!!!!! Plras let your primary know how unhappy to feel and you insist on seeing another wc counselor... I am not wc case, I do see a counselor dur to my unraveling life due to rSD.... I actually look forward to visiting with her..and you should have the same comfort in order to do that too... SO walk now and demand to see someone else!!!! So sorry for your unsettled pain and fustrations.... We care and hear you here!!!

Take control... and you will feel better....KS

[debbiehub]

The WC doctor is an idiot. I know it is very frustrating to hear you have a dark cloud..but you have every right to have one ( for a while). If only he could be in your shoes right?
Often a physiatrist works with PTs and OTs so they may refer you to see one? I believe they can prescribe meds etc....If you dont like the doc go somewhere else. You can always vent on this board!

Debbie

[hannah1234]

I worked for a physiatrist for a few years and I know that unless they have had specialized training in RSD then, they arent competent enough to treat it. I had rsd in my last year there, and she did an emg on me, and sent me down to the surgery center where there was a PM doctor as she knew that they would be able to give a more aggressive treatment than her... As MOST physiatrists dont do nerve blocks, ketamine, SCS, many medications that are prescribed to RSD that might not be related.

But most important, if you feel uncomfortable ASK the physiatrist or your primary who you can see to better help you as a reference as they are in the field already!!! It is frustrating, and I dealt with all the WC cases at our practice of surgeons and docs and those WC people arent the sharpest tools in the shed. I often think, IF you send them to the RIGHT doctor to get the RIGHT treatment they will be out of your hair... HELLO??? nope... instead they insist on making it more complicated than it actually is. Frustrating. Brings me back to all my memories of dealing with WC.

Hang in there and keep us updated...

[Jomar]

There are some replies on your other thread also-
WC nightmare!
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread112920.html



If you would like the threads merged I can do that -then all the replies will be in one place for you.
just pm me if you would like them merged.
Jo

If you don't have a wc atty yet I suggest interviewing some and choosing the best you can find, they can help with finding better MDs for your claim and such.

I just posted a thread about proper ergonomics for office/desks on the TOS forum.
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread112977.html

[bobber]

tjack
Actually the physiatrist could become to be your advocate after examing you,and the WC dr;s are programmed to make life hard on you to frustrate you to either settle or give up,,from experience . they will openly be arrogant and ignorant,,but by law,you are able to see at leat up to 3 different dr/s , incase you dont agree with the first one that they appoint you to see,then you can switch twice more,,that was the prtocol 10 years ago with me with a back injury,,but the best part is,,they pay 100% of all bills,gas milage and medications,,you may have hoops to jump thru,,but in my case,,I would welcome WC,[,meaning ] I have no money,no insurance, no help but God above,,Im in a rut,, i wish you well,and I wish others on this forum well too,,some of the people here , at least have drs to see, meds to take ,and are in rsd stage 1 and are manageing it,,Im not saying nothing derogative towards them,,Im glad they have help,Im scared,,Im in RSD stage II with a nerve entrapment and its spreading aggressively to my whole body,,I do not know where to seek help,,any idea's from this board would be helpfull,,me anf my wife are at our wits end,,Im trying to sign up for SS unforunatly that takes along time to achieve if its achiveable at all,,I desperatly need medical attention now,,,,any insight from this board and prayers would be greatly appreciated,,,,,boyd

[rsdwife]

it has been my experience that workmans comp doctors are not working for you, but your employer. I agree with jo mar. You should atleast consult a good w/c attorney to protect your rights. This way you can focus on yourself and they can deal with the w/c "people."

[kathy d]

Dear TJ,
I think your wc doc is an idiot too. He/she had NO right to treat you as such. I know here in PA you must wait 90 days before you can see your own doctors that you want. I want to warn you as some said above about psysiatrists. I went to one about two years ago and wound up in severe pain bedridden for 9 days from his exam. He is not a neurologist and poked, prodded, and yanked on my body especially my bad foot/leg...like he didn't care and wanted to see me in pain. I nearly passed out and told him after that "no more touching me." It was horrible. He statement to me was "When I was 8 years old my father drove over my foot and I am fine." I said to him "Well, God bless you that you didn't have to suffer as I do." The nerve of this man was amazing to me. This guy specialized in cancer patients. Well, the wc nurse thought he was "thorough" and saw nothing wrong with his exam. She scheduled me to go back and I flat out told her no way! I told her I would never even take my cat to see this man and would have a panic attack if I ever saw the building he works in (and I don't get them either). He said I didn't have RSD but should go to a gym for six weeks and then I would be fine. Yeah right. If it was that easy I would have done it 5 years ago haha! Just watch out for this person as these docs are not looking out for you and get bonus money each month the faster they send you back. I don't know how they sleep at night and take peace in knowing we all have to pass through the gates of heaven and I know they will not be admitted for sure.
Best of luck to you.
kathy d

[keep smilin]

Originally Posted by kathy d

Dear TJ,
I think your wc doc is an idiot too. He/she had NO right to treat you as such. I know here in PA you must wait 90 days before you can see your own doctors that you want. I want to warn you as some said above about psysiatrists. I went to one about two years ago and wound up in severe pain bedridden for 9 days from his exam. He is not a neurologist and poked, prodded, and yanked on my body especially my bad foot/leg...like he didn't care and wanted to see me in pain. I nearly passed out and told him after that "no more touching me." It was horrible. He statement to me was "When I was 8 years old my father drove over my foot and I am fine." I said to him "Well, God bless you that you didn't have to suffer as I do." The nerve of this man was amazing to me. This guy specialized in cancer patients. Well, the wc nurse thought he was "thorough" and saw nothing wrong with his exam. She scheduled me to go back and I flat out told her no way! I told her I would never even take my cat to see this man and would have a panic attack if I ever saw the building he works in (and I don't get them either). He said I didn't have RSD but should go to a gym for six weeks and then I would be fine. Yeah right. If it was that easy I would have done it 5 years ago haha! Just watch out for this person as these docs are not looking out for you and get bonus money each month the faster they send you back. I don't know how they sleep at night and take peace in knowing we all have to pass through the gates of heaven and I know they will not be admitted for sure.
Best of luck to you.
kathy d

Kathyd ...and all..


Well put!!! I do not have a WC case but each time I see the ole' WC .. i feel the sweat pellets building as I have heard nothing but scarey.. mean treatment..wheather it be the denial of payment, treatment or down right.. nasty people who make our lives much worse..and we don't need that!!! Do they get it..weze don't feel well... do they think for one moment we are doing this for kicks... NAH..!!! What we wouldn't give to be working and having a normal life like them.. UGH this makes me crazy!!! Can you tell??? Good ole' dictatorship... stuff that... AND Bobber.. my heart goes out to you, my friend...never feel like you are alone...you are at a pass in the road right now and you must decide which road to take..you are doing your homework, steadily... you will make the right choices ie..SCS (?)...you and I have the ole' diagnosis of very rapid, aggressive RSD... Oh great... but like myself..you are not a quitter.. we will continue to fight, make the best health care choices for our RSD and look up from time to time and ask...you say God... just tell me... I will do it!

Have a restful night everyone.... Ole' KS

[finz]

It has been my experience that physiatrists think more exercise is the ONLY answer to any medical issue.

And then. when that doesn't work, they tell you it is all in your head.