From seeing the electrician doing his FCE I was noticing that while I would be able to do most of those tasks -except the overhead screwdriver work- I'd have eto keep dropping my arms down to get blood flowing in them again LOL.
Then I would have the delayed pain later or possibly even spasms.

So I wonder how that would show up on the testing?? If at all?

I have no clue how this would be detected. One thing I've noticed is many pain treatment facilities do not do the test anymore because insurance in many cases do not pay for it. I've found 2 places that will do it for cash or charge, close to $1000. Every place I called the first thing they asked "is it a WC case" in which I responded "no, an SSDI case" and then seemed surprised and asked why would you even want this test done? My wife is going to do the test but it just seems another chunk of money down the drain. And more importantly if this test fails to help my wife at all, the feeling that we paid good money so she could go through much pain performing a test that can't gauge much as far as RSD is concerned.

I have to do the FCE test next week...order by SS...they told if I don't go my SSDI case will be closed and not go any further. I took these tests when I was a child because I also have Cerebral Palsy...I did horrible...we'll see what happens....

I too had to take the test years ago, it was done by the w/c Dr., it was a joke. He put me in a room and told me to take my clothes off and put on a gown and he would be back. He came back and I was half done because I happened to have a cast on my foot. This Stupid DR. even questioned if my foot was even broken. He had me try to do things that even people without RSD can't do, so I tried without much success. He even wrote that I could drive while taking Dilaudid,which I was taking back then prior to a surgery. When it came time to go in front of the judge she thru his entire report out, saying that this was ridiculous to even question the foot or to say that I could drive while under the influence of such a strong med. Do what you can and don't push yourself, it's not worth paying for it in pain after the test, just do what you can and leave it at that, your attorney will be with you to protect you from the evil people that make us do these awful things. Good luck my prayers are with you, you will do fine
Your friend Wendy

Thanks cindi1965 and Wendy for your response. cindi, can you explain what you mean "I did horrible"? The reason I ask leads to my answer to Wendy.
Wendy, my wife is freaked about this test. Her doctor and I have told her only do what you can and no more. I've told her not to let this eat at you and try not to get into a flare over it. The other thing about this test is my wife's doctor wants the report on this test not the SSDI judge or her lawyer. The doctor is going to use it to state she can't work.

Thanks again.

Hi Jim and Suzy,

Please tell Suzy not to fret too much over this test. It is electronic and they do pick up on pain signals and anxiety at least that is what my report said. I also scheduled my appt in the afternoon, just to ensure that it was accurate. I did my normal morning routine, which isn't much but is totally exhausting, by noon my pain spikes from the morning routine and that is the main reason I could no longer work. Anyhow, the test, I was capable of sedentary work, with multiple restrictions, but sitting for me is the worse. Bottom line, it was irrelevent due to the damage to my lower extremities. The test only gives a baseline, there are many other factors to weigh in on i.e., age, medication, effects of medication, mental status (does your wife talk to anyone?), anxiety, effects of the pain, etc.

We really need a Robin Hood for this illness, we just should not have to go through this as if we are a criminal. What happened to innocent until proven guilty, we don't even get that. We did nothing wrong. This is just not something anyone can plan for. It is a train wreck to say the least, and it is just so sad to see people, caretakers, families struggling to just cope through a day. I, like many, cannot plan my day ahead I just have to settle for living or should I say coping with each moment. We are surviving. Your wife is shutting down mentally to survive physically, that is what the body does to protect itself. Why doesn't your doctor see that? I will keep you both in my prayers, and I am so sorry for your pain, my husband has been a rock, I don't know where I would be without his love and support. Know that you are appreciated! God Bless

Jeanie

Thanks for the support Wilbyfree. Why doctors don't see alot of things is way over my head. I did ask her once has anyone in your experience ever faked RSD? No, was the reply. If no is the answer then why do folks with RSD get the cold shoulder or the feeling that one is lying to gain something? I'm not too thrilled with American medicine at all. I really truly do not know how it compares with other modern countries.

My wife did talk to the one administering the FCE test and stated she doesn't think this test should be a gauge for those with RSD. WC cases it's primarily for. The other strange thing is on the doctor's prescription it says "EMC on right arm". This is the spot of my wife's injury where RSD first developed and then spread. The administrator thinks this is the wrong test for her but will administer the test anyway. She also said the test does not gauge pain.

Jim , I am going to be taking a FCE test in the very near future according to my Pain Doc and WC Nurse,Id be guessing but in 2 months or less.

Just wondering if your wife ever did take the test and if she did howd she do ?

DONTTOUCHIT, I wrote a long letter to my wife's pain doctor who wanted this test done after treating my wife and diagnosing her with full body RSD for 3 years and why we think this test is not the right test for her. I presented other doctor's opinion, those doctors who are experts in RSD, in why FCE tests can be misleading to those with RSD. The doctor changed her mind and wrote a letter that she is not able to work (to be submitted to SS). Someone earlier posted that their FCE test was around an 1.5 hours. The test that was going to be administered to my wife was around 4 hours. This test is all over the place it seems.

It appears my test is going to be done Very early in January according to my pain Doc