Originally Posted by dreambeliever128 (Post 676371)

I am not saying that the ketamine might be safe in the right setting but putting people in a coma for days just seems too extreme.

Why would he tell one person with extreme RSD he can help them and the next one comes in being in the same shape and he doesn't help them. He gives them a diagnoses that they already have and that's it. I think there has to be a difference in the financial situations in a lot of cases.

50,000. is a lot of money, even at a 10% kickback for every patient would soon add up.

Why did they shut down the clinic in Germany?

If you read about people that have seen him and know some then again it's the percentage of how many a Dr. helps to how many they turn away with the same diagnoses.

I know of a few that got nothing but a diagnoses out of him. It's one thing to help people because you want to but another to help the ones that have the cash.

Ada

Originally Posted by keep smilin (Post 676380)

to make it clear..I saw Dr. S in March...I love him..He is a wonderfully smart Dr. who I had the privilage of meeting and honored to have him as my Dr...My news was not good but the sadness of that was counteracted by my awe in meeting and treating with him..I plan to keep and see him yearly even tho I can't have the treatment he recommended due to monitary ins. backing. I hope I have not made any back lashes toward him as that was not my intent..... he even joked with me in how important my treatment is and he'd help me get it.. Bless him..

Kathy

Originally Posted by SandyRI (Post 676359)

I just don't think that's fair to say about Dr. S...and Germany has been shut down for quite a while, so it's not even applicable any more.

If you haven't met Dr. S. or been treated by him, you have absolutely no grounds on which to judge him.

Thousands of RSD patients have been helped by ketamine. My doctor alone - Philip Getson - has been dealing with it for years (first with Dr. S in Philly, then on his own in Jersey) and has seen a good majority of his patients get their life back. He wouldn't still be in business if it didn't work, how would he keep his old patients or attract new ones if ketamine didn't work?? And how would he get insurance to pay?

I started low dose ketamine infusions on April 19th. I am now off Fentanyl, at one time I was up to 100 mcg. I do still take Fiorcet for headaches, and once every few days might need to take 5 mg of oxycodone. That is a huge difference in the strength of the meds that I need to control my pain, all because of ketamine. And I am back to work full time after a year off for medical leave because of my RSD. What an incredible gift....I just pray it lasts.

Throwing unproven accusations around about docs that have dedicated their lives to treating RSD patients strikes me as just plain mean. Dr. S. could have retired years ago. He was one of the first docs in the US to start using ketamine for RSD. And so far there is NO ONE to take his place at Drexel that is as devoted to taking care of RSD patients and finding a cure for RSD as he is. Patients that have met him LOVE him. And really, how much of a kickback could he be getting from a $50,000 fee for a coma when there hasn't been that many of them anyway? Please....

We need more docs like Dr. Schwartzman on our side. Let's not beat him up.

With the right docs, and at the correct levels, ketamine is very safe and very effective.

Sandy