[lefty]

Hi, I will try to make this as breif as possible. Work related injury 11/08 of left arm. CRPS left arm dx., 8/10 and Pain doc., gave three SGB's the last one was a God sent. Then I was seem by a IME (independent medical examiner) in Dec., said I didn't have CRPS and suggested Perpheiral Nerve blocks for legiaments and tendons of that arm and hand. Pain Doctor doesn't agree about me not having CRPS, has order for me to have two of the blocks done.

This is where I need advice. I've had painfull plates and screws in my arm and thumb since 09, that's been needing to come out! Surgeon agreed to take them out and he is also aware of the prior dx., of CRPS in that arm and hand. Had a recent fall on ice that injuryed my tail bone and sciatic. Now my right thigh feels like it's on fire, and is numb, tingles and senative to any touch. Primary doc said with CRPS everything can hurt. That my fall has triggered my CRPS. I told him what the IME said, and he said, "that's ridiculous!"

Can you tell me what to do about the removal of the plates and screws...I'm losing it fast and in a hurry!!!!

SOS Lefty

[Lisa in Ohio]

Hi Lefty, I had screws and a plate in my left arm too. I did have them removed, the surgeon thought maybe they were what was causing the pain. I was diagnosed with RSD after the removal. The removal surgery was really not that big of a deal, and that did help with some of the tenderness over the site. I have had many IMEs, and they always say I don't have RSD. Your PM doctor or regular physician should be able to write letters with good evidence that you do and those letters and reports will be given more merit than the IME. Don't be afraid to speak up for yourself at your hearings, I was until the last few hearings that I had. I do hope that you have a good w.c. lawyer.

I hear you about the slip and fall. I did that last year and found myself sitting on my butt in the middle of Main Street. I was really sore for a while after the fall and have gimped around since then from some ankle damage that the RSD just loved.

Keep it together, I am rooting for you! Lisa

[gramE]

Lefty,
'Work related injury in 08'. You should know by now that nothing in the WC system works in a hurry. But I know you are referring to your pain and I am so sorry you are hurting and have to be in WC. Stress is the worst thing you can have. You've got to figure out a way to quiet yourself, your mind, your pulse, your breathing. That's not really me that is experience talking. Now I don't have plates or screws but I do have CRPS in both feet, ankles and legs and head and I have WC with the US Dept of Labor and they accepted my condition but denied my claim for compensation. So now I have two lawyers, the first is handling the accident, the second the Dept of Labor, and he says it is dark and scary in there.

It could be that the CRPS is causing you to feel panicky also. I had a panic attack on the day my son got married and didn't know what it was until about a month later. I thought I was losing my mind. The dr said too much stress will overload your already overloaded system.

I'll put you in my prayers tonight. For calm to be restored throughout your whole body, so that you can make a clear, proper decision on how to handle what lies ahead of you.

from another row in the rooting for Lefty section,
pat e

[DeesRSD]

hey Lefty,
sorry to hear about your troubles, and like what others have said, with reports from your doctors, they usually override what IME exam docs say, usually.

now about those screws adn plates, in my opinion i woud: talk to your RSD doctor about having ketamine as your anesthesia during the removal, anytime I have to go under, this is what my RSD doc recommends; it should theoretically help with your RSD and slow the progress. Just my two cents. Good luck and take care,

Dee