Dan,

Sorry to here you felt treated so badly. PM is a funny business it can be a great help and or it can make you worse. You want someone who is going to watch out for you in regards to medications. To me thats a smart doctor anyone can write a script. So my advice to you is to take it down a notch and try and work with this doctor if you and your Mom think he's good and can help you. There's not a respected PM Doctor who will work with anyone who is arrogent and nasty. They are to affraid of losing there license. Unfortunitly, many abuse there medication, use it recreationally try and get in sooner, thats not what PM is. You stated you where an athlete, if I where you before you go to your appt. today move your body if you can even if you walk 25 feet in front of your house/apt. and try and relaxe. As an athlete you know how good your body can feel when it moves. Exercise for me is something I have to do everyday to beat this beast. I go to gym 3 times a week and walk the others I can't do everything but if I didn't do it I would be misreable. I could not do all this when I was going through 7 surgeries, 3 ketamine procedures etc. when I first had my accident. My problem in upper extremety so it's easier but I do have a slight spread of RSD to my back like I stated in my first post.

I told you before I have a 20 yr old son he was also a althete from 7-18, played ice hockey. We traveled around the Albany area all the way to Lake Placid. He hasn't picked up his stick but for 1 time since his last varsity game he just had had it. But the point is he feels the effect on his body from not working out all the time, being on the ice 7 days a week blah, blah. The point is excercise helps RSD. When you get time today look up Dr. Sherry in Philadelphia. He is a pediatric RSD Spec. He has a very interesting take on RSD and how to cure it,especially for young people up to 18. I believe the University of Chicago is working on a simular treatment for adults. Just read it.

I see alot of my son's friends who I have heard display behavior such as you described in your post.Again my son's know angel but never displayed that kind of behavior. Its tough for young adults today I definitly get it but there's no excusse for that kind of behavior. First it increases your stress which will flare any kind of medical condition not just RSD. So like I said before take it down a notch, try and get some kind of body movement so you feel a little better before you see this doctor today. If he is willing to work with you,you need to show him you are responsible.

Dan, good luck today. You need someone to work with you so you have to work with them.

KEEP US POSTED.
Gabbycakes

Don't know where you are in NY so I am posting what I found:

New York:
Durkin 631-638-0800
Waldman 212-606-1015
Haider www.killpain.com
Hertz 212-523-6357
Northshore Hosp 516-496-6506

New Jersey
Getson (worked with Dr S and has great rep)
Zampella 973-285-7800
Camden (no doc name) 856-983-7246

As a word of warning.....prob not a good idea to mention your previous use of ketamine!!! They probably will not want to take you on. The K infusions are a little diff anyway.
If you do the outpatient they will give you a three hour infusion mixed with Versed and prob Ativan. In patient is 5 straight days. I know a doc that is not on there that does in patient. Richman in NYC.

Good luck to you...I hope you consider trying it.

Liz

Dan,

Gabby is right on. My message wasn't strong enough...try to behave yourself!! Sorry to sound like such a Mom, but we all care about each other here and don't want to see you get blacklisted by all the docs in your area.

I also have the latest list of ketamine docs from the RSDSA (the info that Betsy gave you) - from what I can see they are all in and around NYC and Long Island. There are a few in New Jerrsey. I don't see any in northern NY. But the treatment is worth traveling for, I went over 300 miles from RI to Marlton, NJ to Dr. Getson for my first 22 low dose ketamine infusions almost a year ago now, it has changed my life!! I returned to my full time job after a year's sick leave from my RSD.

Please take care, Sandy

2 editorial fixes for the list above (we should tell Jim Broatch):
Richman is with Waldman at the Hospital for Special Surgery.
The Camden, NJ number above is actually the number for Getson in Marlton, NJ He used to also be at Cooper Hospital, which is in Camden.

Dan,

We all get very frustrated when doctor's "don't act like we want them to". Be mindful that they deal with all walks of life daily and need to protect their license to practice medicine. My doctor's always tell me they wish they had more patients like me who are afraid of and wont take narcotic medications. My sister was labeled in all local hospitals as a "drug seeker", so they know her game....me complete opposite, maybe seeing my family struggle with addiction has steered me the other way, not sure.

But any how, if you truly feel there is going to be a problem with this doctor, try and find another one first. It is hard to find doctor's to treat this beast and throwing F*** bombs around will not make it any easier. I currently treat with a PM Dr. who is very rude however, I am trying to overlook it and get some relief. Could I switch? Sure, but saying she was rude probably won't get me far with a new Dr. They stick together and usually won't go against another Dr., so think of that for future medical treatment needed.

We can all get pissy and hot headed, but remember, we are only hurting ourselves, causing flare ups and causing our doctor's to be extra guarded when treating us. If you have a legitimate, medical complaint that is another story, by all means run and run fast.

Hang in there, we are here for each other!!!

My daughter is in Syracuse. I think you will see ketamine there before you know it. Also...this is only ONE list. There are plenty of other doctors who do it.....you just have to search. I would join a bunch of the RSD groups on FB if you want to learn more.

I wish I knew where there was a more comprehensive list available of ketamine providers. I have heard that there are more docs in New England other than those that are included on the RSDSA listing that Jim Broatch has so generously provided every time I have requested it. There are many southern New Englanders who would love to try ketamine for their RSD, but cannot afford the price that the only RI doc charges. And the Beth Israel in Boston shut their doors to new patients several years ago.

Thanks Betsy. XOXOX Sandy

well.........................
first of all, go to a teaching hospital. they are trying newer things. second of all, get admitted for pain control. that is the easiest way to get it done.
and really, do go to FB and join some groups. I see names on their all the time.

the bad thing is the list is not complete. the good thing is it is not complete because more and more doctors are using it!!!!

Hi I am sorry about your pain. The block I had increased my pain but it did settle back to where it was which was hell but not as horrid as the flare as the block gave. My pain doctor said that the pain probably is not stemming from the spine then. I have had very little success with meds and I take no narcotics now but even ones like neurontin. I have gotten a few opinions from pain docs. I always encourage others to as well.
As for ketamine I think if one does it and I have not but have read a lot and same with my mom that it is important to see someone who deals a lot with rsd. I feel that way about pain docs in general and treatment providers be knowledgable about rsd.
When I went to a day program for pain at Cleveland Clinic some had issues with med addiction. I really feel for people who do. I think regardless if this is or not an issue therapy can help in general to cope.
As for the doctor I am sorry that you were treated that way. I agree that one no matter how upset they are must remain calm in front of them. It is ok to say how you feel but must be done in a proper way. Most of us have heard things from docs that make us want to scream but taking a deep breath and having a plan either to see someone else or explain to the doc in a calm way how you feel is important.
Hang in there and I hope you can find a doc to help you

I read your post before my appt just didn't have time to respond. I calmed myself down doing what I could exercise wise and breathing techniques, and took a 1mg klonopin.

The appointment was ok, although at the beginning I told him I would be going back to my original neurologist and (Dr. Argoff) who referred me in the first place. I also told him I was displeased with his attitude and treatment towards myself, a patient and his customer. He responded by saying he wanted to make sure I was not drug seeking, and then went on to say that he would like to still try and work with me in some manner.

He then went on to say that he would not prescribe me any narcotics or muscle relaxers as I had tested positive for THC (no **** sherlock, I had stated that I am an occasional user of cannabis from time to time on your little sheets and before you even gave me the **** test, so what was the point?). Not that I want to be on these things forever but they help a little for now. He did give me a script for pool physical therapy which I asked for and know I need.

At least I have an appointment with Dr. Argoff and he has enough time now for me to be a regular patient, and he also is a friend of my mothers and her boyfriend (who works in oncology at the same hospital, Albany Medical Center). This guy is also a lot more reasonable and friendly, and doesn't wear oakley reading glasses and $7,000 suits to work like that other @$$.

Thank you all for your help and support it has been a real life saver, I wish I could comment on all your posts and reciprocate a little more right now but I have to go, thanks again.

-Dan