Originally Posted by RSD_Dan

I only have my mom and it's tough for her to come to all the appointments, but she does her best. She'll be there today.

And thank you for the questions I don't mind at all it's relieving to know that someone who gets what I'm going through can ask constructive questions. Yeah he uses some kind of x-ray thing or something to see where the fluid is going. He doesn't ask if I can twist or bend but the sheet they leave me with after says not to ride in a car for 8 hours after. The first one was pretty clinical I was kind of in and out, they gave me lyrica then I had to call back and wait a day of terrible pain for a script of percocet to be filled (god forbid they give me something that actually works) since I'm technically not a patient until tuesday when I sit down with the Dr himself as the they think the Dr who referred me is my Dr, but he is just a family friend who was helping out and rushing me in there so I could be seen as he couldn't take me on as a patient for 2 weeks. It's confusing I know I don't really understand it either, as I thought time was of the essence with this.

They used a local anesthetic last time but it only lasted for maybe 45 minutes then my back killed on top of my knee & calf still killing me. And all that has happened since the first one was an increase in pain in my calf muscle and the feeling that it's spreading. To be honest I would rather be sedated as it's not like I could feel anything there at the moment of impact, and once I saw the size of that needle my only thought was "Holy $#*1, you're sticking that big thing in my spine?".. Now I know that most people go through this, I just hate needles and this was no IV needle, unless you're sticking a grizzly bear.

Thanks again for your support I'm trying to stay positive it's just tough going from being 6' 185 in excellent shape to under 175 and skinny as hell. It also sucks when you had a small drug problem that you're over with but caused you to have a high tolerance. So they act like they're doing me a favor by giving me perc 5's which don't touch the pain unless I take at least 2, usually more like 3-5 when I'm really flaring up, but then I run out and spend a day or two in excruciating pain. And those don't even touch the muscle spasms.

Sometimes I feel like I'd almost be better off saying &%& it and canceling my health insurance saving that money and getting meds that actually work. I know that sounds stupid but it seems more pro-active than this useless stuff. The first one didn't help anything and if anything just made it worse, so I'm pretty disenchanted especially when I read so many people not getting relief or it even making it worse with these spinal things.

I understand the whole "we don't want people hooked on meds" stuff but honestly I'd rather be hooked on something that works so I can go back to work and at least exercise in some capacity, instead of being 20 and walking around with a damn cane like I'm 92 yrs old.

/rant

Originally Posted by gabbycakes

Hi Dan,

I'm so glad I was apple to help.

I would be lying if I said I don't take any pain meds. but I have come from 35 pills a day in 2003-2007 to almost nothing. I have done ketamine 3 - 5 day inpatient infustions which did help tremendously. But I had to do 3, which was a drag, believe me.

As I think I mentioned I have been with the same group of doctors for 7-8 years and I was always preached to "once all this is over you will be getting off the medication" and I did. My doctor would always tell me to much of pain killers will actually make you worse in the long run you really have to keep it in check. So, please don't say "I'll cancel my health insurance and buy from someone else", thats really not a solution.. Remember I have a 20 yr. old college student and he tells me everything, sometimes I don't even want to know. But we where all 20 at one point so I get it.

I actually have never seen the size of the needle, I'm a big baby.

What part of NY do you live? Are you close to Manhattan? I hope you appt. goes well today . Keep us posted.

Gabbycakes

Originally Posted by RSD_Dan

Well I had all this typed out and accidentally hit the back button.

Basically long story short I sat in a hot waiting room for way too long, got funneled in like a dog being put down, then accused to dr. shopping even though I have had a prescription to anti-anxiety meds for 2+ years now, and they help tremendously with my anger and anxiety (often related, and when I say anger I don't mean swearing I mean breaking thousands of dollars worth of **** and beating the **** out of people that cross me).

He then goes on to say that if the first block didn't take, that I shouldn't have another, something I thought all along but everyone else including his own employees said I should stick with. And then, he says in order to get another script of percocet (pretty much the only thing keeping me from the street right now), and a consult with him tomorrow, I have to submit to a drug test. So whatever, I already wrote cannabis on my check in paper, so I **** in this cup just so I can meet with him tomorrow to tell him how much of a f*****g c***s*ck** he is. He said all of this in a very domineering tone as if I'm not a man.

And yes, my mom was there, but I wish she wasn't I woulda stabbed that *** **** with his own horse needle.

And sorry for my language edits but that's the only way I can convey my emotion here

And I live in Albany.

Originally Posted by betsykk

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

Originally Posted by gabbycakes

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

Originally Posted by gabbycakes

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

Originally Posted by RSD_Dan

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