Does anyone have any information regarding RSD and Munchausen? A friend just asked me who was accused by IME after several Dr's agreed with RSD. Any information, studies, documentation, etc would be appreciated. She and her family knows she does not have this everything in her medical history is explainable, yet this ding-a-ling has accused her of this after one visit. The ole "It's all in your head" with a formal name......*sigh* just another victim of a nasty Dr..........ggggggggrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!

Oh my God I am so appalled by this Doc. Have they no compassion.

Hi Hubby with RSD--Well, Munchausen is DELIBERATELY and INTENTIONALLY FAKING of "feigning" illness for SECONDARY GAIN (in the context of the Insurance Companies), for MONEY.

Now, I am by no means an expert, but for an IME doc to "label" someone with the Pshychiatric Term of "Munchhausen"...FIRST, they need to be a QUALIFIED Psychiatrist or Psychologist; secondly, this Psych would have to administer the MMPI test... a MEDICAL MD CANNOT DIAGNOSIS PSCYCHIATRIC CONDITIONS--they may have a "suspicion", BUT, a COMPETENT MD would REFER the patient to a Psych for PROPER psychiatric diagnosis...(which includes conducting the appropriate TESTS)....

Who on EARTH is this IME???? Does your friend have an atty?? This IME needs to be DE_BUNKED PRONTO...

Certainly, with severe RSD and intractable PAIN, SOME patients may END UP having serious psych issues (SUICIDE comes to mind...) but psych conditions are NOT the CAUSE of RSD...I am not sure what studies are out there re Munchausen's and RSD--maybe some of the more experienced and knowledgeable contributors to this forum can steer you in the right direction.

OMG--my blood is boiling for what your friend is being subjected to.

Brokenwings

Ok - Not sure how much I can put here as far as legalities....BUT I can tell you that this Dr saw her for approx 30 minutes - was hired by insurance company - this dr has a 6 month internship in psych - whatever that means??? Otherwise in his "credits" has done PLENTY of w/c seminars, insurance company work, etc.... Asked her about past medical issues for about 25 minutes, examined her for current condition area of injury for less then 5 - was PAID approx $2000.00 for this visit from what I can figure....There were NO tests like the MMPI that you mentioned, nor any other "psych tests", but has written in a report that can and will be used in court and has diagnosed her with Munchausen.........

Oh and I should also mentioned - looked a little into this Docs history and apparently his main accusation towards people is them "faking" their conditions/injuries..........

Hi Again Hubby w RSD--well, ALL Medical Doctors are required to do a rotation in various disciplines...however, a 6 month "stint" does NOT qualify a MEDICAL Doctor to be a Psychiatrist...let alone DIAGNOSE a psychiatric disorder...

If your friend's attorney is SHARP, he will do the homework re this particular IME to EXPOSE HIS BIAS. First, the atty should DEPOSE the IME, and GRILL him re his "qualifications", other cases is which he testified, what PERCENTAGE of his Medical practice is DEVOTED to DEFENSE exams, etc...the particular IMEs experience and QUALIFICATIONS in TREATING PATIENTS wtih RSD, not to mention how he arrived at a PSYCHIATRIC diagnosis...a good attorney could make MINCE-MEAT of this guy.... and IMPEACH HIM---and jurors do NOT LIKE "shady" paid for by the IC docs....it blows uo in the Defenses' face, and potentially results in an outcome VERY MUCH in favor of the plaintiff..if this is CIVIL litigation (as opposed to Workers Comp) the monetary damages could be staggering...

Well, I might just have to do a little research re Munchausen's/RSD...frankly, I do not believe there really is much out there, but I am not sure. It is more of a "legal myth" that the Insurance Companies would like to perpetuate...

Brokenwings

Just to clairfy....This IME is saying she has Munchausen regarding herself - NOT her children - IME has said that she has made up in her head the burning pain, muscle spasms, sores, deep pain, cramping, temperature changes, etc........in herself.

There is so much out there on Munchausen By Proxy involving one and their children I just didnt want the two to get mixed up.

from here- http://www.clevelandclinic.org/healt...asp?index=9833

[What are the symptoms of Munchausen syndrome?

People with this syndrome deliberately produce or exaggerate symptoms in several ways. They might lie about or fake symptoms, hurt themselves to bring on symptoms, or alter diagnostic tests (such as contaminating a urine sample). Possible warning signs of Munchausen syndrome include the following:

* Dramatic but inconsistent medical history
* Unclear symptoms that are not controllable and that become more severe or change once treatment has begun
* Predictable relapses following improvement in the condition
* Extensive knowledge of hospitals and/or medical terminology, as well the textbook descriptions of illnesses
* Presence of multiple surgical scars
* Appearance of new or additional symptoms following negative test results
* Presence of symptoms only when the patient is alone or not being observed
* Willingness or eagerness to have medical tests, operations, or other procedures
* History of seeking treatment at numerous hospitals, clinics, and doctors offices, possibly even in different cities
* Reluctance by the patient to allow health care professionals to meet with or talk to family, friends, or prior health care providers
* Problems with identity and self-esteem]

The IME is doing what he is paid for-- and it stinks - but the best proof against it is also with consistent symptoms, regular appt reports and charting by her own doctor- and a good atty that will prove the bias of the IME.


this link is for Oregon - but much of the IME info and other info with how best to deal with the system is good for many areas.
http://www.injuredworker.org/
http://www.injuredworker.org/ime.htm

As someone who has had the label as "possible Munchausen's" I can truly empathise with this person.
Unfortunately when one has ulcers caused by the poor circulation of CRPS that refuse to heal despite intensive medical care, there are often egotistical and arrogant doctors who can't believe "all their wonderful knowledge" has not been able to heal so therefore "the patient must be self-harming"
It is an incredibly demoralising and devastating thing to happen.
A psychiatrist is the ONLY one who can make this diagnosis, NOT some semi trained upstart who gets payoffs from insurance companies for getting people off their books!
For me, I had a wonderful Psychiatrist who laughed at the suggestion. Yes, I felt better but I will NEVER recover from the indignity caused by the pindick doctor who knew it all!
There is a far more common diagnosis being handed out these days amongst CRPS patients and that is Somatisation Disorder. This is a very complicated psychiatric disorder where the patient actually feels the pain and often has some signs of the disease but they don't really have it.
All in all, a horrible situation for anyone to find themselves in!

Hi Tayala and All! Yes--somatisation is a frequent "diagnosis" bandied about, PARTICULARLY for those patients in either work comp or civil litigation. The mtoive behind this can be rather "effective" in trying to reduce the COSTS associated with RSD/CRPS: The patient is "demoralised", so slinks away lest they CONTINUE to be labelled in this matter. The REAL harm comes when their OWN treating Docs start to "question" if their patient might indeed either be "faking" or "somatising" after getting hit with denial after denial for treatment and "reports" from these so-called "experts". A pretty effective "wedge" that can be placed between the patient and their own treating physician. Unfortunately, some Doctors fall for it....or, they get so tired and frustrated with continually "defending" their diagnosis of RSD, that they just throw their hands up in desperation and are reluctant to continue to treat the patient....or "pass them off" to someone else (like a shrink)....and the cycle continues.

It is quite the same for many with TOS also - because so few docs really have a good base of knowledge of it. Only a few make use of special MRI/MRA or Neurography tests. So the majority of TOS patients go the many rounds of MDs, PTs, meds, and go thru the WC ringer too.
Just because there is lack of knowledge and lack of a basic test that can prove it.
They call it malingering also.