I have just had it with this W/C. They refer me to a pain clinic for evaluation and they say I'm a canditate for their program the clinic name Rehabilitation Institute of Washington (RIW) claims their the best in washington at treating CRPS but I have my doubts seeming they let my paperwork sit for a week. Now W/C says that the catherter(sp) is experimental. which is suppose to be part of this program to get me started so that they can get me started in PT/OT They also say ketamine treatment (which I keep asking about) is experimental what am I to do there has been no sucessful treatment as of yet and I'm about to loose my mind and part of the evaul was physc and they said that I was mild to moderate depressed ....YOU THINK...SMH I have been off work this time since 6/6/11 and the return to job of injury is poor I just am frustrated sitting at home with this pain is driving me insane and nothin to reduce or help... I'm VENTING yes but also seeking advice on what appreciate reading the stories on hear they give me some hope.
FRUSTRATED

Dear Frustrated,
I am sorry to hear that you have been having so much trouble finding help. I had the same situation with trying to find out what to do with my wrist. I have other abnormalities in the wrist and hand that some surgeons said they did not want to fix and one surgeon said he could fix it. After 2 years, I found out I had CRPS and was referred to the UW center for pain relief. I have a wonderful pain Dr. that takes a lot of time listening and searching for a solution. The pain clinic does not like Ketamine because it can be a very dangerous treatment, can cause extreme nausea and vomiting and can cause death from a loss of respiratory drive. This treatment is to be cautiously approached and researched. You need to find the most successful program which I have found to be in Florida, Europe (Holland) and Germany. There are other programs but I am not sure where. Insurance does not cover the treatment because it is experimental.
I am sorry there is no quick fix for this condition. I have been struggling with that myself. I know the more I move the limb and keep it protected from weather changes, the better I feel. I am on several medications to dampen the pain. I can't take the full strength. A tens unit, moist heating pads, Lidocaine patches, Compression glove, a soft splint, exercise, and pain management techniques are a few things that I have been successful with. One hour at a time. Don't look ahead or back. Keep focused on getting to the next pain free hour.
I hope you will find relief soon....... They are great Dr's It just takes time and finding the best fit for you.

Frustrated,
I feel the same way you do as well. I'm lost as to what to do next. Two failed SCS surgeries, and it all made my RSD move to new areas that have kept me bed-ridden. My neurosurgeon has recommended me for the ketamine infusion treatment at the RSD Clinic in Tampa, Florida. Of course it's all considered experimental and not covered by insurance, and they require payment up front. I'm lost though, with nothing else to try.
My neurosurgeon said that ketamine is a common drug used in the emergency room for children especially. It is one of the only anesthesia meds that doesn't cause a decrease in your respiration, and also leaves your system immediately. So they can give it to a child, reset a broken bone, and within a few minutes the child is coherent and awake again. This was during our two hour long conversation about my hesitancy to try the ketamine as it just freaked me out, the thought of it. I'm now looking at it as if I would pay any amount of money, even if it only gives me the relief for the week that I am there.

He did make me promise to go to the doc. he was sending me to for the ketamine, even if I was able to find a slightly more reasonable rate much closer to home. He said there are very few docs in the US that have done double blind studies with the ketamine in RSD patients, and very few that follow scientific protocol for all patients. I imagine there are other docs doing this procedure correctly, but researching the docs and the patient experiences has been key for me in reducing my fears.

I go to see my pain doc tomorrow as I have been unable to leave my bed all week from pain. If I learn anything interesting or have something new to try I will certainly post.

I hope you are able to get some relief soon. I know how hard it is, so taxing to have the pain screaming at you constantly. Keeping you in my prayers.

Eli

Having CRPS and dealing with WC at the same time sound like a nightmare. I have read some very helpful posts from folks dealing with WC but I don't recall who they were since I don't have the W battle. Anybody engaged in hand to hand combat with WC who can help?