I have had CRPS for almost 3 years now and been diagnosed for almost 2 1/2 years. All the while I've been dealing with L&I and IME's and most recently doctor's L&I wanted me to meet with at an behaviorally oriented pain clinic. They have recommended to L&I that I may have what's called Somatoform Disorder! I looked it up and I think they have got a lot of nerve suggesting that. I'm very upset...crying all the time lately...sick of being tested and poked and prodded and judged by everyone. Btw, every test I've had in the last 3 years have shown evidence of CRPS in all four extremeties!
Nalakity

ok.. what is somatoform disorder.. it's the first tim I've herd of it ??also L&I??
sorry my ignorance is showing

Sorry, I should have explained. Lol! Somatoform Disorder is like Hypochondria. You think you have something so you develop the symptoms. If you look up Somatoform Disorder in wikipedia it will give you a much better understanding of it. Also, when I say L&I, I mean Worman's Comp. Thanks for responding so quickly. I really appreciate it. What do you think about this? Personally...I think it's a bunch of B.S. that they would try to say it's all in my head. I've already been through all of this in the beginning of this hoeeible nightmare 3 years ago!
Nalakity

OOOOOkay!!!! I have been schooled ..so who here knows this "disorder". I can't believe they made a dx that says the pain is all in your head!!! even though you have physical symptoms... and tests show issues.. I don't get it.... just the dx any dr needs to know to cover their own ignorance. .. RSD/CRPS is real. now unless you have a history of hypochondria. there should be no reason to jump a dx to samatoform..Thats what I feel any way..OYE

It's not uncommon for professionals who are not knowledgeable about rsd to suggest that "it's all in one's head".

I am assuming that "L&I" means lawyers & insurance. If that's the case, I gently suggest that it's not in their best interest for you to have rsd but rather a somatoform disorder. (and much cheaper.)

I think an independent specialist familiar with rsd should clarify things. Additionally, if your case involves workman's comp or any type of legal proceedings, I'd suggest you have your own representation.

Thank you Painman2009! My thoughts exactly! They have not dx'd me with this, but they want to! And it's the first time it's ever been mentioned to me in the 3 years I've had CRPS. Also, I have never had a history of Hypochondria...I have been quite the opposite, actually. Thanks...it's always good to know others feel the same and I'm not crazy. I appreciate your kind words. I've just been feeling really down lately. These people at workman's comp. just don't want to believe it. And the doctor's don't want to believe it because if they did then they would have to admit that they can't cure it......yet (finger's crossed!).
Nalakity

L&I stands for Labor and Industries...inother words, Workman's Comp.

Somatoform disorder is not quite the same as Hypochondria although at first glance it may seem to be.


[Somatoform pain disorder is pain that is severe enough to disrupt a person's everyday life.

The pain is like that of a physical disorder, but no physical cause is found. The pain is thought to be due to psychological problems.

The pain that people with this disorder feel is real. It is not created or faked on purpose (malingering).]
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/e...cle/000922.htm


[Hypochondria is a belief that physical symptoms are signs of a serious illness, even when there is no medical evidence to support the presence of an illness.

People with hypochondria are overly focused on their physical health. They have an unrealistic fear of having a serious disease.]
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/e...cle/001236.htm

L&I (work comp) always tries to find some way to pass the cause of the injury off or to minimize the injury. More so when it becomes a chronic or long term thing...
Hope you have a good wc atty & very good drs on your side.

Have you explored our Layoffs, Unemployment and Worker's Compensation forum?
For discussion of any topic related to one's employment and unemployment, worker's compensation, and job.
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum30.html
searching the posts there should be helpful as well as the sticky threads.

Thanks for trying to point out the differences between the two, Jo Mar.

Just wanted to add the term "psychsomatic illness" going with somatoform disorder as that is a term more familiar to many.

Nala,

I doubt that you will find many on this forum who haven't been told or had it be implied that their issues are "all in their head".....you're in good company !

I got sick enough of hearing that, I added a psychiatrist and a therapist to my healthcare team. Truthfully, they are great add ons ! Most people whodeal with chronic pain will have to deal with issues like depression along the way. Psycho-social issues can also make pain worse, so getting help from the experts on trying to minimize stress and find adaptive coping mechanisms can be very helpful.

I also found it helpful to be able to ask the BIG question....."If I am so psychologically impaired that my psyche would feel bad enough to cause me this severe pain, make me unable to work, devastate my financial security, severely impact my family functioning and relationships, and make me miss so many events that I would have been happy to go to.....Why aren't you hospitalizing me for psychological issues ?" The answer was...."Um....because you're not crazy." Sorry for the 'nonprofessional' lingo there, but that WAS his answer.

I'd tell them that you are open to seeing ANY kind of doctor they think will help, but that you expect them ALL to work together to help you feel better.

It's odd that NONE of the docs who gave me the "it's all in your head" chat followed up on my offer to sign any releases they wanted me to, so that they could chat with my psychiatrist who was adamant that my physical complaints/symptoms were NOT psychosomatic.

If you don't have an attorney, you probably need to start exploring that option as Jomar suggested.

WC's goal is often to make the process so stressful, that injured worker's will take ANY settlement to end the nightmare. Having the support of a psych doc would help.

Don't allow yourself to be bullied.