Originally Posted by Vrae

If I could see anyone about this condition it would be University of California, Los Angeles ... Dr Joshua Prager, MD, MS, California Pain Medicine Centers at UCLA: Center for the Rehabilitation of Pain Syndromes (CRPS)
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Institute would be my first choice.

Prager is leading in research world-wide, but is not bound by study restraints and is customizing treatments for individuals. He has learned from the studies/trials that Dr. Robert Schwartzman, Anthony F. Kirkpatrick, MD, PhD, and H. Hooshmand, M.D. have done and has started to customize ketimine treatments and is having good results. here's a video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Qa6gMRWM8c

Dr Joshua Prager is a contributor to the site that alt had mentioned (rsds.org). here's something you could take a look at. about half way into the pdf he get's into ketamine http://rsds.org/2/library/CRPS%20%20...DSA_Prager.pdf

Here is his website http://www.californiapainmedicinecenter.com/profile and the info on treatments http://www.californiapainmedicinecenter.com/general

I know you said that ketamine wasn't helping your wife, but perhaps the doc just simply didn't know what he's doing... maybe? I can't get over the "nothing I can do for you" statement from her doc. And part of me wants to say to him... cool, now send me to someone who can do something.

I completely understand the financial hardships that come with this. I am in BK after 10 years of being self employed. I lost my health ins last year, and am now part of the "system". I was told by SSA that I don't have enough work credits to get disability because I was self employed and I had business losses from the startup phase and was no longer eligable. had I filed a few years earlier, I'd been good, but nope, I waited too long (denial). It's a little unreal to me. I have worked since I was big enough to ride a bike and throw a paper. 30 years of paying in and I don't have enough credits... what?! I was self-employed, put others to work too, and I have been punished for all the damn money I put into my company to try and make it successful. Anyway, yes, i so relate to what you are saying about the stress of life, and the stress of the condition, and that all of which just cause more physical pain.

I guess i've gotten a little long winded on these responses. I'm just damn frustrated with the lack of care and understanding from the medical community. And it's no easy thing to feel like you've lost ... nearly everything. But I will say this, praise God that I have my husband who is loving and compassionate. I feel sure your wife feels the same way. It is a blessing to have someone walk this walk with you. I pray your wife finds someone who can truly help her. Who truly cares, and is educated in the best approach.