So i have been seeing the same pain doctor for a few months. He is the one who worked with my neurologist or orthopedic to Diagnose me. So he has been great the whole time, seen him 5-6 times. Always was helpful and tried to find me relief.
So i go to the doctor yesturday, and they had scheduled me to see the PA. I asked to see my actual Dr and he was out. So i went ahead and saw the PA. It was the worse experiance. He said that all my symptoms were Psychosomatic..and that he disagreed that i had rsd, that i was too young and healthy ? Then he went on to ask a bunch of personal questions about how i live without working or having insurance.. He also said i should be working because my symptoms dont appear bad. I left the office very upset. It was awful.
I am unsure of what i should do now. try and talk to my original doctor, switch doctors? am i just overreacting?

Unfortunately you will encounter those types of medical personnel. I suggest you see your doc, explain to him what happened and tell him how you felt about the encounter. You have a diagnosis, your doc diagnosed you and apparently his assistant did not agree with him. I would think he would also be interested in learning his PA had insulted his patient. You have done nothing wrong and do not let anyone make you feel like you did.
Don't let this person get you down. You know the pain you feel and so does your doc.

Medical people who do not know or understand what RSD is should be educated. Alot of the time it is the patient that educates.
When you see your doc I hope he understands and helps you feel better.

Take care,

Candice

I have to agree with Kathy that not all health care workers are familiar with RSD. Speaking as a nurse myself, I did not know what it was till I got it.

It is my opinion that you call and leave a message for your dr. to call you and explain to him that his/her PA told you that it was all in your head and that he made you feel even worse then you all ready do.

I am not sure where you live, but there are laws in place in some states that state that healthcare workers are to be educated about RSD. Good luck.

thank you both so much, i just didnt want to make a big deal over something if it wasnt. I have been so emotional lately. This has been taking it out me.

I had such a similar experience with my PM. I had gone once to see the Dr. For a change, he was caring and compassionate and a relief when he agreed with the diagnosis, but insisted we caught it early with a good chance of remission. The next time I went, they put me in with the PA who was short with me, belittled the doctor's opinion and gave me much less powerful medication in less quantity. Now I've been doomed to struggle all month with pain I can't control and two more weeks to wait until I can get in to see the actual doctor. There's nothing much more frustrating than taking time out of your life to seek help and be sent away without much help or relief. Wasting away another month in pain is cruel punishment for someone's lack of education. Remember there may be good docs and PA' s out there but someone has to graduate at the bottom of the class. I think we found them...I won't go back to the PA again. Stick with the doc.

Please please report the PAs to your doc! PAs need MD "sponsorship" in order to practice. They also work for the pain management clinic so they need to have a "Come to Jesus" talk with the clinic manager, If you dont report them then they will continue to abuse others like they have you. Remember YOU are the customer and the customer is ALWAYS RIGHT
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Candice,

That is correct a PA needs sponsership. If you do not get the result of the Dr. talking to the PA, report them to the Professional Board.

I feel that if these people are not educated on RSD, then we should report this. If enough people complain, they will make sure that education happens. We are the ones who have to fight and educate others including health care workers.

I personally have sent letters to all the state representatives, congress and the senate. And certain states are now mandating education on all health care workers.

So I told you about the horrible PA I saw last month when I went in for my monthly visit to the pain doc.... Well, after suffering terribly through the month, it was finally time for my next appointment which seemed to take an eternity to arrive. I was hopeful because the appointment was schedule with the physician and not the PA. But when I arrived, they informed me the doctor was sick and I'd be seeing the PA or the ARNP. I could have cried. I was in so much pain I would have driven to the ED had it not been for this appointment! So when they took me my blood pressure it was the highest I've ever had 160to over 90. I was fearful this would be another waisted appointment, $30 and another month of suffering. To my surprise, the ARNP that took my appointment was wonderful! Caring, compassionate and she listened. I explained what had happened at my last appoitment and she was shocked by the changes the PA had made to my treatment plan! She appologized by saying "they call it practicing medicine and it can take a few times so get to the right plan for me. She prescribed new meds for me at reasonable doses and quantities and suggested ways to manage my flares. Sha also offered to send me for aqua therapy which I really want to try. I feel I got lucky this month and am so thankful to find the help I needed. I hope you too have found someone who can provide you the care you need to cope with this disease...and give you a little hope.

unfortunately the doctor wont call me back, and his nurses told me to make a appointment and talk to him, and that wont be until the 24th..

Everyday it gets worse, and i am so worried this pa has delayed treatment that could prevent/stop spreading..

PA answers to MD. Find out who his supervising MD is. Accumulate all medical SOAP notes/reports documenting your DX then file complaint with PA's board.....jerk! Oh, and tell whomever is making you wait for a follow up appt. with the MD that you can get an appt tomorrow with a medmal attorney. Would they like to reconsider making you wait?