If you have private insurance, USE IT! go see the neurologist and make sure he notes that this is crps from an accident and have him send a copy to the WC. I have been fighting mine as well. I now have both feet involved with a running ice water feeling through my abdomen and jaw. (the running water thing is not constant, but that is how it started in my feet.

What ever you do I do not recommend you ever settle medical. Like you said it could cost millions in the long run.

I do have private Insurance but they denied coverage for neurologist as Original Injury occurred before Insurance was in effect.
325,000 is the max allowed under Indiana work comp there is a second fund that may help but either way it wont be enough from what i have been reading.

have they started any injections yet? I would definitely consider TDSC or ketamine and not fool around with the rest.

I am sorry to hear that there is a max in your state. I have life time medical as long as I go to the dr. within 1 year.

No injections yet I go to see Pain Management Dr. this Wednesday a couple hours after Physical therapy so I should be flared up pretty good, Intend to talk about pain control short term and long term, work comp here is really bad the odds of getting TDSC or Ketamine approved is slim to none.

Hi free2frog,

A few questions/concerns you might want to look into.....

Did you by any chance have a lidocaine PainBuster pump after the surgery ? It was commonly used for a awhile, until they noted that a lot of people ended up with chronic severe burning pain.

Also, those shoulder surgeries frequently require the use of ice machines to control inflammation and pain after surgery. They can cause/trigger RSD.

Either of those issues could open up other legal issues that you may want to pursue.

Going back to your original comments/title of the thread......YES ! You belong here. Even 'without an official dx' or researching this dx yourself to question docs (who often aren't knowledgable about RSD).....if you think you can learn something, share something, or get needed support.....you BELONG !

Discuss the idea of leaving your employer with your attorney before you do... You may lose quite a bit of protection if you do. (WC laws vary from state to state.) If you are forced into a lower paid position, that might be made up by WC. And what if your symptoms increase to the point you can't work? (Sorry, an unfortunate reality.)

Staging isn't really done anymore. It just wasn't accurate for most patients.

Consider Stellate ganglion blocks, warm water PT, tens unit, HBOT, Ketamine, etc.

Finz, no lido ball had a nerve block,( EMG came back normal) but did have a cryo cuff Ice machine for 2 weeks after surgery so I will have to do some researching on that, and Thank you I guess I do belong here.

LIT LOVE I have talked to my attorney and he has stated that it may help my case but will not hurt it. I am actively looking for something new, closer to home. I am open to any treatment options but first I have to find someone who believes me and not trying to cover there butts.

So I went to see pain Management Dc. last Wednesday after working 3/4 of the day PT was canceled that day (long story) But as expected my hands were swollen nice bright red splotch on my wrist original burn area my legs from the knees down swollen burning toes looking like cherry tomatoes, my shoulder fine fine a little achy nothing bad. The doc comes in I go over everything with him all the symptoms and issues. He then tells me he has no idea why I am having these other issues and it might be due to the meds Gabapintin that he put me on and that I should start weaning off them and if my "Issues" increase then resume prior dosage and follow up with my GP for further care. So I flat out asked him about CRPS/RSD and was told he treats a number of patients with That but I was referred to only to ensure the nerve block and or surgery did not cause the issue and that with the normal emg they had proved that and he could not comment on the other issues that I Might be having. No further follow-up with his office is needed.

Do these two docs know each other, perhaps?

I've noticed local docs tend not to talk badly about one another, presumably because they are watching each other's backs. Sometimes it takes going to another, larger, city to get an honest and objective opinion (sadly).