[steve2658]

I have been diagnosed with CRPS in 2008 had all the usual treatment and had spinal cord stim fitted in 2010 but has never been as successful as I had hoped. Going to court in June but when my team were initially confident they are questioning the defendants argument that I do not have muscle wastage in my lower limb as would be expected as I can hardly walk. In doors I use furniture and sticks to steady myself outdoors I use a wheel chair and a mobility scooter. I do regular resistant band exercises on my right foot so I think this has helped keep my muscles from wasting. They also go on about subjective and objective evidence. I have had a bone scan indicating CRPS have discoloured skin but of course my symptoms are like all of us is unbearable pain and sensitivity that cant be measured as they relying on my say so any advice cases similar would be appreciated. Court in June so not long its been a 5 year battle.

[Morgan Herritage]

It happens. My hand is withering away. Crps can constrict the blood vessels and cause muscle loss, osteoporosis and arthritis to name a few. Everybody's condition is different.

[CRPSsongbird]

The left side if my arm has a "waffled" effect. That's what my doctor said, is that the start of wasting? He didn't say or elaborate, and I forgot to bring it up at my last appt as I was in such severe pain.

[catra121]

Just sounds like typical courtroom tactics. They don't have anything to PROVE you don't have CRPS so they're going to go after the lack of evidence of something as proof in and of itself. All you can do is go in prepared. If they make a comment about the degree of muscle wasting or question you on such things just stay calm and explain your regular exercise routine just to keep yourself at the level you are. Of course they will try to use that to say that if you can do the exercises then blah blah blah. Just keep calm and be prepared. At the end of the day all you can do is tell the truth and trust in your attorney to present the strongest case possible. A judge/jury (not sure what sort of court case you have) isn't going to know all the details about CRPS so you just have to make sure you provide all the information they need to make a proper decision. Try your best to anticipate their arguments and have the evidence, doctor's opinions, etc ready to prove that their case is BS and holds no water.

It's very important that your try to establish what CRPS is and how it is diagnosed (clinical diagnosis vs. there being any ONE test that can prove you have it or not). Every case is different so you not having a particular symptom doesn't prove anything one way or the other. You know this, I know this, everyone on here knows this...but the person making a decision about your case NEEDS to know this and it's on you and your team to make sure they understand how this works.

And I cannot stress enough...don't let them push your buttons in court or allow them to ruffle your feathers. Stay calm and respond to all questions honestly and fully. It's hard...but just prepare yourself for the worst.

My only experience with this is with work comp...and it sucked. One judge ruled strongly in my favor then work comp appealed and they significantly reduced my reward. So WE appealed and could very honestly be fighting this to this day had I not decided to settle the case and move on (for almost the amount of my original award and 5 times what it was reduced to). The outright LIED in their appeal and there was plenty of evidence that directly contradicted what they said in their brief. GRRR...talk about FRUSTRATING.

But just remember that there are things that are in your control and things that are out of your control. Concentrate on the things you CAN control (like being prepared, staying calm, getting all your ducks in a row, etc) and don't worry about those things that your can't control (like what the other side is going to say or do). Worrying about those things will only stress you out and make your pain worse.

Take care and good luck.

[Brambledog]

I have muscle wastage in my left leg, both the thigh and calf muscles. My leg is pretty weak, and I suppose it's sort of lucky that our house is small so that I can hold on to walls and furniture everywhere... I've been fighting it with physio for nearly two years, but can't build that muscle up enough to walk much. It is indeed damned frustrating. You have to keep at it though, or goodness knows what it would look like! That's what I keep telling myself - of doing all this makes it no better, then if I stop it'll get much worse. Suppose that's the CRPS dance.

Bram.

[lady31]

Brambledog

catra121 is right.

Do not let the other side upset you or push your buttons. And as everyone has said we all experience CRPS differently. As for the litigation side pertaining to workers comp is a nightmare!