Hang in there Vrae, Hope you find a new pain doctor that will help you.

Thank you so much. Me too and I'm still working on it. Thanks hon!

Obtain a copy of the report that the doctor issues related to your appointment. Examine it closely for errors, often dirtballs such as him will state that certain exams/tests were performed that weren't just to justify their exam fee. Make a list of all the errors/misstatements that you find in his report - not just the lies from the visit, but the inaccuracies of his diagnosis compared to your previous docs.

PREPARE a detailed letter outlining all of the discrepancies that you found. Then file a report with your State Medical Board of Review. Report the bastard.

Until we start sticking up for ourselves, NOTHING is going to happen, and these guys are going to continue to bully more pain patients the way he did you.

If anything, you will get a feeling of satisfaction of having done SOMETHING right. All the best to you. I've had the same thing happen to me here in RI. It's such a ROTTEN feeling. Please take care. I hope you find a doc that cares. xoxo Sandy

Hey Sandy,

I did (just today) receive a copy of my chart notes. Ticks me off (understatement of the year) just reading them. Yes, I will report him.

So get this. I call up and leave a message for MR to request my chart notes. They call me back. Without even verifying that it was me, or asking me to fill out a release or anything they fax them over to me. When I get them, there is an additional page of info that isn't my info. Two people's FULL names, DOB, address, genders, and all their insurance info, like detailed insurance info about covered benefits. What looks to be something that their office probably requested from the insurance company or something. unreal!

I'm terribly sorry to hear of your shabby treatment and the lack of medical care where you live. I'm quite shocked to read all you have gone through. You are very brave and I truly hope you find the right team to start helping you. Below I've listed (along with the link to the PDF) the criteria for diagnosis which is currently being used internationally.

Budapest diagnostic criteria for diagnosing CRPS.

General definition of the syndrome:

CRPS describes an array of painful conditions that are characterized by a continuing (spontaneous and/or evoked) regional pain that is
seemingly disproportionate in time or degree to the usual course of any known trauma or other lesion. The pain is regional (not in a specific
nerve territory or dermatome) and usually has a distal predominance of abnormal sensory, motor, sudomotor, vasomotor, and/or trophic
findings. The syndrome shows variable progression over time

To make the clinical diagnosis, the following criteria must be met:

1. Continuing pain, which is disproportionate to any inciting event

2. Must report at least one symptom in three of the four following categories:

• Sensory: Reports of hyperesthesia and/or allodynia
  
• Vasomotor:Reports of temperature asymmetry and/or skin color changes and/or skin color asymmetry
  
• Sudomotor/ Edema: Reports of edema and/or sweating changes and/or sweating asymmetry
  
• Motor/Trophic: Reports of decreased range of motion and/or motor dysfunction (weakness, tremor, dystonia) and/or trophic changes (hair, nail, skin)

3. Must display at least one sign at time of evaluation in two or more of the following categories:

• Sensory:Evidence of hyperalgesia (to pinprick) and/or allodynia (to light touch and/or temperature sensation and/or deep somatic pressure and/or joint movement)
  
• Vasomotor:Evidence of temperature asymmetry (>1°C) and/or skin color changes and/or asymmetry
  
• Sudomotor/Edema: Evidence of edema and/or sweating changes and/or sweating asymmetry
  
• Motor/Trophic: Evidence of decreased range of motion and/or motor dysfunction (weakness, tremor, dystonia) and/or trophic changes (hair, nail, skin)

4. There is no other diagnosis that better explains the signs and symptoms.

For research purposes, diagnostic decision rule should be at least one symptom in all four symptom categories and at least one sign (observed at evaluation) in two or more sign categories.

I've been away from the forum for sometime but recently returned to explore ketamine infusion options. I have continued for years now with lidocaine infusions along with patches as a main source of pain control.I'm seeing new doctors at a pain clinic and need to discuss if I should stay on this treatment or consiider alternatives.

Much love to you all.

If you get a chance to do the Ketamine infusion, please let all of us know how it went. I have read a few articles in Medical journals that report good outcomes. I had Ketamine infusion in my spine twice, and it did help before I had the surgery. I wish you the very best outcome for CRPS. ginnie