Pain doctors are not a category in my state's insurance so I wanted to ask what neurologists can do for people was RSD. Do they give scripts for pain? What symptoms do they address?

Thanks
Heather

Hi Heather,

In my experience Neurologists usually work along side a pain management provider as part of the care team in treating CRPS. They don't usually manage pain medicines except in cases of short term needs like after an SCS implant or perhaps an injection. They will often be consulted with to rule out other causes of pain or when diagnosis is unclear.

Anesthesiologists are usually part of a pain management clinic and many have a sub-specialty in Neurology or other areas that compliment managing chronic pain syndromes. I wonder if perhaps your state insurance has pain management classified with anesthesiology?

Since you have had longstanding CRPS and a previous SCS implant who has been providing your pain medications etc., recently?

I JUST figured out the difference between anesthesiologists and pain doctors do since 1 of them wouldn't make an appt for me. They want people they can inject and do surgery on. I've been seeing a straight up "pain management doctor". Yes the state seems to think that the 2 categories are the same.

One of the hospitals in Milwaukee have been paying all my medical bills (through the foundation) and now that I have the states health care i have to find someone else to go to. "Pain managment" doctors is NOT a category. That's why i was asking about neurologists. I got nobody to go to

What a bummer that you have to change doctors! Have you asked your current Pain Management doctor for a referral to someone who is in your new plan?

Have you tried just locating a local PM to your area and then going on your plans website to see if they are listed as a preferred provider? That might make the search easier?

My PM doctor is also a physical medicine and rehabilitation doctor. He writes my RX for my pain medication along with other medications for RSD.I have been seeing him since before my RSD diagnosis. He along with my neurologist diagnosed my RSD. My neurologist would like more aggressive treatment ( blocks, etc.). Where my PM doctor agrees with more conservative treatment leaving aggressive treatment for last options.

You could also look for a "physiatrist" , a specialist in physical medicine who sees patients with chronic diseases like MS, arthritis, etc. And might be able to follow you lonv term and help you with pain and physcal therapy. Just a thought. Sorry you are in this pickle. -lottie

Just tell your situation to your neurologist and you need her/ him to write the prescriptions.

Good luck...