I went to the Pain doctor today after waiting since March. I was not impressed with him. He told me you do not have RSD just by looking at my leg. I asked him ok what then. I don't know. I asked ok then how and what do you make of the panic attacks and heart palpitations. You are just worried was his answer. He ordered a bone scan and more and different therapy.
I left there so angry and feeling like I had just been dismissed. This is the workers comp doctor. What should I do? Should I ask my attorney if I can just go to the family doctor here in town? At least she listened and acted like she cared and didn't just blow me off.

Phaedra, I am sorry to hear this. I know you have been waiting to see this guy. I know exactly how you feel though, it is very frustrating. I went to see a dr on Friday, waited since February to see this idiot. He kept asking me "are you sure you don't have small fiber neuropathy?" He really didn't think it was RSD in my feet and hands, that has been there for many years. He said I didn't "look" like I had RSD. Oh, and he asked me if I tried contrast therapy...really?? That is so wrong for RSD!! We argued about that

Why does this dr want you to have a bone scan if he doesn't think it is RSD? What other tests? Bone scans are not conclusive for diagnosing RSD, but if he is looking for something else then it may be necessary. I had one on my right hand and it was normal...I have RSD in both hands! What kind of therapy did he order? Does the family dr know how to treat RSD or understand it? I see my PCP monthly and she manages any medication (including any pain meds) for me since I cannot find a PM dr that is worth a crap!

I don't know why it is so hard to find a decent dr these days! I hope you can get some good answers soon!

Nanc

Thanks Nance. My first thought was he is a workers comp doctor therefore he really doesn't care. He gave me no clue as to why the bone scan. He said he wanted the therapist to evaluate and report back to him. I am already going to therapy for The Orthopedic doctor who al least admitted he couldn't treat RSD. He gave me no answers at all he just created more confusion and questions. I personally think he just doesn't care. I think he took one look at my leg and noticed very little swelling and didn't see the bright red coloring or purple coloring and made up his mind on that. I have color changes but they are not real bad unless I have been over doing it a lot. I have swelling but not as bad as it first was. I have a real shiny patch of skin that is sometimes hard to see. To people who know me like my husband and mother in law they see it . He wouldn't even let me finish my list of problems I have had. So that being said I will talk o my Mother in law who worked with my family doctor and see if I can't get her to agree to treat me. I will get Mother to go see her with me. I still have to talk to attorney about this too. If any one else has some suggestions please help.

Dear Phaedra,

I am so sorry you received conflicting information and diagnosis or rather no diagnosis, just refutation of RSD. If it were me, YES, I would talk to the attorney about the matter and what your best steps are in your situation.

You have brought something to mind that may trigger a new thread from me concerning the diagnosis of neurological conditions.

Please keep us posted as to how things progress and the steps you decide to take.

This doctor does not have your best interest at heart. Its the insurance company's best interest at heart here. When WC is involved its always a hassle for the patient most times, especially when a chronic condition is involved.

Suddenly the doctors get stupid. I've seen this behavior with my own eyes pertaining to my wife who has RSD. Example, doctor is clueless to your condition----his next patient who has RSD is covered by BC/BS PPO, here in the doctor does everything to treat the patient and their concerns. Next patient has HMO coverage, and RSD----again, clueless with the patient.

As Helpless stated, start looking at hiring an attorney.

I was treated very poorly by a WC doctor several years ago when I had a knee injury. I had fallen at work and landed on my knee on a concrete floor, the MRI didn't show anything conclusive, but I was in so much pain I could barely walk enough to go grocery shopping. The doctor came in after the MRI and said to me that I must just be being too sensitive about it, there's nothing wrong, and to get over it. I discovered after that that in my state the law forces WC to allow me one change of doctor at my own request, they'll give a few suggestions and I would pick one. One of the suggestions on the list was a doctor from the clinics that are most widely accepted as the best in the valley here and I sprung on him. A laproscopic surgery to find that there was some bone damage and clean it up and a few weeks later and I was pain free.

Anyway, my point is that I think that the WC doctors that everyone gets sent to first are intentionally dense, insensitive, uncaring, unfeeling pricks. I would find out if you are allowed a change of doctors and do so, even if there are hoops to jump through and it will take time. In the meantime, if they're paying for it and it's non-invasive I see no reason not to let them pay for a completely useless and inconclusive test. They're the ones that sent you to the moron doctor. I'd also go ahead and let your PCP treat you with meds, if he's knowledgeable and caring, in the meantime. There is no reason to suffer while waiting for a new doc.

Get your lawyer get a new dr start all over and get documented second opinions ,3,4,5 as many as you need until they found what's wrong, you don't need that crap ,sorry about the expression from a wc dr, get your own dr, make your lawyer work for you, not for the company ,demand your rights, if that lawyers is not helping you, get a new one , you need medical treatment , you deserve it, demand it, don't give up, try again, best wishes and my prayers are with you , from Jesika .

I had the bone scan done on July 1st. I went back to said Doctor in original post. He said the scan showed arthritis. He did not find RSD/CRPS. I asked ok what is it? Again I was told I do not know, but it is not a workers comp pathology. He then said to me I am going to refer you to a man in Lynchburg he is an attorney his name is (leaving this out), he will raise holy hell.
He also said he was releasing me to full duty mmi. I don't know what mmi means. Can any one tell me please. Sorry for my ignorance here.
Ok so arthritis no RSD and no workers comp pathology. WTF! Why refer me to an attorney.
I know I am not crazy and I know I feel what I feel. I have pictures of my knee and leg and now my hand that shows some swelling and discoloration. Something is going on.. I could still just scream. Any thoughts on this?
I do have an attorney and I have went to my Doctor and asked her to refer me to another doctor for a second opinion. She thinks on top of the rsd there is fibromyalgia.
uuhhgg!!!!