I went to see a PM at UVA. This time I used my anthem and was referred by my primary. What a night and day difference in doctors and insurance. Instead of being told there is nothing wrong with me (as was the case with workers comp) I was told yes it looks and acts like RSD lets do blood work and schedule a nerve block. I was given more medication and increased my dosage of gabapentin. Both of the doctors I saw were very compassionate and both explained what they were seeing and thinking. They actually saw the strange coloring and swelling along with the difference in temperature. Most important I was not told I am crazy and it is all in my head. I am relieved for that. Now I am terrified because I am not sure how I feel about nerve blocks as they are invasive.
My next task is the attorney that has been handling this for me I am not so sure about. So what to do? Been looking for a different attorney problem being is every one and everything in Lynchburg loves my former employer. I compare it to living in Orlando and working for Disney World. No one wants to sue Disney and there resources.
Any way I am relieved someone wants to help me medically. Problem with today is I have been in serious flare since visit to UVA.
Hope every one has a good holiday.

Cool!!!
It's always nice to hear some good news.
WC docs are always trying to side with WC which does not look out for you.
The best neurologist for me is the one I found. Luckily for me I saw her before taking legal action which made it harder for WC to try and blow me off like with so many cases I read in here.

Hi Phaedra! I am glad you had good results from going to UVA! I was originally diagnosed there, at the Pain Clinic back in 1991 and they were fantastic, so naturally I wanted to go back when I started developing RSD in other areas back in 2009/2010. Didn't have the same luck that go around. I changed from my employers insurance to my husband's insurance just so I could go there and it was awful. The dr didn't even examine me. I had long pants and long sleeves on so she couldn't just see anything ya know. She basically talked to me like I was a crazy little child and needed to talk to a psychiatrist...yeah, I was pretty angry when I left there!! Glad you didn't get THAT dr!!

I can't remember, where is your RSD located? Is it upper body and are they talking about stellate ganglion nerve blocks? I have had so many of them. They can be so helpful, but they can be risky too. When I was first diagnosed, they treated me very aggressively with SGB's and meds and put me into remission for many years...so because of that, I am a believer in them You just need to do your research, ask lots of questions and be comfortable with your decision.

Good luck with finding a lawyer in Lynchburg. The only one I know there that I dealt with personally, who I really liked, when my whole RSD ordeal started is Gentry Ferrell. I bit a rock that was in my food at a mexican restaurant (La Carreta) and after root canals, I lost my three back bottom teeth, got implants, bridges, etc. All that trauma is what caused my RSD to develop in my face in 1991. Anyway, $13,000 in dental/medical bills meant I had to sue the restaurant to get them to pay it all and I hired Gentry. I know he is still practicing, but not sure what type of cases he exactly takes now.

Good luck to you!!
Nanc

Hi Phaedra, glad you had a good experience at UVA. I have had multiple Lumbar Sympathetic Blocks for CRPS in leg. I responded well, my leg warmd up almost immediatelt, but I only got a moderate reduction in pain. I have been able to decrease my opiod usage, but I never achieved a remission. In the long run, for me, it was a good idea. Just make sure you fully understand the risks vs. Benefits before consenting to a block. Wishing you wellness ~ Lottie

Hi Phaedra. I'm so glad you had a good experience at UVA too. I had eight nerveblocks (one a week for two months) when I was first diagnosed with rsd. It helped bring down the swelling and numb the pain a little, but not completely. I had a needle inserted into my neck so I was put under for it. (This was at my request, because I would have not been able to stay awake for that. I don't like needles.) The procedure too about fifteen minutes and then I went home. It was hard to swallow for a few hours afterwards due to the anesthesia and I sounded like a duck when I coughed. That was due to the anesthesia and did go away after a few hours. My husband would stop at McDonalds after the procedure was done to get me a vanilla milkshake. Boy did that hit the spot! And then he drove me home. If you want to try a NB, I would just make sure you have an experienced PM dr who is familiar with RSD. NB combined with PT seemed to help my rsd wrist and hand gain a little more movement and bring the swelling down a bit. And my husband's insurance covered the procedure and anesthesia for six blocks. The last two were done with out insurance coverage, but my pm dr was kind enough to not charge me for them. Looking back I realize how lucky I've been to have had such a great PM dr caring for me. I hope you get the same compassion and quality care from your drs. I'm sure you will. Take care my friend and feel better soon.

I'm glad things work better and have better chances ,im sure better thing to do is get dr and attorney outside your town and might be much better,but for now if you can get some results done beneficial go for it and keep trying ,nothing can be worse than what we had already so keep the hope and faith ,soon you will see some changes and all for good .
Loving hugs and lots of love ,Jes .

Thank you so much to everyone. Your input means the world to me.

Hi Phaedra. I'm really glad things are working out for you. I also visited UVA early on in the diagnosis. The doctor and resident I saw were obviously very sharp gentlemen. They listened to me and even put up with the modality/progress symptom summary I'd brought. My experience there was similar to yours in that the immediate recommendation was a series of lumbar nerve blocks to get the pain under control, with the intent to then begin directed physical therapy, counseling, etc.

But in my case, I was already improving on my own with self directed mirror therapy, ROM movements, massage, dietary changes, imagery, and positivity controls.

My gut was saying not to proceed with the block since the RSD I had was triggered by surgery. But they wanted to get me back in for the block ASAP. So I compromised and scheduled it in 14 days with the intent to continue to monitor my own progress and make the decision after two weeks. If things did not improve at all (or regressed), I would consider undergoing the block.

I continued to make fair improvement and canceled the procedure after 7 days. I was very scared to "cut ties" with the medical field - especially those who are experts in the field - but it felt to be the right thing to do for me. I am very very glad this is the decision I made.

But Phaedra - this is just anecdotal evidence from one person and not meant to sway you either way. I just wanted to share my experience for you to consider in your decision. Blocks have helped some people - blocks have hurt some people - and they have had limited to no effect on others. Make the decision that is right for you and no one else.

It's nice to have someone actually familiar with the symptoms though eh?

All the best

I agree with you Visioniosiv ,blocks can get you better or hurt you but is your decision to try ,in my case didn't help to much at all but mostly I will Insist in the fact my dr sent me to work right away and according with my ortho dr many times medications doesn't have time to settle so take time to rest and hope works well for you,also I developed severe headaches and muscle spasm ,might be a coincident but happened ,I don't try to tell you not to do it,we all react different ways and is you who knows the west but ask your dr any question possible about aside effect and possible complications just to be prepare .
My thoughts are with you always hoping for the best. We are not trying to get discourage you, just telling our personal experience for you to not to make our mistakes and have plenty time to rest and hope get some some relief ,gentle loving hugs ,Jesika .
Hope will lead you to the best decision and sure pain finally will give you a break,keep the hope and the faith,hope soon talk to you ,I'm sure so busy this past days but want to stop to support you ,love you girl !!