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Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD and CRPS) Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (Complex Regional Pain Syndromes Type I) and Causalgia (Complex Regional Pain Syndromes Type II)(RSD and CRPS) |
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09-09-2017, 05:14 AM | #1 | ||
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Catra, you explained what is going on with me, too. Sometimes after the gym I am able to go to a store for a few items, but more often than not, it's too much for me. I need to rest. I am not all hyped up and energized afterward at all. Like you I often sleep in my clothes and only shower 2x a week, because it's too exhausting. Or I hang out in my pajamas, because regular clothing is too constricting.
I seldom wear make up anymore and I chopped my hair off so I would not have to deal with it. Even with a wheeled stool to sit on and manuever putting myself together requires energy I don't want to squander. I limit the number of times I climb the stairs each day. Compared to being completely bedridden I am much, much better, but I do not have the stamina to work, as much as I would like to. I have been emailed several great job opportunities, all requiring driving more than 15 minutes and requiring 25 hours of labor per week. My 4 1/2 year old car has 10k miles on it, because I have been unable to drive much since 2014. Plus I cannot do any prolonged sitting or standing. I have to lie down with my leg elevated for hours every day. I rest between all activities. I told this to the WC doctor, but that's not what he wrote in his report. With photos I showed the lawyers that before this I got family houses ready for sale, including putting in floors. I can barely clean one bathroom now. My husband does the cleaning. Sometimes I empty the dishwasher. I put a load of laundry on in the bathroom next to my bedroom and I wait in bed until it's finished. I cannot climb a ladder. I won't walk in my yard, between the chipmunk holes and the acorns it's too dangerous. In the past I painted, but I cannot do it. We had to hire painters to repaint my livingroom and diningroom. I had to hire someone to help me get my house ready for my daughter's wedding. She needed help with her wedding flowers, something I could have done easily in the past, but since I couldn't I had to ask other people to assist her. My daughter, who is pregnant, dragged me to look at baby strollers. I was worthless. I had to sit and watch while she took them apart, folded them and assessed them. One tour around the outer part of the store was too much. Frankly, I was also overwhelmed by the size of the store. There were three stores right nearby that I had been wanting to see, but there was no way, but home. |
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09-09-2017, 11:06 AM | #2 | |||
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Although I did not go through worker's compensation for anything CRPS related, I did have to hire a lawyer when I went through SSDI. Having to deal wit WC in the past, I know that they are two entirely different things and require different approaches to argue what is needed for your sake. Hiring a good lawyer can make all the difference and if needed, find ways to argue with WC to get your needs met. When I went to my hearing for SSDI, the occupational therapist that argued the case against me reported that there are no jobs that I could do solely on the basis that my foot needed to be elevated above my waist level much of the day. This is what my lawyer thought of and is something that I never would have thought of if it was just me arguing my case. Write all of these things down and tell them to your lawyer when you find one you are willing to work with. It's quite often the little things like this that can continue your WC coverage if you should have to go to mediation. A good lawyer knows this and should be better prepared than you would be by yourself. I was not able to afford a functional capacity evaluation at the time of my hearing but another thing that my lawyer gave to me to have filled out instead was a CRPS Medical Source Statement that was to be filled out by any doctor that I had a long standing history with. The judge that heard my case took that in place of a FCE. I hope that things get straightened out for you soon. I am sure the added stress is not doing you any good.
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. Alaina |
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"Thanks for this!" says: | BioBased (09-09-2017) |
09-09-2017, 05:49 PM | #3 | ||
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Magnate
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WC paid for my FCE and I know of other people where they did as well. Ask your attorney if you should have your doctor request one.
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"Thanks for this!" says: | PurpleFoot721 (09-09-2017) |
09-10-2017, 06:19 AM | #4 | ||
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Now WC is saying CRPS is only confirmed by the very symptoms I had in spades 24/7 when I first went to be examined. At my last exam the WC doctor made a point to note I have no hair on my legs and feet, but did not add that I told him I had laser hair removal years ago. |
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09-10-2017, 08:50 PM | #5 | |||
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It is so hard with WC...I always feel like I have to talk about all my symptoms every time and watch to make sure it is all documents. I always go in with a list of issues, symptoms, etc and sometimes they just photocopy my list for their records...but it IS important for the doctors to notate stuff as well for each visit because work comp is always ready to deny deny deny. Don't be afraid to ask the doctor to document important things each visit and reconfirm diagnosis. My doctor always writes the diagnosis on my notes so it's perfectly clean that's what I have. Doesn't change the fact that WC argues that I don't have it...so you're not alone. This is a very common practice. They insisted with my initial injury that I just had an ankle sprain...really? They do lumbar sympathetic blocks and prescribe lyrica and antidepressants for ankle sprains now? Then they said maybe I was pregnant. Ummm...since when does pregnancy cause these RSD symptoms? I wasn't pregnant btw at the time...it was the most absurd thing I've encountered from WC. They are just awful and try anything they think they can get away with and then some. So glad you have a lawyer now. I know it's hard...but let the lawyer deal with them and you just focus on working with your doctor to get treatment and to document your condition. So sorry you are going through all this. I totally get it.
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"Thanks for this!" says: | BioBased (09-11-2017), PurpleFoot721 (09-11-2017) |
09-11-2017, 10:47 AM | #6 | ||
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Catra,
I am not too sure about this attorney. He misread a report, insisted I had a lumbar puncture, because he missed the word "if" infront of the sentence. He believed the report not me. "No, I did not have a lumbar puncture. I was shoved in a corridor and given no treatment." Today he responded to my email that my query was about medical malpractice, not about the vagaries of WC. This is exactly why I avoided having a lawyer. Just another person to deal with who will probably not listen to me. They want this to be a clear case. I knew a year ago, when I was cut off from PT before I could walk downstairs properly and started having flares that I was screwed. Trying to explain that I may look better and I may be more able than I was in May 2015, does mean I am back to pre-accident. Far from it, I need to rest for long periods of the day and elevate my leg. I am terrified to seek out a new doctor, who did not see me at my worst or my best. How can he fairly eval me? My anxiety is off the charts. |
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09-11-2017, 11:26 AM | #7 | |||
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I know it feels like a lawyer is just another person to deal with...but trust me dealing with a lawyer who has a vested interest in getting you $$ is better than dealing with WC who have a vested interest in saving themselves money (ie...not getting you treatment). If this lawyer isn't for you, find another one. You don't want to lawyer hop too much...but you do need someone you can trust especially with the details because that's where you will win or lose the case. No matter how many lawyers you have...the CAP they can get TOTAL is 20% and they will split that based on how much work they did/didn't do.
I know your anxiety is off the charts...I totally get it and have been there...but you have to TRY to keep a level head because when you are upset, stressed, etc...you will do/say things that you can't take back that can be used against you by WC and send the wrong message to your doctors. Good doctors SHOULD understand this...but they often don't because they've never actually gone through this. Have you considered seeing a psychologist? Many pain doctors have one on staff or that they can refer their patients to and that will also help you deal with the anxiety and stress (plus more documentation for your case and that's always good). |
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"Thanks for this!" says: | BioBased (09-12-2017), PurpleFoot721 (09-11-2017) |
09-11-2017, 11:32 AM | #8 | |||
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Senior Member
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Also...my current pain doctor has never seen me at my best. It doesn't matter if they see your worst, best, etc...they are supposed to treat your as you are. You will never be at pre-accident levels unless you achieve remission...but that doesn't mean you can't work (and I'm not saying you can do that now). A doctor's job is to evaluate your current situation and treat where you are NOW. It's not a comparison...you will always fall short of your former self and that is the truth....you need to accept that. But any good doctor can evaluate your current self. It's important when you see the doctors that you talk about NOW...not a year ago, two years ago, ten years ago...what are your symptoms right now, what are your limitations right now, etc. Again...I understand how hard that is...but it's the most important thing to focus on is right now. They'll ask for your history and you can go over everything in the past then...and then move on to NOW and where you want to be (what are your goals from treatment). Be realistic with your treatment goals and even break them down into smaller, attainable parts. This helps you work WITH the doctor to reach goals.
So sorry, really, for everything you are going through. I have been through it (am still going through it) and I know how hard it is. Always here if you need to talk...you can always message me too. |
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"Thanks for this!" says: | BioBased (09-12-2017), PurpleFoot721 (09-11-2017) |
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