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)


advertisement
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 09-08-2017, 01:30 PM #1
BioBased BioBased is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 630
8 yr Member
BioBased BioBased is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 630
8 yr Member
Default Engaged an attorney

Today I engaged an attorney and I have to say it was an upsetting experience, due to reliving the months and months of pain and the many unhelpful doctor visits. Plus the 40 minute drive nearly did me in. The lawyer said I needed him two years ago!

I cannot get into see the pain management doctor until October and in the meantime I was told they do not write disability letters. I need the letter so I can have a hearing, so I can get the additional PT I need. It's true I should have addressed this earlier, but it caused me so much anxiety I avoided addressing it.

I have asked my PCP for the letter, but I am worried that because I have improved to the point that I don't always need a cane, he will not see me as disabled. If anyone has ideas, please share.

This is a recent picture of my foot: As you can see it is not normal. I do not believe I will ever get back to being 100 percent normal, and I will have CRPS for the rest of my life. I am afraid that my positive outlook is going to work against me.

Last edited by Chemar; 09-16-2017 at 07:36 AM. Reason: per member request
BioBased is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote

advertisement
Old 09-09-2017, 03:34 AM #2
catra121's Avatar
catra121 catra121 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Illinois
Posts: 1,785
10 yr Member
catra121 catra121 is offline
Senior Member
catra121's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Illinois
Posts: 1,785
10 yr Member
Default

All I can say with the doctors is be completely honest with them about what you can and cannot do...don't exaggerate. Just because you don't need a cane 100% of the time...doesn't mean you don't have pain and a disability. I have found that writing out my symptoms and stuff that I want to go over beforehand and bringing the paper with me helps keep me focused during my visits where I have to talk about specific things. Very important if you have a tendency to get stressed or emotional or just forget things. My primary care doctors have usually been pretty good when it came to things like getting a disabled parking tag and stuff. Make sure to make a regular appointment (not walk in) and have everything you need.

On a side note...I think it's great that you HAVE improved enough that you don't need a cane 100% of the time. A positive outlook is not a bad thing. I always try to be optimistic and keep myself motivated to get better...and I think my doctors have seen that and appreciate it. If you don't think you can work a part time sedentary job because of X, Y, and Z...make sure you address those things with your doctor specifically. They don't always understand the totality of our symptoms unless we explain them in detail. It's very easy to focus on just the pain...but things like endurance, stamina, strength, triggers, etc are all important too to understanding how this condition affects us on a daily basis...so make sure you talk about those things with the doctor.
catra121 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
"Thanks for this!" says:
BioBased (09-09-2017), PurpleFoot721 (09-09-2017)
Old 09-09-2017, 03:43 AM #3
catra121's Avatar
catra121 catra121 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Illinois
Posts: 1,785
10 yr Member
catra121 catra121 is offline
Senior Member
catra121's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Illinois
Posts: 1,785
10 yr Member
Default

Also, think about your daily activities. What are some things you CAN'T do because of your condition? For example, I cannot take a bath every day (no showers at all)...only once or twice a week. I cannot change my clothes every day because of the pain in dressing and undressing. I cannot brush my hair. I sometimes skip meals because I just can't get up to make them. My daughter has to be in daycare because I cannot care for her on my own all day (lifting, bathing, changing diapers, etc).

Also think about ways you have had to alter your daily activities or routines because of the condition. For example, I sometimes have to get up and take my daughter to daycare, but afterwards I need to rest for several hours before I can do anything else. I can grocery shop, but am limited to 20 minutes on my feet and can only get enough to fill the child seat in a cart because otherwise I can't carry the bags in. I cannot go out in bad weather like rain, winds, or cold because of the extra pain it causes so I have to alter my schedule accordingly (also important because I would not be able to work a job because I would have to call off on these kinds of days). If I DO go out in that weather...that's it for the day...I'm done and won't be able to do anything else for the day. I have to wear certain kinds of clothing that are not necessarily work appropriate because of my needs.

Not saying you need to tell your doctor ALL of these types of things...but be ready with some examples to help explain why you are disabled and unable to work. I hope that helps.
catra121 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
"Thanks for this!" says:
BioBased (09-09-2017), PurpleFoot721 (09-09-2017)
Old 09-09-2017, 05:14 AM #4
BioBased BioBased is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 630
8 yr Member
BioBased BioBased is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 630
8 yr Member
Default

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.
BioBased is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 09-09-2017, 11:06 AM #5
PurpleFoot721's Avatar
PurpleFoot721 PurpleFoot721 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Near Oscoda Michigan
Posts: 469
8 yr Member
PurpleFoot721 PurpleFoot721 is offline
Member
PurpleFoot721's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Near Oscoda Michigan
Posts: 469
8 yr Member
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by BioBased View Post

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.
Bio,
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.
__________________

.

Alaina
PurpleFoot721 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
"Thanks for this!" says:
BioBased (09-09-2017)
Old 09-09-2017, 05:49 PM #6
LIT LOVE LIT LOVE is offline
Magnate
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,304
10 yr Member
LIT LOVE LIT LOVE is offline
Magnate
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,304
10 yr Member
Default

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.
LIT LOVE is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
"Thanks for this!" says:
PurpleFoot721 (09-09-2017)
Old 09-10-2017, 06:19 AM #7
BioBased BioBased is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 630
8 yr Member
BioBased BioBased is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 630
8 yr Member
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by LIT LOVE View Post
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.
I will ask. Tky. Something just occurred to me this morning and it is making me very upset. Early on I had a classic presentation of this disease, yet no one including the WC doctors said I had CRPS based on visual examination. It was only when I had an xray that showed patchy osteoporosis was it confirmed I have CRPS.

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.
BioBased is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 09-10-2017, 08:50 PM #8
catra121's Avatar
catra121 catra121 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Illinois
Posts: 1,785
10 yr Member
catra121 catra121 is offline
Senior Member
catra121's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Illinois
Posts: 1,785
10 yr Member
Default

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.
catra121 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
"Thanks for this!" says:
BioBased (09-11-2017), PurpleFoot721 (09-11-2017)
Old 09-11-2017, 10:47 AM #9
BioBased BioBased is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 630
8 yr Member
BioBased BioBased is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 630
8 yr Member
Default

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.
BioBased is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 09-11-2017, 11:26 AM #10
catra121's Avatar
catra121 catra121 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Illinois
Posts: 1,785
10 yr Member
catra121 catra121 is offline
Senior Member
catra121's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Illinois
Posts: 1,785
10 yr Member
Default

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).
catra121 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
"Thanks for this!" says:
BioBased (09-12-2017), PurpleFoot721 (09-11-2017)
Reply

Tags
attorney, doctor, engaged, letter, pain

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Nephew engaged to girl w/ bipolar Mari Bipolar Disorder 12 09-02-2017 06:14 PM
If the scalenes are tight and over engaged, what is weak? kyoun1e Thoracic Outlet Syndrome 18 01-24-2014 05:21 PM
Off Topic....I got engaged today gibbrn Thoracic Outlet Syndrome 29 01-20-2009 04:25 PM


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:52 AM.

Powered by vBulletin • Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.

vBulletin Optimisation provided by vB Optimise v2.7.1 (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
 

NeuroTalk Forums

Helping support those with neurological and related conditions.

 

The material on this site is for informational purposes only,
and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment
provided by a qualified health care provider.


Always consult your doctor before trying anything you read here.