This is so sad. Really, it breaks my heart at how people are treated in what is supposed to be a civilized country. What is happening to the medical community?? And just simple empathy for someone that is suffering?

I know from being in the medical field (when I was able to work) that you have to develop a frame of mind so that you can handle all the bad things you see. But since when do people who are suppose to care for others just stop caring at all? I have nurses in my family as well and we discuss this attitude often. I plead with them to please do not let yourself become so uncaring. When you feel yourself getting that way, I think its time to get another job.

I know exactly what you are talking about and I will not go to the ER at all. I do not feel I am mentally stable enough to be treated that way. I am just being honest here. I have already dealt with the treatment of the degrading drug seeker when you have done nothing to warrant that kind of treatment. It makes me ashamed to even tell anyone that I have chronic pain.....especially doctors! Isn't that pathetic?

I do not have any answers but I do have many concerns for all of us.

Wow, I can say "been there, done that." I am having such a terrible flare that I would have gone to the ER yesterday but I know how they are & refuse to go through that again. Can't get into my PM for a week and a half, I did what Mark did - had a couple of glasses on wine. Amazing how so many people are so anti-drug (which really can give us some relief) & think we are drug seekers when they have absolutely no clue what our pain is like but we can just go buy achohol. I'm in such a terrible state of pain & have been for two and a half weeks. Sometimes I think the medical personnel don't know what to do with RSD so they just pass us off.
Hope you're feeling better.
Linmarie

You need a new doctor.

Hi Mark!
I too, am so sorry about what you went through! I can't even begin to imagine the horror! You had an incredibly stupid ignorant Dr. to have said that RSD and CRPS are two totally different problems. And to say It is impossible for RSD to affect the upper as well as the lower extremities at the same time. Who does he think he's talking to?? Oh, excuse me... this idiot is a Mr. all knowing jackass jerk who needs some education on RSD! The nerve of the idiot. Again, Im so sorry, Mark. You did the right thing by walking out. What ever happened to "Plain 'ol good bedside manners"? There are so many doctors who are burnt out and they take it out on their patients. This is sad but so true. That is why I quit going to my old family doc. and am now seeing a doc. who is in with two otheres just incase. Well, chin up as your siggy says, Mark. ~Love, Desi

Hi....

I'm a new lurker here after finally getting a RSD dx to go with my TOS. I had a similar run in with the doctor at my local pain clinic who informed me that there was no way I had TOS because my pain is mostly in my neck/shoulder area, not my collarbone. Ummm.....sure

I hope that when you get the chance, you copy an article on RSD/CRPS and mail that to the hospital administrator.

I have no problem when medical say they have to look something up. I'm a nurse myself, and I know I don't know everything, so frequently I had to research a new treatment or drug. But when they try to pass themselves off as an expert in an area where they clearly have no clue......that just makes my blood boil

Have you had any luck with your regular MD figuring out what caused the increase in pain ? And, how did your wife do ?

Thanks for asking. We still don't know what caused the acute pain that day. After about three days, it went down to "normal" levels. Unfortunately, I can't get an MRI because of a spinal card stimulator. Doctors seem to rely on that tool so very much these days...

My wife has recovered from her gastritis. She is now seeing a gastroenterologist, but is doing much better.

Interesting thing about this hospital -- it is HUGE! This is the second or third largest teaching hospital in the state, and integrated with the only medical college in the area. They have a well respected pain management clinic, etc. etc. But at 5:00 am, the ER just didn't feel like working if someone wasn't bleeding or otherwise leaking fluids onto the floor.

Hugs

Mike