I was wondering if anyone could recommend a good doctor in the Washington state area.
I was seeing a doctor in Salt Lake City, but he did 3 risotomies and told me there was a 5 year life on RSD. Also ice was recommended. I'm just not happy with him. He also would not see me when I was pregnant.
So long story short, if you know of someone, please let me know.

Hi, I'm also searching for a good doc here. When I've called a few offices to ask about certain docs, and do they know and treat RSD, so far what I've heard is not encouraging. I've been through hte "it's all in your head" and the guniea pig stuff already from other docs, and it'd be nice to find one who understands and knows rsd.
How long have you dealt with this? I've had it since my work injury in '93

Tina

My mom is 79, and nervous to see a doctor - she would prefer a female, but we're open to all suggestions. Thanks so much - Karen

Based on those ludicrous statements, he sounds like an ignoramus.


You might try contacting the RSDSA...they have a list of doctors that are supposed to be good at RSD. Its incomplete of course and may or may not help but its free to ask...
see this link:
http://www.rsds.org/4/resources/spec..._websites.html

Unfortunately, Seattle is Ground Zero for the cognative/behavioral school of pain psychiatry. Specifically at the University of Washington Schhol of Medicine and its affilliated clinics. Their basic approach is that patients with non-cancer chronic pain should NEVER be on opiates and should instead learn to live their lives around it, and avoid pain catastrophizing. Now, while I'm a big believer in mindfulness over catastrophizing, there is, unfortunately, only so far you can get with full flair CRPS. (I know a lady who is truly an enlightened master but takes her dialaudid right on schedule: she has however spent 12 strait hours meditating on on BURNING only to see it break up into bliss.)

A couple of years ago, on behalf of a forum member in Washington, I contacted my uncle, who at that point was a recently retired psychiatrist at a very good hospital in Seattle. He called around and reported back a couple of days later that there was no one in Seattle or that State of Washington he could recommend.

That said, checking those anthesthesiologists with Board Certification from the American Board of Pain Medicine - which means that they must (1) have completed for formal residency or fellowship in pain medicine, (2) passed an 8 hour written exam, and (3) keep up a heavy load of continuing education reqirements - I come up with two names in Seattle using its online database at http://www.association-office.com/ab...dir/search.cfm And, unbelievably for a major metropolitan area with a nationally ranked medical school, no one with training in anesthesiology holds that certification at the University of Washington. (Of course, there may well be a reason for that: see above.) The two names I have are:

Gordon A Irving, MD
Swedish Pain Management Sevices
Ste 200
1101 Madison St
Seattle, WA 98104

Office Phone: (206)386-2013
Office Fax: (206)215-2229
http://www.swedish.org/body.cfm?id=164

and

Walter Jaques Trautman, III MD (St. Joseph Hospital)
17717 17th Ave NW
Seattle, WA 98177-3311

Office Phone: (206)368-6600
Office Fax: (360)752-3214
Office E-Mail: tytoalba@earlink.net

Of course, I have no information as to the bedside manner of either gentlemen. You might want to look at the link to the Swedish Pain Management Sevices. It's just a few doctors, who appear to be largely but not exclusively oriented to cancer pain. It could be worth a shot. Thomas Yang, M.D. in that department looks interesting as well. (And Dr. Irving, who appears to be a relatively recent transplant to Seattle from UT Houston, is himself an clinical associate prof. of anesthesiology at U Wash, but that probably means little more than they run rotations for residents through there.)

Also running a seach on Dr. Trautman, I don't see anything under St. Joseph Hospital outside of Tacoma and Gig Harbor, and then searching those sites under Dr. Trautman's name comes up empty, but do find a pdf listing for him as of March of this year on the roster of the North Seattle Surgery Center, LLC which lists Dr. Trautman's address as follows:

Trautman, Walter J., III, M.D.
10330 Meridian Ave N
Suite 150
Seattle, WA 98133

(206) 368-6640

I wish I had more I could share with you. Does anyone have any experience with Swedish Pain Management Sevices?

Mike

I have found a wonderful pain specialist that does treat RSD/CRPS. I have been seeing Dr. Frank Li for several months.

I actually just saw him today!! I fell last week which has caused a major flare up in my left leg, foot to hip. He also sees that my RSD has now also spread into my arms, which he was afraid it was slowly happening.

Dr. Frank Li

1107 SW Grady Way, Suite 100
Renton, WA. 98057
206-805-8885

4540 Sand Point Way, NE. suite 120
Seattle, WA. 98105
206-522-5999

I personally am in the midsts of starting a Western WA. RSD/CRPS Support Group. If you are interested please contact through face book Sam Goulet, send a message please don't just add me as a friend.

I hope this will be of some help to you.

I have seen Dr. Irving (who is the clinical director) at Swedish's pain management group. One has to be referred in order to get an appointment there. He seemed to be caring and confirmed my need for the meds that I was on. Even if I came out of that appointment just having a written confirmation from the "experts" that what my doctor is already doing felt validating. Since the knowledge here in Seattle is so poor, I live in fear that my main doc (who does understand this fairly well) will get hit by a bus by accident one day and I'll be on my own. Dr. Irving was quite knowledgeable about chronic pain, and does have some RSD patients. The thing to note is that the pain clinic will not function as your provider for meds after they figure out a protocol. You are then sent back to your primary doc (with occas. follow-ups with the clinic). Even though my RSD is in 3 limbs, my trunk, neck, side, and back (with a lot of internal issues as well), he was geared towards a SCS for me which scares me to death. I worry when I see the poor rate of long term SCS success for RSD'ers (vs. other chronic pain) as well as the long term commitment of $ involved. Every time something invasive happens with me, the RSD spreads. I just don't think I could handle it if I "made" myself worse, so surgery is out for me.
Corinne89
P.S. Leather, It just dawned on me I have seen Dr. Li. He told me that he was not functioning as a regular neurologist, and his scope of practice was limited to implanting and maintaining hardware (SCS and pain pumps). Has he changed?

Hey cornne89,

I went to see Dr. Li, today at his Renton office for a SNB but the x ray machine broke!! So I have to wait till next week GRRRR

Yes, he is doing injections as well as implants. I don't know much about the implants, they arn't for me for more than one reason.

He is in the Renton office mon. wed. fri. this fri & next mon he isn't working.
He does still have his Seattle office but I'm in the auburn federal way area.

I do hope to get a RSD/CRPS support group start by months end. You can find me through face book & I have an egal head as profile photo & you can tract me through the rsdsa page.

As of right now I am having to use the public library my monitor died. I will be in touch as I can but the library is closed on Sat.

I have no idea what to tell you abotu the scs, I would suggest you talk to as many folks as you can & remember every "BODY" is different & each react in their own way. I hope you can get in touch I will support what ever choice you make. I know that is a hard one!!

HUGZZZ Sam

I have seen Dr. Laker conincidently he is @ Harborview UW sports & Spine Specialist, although his bedside manner is good I have had no good interaction with the staff. Because this is a result of a WC injury I see him he prescribes what he beleives to be the treatment and then i have to go through the referring OS who did my 2 surgeries. GRRRRR That has been my only issue with the Dr. office. The trreatment thus far has been great I'm pleased with my first block and I guess I will take this Ampitriplyn(sp)(not sure @ this). Just thought I lend my 2 cents

The best DRS. for RSD are in PHIL. PA at university of Drexel college of medicine on Broad ST. People from different state travel there to get help. They have many different treatments including lidocaine infusions over a 5 day period hospital stay. The only concern is the insurance, because it is still considered in the experimental stage. Just look under Dr. Schwartzman, Phila. pa., or type in RSD, Phil,PA. I myself have RSD. Hope I helped you out. Right now I am staying In Washington state, but I am from PA.