Actually, I'm not worried about working on the meds. I would not be able to return ethically on these medications if my thoughts are clouded or if it is a narcotic. My real issue is that my PM will approach any one of many neurologists and neursurgeons to discuss my case. I do not want him discussing this with anyone but someone that I trust socially. It sounds stupid, but when I return to work, I refuse to have all of the docs knowing all of my personal business and talking amongst themselves about me. Also, if a lot of people were to find out about this, I'm afraid that anytime narcotic counts are off or there is an issue, I would be the person everyone would blame because of my history of taking these medications. Despite HIPPA, I know that illness among "our own" is sort of open season, as wrong as that is. I mean, it would be OK to talk to the attendings, but the residents are out of control as far as gossiping and really, what can they add to the conversation about how to treat me? My job is essentially not to allow them to kill the patients! I'm just worried that I will lose credibility if they now my business. Again, no pain contract, no pain medications. I mean, really, if a doc had rectal surgery and needed pain meds, would he sign that? There would be pics of his *** in the break room. Maybe I worry too much, but I do worry.

LL
I don't know the answer and I am in the UK so probably the rules are different here. That said, I have found it easier to be open and honest with everyone I work with about what is happening to me and what drugs I am taking. Why should I be ashamed about it all - it is much simpler if they know what I am taking and how I am doing. Its not like CRPS is embarassing or personal.

I hope for you that you do make it through this and get a remission. It is good that the blocks are helping you but I think you need to be realistic. Even if you do manage to get a remission, it isn't likely to happen fast. Before my CRPS inflicted severe movement disorder on me, I started to see a physiotherapist who told me that he had treated CRPS rehab patients before. He said that normally, in his experience, if patients are dedicated and motivated, it takes about 2 years for the rehab process. You said yourself that you are having to ramp up the opiod drugs because large amounts of Ultram isn't working for you (Ultram is an multi-action opiod which we call Tramadol in the UK). In the UK the other, new opiod drugs you have now been prescribed would be classed as narcotics.

This drug cocktail is all perfectly normal with CRPS so my point really just is that you need to think longer term about the drug and work issue. Your remission may only come (and remain) if you keep taking the drugs. You may not be able to work for a very long time if you are not able/willing to work whilst you are taking a cocktail of the ususal CRPS drugs either including or not including strong opiod painkilling medication.

In the UK, regardless of the job you do, employers are able to refer you to Occupational Health docs, nurses and advisers who advise them on the condition you have and your fitness for work. Whilst they may not tell an employer exactly what drugs you take, they do share and discuss sensitive medical data with other emmployees. There really is no such thing as privacy or confidentiality and we have much, much better privacy laws that you do in the US.

I think you need to step back and make a priority of your PM ahead of the issue of colleagues possibly discussing you. Maybe you aren't medically that interesting for them!!! If you can't get your pain and health under control then you may find that you are going to have even bigger problems about being able to work than just worrying about colleagues discussing you or people looking at you when they do the drug counts.

CRPS undeniably dents your confidence about your ability to do all sorts of things including your job. It has happened to me and it is taking time to get that back but it is coming slowly. Is there a way you could get help to tackle that issue rather than miss out on essential pain medication? Could you confront some of the practical issues about your job and potential restrictions your employer could place on you in a constructive way up-front? Perhaps with your union or your employer?

I don't quiet understand why your Dr. would discuss your case with any Dr. besides the ones you would be referred out to or one that you might pick to go to.

I just went to a Gastroenterologist this week and I had to sign a form for my PCP to send info that talks about my intestinal problem only.

If your PM Dr. needed some help on the case I would hope he would talk to someone and not use names due to the privacy act. Even at a University Hospital I would think that they would only discuss your medical records with the Drs. or PA's that work in that office with them only.

My Dr. gets out books, goes to seminars, and has called other Drs. for a little advice on issues but he doesn't use the patients name. Why would they do it?

As far as the blocks, I do hope they help you get back to work. I will agree with gymjunkie, it isn't an overnight process. It took almost 10 years to get me to where I am today. I am off of my pain meds but it sure doesn't mean I don't deal with the pain.

For some, they can get to where they can go back to work, I have seen that here. I have a friend that works in the ER but she isn't on meds. She has blocks when she thinks the RSD is trying to come back out.

I would take things one day at a time with this, like Gymjunkie says, it takes time to get better from the RSD and some don't ever get to go back to work. Work toward getting better so you can but it does take time.

Ada

I think what you did was appropriate. I agree that you should be able to yay or nay as to what doctors they can talk to & use your name. It is not anyone's business what drugs you take at this point in time, period. If & when you go back to work, then that may be different.

Good job sticking up for your rights.

DebbyV