Dear Dubious -

I don't know whether or not your HMO would pick up an ER visit under the circumstances, you would have to check it your plan documents carefully.

Is there any way you can get through to the higher ups in the HMO without going through the (necessarily) time consuming process of a formal appeal?

Mike

Oh Dubious.....How did I miss this thread?????? I am so sorry. . You KNOW I know how you feel. You have got to find a way to reduce the stress in your life. There is NOTHING more important than your health. There were many good suggestions in this thread and I have sent you an email in addition. Please take care of yourself and know that we all care and know how you feel.
(Here.....that was from Bethany!!! )

Hello all,

I have had RSD for many years unknowingly. I have RSD full body and am not able to walk much without assistance. I have found diet, meditation, laser treatments (erchonia)from my chiropractor,and Reiki treatments to be very helpful. I have had 13 nerve blocks and have been on many medications. Medications almost killed me! yes,the pain can be unbearable.

I have had a recent flareup and one of the thingsI changed was eating foods that contribute to the problem. I did very well on something called the body ecology diet. I also would recommend seeing a Naturepathic Doctor. I haven't had any luck with anything but holistic health. I was starting to improve tremendously until I loosened up my diet. it is importantto pay attention to things that work. Meditation and Reiki calm down the nervous system. It worked so well for me that I have obtained my Reiki certification which allows me to perform Reiki on myself as well as others.

Take care,
Boka

Hello.
Welcome and thanks for your contribution. I too have full body RSD. I have found that some of the same things you are using work for me. Diet and stress are big ones for me. Raw foods or juicing are extremely helpful. I will have to look up the ecology diet. Here a link for you all.
http://www.bodyecology.com/aboutbed.php
I haven't tried Reiki, though my therapist has suggested it. Maybe I should really look into.
The drugs really got to me after almost 20 years, so I too, began looking for alternatives. Although I still have to use them at times, I find the alternates can pull me through a long way. Even with HBOT, diet, and meditation I am not always painfree, but much better.
Congratulations on your Reiki Certifcation!
di

Dear Dubious,

I thought of you when I read the following excerpt from an article published in the latest issue of the Pain Monitor.

Dubious, it sounds like you have been through quite a bit with a couple of recent surgeries. I believe it is possible to break this pain cycle, the trick is in finding the right combination of treatments to interrupt the pain signals to give you a break. What this author is suggesting here is not as quick as just taking a pain pill, not that most of the pain pills even touch most RDS pain, but in the long run if one can learn how to retrain your brain it is very beneficial in managing rsd.

I hope you have been able to find some relief.

MsL