Dear Stressed Out,

Please consider getting a lawyer to represent you. Not the guy on the back of the phone book. Check with your neighbors, friends, relatives, other lawyers that you respect, and find the best WC lawyer that you can. He may have the smallest ad in the phone book because he doesn't need to advertise. I am also a WC case with RSD (now full body). The insurance companies work for themselves, not you, and they will screw you over and over unless you have someone to help you. RSD is a lifetime thing. You are going to need help getting the meds, the physical therapy, the doctors and all the treatments that they recommend. Its all going to add up to a lot of money and the WC company is going to try to run all over you. Even with a lawyer I am stressed all the time trying to get what I need.

There is an enormous amount of medical info regarding RSD on the RSDSA.org website. At the beginning of my illness, I joined the association and they sent me some great info in the mail that I shared with my husband. It gave him a much better understanding of the syndrome. I believe that it is only $20 or $25 annually to join. I urge you to check it out.

I also feel much better in the morning than at night, and when the sun is out versus when it is rainy/snowy and cold.

I tried Ultram for a while - it didn't touch my pain. It may be time to find a doctor that is better versed in RSD if that is all he is going to offer you.

Good luck to you. Sandy

Things often get worse over the course of the day. It's just from having to use the limb and all. Frustrating as that is, it's very "normal". Including the numbness and cramping as well.

It often takes some trial and error to find the meds which will help with the pain, muscle spams and burning. I'm not sure upping your current med will help much. Would he consider giving you something else for the pain? I'm lucky to manage with vicodin 10mg 4 x's a day and baclofen for the spasms and jerking 10mg, 3 x's a day. I was on Lyrica but it made the numbness in my legs worse so I quit taking it after a year.

I was a work comp case so I know things will get rough for you. I know others have mentioned a getting a lawyer. I second that one!! It seems like once you're dx with rsd, wc gets nasty and the denying and delaying begin. Lawyers offer a free consultation. Take advantage of that to find a good one. I was lucky to find a great lawyer. He was the first one I talked to. I was even luckier because he knew what rsd was, what it would do or could do and had represented and was representing many other rsd'ers at the time. They get paid when you settle your case.

Hang in there! Research and be your own advocate and keep that fighting spirit!!



Karen

I broke down and paid for the gel the pm dr. wants me to try on my hand for the burning. Birhday gift to my self. Hope it helps. I also told them I will try the blocks. Waiting on approval now I guess.I am scared though. I hear some say they are painful and don't work and others say the opposite. What can I expect? Also, how long will I be in OT therapy? Don't they stop that at some point? It helps alot. I guess I am just trying to see the road I am headed down. Since it is a wc case won't they stop everything at some point? Then what?I got up this morning and although the pain was still there the swelling and color weren't bad but as the day goes on it's getting worse. The dr seems so sure the blocks will stop this, is he just trying to be positive or do I really have a chance? I am getting more numbness and tingling and now I get a tremor when I try to do my excersises. I am so afraid to stop moving it, when I do it gets tight or cramps. I haven't gotten a lawyer and have just been hesitant, I do have good dr's but if this doesn't go away, who will pay for treatments?

I agree with SandyRI about getting a good wc atty.

wc is a different animal when it comes to getting treatment and good care.
plus you have to think of your future and possible lost income from this injury. the possible spreading.....

if you are still working now don't talk about your injury to anyone at work, esp not management or HR dept. They are involved with WC to minimize all costs to the employer and the wc ins co.
coworkers will talk too so mums the word. just better that way. no details about the claim at all.

yes at some point wc will decide to deny, delay or close the claim.

If you haven't read on our WC forum that might be a good idea and there are info links in the stickys there too.

Workers Comp forum -
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum30.html
and since wc is a state thing read up on your state website about the rules and such.
unfortunately it is more complicated than the personal/private medical ins route.

But if your injury caused the RSD and you have good documentation, good drs, and the history of it all you should be ok -and a good caring assertive lawyer too.

I am not currently working right now because of this injury(happened on the job). So I saw the pm dr the other day and he says it is "presenting as mild crps".Is that a diagnosis or not? The nurse case mgr is in the room. She makes me nervous just being there so I forget to tell him new things happening and questions I have. I don't think he understands how much pain I go through?. He gave me ultram that just barely touches the pain so I haven't taken it unless it gets real bad, and the compound gel helps the burn but wc wouldn't pay for it. I pd for it.
Do I have a right to ask the nurse case mgr to wait outside?
Pm dr says there is nothing more he can do for me except the nerve blocks (3 to 6 over a 3 wk period)which he says are totally elective. Huh?! I told him I didn't see any other choice then. He wants me to go back and talk to the hand specialist this wk and decide from there. I am just so frustrated, confused, scared etc. He did recomend a psychologist for relaxation techniques but I haven't heard from wc, I have a feeling they will deny that. So to top it off now, I am having some pain up my forearm from my hand. The therapist is frustrated too, nothing helps and I am not getting any further. The moist heat does help the most.
I am at a point where I just want the blocks done so I have some chance fighting this thing. Why talk to the hand specialist? Why haven't other meds been entertained...not that I like taking anything. I am one of those people that will suffer through a headache (I'd welcome that pain in exchange for this) rather than take something but I can't sleep or concentrate. I am losing weight now too, I lose track sometimes and then realize I haven't eaten all day. After the other day I have started writing down my pain. When I see the hand dr this wk I am going to try to give it to him and see if I can get him to understand.
What can I expect if they do the blocks? The pain is getting worse I just want my life back, I can't do the things I enjoy doing.

First off try to realize that the stress is part and parcel of the RSD. Try to stay calm. Of course you won't be wholly successfull.

The block often work if done early. You have about a two year window before the chances for a remission start decreasing. I had no pain from any of the blocks but some did seem unnecessary. I did get a slight RSD spread to one of the injection sites but it's about the least of my problems.

Do everything you can to get rid of this and try to remember it's not the end of the world if you can't. Hang in there and fight it.

Best of luck.

You absolutely have the right to ask them to wait outside. They can speak to the doctor after you have finished your visit. My fiance' had a nurse case mgr. who came to his visits for awhile. Once he said to her that he felt more comfortable with her waiting outside, she never came to another appointment. But yes, I would definitely tell her that you would rather her not be in the room. There is nothing she can do but document it.
good luck!

Stressed,
A good hand doc is a good thing.
They're great at diagnosing TOS, and other things like ulnar(sp) nerve and different nerve entrapments, and if you're being sent by your doc, by all means go!
It'll do you good!

I wish you only the best!

Pete
asb

I am currently in a WC battle,myself. The moment your WC case mgr. said "no" to the doctor's script for that pain cream..is the alarm to find a good WC atty.

They don't get paid unless you win, and they will watch over your interests as it is their interest,too.

I tried to be nice, thinking the WC mgr. was looking out for me, but WC is only out for WC. They will attempt to force you back to work before you are ready..and then they are happy. Another case is closed, they save $$$.

My injury information is stated in my signature. If you need any assistance or someone to vent too..just reach out. You are not alone.


Dew

I am sorry. I can't imagine how stressful WC is on top of this. It is hard enough to get good care without extra barriers. I know you are fearful to say or not say something in fear it will effect your treatment. I still encourage you to speak up and ask your questions. I also think you need some attorney too because that way they may be less likely to brush you off. When I first starting seeing docs I was very timid and spoke up little. Now I am way different. I come in with my list of ?'s and don't let them make me rushed. Hang in there and also it can take awhile to find the right meds. I have been on so many different through this and it is furstrating but I think part of the process