I totally agree that some drs are lazy. Not saying all, just some.

If they don't know what they are doing and can't be bothered to do a bit of reading to help you - then they need to say so and refers you to another dr.
Instead of just stringing you along and collecting the payments.

I think many with usual conditions have this problem of finding a really good dr.
That is one really good thing about the internet at least we can find some info on our own and talk with others going thru similar problems.

I had orthopedic doctors ever since I got injured in the car crash. They know zilch about RSD! I had to find out the hard way!

They did see that the cartilage behind both knee caps was damaged (had gone soft), but they didn't pick up on the RSD, so it went undiagnosed for years. As I went from one orthopedist to another, the second one again ignored the discolorations and at about 1,5 years into the RSD my right leg was put into a full cast for weeks, then afterwards almost immediately (without the muscle gaining enough strength), that right knee was operated on. The cartilage diagnosis was confirmed again for both knees. I had nerve damage after the operation (but it took us some time to find that out). The knee joint itself felt better afterwards (cleaned, inside was filthy, and I had holes in the cartilage) but when I woke from surgery and they put me on my feet, my right leg went black, while the other leg had the typical RSD discolorations. They ordered me to bed rest immediately. The nurses were really worried. One nurse actually asked me if I still went to school. No. Why? Because this might take a long long long time. I asked him what he was on about, but he didn't want to tell me. I heard shouting in the hall from the head nurse to my orthopedist, saying that the doctor should have read his file! In the admission form I had written, after being ignored so many times, that my feet had turned blue by now. The orthopedist refused to show until the next day, even though I had asked several times he visit because of the odd reactions in both legs. I got 8 months of PT after that, which I couldn't handle well, and my muscles atrophied despite the PT. Another orthopedist got me off the PT straight away and prescribed one home exercise that I was supposed to do every day, throughout the day because I was too weak to handle full PT. He described every symptom I had and documented it, but he didn't give me any diagnosis and again it went undiagnosed for some time. A neurologist, who happened to pick up on the discolorations about 3 years into the RSD, thought it might be RSD. It was later confirmed. Then confirmed again by a rheumatologist and 2 pain specialists. By then it was far too late.

Doctors! Oh man dont get me started on this topic LOL.

I was once told that we do not know that much about our doctors....like was he/she at the top of their class??? We could be seeing the class dunce, but we will never know.

10 years ago a doctor told me he wanted to do an angiogram on me because of my family history with heart disease. I wish to this day that I would have said no to that one. He accidentally blocked the femoral artery, and now I suffer for the rest of my life.

Even worse is the part where the doctors learn how I was hurt....then drop me like a hot potato because they are afraid of lawsuits. Doctors are not the demigods they think they are. Most are only legends in their own minds

Too bad I was never able to sue....I picked the wrong state to get hurt bu a doctor in.

Yeppers Allen, not really a joke...

But what do you call the med student who graduated last in class?

Dr.

Dear Allen,

My WC attorney works in a large firm that also does malpractice. Accordingly to them I don't have a case against the PM doctor who screwed me up so badly. I did write a detailed letter to the orthopedist who referred me to him, which made me feel a little bit better. And if it prevents the same thing from happening to someone else in the future then it was certainly worth the effort - RI is a very small state and maybe this guy will get the word out.

Sandy

Dear Folks,

In General MD's are not lazy. During Residency they work around the clock, for Mc Donalds wages.

Like I have mentioned before they have to fight the insurance companies for treatment for you.

Just because someone is a MD doesn't mean they have the answers to alot of things. Do you think alot of them know why you have RSD in the first place?

Yes, my treatments are and have been very expensive.

It's much cheaper for them to give a person disability or whatever else.

I do not judge anyone of you that has to do what you have to do. Just because your walk is a little different than mine, doesn't mean I am any better.

I used to make very good money, and had alot behind me. My husband is very ambitious, believe it or not I wished he wasn't so much.

Hang in Their, Roz

Maybe lazy is the wrong word that was used.

But I think the main complaint by many patients with oddball conditions...
is that if a Dr doesn't know or care to learn about a condition to be able to really help a person then they should just say so.

I mean if we can find a lot of the general info about our symptoms -- and maybe get close to figuring it out - why can't they?

If they aren't interested send us on our way or give a a referral to someone that might be of help..

Certainly MDs should have much better resources that us regular folks...I would hope anyway.

This is just my own opinion.

Dear Jo*mar,

With RSD the worst SX is horrid pain, so you are referred to Pain Mgt.

Pain Mgt MD's are not even allowed to DX, believe it or not. It's not their field.

cont...

Dear Jo*mar,

I was given no hope at all by to many to know. I was told I was disabled and that I needed to accept it. I had some MD's research for me, but still could't help.

My reply was I needed my life back and to ever problem their is a solution. Alot of MD's I saw really cared, but they just didn't know what to do with me. I heard I am really sorry alot, they didn't know.


No matter what insuranse I had I never ever had any problem, getting referred out. Neither should anyone else as well with RSD.

With me nothing seemed to help, instead of any treatment helping I just got worse for several years. Never ever had a problem getting tested at any labs or nothing. But were they all accurate no.

With me, my immune system played a huge role. Hugs, Roz

Check your PM as well