Thank you for taking your time for me
 

Daniella, I live in scranton, Pa.. The Doctor i was set up with was set up by the state as an independant exam from the city and my doctor. Let me back track this being a work related injury and i worked for the city. However, the so called independant doctor wasn't just in the same bldg. as the city's doctor, he was in the same office. Then it goes down hill from there. So, I have to pay out of pocket for the next IRE as my atty. won't cover the cost which is abt. 2500.00. I believe the knuckle head doc was a DO so it won't be hard to top his training (but he may be an md... not sure) it still shouldn't be too hard to top it. I just have to find a doctor that knows what this does to the body and can give one. So any names i get, i have to check to see if they can give that type of an eval.. Funny you should mention a teaching hospital though. I just learned of a Dr. Robert Knoble from Thomas Jefferson Hosp. in Philly. Currently i am trying to check him out. I was thinking of going to cleveland clinic but with that i have to see if pa would take an evaluation from out of state. Its not a question of payment as i have to pay. Thank you again.

Thank you for taking your time for me
 

[QUOTE=ali12;523897]Hi Cuffs,

Welcome to Neurotalk! It is so good to meet you though sorry it has to be through RSD!:hug: You will find many great people here who i'm sure will try and help you if they can so don't be afraid to ask any questions!!

I would follow Loretta's advice and check out RSDSA's website as I have heard that they have lots of useful information about RSD and know which hospitals are best for treating it.

I am in the UK so can't really offer you that much advice unfortunately. The best doctor to see that treats RSD is usually a Pain Management Doctor as they can do nerve blocks, prescribe meds etc. Neuros also treat RSD however from my personal experience, we have found that they don't tend to know that much about RSD.


A little misunderstanding - I do have a great family doc that is treating me. The issue here is workman's comp and the state sending me to doctors that know nothing about the disease. I have had troubles with a few in the past but nothing like some in my rsd group as i have been able to pick for the most part on who i went to. However, now because a yaho who can ruin my financial life that doesnt' know what he is talking about -- now i have to find a doctor higher then he to give the opinion that he should have in the first place.......... but i do thank you for making me feel like i'm not alone out here on a bad day! Thanks

amy

I'm sorry, didn't mean to offend -- Thank you for caring & sharing
 

[QUOTE=AintSoBad;524016]cuffs,
you've posted twice.
Yet, not really told us where you reside.
If you want help, you've gotta be here, and give us some info!

Not trying to be mean.
Just trying to help!

Help us, help you!
(Ouch, that sounds too much like a movie)!
Jerry McGuire?

pete

Again, thank you pete for being interested. I'm still new with computer sites and the navigation process, how much to give and when and where to give it ect....... I live in scranton, pa - as far as being here i try when i can walk or get around to the computer to do anything on it- so i guess i'll be saying i'm sorry a lot. It's a workmans comp issue. The so called doctor gave me an ire (Impairment Rating Evaluation), so i have to find a doctor that is higher then him. (an Md they indicate a Do but i believe his cards were md)
I heard of a doctor tonight of Dr. Robert L. Knobler. Have you heard of him or anyone talking abt. him. Besides finding a doctor that can give the ire, since i'm paying for it out of pocket - i'd like to try and find out first that he knows what he's talking about. I have not had a lot of the dealings as many of the rsd group members in my area and i'd like to leave it with the ones i've had. I know i'm looking around for a lot but i don't know where else to turn and i guess the ground isn't one for now.
Thank you for lending me your ear. Have a great day!
Amy

Hi again. I am sorry about your struggles with care. I am not familiar with WC etc but I looked up Dr Knober and he is on the RSDSA website and they have a patient story and she was under his care. I think it may be a good start. Like I said I have traveled out of state aka Cleveland Clinic. I have a friend who was treated there who had better care then I had. I did not feel they worked with me and gave options. They just wanted 1 procedure and were open to nothing else. The local doctor I found really listens and works with me. I am not saying not to go to CC cause everyone is different like my friend who has had good benefits from there. At CC they will work with you though if you have to pay out of pocket. I would call that Dr Knober esepcially since he is near and a neuro as well. There is often a long wait to get an apt and it is better sooner then later. Hang in there

Hi Amy, "Cuffs"
Amy, please don't worry about the 'exact' proper etiquitte for the forum. We all started once here, like yourselfl. You are doing just fine. I still don't know how to ask a question. We are just happy you found us, and we are more than happy if something we say helps you deal with this incredible disorder.
When my Dr. told me he would be moving in the future, I called the Mayo Clinic, and asked if they had a Dr. treating RSD. I also call Barrow's Neurological Institute and asked about their staff and RSD. So that may be one idea for you. Also, does the City of Scranton have a list of Drs. acceptable for the WC situation.
Another idea possibly is physical therapy groups. I was misdiagnosed here in Arizona and eventually flew back to my homestate, Oregon to a sports injury orthopedic group and saw the hand specialist. He diagnosed me in 1 minute followed up by testing. Ordered a tens unit and got me into physical the next day. I cam back to Arizona and saw a neurologist and orthopedic dr. ,hand specialist, and he had a physical therapy attached to his office. They physical therapists are actually ones that are very familiar with RSD-much more than the average DR. I was thinking, have you thought about calling physical therapy groups in your area and ask if they were treating RSD patients and then ask who are the leading Drs. in the area?
Because of the delay of treatment--wrong diagnosis'--My hand is crippled and can't bend fingers completely, kinda like a claw I guess. So it's really important to get physical therapy as soon as possible. If fact, if you end up with permanent lack of range of motion because of city's delay of treatment, you have recourse. Timing of treatment is really important.
Where do you have RSD? Has it spread? Do you have any range of motion issues?
Really wish to the best. Take care, and remember you are NOT intruding in any way by asking questions. Everyone here is more than happy to try and help you if we can.
Remember, it takes a tribe to raise a child. None of us would do very well without each other and our friends and family. And sometimes, they distance themselves because of difficulty in understanding RSD or their issues around illness. whatever.
Take care, and let us know iwhen you find a Dr. and how you like them. loretta

Sorry for the delay in responding, I just hadn't been following the thread. I would be greatly surprised if any of the doctors who went through the rigorous certification procedures of the American Board of Pain Management - including an 8 hour written exam - was unfamiliar with what RSD does to the body.

But as an aside, I'm constantly surprised - and not always prepared - for some of the little wonders, "good" and "bad" that life has in store. A very wise 102 year old Zen Roshi here in LA takes the position that he is a travel agent, selling tickets to Heaven and Hell, and the trick is to be indifferent between the two!

So good luck. I'm curious as to any feedback you get; keep us posted.

Mike

[QUOTE=cuffs558;524316]

Amy,
I'm SO ,SO , SO SO SORRY, that it took me this long to respond!
Dr Knobler, has been my main doctor since the early 90's!
He IS THAT GOOD!
I put my life in his hands!
(From Scranton, it's well worth the trip, it'll be about 2 maybe a little more, hours). Do It! You're SO CLOSE! He's a guy that has people FLYING in from other countries and states!

I can call@ any time of day, and get a call back from him withiin 5-10 minutes, (Not that I want to advertise that). He is wonderfully compassionate.
In fact, he has had RSD himself. (as did his wife).
They are both wonderful people, and KNOW what we're going through!
This is a once in a life time opportunity.
YOU WILL NOT EVER SAY, THAT I TOLD YOU THEY HAVE BOTH HAD RSD!
I WILL DENY!

THEY KNOW What pain is!


So, make an appointment, go see him.
He takes NO INSURANCE.
CASH OR CHECK.
Yet his C.V. (Curriculum Vitae) is thicker than anyone's besides maybe Schwartzman, (As he was Schwartzman's partner for many years, @ Jefferson), Now, he runs the K.I.N.D. Clinic.
Knobler Institute of Neurologic Disease.

(You get what you pay for!)
Pay him, and turn in the bill!

He's a great person, with a great family! His wife just called me today. To see how I was doing.

Here's his Phone #
215.643.9045

Again,
I'm so sorry it took me so long to get back to you.
My mind has been bent by this divorce.
Craziness.

When you call, use my name,

Pete Woj.
That's what they call me. (Or Wojy)

It's all good.

They're great people, and he WILL give you the time that's required, and take good care of you!

I wish he had more time, he is the best doctor I have EVER seen!

PM me, if you, (Or anyone) has any questions!
:hug::hug::hug:
Pete
Asb...