Many of us have found ways to be proactive in our care & treatment, sometimes we just can't wait around for drs to figure it out..
You certainly don't want to come off like a know it all, but there are ways to bring up or mention possibles of cause/treatments etc..

Yes, I already felt the skepticism at my app. Luckily for me I already had an unnecessary hand surgery that did not solve my problem. I am sure he can't possibly think people would have random hand surgeries because they want some Vicodin.

I hate being treated like that, I am a human being with a medical problem and I need help.

I am putting together a list of questions for him on wed. I would love to ask him when he thinks I could go back to work but not sure how. Basically if I still can't work I will need a note from him. I'm scared he will send me to work in pain. I'm not getting any type of benefits for being off work now, so clearly there is no reason for me to "fake it". In fact I'm super stressed out about our finances.

I will eventually qualify for long term disability though my employer if my workmans comp doesn't get approved but how I do ask him about that? It's my right, it's not like he is paying out of his pocket.

Maybe towards the end of the exam/appt, see what he tells you , and then ask "how long does something like this take to fully heal?"
He probably won't be able to give any time line , but if he says "oh a session of PT will do it" - run away fast....

I would think a good answer would be "lets get some expert PT for you and take it day by day, working to a goal of full recovery"


Did you list/describe most of your main symptoms?
I may have missed it.

I just got to wondering if you might have some symptoms of RSD/CRPS. It can arise after surgeries or even a very minor bump sometimes..
Some symptoms/pain overlap with TOS & RSD/CRPS, so you want to be sure you are getting the correct dx.

Is skin very sensitive to touch, breezes, swelling comes and goes, blotchiness? Those are a few RSD/CRPS sx. We have a forum for that too if you think it may apply.

I just got to wondering if you might have some symptoms of RSD/CRPS. It can arise after surgeries or even a very minor bump sometimes..
Some symptoms/pain overlap with TOS & RSD/CRPS, so you want to be sure you are getting the correct dx.

Is skin very sensitive to touch, breezes, swelling comes and goes, blotchiness? Those are a few RSD/CRPS sx. We have a forum for that too if you think it may apply.[/QUOTE]

I do not have this problem.