Today's (Tuesday) visit with new doctor

Sorry you had a bad appt. today...I was also thinking that you knew they didn't accept Medicare back when the appt. was made as you went to visit them and discuss the finance part.

I have to say that just because they have opted out of taking Medicare..this has nothing to do with how safe their practice is or whether they are great at being PMs or not. They take other health plans.

Unfortunately more and more Drs. are getting out of Medicare acceptance as the restrictions are getting too great. Again, not trying to get political in any way...

It's obviously a place that isn't a match for you, but I don't think this place is running some "scam" or that they are unsafe. Just like Dr. K....there are hundreds and probably thousands of patients who think he is one of the best Drs. out there as you can see by the reviews but just not someone you got along with or could help you.

I think as many of us had suggested previously...finding a Neurologist to diagnose you first to see if you have CRPS is the key and then finding a PM to handle things from there.

As Laura/CRPS has mentioned, the biggest treatments for this if you have it is going to be nerve pain meds, physical therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, things like mirroring, etc....You may have to be open to thinking "outside of the box" as it's not usually just opiates for the treatment.

I know you mentioned nerve pain meds before but if it's been longer than 6 months then they usually have you try again and different combinations and treatments to find the best plan.

Any news on the Duke Dr? I read that you were going to email him if your Onco hadn't made the phone calls/appt. yet?

Thankfully it looks like there are other Neurologists and/or PMs in your area that deal with CRPS so I would just start calling around yourself and setting appts.!

Good luck..

As for your question of a PM not using pain medications well, that's where I would've gotten up and walked out and maybe that's why they demand monies up front is they've had patiences walk out after finding out they will not prescribe medicines, I can understand homeopathic approaches but not from a board certified doctor, If I wish to treat my pain with medications than that's what should be offered and they should've been upfront about that approach. My current PM doctor no longer takes medicare or medicade (SP?) patients due to the Government not paying them what they are worth, it's going to come in time that no more doctor's taking these programs as its so hard for the doctors to get their monies back for treatments they have to jump thru hoops so bad. But I think that is also another thread issue and do not wish to set off a firestorm so do not respond to me on this it's an opinion.
David many well wishes and keep us posted when you see your other doctor's...

David those inspections are a nightmare for every one but absolutely necessary and I'm sure your wife will agree.

SB, He may be on the up an up but to me there seems to be too much hoopla from him over all the folks his practice would come under scrutiny by.

From his first words of not prescribing opiates (accounting to DEA),no Medicare /Medicaid, no billing so no accounting by accountant or tax record. Cash only up front and uses a political soapbox to show cause for not doing any of the above.

Thats far too many fonts and he doest protest too much. If anyone thinks this doesn't happen and that just because they have a PhD they're above scamming money from people you should take a look at the numbers here in Florida doing just that.

David you should never have to pay out of pocket for a treatment or test covered by Medicare and any Dr that accepts assignment from such would not offer such services to you and not talk to you about it and go to bat to try to get it covered.

One last thought..... I don't know anything about the MD Anderson hospitals, other than what I've read here....

But if they truly do keep you until they figure out what is wrong and figure out a treatment plan (think I read that over on the PC board, not sure).....

I would do whatever you can do get there. Especially if they have a church group that provides housing? I think that is wonderful!

Before getting diagnosed w/ my various health issues -- I was one flight away from going to the Mayo Clinic. I had a week's worth of appointments set up..... etc. I was very stressed about the expense of it all.... but those close to me helped me to see that it was worth it to do whatever to get there -- as you can't really put a dollar amount on your health.

All that said, I ended up getting hospitalized right beforehand, hooked up w/ a wonderful internist who took special interest in my case - and helped diagnose many of my health issues..... so, thankfully, I was able to cancel my Mayo appt.

I hope the same happens for you -- that you'll quickly find a doctor that will take a special interest in your case.... and work hard to get you a proper diagnosis..... But, if that doesn't happen in a timely manner - I would really consider the MD Anderson thing.

--Tina

Barb,

Thanks, but to be fair, my pain isn't all that special, I feel bad for all in this community/family for their pain. Each of us probably has the pain of 10 normal people.

I had a bad day trigger on Saturday, usually, the bad days ease up by the 2nd day, and then back to normal pain. What is odd, is I just finished day 6 of this bad day episode. This is new territory for me.
My right hip, leg, and foot hurt so bad, even with the max. pain meds in me, plus 4-6 Advil being thrown into the mix.

I am suppose to leave for Charleston Saturday morning, right now, the thought of a 3 1/2 hour drive makes me cringe. Already told my daughter there, that I was having a bad period, and that I would not be able to do much walking about. She's a good girl, she told me she wasn't worried about, and that I didn't have to do anything that I wasn't up to. She just wants to see her parents.

I've got to take it easy tommorw, somehow, so that I can make the trip easier. But so much is going on, so many loose ends, and endless requests from people needing my help.

I fantasize sometimes about renting a small cabin in the NC mtns, easy drive from where I live, and have an entire week of no obligations, no cell phone, no computer, etc. And just chill out.

I will be seeing another doctor soon enough, as early as the end of the next week. But I am realistic, even see the right doctor isn't going to mean instant results or relief, but at least it will be a positive step, and something to hope for.

It is not my style to be real aggressive in getting things done, I am more of the calm, cool, and collect kind of guy, I find that sugar gets your further than vinegar. And I have the knack for endless patience. I am just one person, not especially special at that, and doctors and clinics, etc, have loads of "me's" to deal with. I will speak up for myself when I need to, but I don't like fusses and scenes, again, not my style. Some would say I am too passive for my own good, but they really don't know how I tick inside.

I am big on "acceptance" and have little tolerance for the "blame game" that some dwell on (not thinking of a single person here or anywhere, just a general remark). And I never feel "cursed", or singled out, or "why did this happen to me". Life is life, its how you deal with the cards you are dealt with, that makes the difference.

Hopefully, I will be getting some better answers and solutions soon. In July, I will cross the two year mark of serious chronic pain, when this journey started, I would never have believed that a person could hurt continuous for 2 years. Certainly made a believer out of me now, yet I am still here, I still function, and I am still living. It amazes me, from reading all the stories here and my own, just how resilient the human will to survive can be at times.

My best to you ,and hugs

david