Do Most Doctors Know How to Treat CRPS?

Many patients that have the signs and / or the symptoms of CRPS or RSD go un diagnosed sometimes for months, and other times it can go on for several years!  I would think with all of the diagnostic tools that we have today that it would be a much more advanced process than what patients currently have to go through.



Some patients will see upwards of 100 doctors prior to being properly diagnosed.  That is unacceptable in this century of medical advances.


The problem lays in that there is very little funding going towards Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.  In the United States the majority of the funding is going towards Cancer research, M.S. research, Leukemia and other similar diseases. Yes, these are tragic,  life threatening diseases, but what about the additional funding that is drastically needed for the proper diagnosis and treatment of CRPS / RSD.



It is great that someone is doing research, it is just too bad that it is not in our country. Europe, including London, Germany and Sweden are doing some great research projects to find protocols and medications to treat CRPS and RSD.


Here in the U.S. most physicians that do diagnose and treat these syndromes are Pain Management Doctors.  Unfortunately, the majority of the other doctors either don't know enough about it to diagnosis it, how to treat it or what to do about the syndrome(s).  This is very unfortunate because the longer it takes to diagnose this condition the worse it will become, and as some have said, "If it goes undiagnosed CRPS/RSD can ruin your life - alter the way you do things for the rest of you life.  It will turn your life upside down if left un-attended to and/or un-treated."



Most phsycians in the U.S. want to start with a quick overview, then come up with a treatment plan that includes a variety of medications, possibly a variety of treatments to include Local Blocks, Regional Blocks, Ganglion Block or Lumbar Sympathetic Blocks, Spinal Cord Stimulators, etc...   Where as the doctors in other countries have had success with with some Integrated Medicine protocols, Homeopathic Medicine, Stem Cell Therapy, etc...



Unfortunately,  whether it is traditional physicians or working with Integrative physicians at some point depending on whether your case is making progress, some physicians will get so frustrated that they will not know what to do next... That is the point that they may tell you that they are not sure what else that they can do for you and they are getting frustrated with the case.



It is important that if your physician (s) tell you this that you stand up for yourself.  Find out why they feel that way.  Have a conversation to see if there is anything that you can do or if there are any misunderstandings.  Communication is the name of the game when it comes to your health and ensuring you are getting the best possible treatment possible.



It is hard with this condition because there are so many unknowns.  This is why it is so important to be the most informed patient as possible.  This helps you foremost, and it can help you physician too.

Do not be afraid to speak up, if you don't agree with something then speak your mind.  You have to be your own advocate or no one else will!


For more information feel free to contact me at: rsd.crpsforum@gmail.com.

You can also leave a comment on the blog and I am always happy to answer them.