is CRPS a factor in MMI?

[sonny1]

Hi all,

It has been a while since being here. I have recently been diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) and have been treating with a pain management Dr. (new med's and nerve blocks along with PT). I am wondering when my surgeon does my MMI determination/evaluation, does having CRPS factor in to the permanent loss of use? Maybe I am not wording it right, but I hope some one can make sense of it. I want to discontinue the injections as they are scary (front of neck) and not helping. I know my surgeon has no other treatment for me (that is why he sent me to PM Dr.) so that is why I ask. If I discontinue PM treatment and get put @ MMI, then I am at the end and ready to close this out, yet keep medical open 4ever. This is in NY, any input would be appreciated!

[UndercovrAngel]

If the CRPS has been acknowledged by WC as part of your claim, then yes, it will have to be figured in to your permanent loss. If it has not been accepted, then no, it will play no role in the decision.

If the nerve blocks aren't helping, then I would tell the Dr that you don't want any more. CRPS is not a one kind of treatment fits all sufferers. However, having had CRPS/RSD since 2007, I can tell you that you don't want to stop all treatment for it. It can progressively get worse and the sooner you get aggresive treatment, the better chance there is that you can go into remission (there is no cure for this disease). I have been suffering for over 2 years without treatment (loss of personal insurance and just recently got medicare, but no PM Dr's in the area that will accept it) and many is the day when I wish that I would just die rather than suffer one more day.

Angel ^j^

[sonny1]

(04-09-2011 04:05 PM)UndercovrAngel Wrote:  If the CRPS has been acknowledged by WC as part of your claim, then yes, it will have to be figured in to your permanent loss. If it has not been accepted, then no, it will play no role in the decision.

If the nerve blocks aren't helping, then I would tell the Dr that you don't want any more. CRPS is not a one kind of treatment fits all sufferers. However, having had CRPS/RSD since 2007, I can tell you that you don't want to stop all treatment for it. It can progressively get worse and the sooner you get aggresive treatment, the better chance there is that you can go into remission (there is no cure for this disease). I have been suffering for over 2 years without treatment (loss of personal insurance and just recently got medicare, but no PM Dr's in the area that will accept it) and many is the day when I wish that I would just die rather than suffer one more day.

Angel ^j^

Angel,

thanks for the input. I guess I don't want those injections anymore. I am not opposed to other treatments, just don't feel that the needle is worth it. I almost choked to death after the 2nd injection, because I could not drink for 2 hours and it felt like there was a tennis ball in my throat, making it very hard to swallow. I was choking so hard a weird zapping, tingling pain shot across my back and into my left arm. Have not felt good since!

I wonder if I can close out case & just keep trying treatment. I would assume that WC accepted the CRPS since they authorized any and all requests by PM Dr. Maybe not. I meet with my attorney Tuesday (for another matter) guess I should ask him!!!

Sorry you are not getting treatment. With the cost of medicaid/medicare the government should make a certain amount of doctors accept that insurance if not all of them.

[UndercovrAngel]

If the CRPS is the only thing that is keeping your claim open, I would talk to your attorney about getting placed at MMI and getting an impairment rating so you can settle. However, I wouldn't settle the claim without one of 2 options.

1. open medical on the claim for the remainder of your life so that you can continue with pain management. Even if it is for nothing more than to continue on medications that will help abate the pain enough that you can try to continue having a semi-normal life. Although nothing is normal about being on wc.

2. An MSA (medicare set aside) that gives you so much money to use each year in regards to only your work comp injury. I would make sure that it would be a self administered set aside so that you have access to the money without having to go and ask for it. You would be accountable each year for the amount you use and have to turn in paperwork on it. But it is much easier than having to deal with an administrator.

There is still so much that is unknown about CRPS/RSD, and very little research being done on it. Most people I know that have this disease are more or less on medications to just sustain them day by day. SOme get relief from injections, others have what is called an SCS (spinal cord stimulator and a few even have pain pumps implanted.

I can tell you this. One thing that you will never want to ever do now that you have the CRPS diagnosis is use ice. It is a big no no and can even make it worse. CRPS interferes with nerve function, thus the tingling, burning sensation one gets. It also interferes with blood flow. One reason why you may feel cold in the extremity with the CRPS. Ice constricts blood flow as well, making the symptoms worse.

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.

Angel ^j^