Re: Update on DJ

[Guest guest]

Hi Guys,

How is everyone doing today? It is raining here and now I understand why

I felt so bad last night! It might have had something to do with the

examination at the doctor's office yesterday afternoon. Dr. Rubin has a

new theory now, one that really makes sense and explains this 'sand spur'

feeling I have at this one spot in my ankle. This is the pinched nerve

he was talking about and it appears that when one of my other surgeons

took out the sural nerve he may have missed a branch of it. I have a

positive Tinel's sign and shouldn't have any shocking sensation in that

area if the nerve is completely gone. I have had other doctors tell me I

shouldn't be getting that sensation but noone bothered to think that

maybe the great Dr. ------ might have missed a branch of the nerve. Just

that Ms. -------- is a little off her rocker and feeling something she

can't be feeling. Or that it is just the RSD that is causing the

remaining sensation. Anyway, now I have to see another surgeon (plastic

surgeon who specializes in peripheral nerveous system) in Richmond who

will assess where the nerve may be and the 2 of them will then operate

together to address the problems in my ankle. He thinks that once the

'junk' is out of my ankle the lesions will heal themselves (might take a

steroid injection or 2) and he is going to assess how bad they are during

the actual surgery. If he needs to, he will take care of them even if he

needs to cut the tibia in half. He is also going to repair the lateral

ligament which appears to be torn and this should address the bulk of my

pain area. Maybe I will, finally after 12 years of searching, find

relief from this unrelenting pain. I am really hoping that turns out to

be the case and am feeling a little overwhelmed at the prospect of

finally being virtually pain free. My friend has been great through all

of this, driving me to Richmond and to my other appointments, listening

to me gripe and complain about the pain and having to go through all of

this. I am really thankful that I have a special friend to look to for

support. He really is a great guy!

If there is anyone out there who is willing to travel to Richmond, VA who

has an ankle or foot problem, this Doctor is really the greatest! He has

spent countless hours diagnosing my problems, reviewing my records and

MRI's and consulting with other doctors. He told me yesterday he has

this room with a board in it for viewing x-rays, pinning up medical

reports and research. He said I have been up on his board for 2 weeks

now and that is unusual. I have completely consumed him with my case

because he feels I have suffered needlessly for a long time and wants to

help me. I am truly a challenge and I am sure it will boost his ego if

he can help me too where so many others have failed. He really is a nice

guy though and an excellent doctor. He listens, he asks questions, he

asks other doctors for their input and he is meticulous. He is also very

busy and goes to great lengths to help people even after regular office

hours. His office was supposed to close at 12 yesterday and we weren't

seen until 2:30 (appt. at 11) and then someone, a former patient, called

with an injury that had just occurred and he said to have him come on in.

His staff is understanding and very devoted to him which tells me he

really is a great guy all around. Anyway, if anyone is interested in

seeing him you can write to me at djhslim@... and I will be happy to

give you his address and phone number. If you want to wait and see how

things go with me after surgery I understand that too. I may be jumping

the gun here but I really don't think so.

Everyone hang in there and have a great Labor Day weekend. We will here

if it stops raining! Then school starts Tuesday so there will be some

peace and quiet with the kids back in school.

Take care, Debbie/DJ

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[Guest guest]

Hi DJ,

So good to hear from you. I am optimistic for you yet trepedatious also. I

get crazy when I hear surgery in the same sentence as rsd. Like you I am

waiting to hear from a special neuro surgeon who is to plan a round table

with me and my pain doc about my back . I am so afraid to have surgery I

can't even express it in words. I am leaning twords having it one minute, [

when I am in excrutiating pain and can't walk.] and the next I am saying no

way am I taking a chance with being worse .

In My case it is the l4 l5 discs that are accoring to my pain doc 'massivly'

herniatiated. It affects my calf on my left leg . My right foot where the

rsd originated is still bad , but as I explained before the specialists I

went to for reconstructive surgery woulnd't do it. They said the surgery was

too intrecite for even a healthy person.

I wish I had your guts!

Anyway, I should hear back from the neuro sugeon by next week, I have called

every day and he was on vacation prior to this week. He hasn't even called

his existing patients back yet according to his secretary.

Oh, I also got rearrende, if you go back in the posts you will see. This has

made my right calf feel like my left and given mee new problems in right

scpula and knee. SO, I wont go anywhere this weekend if it entails driving in

traffic! I really lost it after this one. I was crying and the next thing I

remeber is a poloce man sitting next to me! I didn't black out I don't think?

Hardly any damage to the car , just my mind! I have post tramatic stress so

bad says my phycologist,.no kidding!? ha

Jo was also in a car accident, she can tell you about that one. Boy what a

pair she and I are. We always have to copy each othe rin our symptoms, xcept

she has those awful headaches I have been spared from.

I am happy for you DJ with your friend and all. I do hope the ankle surgry

helps and this is the end of surgery for you! Boy how many is this?

Do they put an epidural in prior to the surgery DJ? I want to know , I am so

nervous.

Take care for now and enjoy the long weekend.

Hugs and a pain free minute,

Deb

Deb Genatossio (Debgena@...)

National Planning Director for ASRSD/CRPS

American Society for RSD-CRPS Assistance Center

PO Box 1397, Abingdon, MD  21009

Toll Free Hotline:  1-866-OUR-PAIN

Main Office:

online membership: ASRSD_CRPS@ yahoogroups.com

http://www.americansocietyforrsd-crps.org

Listowner RSD-CRPS

Massachusetts Charter Director ASRSD_CRPS