Guest guest Posted August 10, 2003 Report Share Posted August 10, 2003 Good Morning torreyb@.... Welcome to this wonderful group. I hope you enjoy it here. There are a lot of wonderful people here in this group. Welcome again. Sincerely, Dawndebgena@... wrote: Hi Guys, Please join me in welcoming our newest member torreyb@... to our family.Welcome! Please take a minute to tell us about yourself.Hugs and a pain free minute,Deb (Deborah Genatossio)Founder of RSD-CRPSofAmericaDebgena@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 11, 2003 Report Share Posted August 11, 2003 Thanks for the welcome. My husband has not yet been diagnosed with RSD/CRPS but I am on a hunt for information. His orthropaedic doctor has told us he doesn't know what the problem is and everything they have checked him for has turned up negative. I am still browsing this site for information and I am sure I will asking lots of questions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 11, 2003 Report Share Posted August 11, 2003 Hi, Nice to meet you and welcome to the group. If your husband thinks he might have RSD then it is very important that he get dx and get treatment as soon as possible. I can't stress how important this is. A good dr will treat him very aggressively and that is important. Maybe you could tell us a bit about the symptoms your husband has and we could help. Take care and you are in my prayers. Hugs, babs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 11, 2003 Report Share Posted August 11, 2003 > Hi, Nice to meet you and welcome to the group. If your husband thinks > he might have RSD then it is very important that he get dx and get > treatment as soon as possible. I can't stress how important this is. A > good dr will treat him very aggressively and that is important. Maybe > you could tell us a bit about the symptoms your husband has and we could > help. > > Take care and you are in my prayers. > > Hugs, > babs Well this is a long story so I'll try to keep it short. Pain has been a factor since he was first injured. To begin with my husband was injured in an on the job accident five years ago. At first they thought it was just sprained but it lasted for months. He had arthroscopic surgery; and after having a arthrogram finally did surgery to rebuild the ligaments which results in metal anchors being placed in his wrist. Things were going fairly well but still pain when he injures the same hand again. Several surgeries later it was decided that his wrist needed to be fused. Things were going fairly well after surgery and he was in therapy to help him retain use of his fingers when he was involved in a four car pile up. He is now in pain (complains of deep aching pain with sharp stabbing pains coming and going) the majority of the time and his hand all the way to the elbow turns ice cold. Things like opening a jar of pickles or adjusting one of the kids bike seats will elevate the pain not to mention trying to work. It has been so bad at times that he is almost to tears. On top of that his other hand (since car accident) is now in pain that they can find no cause for. He has had two episodes of this hand turning cold. We have been sent to a rheumatologists (sp?) based upon a blood test that led to beleive he might have an underlying inflamatory problem. That doctor was very nice, explained a lot of things and wondered what in the world we were doing there. He ran extensive blood tests (all of which can back normal or negative) to rule out inflamatory problems. He made some suggestions to the ortho dtr and put him on an 8 week build up of Neurontin. Went back to ortho doctor who is at least honest enough to admit he doesn't know what the probem is and is sending him to a pain mgmt/anesthesiologist. We are waiting to get in to see him now. Boy, was that a mouthful or what. In the meantime, I am trying to find information and searching everywhere for it. Oh yes, I forget, the orhto doctor is the one who brought up the RSD possibility. So did his first w/c nurse. He then went on to say that if he even thought is was RSD he would treat aggressively but he didn't think this was it. His newest w/c nurse also suggested RSD but the doctor quickly said he still didn't think this was it because although he had some symptons he didn't have them all. He then said it might possibly be a chronic regional pain syndrome. We left there with prescription for Neurontin, Ambien and Vicodin (only because I inisted that he could not leave him without any way to cope between visits). One question I have is: Isn't RSD and chronic regional pain syndrome the same things? Thanks for listening to me ramble on. Its been a hard struggle for my husband but I am determined to find answers for him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 11, 2003 Report Share Posted August 11, 2003 HI, THanks for filling us in on your husbands symptoms. And yes, RSD and CRPS are the same thing. If his ortho dr want him to go to a pain management/anethesiologist that would be ok if they can dx and treat RSD. I want to warn you that some drs claim to treat RSD and to know alot about it but really don't. The best thing to do is to call the new office and talk to them about RSD. Try to become well informed about RSD by searching on the web or on this site before you call this new dr. A well informed patient is the best patient. I really hope that your husband gets some help soon, with dx and treatment. Five years ia a long time to be in pain without much treatment. TAke care and have a good day. Hugs, babs Take care and you are in my prayers. Hugs, babs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 11, 2003 Report Share Posted August 11, 2003 Welcome! You sound like you are a blessing to your husband. I have been recently " diagnosed " with RSD. Luckily my Dr. had just returned from a conference which discussed RSd, among other things. So on my first visit(1 week post-surgery) he recognized me as potential RSDand started me on Neurontin-which helped almost immediately! I have found the net to be a great source of info. This group is terrific as well. Nothing like personal experience to be a great teacher Take care, Sharon, NY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 11, 2003 Report Share Posted August 11, 2003 I think you may have responded to the wrong person, I have no husband , but I too am new to the board. I have RSD in my left arm and a small amount in my foot. Have just recently resumed treatments after a major flare post-surgery. I'd love to keep in touch... This stuff is hard to take. Barbarascrumgg wrote: Welcome!You sound like you are a blessing to your husband. I have been recently "diagnosed" with RSD. Luckily my Dr. had just returned from a conference which discussed RSd, among other things. So on my first visit(1 week post-surgery) he recognized me as potential RSDand started me on Neurontin-which helped almost immediately!I have found the net to be a great source of info. This group is terrific as well. Nothing like personal experience to be a great teacher :)Take care, Sharon, NY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 11, 2003 Report Share Posted August 11, 2003 Thanks for the welcome, Deb. I'll hit the site now and write a note about "me" I'm really glad that I found you all. Barbara debgena@... wrote: Hi Guys, Please join me in welcoming our newest member torreyb@... to our family.Welcome! Please take a minute to tell us about yourself.Hugs and a pain free minute,Deb (Deborah Genatossio)Founder of RSD-CRPSofAmericaDebgena@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 30, 2003 Report Share Posted August 30, 2003 Hi Babs, I am sorry to hear that you have it so bad. Did you have spinal blocks? Mine have worn off some, but they have me on Oxycontin and a very high dose of Zanaflex for spasms, and that is helping me somewhat. I try to exercise everyday, but if I don't the RSD flares right back up. If I overdue exercise or walk to much, it flares up. I also have had MS for 10 years which doesn't help matters. I am determined, however, to get my nursing degree if it kills me. I just graduated as the top student of my class from a medical assistant class and a certified nursing assistant class. I am very curious on the opinions of people who have had RSD for many years like yourself. Do you think that it goes away for anyone? What medication do you take? It has only been a year for me, but they won't do anymore blocks. I also have other problems that need to be corrected with surgery, but no one will do it because they say the RSD will spread. Have you come across this too? I can't even get my Dentist to fill my cavities. I have to see someone next week about putting me out with anesthesia just to fill my cavities! It seems that doctors are afraid of being liable for the spread of the disease. I am sorry for such a long note. There is just so much that I want to talk about. Well, take care and thanks for your time. Sincerely, BevBarbara Roman wrote: Hi Beverly, Nice to meet you and welcome to the group. I am sure you will be very happy here. Everyone is very friendly. I have had RSD for 23 years and it is full body. Fell down a flight of steps. I am glad you found this group. I hope you have good luck with finding another job. I haven't been able to work since I got RSD. Right now the pain is being controlled with meds, thank goodness. And I am walking again which makes me very happy. I was in a wheelchair for the first ll years of this disease. Please ask any quesitons that you may have and vent as you need to. Take care and have a good night. Hugs, babs Re: newest member Hello all, I am a 35 year old mom of three. I owned and operated my own martial arts school until last September. I had a treatment to shrink a neuroma in my left foot when they damaged a nerve, triggering RSD. I had a very fast progressing form of RSD that, fortunately, was diagnosed and confirmed immediately. It spread to both legs before I finally agreed to do the Spinal blocks. I had 4 and had to stop due to damage to my spine. However, I went from a wheelchair to a walker to a cane, due to the blocks, PT, and oral meds. I still have pain everyday, but the paralysis is gone unless I over do. I have gone through several doctors to find the best pain clinic and Neurologist. I have just finished several months of retraining for a new career and I am actively looking for work. It will be hard, due to pain, stiffness and spasm, but I will do it. I am trying to separate from my husband, which has been my motivation. I am here for anyone who wants to talk. There is too much to write, but I have many experiences to share and suggestions that could help. God bless you all and I hope you feel better soon.debgena@... wrote: Hi Guys, Please join me in welcoming our newest member bevsotiledkka bevsotiledkka@... to our family. Welcome to you! Please tell us about yourself. Hugs and a pain free minute,Deb (Deborah Genatossio)Founder of RSD-CRPSofAmericaDebgena@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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