Newbie questions

October 17, 2004

Hello all,

I was recently laid up with a bad kidney infection.

Unfortunately it seems to have triggered RSD in the thoracic and lumbar areas

of my back. My doctor has me using lidocaine patches and percoset (I try

to use Ultram during the day so I can think better). If the pain doesn’t

improve soon she is going to try blocks.

Upon reflection, this is not the first time I have had

symptoms of RSD (though the symptoms are much worse now). Nine years ago

I suffered a repetitive strain injury in my thumbs and had terrible pain and

sensitivity, and about five years ago my thighs became incredibly sensitive (I

couldn’t keep anything in my pockets for a year). Both times I

eventually got better. I attributed the sensitivity to fibromyalgia.

So (and I know y’all are tired, so don’t feel

like you have to answer all my questions):

1)

From reading, it looks like RSD is usually in an

extremity. I’m more sensitive all over, but it’s my back that

really hurts. I don’t know what to think about this. Does the

affected area affect how it can spread?

2)

Since I have had flares and remissions before, how

likely is it that this episode won’t progress much? I know everyone’s

different, but I don’t have the faintest idea what to expect here.

3)

Since this is not my first episode, I assume it is

likely I will have more. I was thinking of going to medical school, but

if this keeps up it seems like a bad idea – I won’t be able to make

it through. While it’s not a total disaster, if it’s at all

likely I’d like to know so I can concentrate on other things.

4)

Is there anything I should absolutely avoid? I

read on one page that I should never use ice.

5)

This is petty, but I’m enjoying the fast hair

and nail growth right now! (I’ve never had long hair in my life, so

this is an interesting change.) How long can I expect this to last?

I’m doing OK with this right now. Since I’ve

been dealing with a chronic pain condition since I was 20 (nine years) this is

pretty much just more of the same. I’ve gotten used to adapting

over the years.

I have a bachelor’s degree in philosophy, but I went

back to school to take medical school prerequisites. I had to drop

biology this semester since I missed so much class with the kidney infection I couldn’t

catch up. I suppose that’s one reason I’m not terribly upset –

I was in pain already, and I was already retraining so I can just shift my

expectations if I need to. I’ve been working as a massage therapist

(nationally certified) for the last couple of years, but I don’t think I

can go back to that for a while, if ever.

Molly

October 18, 2004

Hello Molly, I dont think that we have meet, but I'm Pam and i had flare ups and remissions for almost 10 years and then almost a year ago it kicked in full force and hasnt stopped since. so I dont know what to tell you except that I pray it goes back in remission for you. Dont know every one is different.but with my experience is that heat or hot water gives me more releif. but you have to try what works for you.I wish you the best and i will pray you have a remission again soft hugs PamMolly Bowling wrote:

Hello all,

I was recently laid up with a bad kidney infection. Unfortunately it seems to have triggered RSD in the thoracic and lumbar areas of my back. My doctor has me using lidocaine patches and percoset (I try to use Ultram during the day so I can think better). If the pain doesn’t improve soon she is going to try blocks.

Upon reflection, this is not the first time I have had symptoms of RSD (though the symptoms are much worse now). Nine years ago I suffered a repetitive strain injury in my thumbs and had terrible pain and sensitivity, and about five years ago my thighs became incredibly sensitive (I couldn’t keep anything in my pockets for a year). Both times I eventually got better. I attributed the sensitivity to fibromyalgia.

So (and I know y’all are tired, so don’t feel like you have to answer all my questions):

1) From reading, it looks like RSD is usually in an extremity. I’m more sensitive all over, but it’s my back that really hurts. I don’t know what to think about this. Does the affected area affect how it can spread?

2) Since I have had flares and remissions before, how likely is it that this episode won’t progress much? I know everyone’s different, but I don’t have the faintest idea what to expect here.

3) Since this is not my first episode, I assume it is likely I will have more. I was thinking of going to medical school, but if this keeps up it seems like a bad idea – I won’t be able to make it through. While it’s not a total disaster, if it’s at all likely I’d like to know so I can concentrate on other things.

4) Is there anything I should absolutely avoid? I read on one page that I should never use ice.

5) This is petty, but I’m enjoying the fast hair and nail growth right now! (I’ve never had long hair in my life, so this is an interesting change.) How long can I expect this to last?

I’m doing OK with this right now. Since I’ve been dealing with a chronic pain condition since I was 20 (nine years) this is pretty much just more of the same. I’ve gotten used to adapting over the years.

I have a bachelor’s degree in philosophy, but I went back to school to take medical school prerequisites. I had to drop biology this semester since I missed so much class with the kidney infection I couldn’t catch up. I suppose that’s one reason I’m not terribly upset – I was in pain already, and I was already retraining so I can just shift my expectations if I need to. I’ve been working as a massage therapist (nationally certified) for the last couple of years, but I don’t think I can go back to that for a while, if ever.

Molly

October 18, 2004