The Neuroscience Center in Deerfield, IL has pioneered a new treatment that is giving RSD patients much relief. Dr's at the Neuroscience Center have combined two therapies together, a high-dose intravenous ketamine infusion and during one hour, patients simultaneously receive magnetic stimulation of the brain (known as TMS). TMS works on the brain's pain center. Patients may require dozens of treatments.
Objective tests have been done which monitor patients with an imaging procedure called brain SPECT. This allows doctors to monitor blood flow to different regions of the brain. The scans show a rebalancing of the blood flow to the brain after treatments. This combination therapy is being used for other chronic pain conditions as well such as fibromyalgia, phantom limb pain, & rheumatoid arthritis.
Neuroscience Center
440 Lake Cook Rd.
Deerfield, IL 60015
847-236-9310
http://www.neuroscience.md/
Friday, June 19, 2015
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Stem Cell Therapy for RSD
Dr. Robert Schwartz, the principal at Piedmont Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation in Greenville, SC published an article about stem cell therapy and it's benefits for pain and more specifically it's use to treat RSD. Dr. Schwartz indicates that 43% report at least 90% lasting relief. 86% report at least 50% lasting relief.
There are two types of stem cells used, autologus and placental. Autologus are those which are from a patient's own blood or marrow. With autologus stem cells, the pain relief is quicker than with placental stem cells. Placental stems cells are found in the placenta and are collected after the blood from the umbilical cord is drawn. The relief from the placental stem cells is longer lasting than from the autologus stem cells.
Dr. Schwartz's full article can be found here: http://piedmontpmr.com/stem-cell-for-knees
There are two types of stem cells used, autologus and placental. Autologus are those which are from a patient's own blood or marrow. With autologus stem cells, the pain relief is quicker than with placental stem cells. Placental stems cells are found in the placenta and are collected after the blood from the umbilical cord is drawn. The relief from the placental stem cells is longer lasting than from the autologus stem cells.
Dr. Schwartz's full article can be found here: http://piedmontpmr.com/stem-cell-for-knees
Saturday, June 13, 2015
RSD sufferer, activist for medical marijuana in South Dakota
Melissa Mentele, who suffers from RSD, put together a proposal to allow people with a serious debilitating condition to use medical marijuana in South Dakota. Mentele is seeking 13,871 signatures before November 8th, in order to get the proposal on the 2016 ballot. The proposal would allow patients to possess up to 3 ounces of marijuana.
Melissa Mentele's twitter: @605compassion
Melissa Mentele's twitter: @605compassion
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Study results from St. Jude Medical
St. Jude's Medical Axium Neurostimulator System works similar to a spinal cord stimulator but the results from a recent study shows superior relief from the Axium Neurostimulator System. 152 patients participated in the study which lasted for 3 months. The patients that participated in the study using the Axium Neurostimulator System reported more relief vs. those using the traditional spinal cord stimulator (81% vs 56%).
Monday, June 8, 2015
Car Show / RSD Walk in Scranton, PA
The 10th Annual Car Lover's Car Show & The Walk Two Miles in My Shoes walk will take place on Sunday, June 14th @ McDade Park in Scranton, PA.
RSD Walk:
Date: Sunday, June 14, 2015
Where: McDade Park, Scranton, PA
Registration: 12:00 - 1:00pm
Walk Begins: 1:00pm
Donation: $10.00
Benefits RSD research
RSD Walk:
Date: Sunday, June 14, 2015
Where: McDade Park, Scranton, PA
Registration: 12:00 - 1:00pm
Walk Begins: 1:00pm
Donation: $10.00
Benefits RSD research
Sunday, June 7, 2015
Dr. Steven Richeimer
Dr. Richeimer is who I consider my RSD specialist. He is the Chief of the Pain Medicine division @ Keck Medicine of USC. He has treated many RSD patients. I like Dr. Richeimer because I feel confident that he understands the condition. He also sits and listens to you....never making you feel rushed.
Recently, Keck Medicine has started to offer Ketamine infusions. I will soon begin a series of (2) 4-hour infusions per month. I will provide a review on the infusions on this blog.
Dr. Steven Richeimer
Chief, Division of Pain Medicine
Keck Medicine of USC
1520 San Pablo Street Suite 3450
Los Angeles, CA 90033
323-442-6202
Friday, June 5, 2015
How to get the best possible care for RSD
Getting the best possible care for RSD, early, is crucial to your outcome. Being treated by a Dr. that is unfamiliar with RSD can actually worsen your condition.
Unfortunately, most people will not have the insurance coverage that will allow them to go to the top RSD doctors. This means you must do your homework on the doctors that you are able to go to. Ask the doctors if they have treated RSD before and how familiar they are with the condition. Also, ask other RSD sufferers in your area who they may recommend.
The most important advice I can give you concerning getting the best possible care is YOU MUST EDUCATE YOURSELF. You must be your own advocate. Educate yourself on the various forms of treatments (medications, procedures, etc). If a doctor recommends a procedure that you are not familiar with, educate yourself about it prior to agreeing to it. When you have a good understanding for treatments and know what direction you want to go with your treatment plan, speak up. Tell your doctor how you want to be treated. If your doctor doesn't agree, then find another doctor. Unless you are seeing an RSD specialist, you will quickly find that you are the one educating your doctor about the condition and what treatments are best.
When finding a psychologist, it can be beneficial to find one that deals with chronic pain.
You may consider visiting an RSD specialist and paying out of pocket for at least one visit. A consultation may give you some direction and advice that you can take back to your local doctor. A specialist may cost around $200-300 for a consultation.
Also, RSD seminars are held all over the country to educate and raise awareness. These seminars usually feature doctors that are experts on RSD. These seminars are helpful in educating patients on the latest news on various treatments and sometimes up and coming treatments.
Unfortunately, most people will not have the insurance coverage that will allow them to go to the top RSD doctors. This means you must do your homework on the doctors that you are able to go to. Ask the doctors if they have treated RSD before and how familiar they are with the condition. Also, ask other RSD sufferers in your area who they may recommend.
The most important advice I can give you concerning getting the best possible care is YOU MUST EDUCATE YOURSELF. You must be your own advocate. Educate yourself on the various forms of treatments (medications, procedures, etc). If a doctor recommends a procedure that you are not familiar with, educate yourself about it prior to agreeing to it. When you have a good understanding for treatments and know what direction you want to go with your treatment plan, speak up. Tell your doctor how you want to be treated. If your doctor doesn't agree, then find another doctor. Unless you are seeing an RSD specialist, you will quickly find that you are the one educating your doctor about the condition and what treatments are best.
When finding a psychologist, it can be beneficial to find one that deals with chronic pain.
You may consider visiting an RSD specialist and paying out of pocket for at least one visit. A consultation may give you some direction and advice that you can take back to your local doctor. A specialist may cost around $200-300 for a consultation.
Also, RSD seminars are held all over the country to educate and raise awareness. These seminars usually feature doctors that are experts on RSD. These seminars are helpful in educating patients on the latest news on various treatments and sometimes up and coming treatments.
Thursday, June 4, 2015
Just diagnosed with RSD
So your Dr. has just diagnosed you with RSD. What now?
You will want to make an appointment with a Pain Management doctor. I would ask if they have treated others with RSD to be sure you have a doctor that is familiar with it.
DO NOT ICE!!!! Ice is your enemy! Although you may have a swollen limb and it would seem logical to ice it, do not. Ice worsens RSD and can cause spreading of the pain to other areas of your body.
KEEP YOUR AFFECTED LIMB ELEVATED.
AVOID OPIOIDS IF POSSIBLE. Consistent use of opioids have been shown to worsen RSD. It can increase hypersensitivity. There are alternative medications that can be taken for pain.
GETTING TREATMENT ASAP IS CRITICAL! The sooner you can get treatment, the better chances you have at getting the pain into remission or lessening the effects of RSD. Time is of the essence. When I refer to treatment, this means whatever it takes to get your pain under control (medications, physical therapy, procedures, etc). With RSD, pain signals are sent between the nerves and the brain. The longer you keep this cycle going, it almost becomes permanently etched in your brain. The key is to break this cycle sooner rather than later.
DON'T STRESS! I know this is easier said than done, especially after being diagnosed with a condition such as this, however stress worsens RSD symptoms. Finding a way for you to de-stress is crucial. Meditation is a great way to lower stress. Joining a support group or seeing a therapist are other great alternatives.
Alot of pain management doctors will start out by rx'ing medications and may want to do a sympathetic nerve block. Nerve blocks can provide short term pain relief as well as they can serve as a diagnostic tool. These are pretty normal first steps.
Physical therapy can be beneficial if your physical therapist understands RSD. Beware of physical therapist that are unfamiliar with RSD, they can sometimes cause more harm than good.
You will want to make an appointment with a Pain Management doctor. I would ask if they have treated others with RSD to be sure you have a doctor that is familiar with it.
DO NOT ICE!!!! Ice is your enemy! Although you may have a swollen limb and it would seem logical to ice it, do not. Ice worsens RSD and can cause spreading of the pain to other areas of your body.
KEEP YOUR AFFECTED LIMB ELEVATED.
AVOID OPIOIDS IF POSSIBLE. Consistent use of opioids have been shown to worsen RSD. It can increase hypersensitivity. There are alternative medications that can be taken for pain.
GETTING TREATMENT ASAP IS CRITICAL! The sooner you can get treatment, the better chances you have at getting the pain into remission or lessening the effects of RSD. Time is of the essence. When I refer to treatment, this means whatever it takes to get your pain under control (medications, physical therapy, procedures, etc). With RSD, pain signals are sent between the nerves and the brain. The longer you keep this cycle going, it almost becomes permanently etched in your brain. The key is to break this cycle sooner rather than later.
DON'T STRESS! I know this is easier said than done, especially after being diagnosed with a condition such as this, however stress worsens RSD symptoms. Finding a way for you to de-stress is crucial. Meditation is a great way to lower stress. Joining a support group or seeing a therapist are other great alternatives.
Alot of pain management doctors will start out by rx'ing medications and may want to do a sympathetic nerve block. Nerve blocks can provide short term pain relief as well as they can serve as a diagnostic tool. These are pretty normal first steps.
Physical therapy can be beneficial if your physical therapist understands RSD. Beware of physical therapist that are unfamiliar with RSD, they can sometimes cause more harm than good.
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
Documentary about CRPS
Trial by Fire, a documentary about CRPS was created by Charles Mattocks. Charles' mother is diagnosed with CRPS and he is determined to bring awareness to this disease.
Nancy Cotterman and her support group will be featured in this film.
Way to go Nancy!!! nancyrsdcrpsblog.blogspot.com
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
Judge decides CRPS patient's claims were exaggerated
Monday, June 1, 2015
What is RSD?
RSD is the most painful condition ever recorded. It ranks 42 out of 50 on the McGill Pain Scale
RSD (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy), also known as CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome), is a non-curable, progressive chronic pain condition. In most cases, RSD is caused by a sprained ankle or an injury to a limb. The condition affects the sympathetic nervous system which controls: blood pressure, blood vessel constriction, and heart rate. The blood vessels in the affected limb constrict which causes inconsistent blood flow. This inconsistency causes the muscle and bone to deteriorate.
RSD is known as the "Suicide Disease" due to the amount of sufferers who take their own lives
Symptoms include:
Burning pain
Swelling of the limb (edema)
Sensitive to touch / Allodynia (even bed sheets are painful to affected limb)
Aching and stabbing pains
Joint stiffness
Color difference in limb
Temperature difference in limb (cold to touch, but burning inside)
Abnormal sweating of the limb
Muscle spasms
Insomnia
Short term memory problems
Concentration difficulties
Confusion
Weakness
Dystonia
Many other symptoms may occur as a result of complications of RSD. Although RSD sufferers may experience some of the symptoms, they may not experience all of them. Symptoms may come and go depending on use of the limb and stress. One of the most important signs is the temperature difference between limbs. There should not be more than a 2 degree difference between your limbs. The only other explanation, besides RSD, for a temperature difference would be a blood clot. Women a 4 times as likely to suffer from RSD and the average age is 40.
Early treatment is crucial. If you suspect you have RSD, see your doctor as soon as possible.
For more information about RSD, visit: http://rsds.org/
RSD (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy), also known as CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome), is a non-curable, progressive chronic pain condition. In most cases, RSD is caused by a sprained ankle or an injury to a limb. The condition affects the sympathetic nervous system which controls: blood pressure, blood vessel constriction, and heart rate. The blood vessels in the affected limb constrict which causes inconsistent blood flow. This inconsistency causes the muscle and bone to deteriorate.
RSD is known as the "Suicide Disease" due to the amount of sufferers who take their own lives
Symptoms include:
Burning pain
Swelling of the limb (edema)
Sensitive to touch / Allodynia (even bed sheets are painful to affected limb)
Aching and stabbing pains
Joint stiffness
Color difference in limb
Temperature difference in limb (cold to touch, but burning inside)
Abnormal sweating of the limb
Muscle spasms
Insomnia
Short term memory problems
Concentration difficulties
Confusion
Weakness
Dystonia
Many other symptoms may occur as a result of complications of RSD. Although RSD sufferers may experience some of the symptoms, they may not experience all of them. Symptoms may come and go depending on use of the limb and stress. One of the most important signs is the temperature difference between limbs. There should not be more than a 2 degree difference between your limbs. The only other explanation, besides RSD, for a temperature difference would be a blood clot. Women a 4 times as likely to suffer from RSD and the average age is 40.
Early treatment is crucial. If you suspect you have RSD, see your doctor as soon as possible.
For more information about RSD, visit: http://rsds.org/
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