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.

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

Judge decides CRPS patient's claims were exaggerated

Briton Pamela Mykytowych, slipped on a wet hotel lobby floor, causing a fracture to her left knee and resulted in CRPS, complex regional pain syndrome.  The hotel assumed 50% responsibility.  Mykytowych sued for $3.3 million which included loss of future earnings.  The 50 year old had been an endurance racing driver.  Although Judge Choo Han Teck accepted that Mykytowych had CRPS, he found her claims of the effects of CRPS to be exaggerated.  Defense attorneys produced a video showing Mykytowych going on a long walk.  This was contrary to Mykytowych's claims that walking long distances caused her much pain and prevented her from working.  The judge decided that Mykytowych's claims of loss of earnings to be untrue and did not award her the $3.3 million she sued for, instead she ended up with only $9,000!!!  

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/