Hi Chaos
It seems wrong to say welcome but, well, welcome.
I still work. I developed CRPS following surgery in December 2012. I returned to work in February but I had about one week off in June for another procedure on my hand. I have told my employer that I am in constant pain in my right arm and have limited mobility in my right hand, wrist and shoulder. My doctor has written a fairly detailed note explaining this. The pain does fluctuate throughout the day. My job is not physical but it is sometimes difficult to concentrate due to the level of pain. I wind up staying later to make up for the time during the day when I simply could not be productive.
This will be my first proper winter so I’m not sure what I’ll do. I recently bought fleece lined ‘wrist warmers’ which I hope I will be able to wear. I’m not sure I will be able to tolerate it. For me, the sensitivity to touch varies but I have noticed that the cold makes it worse. I also sometimes wear a thin glove at work to keep my hand warm (I actually just use my compression glove).
I tried pregabalin but I was unable to focus at work and was just so tired all the time, so I am not taking that. I have tramadol for when I have a bad flare up. However, I cannot work when I have taken that because I am basically a zombie. So, I only take that occasionally. It does help with the pain so in a way I wish I could take it more.
I don’t have any help around the house apart from my husband but it is just the two of us plus our dog so it is manageable between us.
I do not sleep well. I have not slept through the night since December 2012. The pain wakes me up. I go back to sleep but I never really sleep properly. I can’t sleep too late even on the weekends because the pain just won’t let me.
I do my best to keep going with physiotherapy. I find it is most effective when I use a heat pack before I start to get things warmed up. Ideally, I use a heat pack again after I finish. I find heat packs do help a bit with some of the pain.
I hope you are having a better day.
Kim