Originally Posted by nyt2

I am also heat sensitive. I get heat rashes on my legs in the shower than run along the nerves. You could do neuroanatomy on my legs. In addition, the shower heat will make my legs spasm. Warm baths will make them very fatigued. I cannot do water therapy pools because the water is too warm. Lap lane pools where the water is cold I manage. Have to be extremely careful in the sun. I am unable to wear pants and have worn skirts for almost 8 years.

I have never understood the no ice. I have never read any peer reviewed scientific literature that demonstrates CRPS patients should not use ice. There is one case report where one CRPS patient used ice for too long and got frost bite. However, that is true for any individual who has decreased sensation, ie diabetics with neuropathy. Everyone always quotes Dr. Hooshmand's website.

I understand why ice is painful for individuals with cold CRPS because heat does to me what cold does to individuals with cold CRPS. You put heat on my legs it makes them spasm and causes me severe pain. However, from peer reviewed scientific literature they have demonstrated the cold sensitive CRPS is more common than heat sensitive CRPS. I do use ice on my legs but 10-20 minutes just like one would do with an injury. I get ice massages to my legs and butt because in order for the massage therapist to work on the muscle knots he gently ices for just a minute or two after he finishes otherwise I flare badly. For me, ice keeps my legs calmed down.

I know this will cause a lot of individuals on this forum to disagree with me. I usually do not even get involved in the ice conversations because I think it is "folklore" with no scientific bases to back it up. If someone can send me peer reviewed scientific literature that demonstrates ice harms individuals with cold and/or heat sensitive CRPS either by changes in the number of pain receptors or nerve fibers in the extremity then I will rethink my position. Until then, I will use my ice.