I was diagnosed on Thursday with CRPS.
The doctor could tell instantly - my arm was a different color, hand swollen, don't have full range of motion in my thumb, palm sweating. I have been feeling those symptoms for months now (along with neck and shoulder pain)- the thumb is the most recent addition to these symptoms even though the hand swelling has been there. I noticed my arm would turn to ice in May of last year and that set me on the path to finding out what was wrong.

The thing is, I have problems with the entire right side of my body. I have had neck problems for years - MRI in November showed bulging discs, cervical stenosis, osteoarthritis.
I have pain in my right foot and calf. Posterior tibial tendinosis.
Pain in the right side of my back and butt.
Hand x-ray last Thursday was normal and ncv/emg in January showed mild carpal tunnel.

Lately all the pain has been mild except my neck/shoulder blade/arm/hand. That whole area is relentless. Somedays the pain is not as bad, but I never have a day that is good. I feel like two halves of the same person.
I still think it is mild compared to some of the stories I have been reading. I am feeling overwhelmed. This arm stuff that is making my hand swell was supposed to be carpal tunnel or ulner nerve damage or autoimmune...in my head anyways.

The doc said "this is not a good diagnosis" but it never showed up in my searches for "diseases that affect right side of body" so I left thinking it did not sound as bad as some of the other things I thought it could be. Then I started reading. Now I am scared.

I can still use my hand - some days work kills, but I can still do it. I started teaching myself to mouse with my left hand about a month ago because I could not use my right arm/shoulder and hand for that anymore.
In October of last year my shoulder froze and I could not move my hand across my body for 3 days. I am an artist by night and paralegal by day and I am not kidding when I say I am alone- single, no family in the area, and one friend.

Is this bound to get worse? Is there a chance it will stay on the right side only? Am I dreaming if I think maybe he was wrong and it is cervical stenosis or the carpal tunnel? I am terrified of neurontin. Tried cymbalta a few months back and I had to leave work to take naps. I can't take meds that affect my ability to work. Again, feeling overwhelmed and not sure what to do. They say treatment is important to go into remission, but does that mean i have to take neurontin asap? I am confused about early treatment. Thanks for listening...