Quote:
Originally Posted by Littlepaw
Dear Catra,
Ten months is a long time, it is no wonder you are frustrated. You are right, you WILL get through this. Your determination and grace inspire all of us and I know it will carry you through. Anyone would have some down days over this so don't give yourself a hard time for feeling exasperated.
I want to encourage you on your search for answers. You have lived with CRPS for some time and know well what that feels like. Keep honoring the wisdom that tells you something else is going on and keep acting accordingly.
It may take some creativity to get what you need. Different practitioners have different approaches. I have had some back/shoulder issues from time to time that have been pretty miserable and scary. This winter I spent a month with hideous pain in my mid-back, that like yours, only felt okay when I was leaned against something, completely flat or not holding up my body weight. I am not sure my PM or ortho could have even suggested much besides imaging. At one point the muscle swelling and spasm were causing nerve irritation that caused a weird buzzing sensation. I was at my wits end and feeling desperate but finally got relief with soft tissue work (no cracking) called Active Release Therapy done by my chiropractor which then allowed my back to adjust and stop spasming. After several sessions of that and some skilled myofascial release massage, I felt tons better and now it is gone.
This may not be your thing, I am just suggesting that there may be alternatives out there worth exploring that would broaden your treatment possibilities. I have also found Physiatrists (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation doctors) to have a unique and helpful approach to injury. It might be worth exploring a consult with one of these whole body system specialists.
Keep at it. You know your body. I am sending hugs and healing thoughts your way.
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Thanks. One of the doctors I have seen is a PM&R doctor...though not a very good one IMHO. He worked out of the orthopedic office I went to for this back in December-February. He's the one who saw something that didn't look right on the ultrasound (the muscle wasn't moving the way it should)...but then when the MRI of my rotator cuff came back normal he was all, "Oh well then I guess it wasn't anything." OR...maybe it WAS something...just not something in my rotator cuff? What if the reason that muscle isn't moving right is because there's a torn muscle or tendon...I don't know...where the pain actually is??
I know I tend to be hard on doctors...I can't imagine how difficult it is for them to see patients who have RSD and also other issues. It's hard as a patient sometimes to describe and differentiate between different issues and pains...imagine how much harder that must be as a doctor who isn't FEELING that pain and is trying to sort it out on their end? Add to that for a doctor who is aware of RSD but doesn't specialize in it or keep up with the most current info on it?
Ah...well...all I can do is move forward and try to get the most out of my next appointment. I agree that many times it takes going outside the mainstream ideas and thinking outside of the box to get the relief we need. I found the best treatment for my RSD in the form of a PCP who just cared a whole awful lot. My current doctor may think she is unqualified to treat an RSD patient...but she's the only one who was able to help me after seeing one specialist after another for months. I know I'm in good hands with my current doctor...unfortunately I've only been able to see him once...2.5 months ago.
As always...aprreciate your kind thoughts and suggestions. I'll try out these new meds and the lidocaine patches and then move forward from there...