Hi Numb,

Sorry to hear about your IV experience. I can relate. I've had CRPS type II for the last 3+ years resulting from a venipuncture nerve injury to the sensory branch of my right radial nerve during blood donation. In response to your questions:

Have your RSD spread?
Yes. It was confined to my right forearm and hand for 10 months, then spread to my upper arm, neck, and head (right side only) within a week. This last fall, after ~2.5 years, it all of a sudden spread down my torso and leg, so now the entire right half of my body is affected.

Have you or someone that you know obtain a full remission from the venipuncture RSD?
I only personally know one other person with (non-venipuncture) RSD/CRPS. He's a friend of my dad's and RSD/CRPS in his leg completely went away over a course of months a few years ago. They still don't know why.

Have your RSD gotten worse ovetime or remain about the same? Symptoms have steadily gotten worse. Mine is strongly affected by cold, and I live in the upper midwest, so worsening/spreading typically has occurred in the early winter.

What treatments have your tried and any success from the treatment?
OT, biofeedback relaxation (very helpful), psychotherapy off and on, and meds (currently gabapentin + Cymbalta, previously carbamazepine). Gabapentin works fairly well, and the Cymbalta (newly added) is really helping. Carbamazepine controlled my symptoms a little better than gabapentin, but I was concerned about long-term side effects and switched back to gabapentin last year. My HMO doesn't have a pain clinic, and I finally paid out of pocket to see a CRPS doc at a different HMO's pain clinic last month. Money well spent, if only to get a definitive diagnosis, prognosis, and medication suggestions to pass along to my neurologist.

I am very concerned about my prognosis and what future will hold for me.
This is typical. Anxiety, uncertainty, and depression are the norm rather than the exception for people with RSD/CRPS. If you haven't already, see a therapist/psychologist that is familiar with chronic pain. Mine is great, and very helpful. I've seen him off and on for the last couple of years, mostly after mine has spread.

Also, regarding your last question to Kate about a lawsuit: In order to be successful, you would need to prove that your RSD was caused by the IV, with negligence involved, etc. I'm in the midst of litigation right now, with the end in sight. It will be nice to get it done with.

Hang in there!

Annie