Iffy,

You sound like me. I have had RSD in my left arm for just over a year. It started in my elbow after surgery, then spread to my hand and shoulder. Now I am having electrical shocks in my neck, burning pain and sweating big time all at the base of my neck. I thought I might have bone spurs or something but your question has me wondering if the RSD is spreading. Hmm.

I also had a severe frozen shoulder on the same side so I know how to keep my shoulder moving. This is what works for me; first, I starting going to an exercise facility that is also a rehab facility about five months ago. They have upper body ergometers, which look like you are pedaling a bike, only with your hands, and I have found this exercise to be so helpful in keeping my shoulder moving. It is hard for me to do it if I skip a week or two, but a PT experienced in RSD rehab got me started on it while I was in PT and he found several facilities I could join to keep up this exercise after my PT. It really helps the RSD and the residual stiffness from the frozen shoulder.

The other thing that helps me is aqua therapy. I just pay my $5 per session and go into a pool that is kept warmer for arthritis. I just gently move my arm and this helps me move the shoulder. This really feels good to me.

Another exercise I learned for my RSD is to take a regular rubber ball, or a basketball, and with two hands walk it up the wall and then back down to about waist level. Do this slowly 10 times and you should feel the muscles slowly working. This also helps me keep my shoulder moving.

I hope this helps. I am sure others will have great advice.