I think by now most of you are aware that I had surgery on my RSD left foot last summer in Germany. What most of you don't know is that once I returned home I became quite ill and was hospitalized due to a very serious reaction to a medication that had been prescribed to me. It had made me neutropenic, destroying my white blood cells, a very rare side effect. Don't worry it's not a medication used in the US or Canada any longer for that reason. For those of you located in the UK, Europe and Mexico, I believe it is still commonly prescribed, typically instead of Tylenol 3, the drug is called Novaminsulfon. Apparently it is easier on the stomach then T3's and not addictive which is why we decided to try it. Fortunately I'm fully recovered from that episode.
While I was in the hospital the doctors checked my blood and ran all the diagnostic tests to rule out any other possible causes of my illness. Not surprisingly my pro-inflammatory Cytokines were very high. I recalled reading a study that described changes in cerebrospinal fluid levels of pro inflammatory cytokines in patients with CRPS (although I didn't fully understand exactly what I had read at that time). The article concluded "This and other studies strongly suggest that part of the process resulting in chronic pain involves central neuroimmune activation, suggesting that a better understanding of neuronal immune interactions in painful conditions such as CRPS may lead to the design of additional therapies for their treatment." I'd be happy to forward the article to anyone interested, pm me with your email and I'll send it along.
When I got home from the hospital I decided that if I had any chance of my foot healing from the surgery especially after becoming neutropenic I need to really step up a strong health regiment to improve my immune system. I started to do some research on the internet, read many books and asked some questions here on the forum. One visitor to our forum directed me towards an anti-inflammatory diet along with a recommendation to take enzymes. I'd never heard about enzymes before so I researched that further and started on the recommended diet.
I discovered a number of different enzyme options out there. Each site I went to stated clinical studies had shown that digestive enzymes were shown to provide significant reduction in inflammation and pain with no side effects. One study showed that an enzyme called Serrapetase had been used successfully in a clinical trial for patients with postoperative swelling and pain reduction.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serrapeptase
I was skeptical at first because I stumbled across link to a systematic review by the evidence-based health care medical journal Bandolier that stated that "the evidence on serrapeptase being effective for anything is not based on a firm foundation of clinical trials." Despite this I believed there was enough evidence for me to consider it so I discussed it with my doctor. He he did not have any objections and in light of the low risk of side effects I decided to throw caution to the wind and gave it a try.
Within the first couple of weeks I noticed immediate reduction of my swelling and the scar tissue. I also found that the stiffness of my bones significantly improved, I could walk with a full gait with minimal pain. It is important to note I was also receiving my Lidocaine IV infusions at an accelerated rate of once every week instead of every 3 in an effort to calm my rsd down.
Today I came across a very interesting article on Systemic Enzyme Support which describes the effect of proteolytic enzymes (proteases) on the cytokine network and their action at the level of cell membrane both in terms of cellular adhesion as well as modulation of cellular receptors. It describes how
"systemic enzyme support can help maintain a healthy immune system, healthy blood flow and circulation, healthy joint function as well as reduced muscle pain after exercising." In my mind this is one of my objectives in trying to beat RSD.
The article further states
In instances involving occurrences such as trauma, burns, hematoma, ect., a proteolytic enzyme works mainly by improving blood rheology and by breaking down of tissue detritus... In addition to the aforementioned, in situations of ongoing imbalances of the inflammatory system, protease can help eliminate immunocomplexes, alter the expression of adhesion molecules, and normalize the cytokine network" The light went on for me when I read this article tonight. Here is a link for those who are interested to learn more.
http://www.douglaslabs.com/pdf/nutri...2808-08%29.pdf
I won't ever know for sure what it was exactly that has helped me to recover to the point that I am at now. I'm functioning quite well at the moment. Was it the fact that I had the offending metal screws removed, the week long anesthesia, the increased lidocaine treatments, the Serrapeptase, or all of the above? I can't say I'm in a remission from my rsd because I still do have the odd bad day and moments but it is no where near as bad as I was before I had the surgery and I do think the enzyme has made a difference for me.
Has anyone else here taken proteolytic enzymes? If so what brand or combination of the enzymes do you take? If so have you found it has made a difference to your pain levels, swelling or circulation to your RSD effected area? I'm very curious to know if others with RSD are having any success with this. Please let me know what you think of this.
Wishing you all much peace and relief from pain.
MsL