First, I would like to thank everybody else for posting their stories. I've read lots of articles about CRPS, but this forum is much more informative.

About 2.5 years ago, I gave a blood sample at work. Unlike many other people posting in this forum, I did not feel a nerve being hit and the blood sampling was uneventful. However, within 2 hours, my whole right arm (from the elbow down) ached painfully. Later, I developed swelling at the sight of venipuncture and a large bruise about 2 inches from the site. Within a week, I had numbness, tingling, and weakness in my right arm. Since then, I've had cold sensitivity, temperature changes, mild color changes, occasional burning/electric pain, and mild swelling.

Fast forward to 2 years later, and I wake up one day to notice that my right shoulder has dropped in elevation, so that it sits significantly lower than my left. After a few trips to the doctors/neurologist and several MRIs, I am told that the muscles in my shoulder and back are 'dystonic' (essentially the nerves are telling them to constantly contract).

I am getting botox for my back and shoulder muscles, but am no longer on any treatment for my neuropathy (or possible CRPS). It is usually fairly mild, however I do have flair-ups which make work (i'm a molecular biologist) very hard. I am thinking of seeing a CRPS specialist, because not having a diagnosis while my symptoms seem to grow is very frustrating.