Dubious was kind enough to post a good article on another thread, see http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...271#post516271 On page 5 of this article written by Dr Edward Carden the spread of RSD is described briefly.

I asked my doctor if he knew when RSD spreads or had become centralized and he told me that he is of the opinion that it is somewhat centralized from the very beginning, we all just have different paths that it takes and he does not have the answers for me.

In my case I have experienced spread laterally to my left arm, however it can not be defined as RSD spread because there are no visible signs of RSD on my arm. There is no swelling, color or skin changes at this time, I do have occasional swelling in my hand but my doctor has never seen that. I have intermittent burning & deep cold bone throbbing pain, my joints seem to be the most affected. My hand turns ice cold. I know it is RSD pain but how can one convince a doctor of that. They typically think it is psychosomatic, I've even questioned myself about that! I've been told it is just tennis elbow. It is like the whole left side of my body weakens with this pain and the cycle of pain ping pongs from joint to joint along the left side of my body.

I have been told by another doctor that spreading is impossible, "it simply doesn't happen with RSD". I have not returned to that doctor since he clearly can't help me.

I was relieved to see that some doctors do understand the nature of RSD progression and to see it in writing in this article posted by dubious (thanks). It made me understand that I'm not imagining what I am experiencing.

MsL