Quote:
Originally Posted by loretta
Hi Smoke,
Yes, reddish color and swelling are definetly signs of RSD. Do you have a good RSD Dr.
If not, check into finding a good orthopedic hand specialist. Like a sports injury group. They have a Dr. for Hand, Dr. for knees, Dr. for shoulder etc. After 4 years of RSD, that is what I did. The ortho hand diagnosed me in 1 minute. Came back home and found a good neurologist and a good ortho hand Doc. I underwent the physical therapy, and got part use of my fingers back. They now can bend a little, enough to type, cut my own food etc. If I hadn't been misdiagnosed and got into p.t. sooner, I'm sure I would have full use of my left hand. I have full body RSD. When my toes started curling up, my Dr. had me start exercising right away in the pool. and in about 4 months, my toes were touching the ground again. So important to get therapy and keep limbs from freezing up and being paralyzed. You are EARLY in catching this spread, if that is what it truly is. Please don't delay in getting to Dr. and therapy. Take care, loretta
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I live in the sticks. My therapy consists of taking care of our fourteen month old son, working as a parts delivery guy in a factory, and when we have a week off or something, I walk at the mall, go to the park, etc. I just move around until it feels like my leg is on fire, eat some more percocet, and walk some more. It hurts like heck that night, but the next day it's ok, nearly pain free. (A 2-3 on the pain scale as opposed to a 5-6 or 7. That's pain free to me) If it's really tight, I stretch it. In '93 I sprained/strained my whole back, was off work for over a year, and had to have therapy for months. I have been using what I learned from that to treat this, and it appears to be working thus far. My only concern is that I am getting laid off and losing my insurance, and I dunno how I will be able to deal with the pain enough to work the leg without painkillers. The Lord will provide, and that's all I can count on. As far as specialists, the closest one is probably in Hershey, or Johns Hopkins, in either case too far to go, and I'm a poor man, soon without coverage. Mr Obama, Senators, Congresspeople, pass the legislation already, cut us poor folks a break.