Quote:
Originally Posted by wcd777
Hello,
I was recently diagnosed with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. I don't know where to start, or what to say really. Other than I am tired of hurting, and sometimes I feel like no one else around me really understands what I am going through. I feel down last July and fractured my ankle, and ever since I have been in pain. Sadly this pain is now creeping up my leg and into my lower back.
Some Question's I have:
My boyfriend wants me to try acupuncture. Has this method helped anyone?
My doctor want to put a Intrathecal drug pump in me. Does anyone else have this? Does it work?
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Hi and Welcome to NeuroTalk. I'm so sorry you have RSD. It is an extremely painful disorder as you know. It's rated at 42 on the McGill Pan Index on a scale of 1-50. above amputation. That information comes from RSDSA. It has a lot of good information on the site. You could put your zip code and get the closest support group. Support groups are very encouraging, informative, getting information on local drs. etc.
Another website is rsdrx.com puzzles list A Dr. Hooshmand , who practiced for 40 years in Florida has his website up with 146 questions and his answers. Very good.
I've had RSD 15 years following surgery. now full body. I was sent to physical therapy and massage therapy and a Tens Units and got use of shoulder back-called frozen shoulder. WAs in remission for over a year and then moved to other shoulder. more therapy and then another remission.
An injury brought the RSD back in my life again. I did try acupuncture and couldn't handle the pain of the needles. We are all different and I've heard some have been helped. But also consider-a person can even get RSD from a blood draw (needle put in wrong) I have a blood draw with a butterfly needle
to lessen the invasive procedure. For that reason I personally stay away from acupuncture procedure.
I'm actually looking into HBOT. Water therapy has been good for me to keep mobile. Water needs to be 86 degrees. Ice or cold water is not good for us.
Having a good Dr. is imperative. A neurologist is good, since this is a neurological disorder. A psychiatrist can help us in dealing with this life altering condition. My nuerologist is also a pharmacologist, which has adjusted my meds to help me. There are several meds that help with nerve pain like anti-depressants. RSD causes high blood pressure thru the sympathetic nervous system and also low blood pressure thru the para sympathetic nervous system. It is an autonomic condition that affects the involuntary organs. Our sleep for many of us is interrupted. The Limbic part of our brain affects depression, short term memory. We can be talking and forget what we were talking about. cant think of words etc.
Please let us know how we can help.One of your new friends, loretta