Hi, I am new to the forum and have a few questions about my symptoms surrounding RSD/CRSD. Okay, here goes.
I injured my left hand (thumb) and had a left ulnar bone abutment. Had two surgeries done. The first was to shorten my ulnar bone which is now held together with a plate and screws, this was done July 2009. Which as of this day still causes me pain. The second surgery was Feb 2010 of my thumb also the joint is held together with a plate and screws.
I had been in and out of several different types of cast and splints because of the continues pain in my thumb and wrist. On one occasion of wearing a short cast that went from my wrist and supported my thumb. I had the most horrible pain, and burning one could imagine. After two weeks of pain, I went back to the hand surgeon to have it removed. I had sweated underneath this cast, and which they called, 'Maceration', so much so that the saturated skin surrounding my thumb was removed. I was then placed in a longer cast and sent on my way. But the pain still continued. As time went by my fingers that protruded above the cast looked like sausages, they were so red and swollen. Needless to say so was my arm because the cast felt too tight. Went back to have it removed, and was placed in a splint.
Still the pain continued, and the sweating also of my forearm and hand. It was so bad that I developed bluster looking boils over my hand and forearm.
There was an awful smell so much so that anyone that came near me could smell it. Went back again
and I was told I had a skin yeast infection.
The pain and tingling, pins and needles had increased. By this time I was seeing a Physiotherapist to manage my pain. Had an emg that showed nothing. By this time the pain was now in my shoulder, and my trapezium in my shoulder was swollen and hurt like the dicken if touched. I was diagnosed with myofascial something or other...can't remember. Was given a
lidicaine injection in other trigger points as well. Still the pain, stiffness, swelling in my hand was there. Had another emg, which shown carpal tunnel,
then another that said no carpal tunnel but cubical tunnel in both elbows.
By this being workers comp injury, and that my injury was located in my hand and wrist, nothing was done for the cubical tunnel. I went back to see my surgeon for a routine follow up of my thumb surgery, and told him about my problems. My fingers were some what blue in color, and painful. He gave me a cortisone injection in my wrist. Then asked me how was my pain now? I said it's still there but not as bad. By the time I got home...omg
! The pain and burning had come back with a vengeance!
For about three hours I could not use my left hand. By night fall I had taken three oxycodones, two trazodones 50 mg each just to get some relief to sleep.
Long story short. I finally went to see my private doctor. He examined my shoulder, forearm and hand. My hand was swollen, red hard to make a fist without them burning. The pain had gone into up my median forearm, and was sensitive to the cold in his office. My blood pressure was high, but I do have hypertension already. He it was so high I was ready to exploded. Also that I have RSD, and there is something going on with my shoulder muscles.
Gave me presciption for six pack steroids, and more oxycodone and cymbalta as well. Wanted me to see a neurologist, and a hand specialist. But again
by it being works comp it had to be approved by them, and that my private doctor is not a workers comp doctor.
I told him that I had another routine appointment to see the hand surgeon for the follow up of the cortisone injection. So, he held office his referrals.
When I saw the surgeon, my left foot had swollen twice it's size and I could barely lift it. Had pins and needles in my toes, and my hand again still had the same symptoms. He said that I had RSD/CRSD, and dictated in his note for me to see the pain doctor for aggressive treatment...ganlion nerve block...sorry for the spelling.
My question...finally...lol is this. Since taking the six pack steroids tablets, I have had little swelling, less pain and hardly much burning. Does this mean I don't have RSD/CRSD?