Quote:
Originally Posted by mnp2011
Hi all. My first post here. I had nail surgery in both my big toes (removing both sides of both nails), got an infection in both, then once that all got sorted I found that both toes were flaring up hot, red swollen and painful after 15 mins of walking. I went to see an orthopeadic surgeon and he diagnosed CRPS type II in both toes. So I'm on 25mg Amitryptylene (anti-depressant nerve numbing drug) that has slighlty reduced the time it takes for CRPS to trigger and flare up. I'm seeing a pain specialist this week, but feel that I should be treating the cause, not the effect. Has anyone else looked at nerve removal surgery? 1 surgery already caused this CPRS, so I'm loathed to have another and make it worse.
Any thoughts/input much appreciated.  |
mnp2011, welcome to the forum. You and I and nige1960 have it in the toes, which is a bit unique. Amitriptyline is not an uncommon drug to try. My mainstay drug is gabapentin, the generic for neurontin. I also take 440 mg of naproxen sodium twice daily (Aleve), which helps with general pain and inflammation. The first year, it was percocet, which worked, but left me dependent so I weaned myself off of it (boy, was THAT fun!). I would be in big trouble without the gabapentin (yup, I've tried!!). I also take lots of therapies, including physical and chiropractic.
It will be interesting to see what the pain mgmt. doctor recommends for you. Know this: This condition is
widely misunderstood, even by professionals. Remember that you are not obligated to try the meds/approach that any doctor or therapist may recommend. If you see 5 doctors, you may get 5 different opinions and recommendations. You are going to have to be your own best advocate, and you must take control of your own destiny. Do not let this condition define you! You should do lots of research from reputable CRPS links, and get multiple professional opinions. Knowledge is power as far as CRPS goes. Most definitely.
http://www.rsdfoundation.org/index.html
http://www.rsds.org/index2.html
http://rsdrx.com/
Treating the cause may sound like the best approach, but from what I've seen, unfortunately is not effective for most cases,
UNLESS it is caught early enough. How far into this process are you; both from the start of the symptoms and the diagnosis?