Quote:
Originally Posted by SleeplessInDC
Hi everyone --
I was recently diagnosed with early CRPS. After an ankle surgery 1 month ago, I began having burning pain at the incision site, followed by spreading, agonizing pain from toes to mid-shin. This was accompanied by what I now know are other hallmark symptoms of early CRPS -- increased swelling and sweating, color and temperature changes, decreased sensation, etc.
My orthopedist quickly recognized the symptoms, and started me on Gabapentin. I'm now up to 600x3/day. My pain became uncontrollable using Vicodin/Percocet/Oxycontin, so I'm now on a 25mcg Duragesic patch. The combination of the two meds has decreased the non-pain symptoms of CRPS noticeably (my sensation is much better) and seems to have improved, or at least masked, the pain symptoms partially -- I'd estimate a 30% reduction in pain on average, though it varies a lot from day to day. I find the side effects disruptive -- among others, I have significant memory loss and trouble thinking, and large and constant (but not painful) muscle jerks -- but I'm willing to be patient with them while I get used to the medications and focus on symptom management.
I am now weight-bearing on the affected leg, but will not be able to get my cast off and start PT for another week and a half.
My primary question (I'm sure I will have many more as I move forward, but I want to get a handle on what's already been answered 100x on the board) is this: Knowing everything you know now, what would you do if you had been diagnosed very early in the disease progression? I am in my mid-20s and EXTREMELY motivated to do anything necessary to achieve remission or at least a high degree of improvement -- no matter how painful, inconvenient, or expensive.
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Another couple of things- I wish I had been put on Vit. C when I injured my foot. They are doing studies to see if Vit. C can help prevent the dev. of crps. I now take a multi-vitamin everyday- can't hurt I guess.
Additionally, I try to avoid any other injuries so as to not spread the disease. When my first LSB was ambiguous as to the results- I didn't have any temperature register on the strip before or after the block, I wish I had not had the second one done b/c my symptoms immediately were increased after the second block. Note to self- try to avoid any surgeries that might spread the disease. If the surgery is absolutely necessary, be sure to get an anesthesiologist experienced with crps so the appropriate drugs can be given to avoid a spread.