Hi.I broke an arm two year ago which triggered rsd within two weeks (now known in hindsight...but not then).Was diagnosed after rsd spread to hand while in cast (severe swelling, sausage fingers, intense burning and crushing pain).Fingers on right hand became permanently 'frozen' in claw shape with very limited movement (which seemed to be triggered to worsen by aggresive PT). RSD spread to shoulder within three months of inital injury, causing 'frozen shoulder', adhesive capsulteits, which neccesitated a surgical procedure to 'release'. That went well, regained movement in shoulder and reduced pain. About 8 months after shoulder procedure, pain in shoulder returned, without the 'freezing' this time. Now, a year and half later, stiffness and pain have begun in opposite hand. Pain, however, is not of the burning type. Pain has also begun in opposite shoulder. I have had my share of 'arthritic' pain (I break horses for a living, with numerous broken bones amassed over the last thirtyy years and the resultant expected arthritic changes from them). The new shoulder pain and hand pain seem however to be directly related to rsd, and not to any previous injuries. A flare in rsd pain causes the shoulder and hand on the opposite side now to become much worse. I have been on Cymbalta 60mg per day for more than a year. Almost completely negates the 'burning. crushing' type rsd pain. Does not at all mitigate the deep-ache type of pain, or the arthritic type pain. I take arthrotec (diclofenac) and vicodin for the worst of the severe aching.
What type of medication is your doctor using to treat the RA symptoms?
I would love to know, with the possibility of looking into them to prevent increasing spread.
Thank you for any info!