Quote:
Originally Posted by Nanc
I am happy to answer your question. A brief history on me first. I developed RSD in the right side of my face in 1991. With aggressive treatment, I was in remission for several years (a big flare took me out of remission). I hurt my right hand in 2009 and went through so many drs before I got a correct diagnosis. I developed RSD in my hand and it mirrored over to my left hand. I had a bad blood draw in my left arm, they treated it with ice and RSD spread there. I had left shoulder surgery, turns out the spur removed wasn't the cause of the pain, RSD was (thanks doc). I hurt my right foot (hit it on a metal door jam) and also had planters faciitis. The foot dr injected my foot and treated both issues with my foot. Ice is a main treatment for planters faciitis and it helped clear it up but it hurt the other part of my foot. RSD set in three toes, down the side of my foot and up around my ankle. It mirrored over to my left foot. I also have it in my left leg. My right shoulder has been bothering me and I got a couple of injections in it. They said it was inflammation in the AC joint and I needed to ice after the injections. The second time I iced it, it burned on the inside and felt frozen on the outside...well, RSD has set in.
The reason that I think ice made me worse is because each issue/injury was initially treated with RICE therapy and I got immediately worse after using ice. I NEVER overused ice or left it on too long. You may be wondering why I kept using it. Well, all of these injuries happened in a short period of time and when I realized that ice was doing more harm then good, I stopped.
Anyway, all the details are too long for me to type here but I know what ice did for me and it wasn't good. I personally would recommend to never use ice if you have or suspect to have RSD/CRPS. I know that chances are that the RSD would've spread with or without the ice. I think the ice increased those chances and helped it spread quicker.
Does any of that make sense? I am tired and have a headache while typing this...  Let me know if you have any further questions or need clarification in anything I said.
Nanc
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Nanc, I have a question- I just recently posted a new thread on 'eyes burning and tearing' I've had RSD since 1996 and now full body in all limbs. But never in my eyes. About two weeks ago I had a complete meltdown and cried for a long time. the next day my eyes were so swollen. I never used ice in all my years of of rsd and probably 200 pt treatments from frozen shoulder in both shoulers and frozen hand etc. So I didn't think of 'ice' causing spread-any way, I used crushed ice in a ziploc on my eyes to get the swelling down and I've had these horrible symptoms with my eyes now.. I have several spells of 3-5 minutes- 5-6 times a day or so of my eyes burning, stinging, like razor blades in my eyes. then the tearing starts and is uncontrollable. These spells come on randomly with no control, if I were driving- would have to pull over as these are soooo bad.
Do you or anyone have an opinion? Am going to see eye specialist to rule out anything major like detached retina.
Reading your post on ice and your spread made me remember my swollen eyes and me using ice. It just seems like more than a mere coincidence. Any opinions anyone? Thanks, loretta