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Old 05-17-2013, 06:49 PM
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SloRian SloRian is offline
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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SloRian SloRian is offline
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 212
10 yr Member
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Originally Posted by catra121 View Post
I haven't done it personally but what I have generally heard/read is that many people experience pain relief from acupuncture...but it only lasts while they are actually doing it and returns right after the therapy. For this reason, I didn't have it on my list of things to try. If I had heard about it having longer lasting effects...I might have considered it.
I haven't really heard much about it in terms of RSD, so I thought I'd start a thread on it

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I'm very happy your daughter is in remission! That is really great.
OMG, yes!!!

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I will say that in my opinion...doctors are much too quick to go for invasive procedures over other options for treatment of RSD. On the one hand...quick treatment is the best shot at remission usually so you want to treat aggressively in the first few months if you can get a diagnosis that quick. I also understand that these procedures are the things they know the most about and are trained in. But I wish more of them would have a better understanding of some of the other options too...especially for patients who experience spread or who have no luck with the more invasive procedure. So many are like, "Blocks don't work, let's do an SCS. SCS doesn't work, sorry I have nothing to offer you." Or, "You don't want an SCS, there's nothing I can offer you." It leaves so many of us frustrated and giving up hope when there ARE other options out there for treatment.
Yes, my doctor was just like that. But they're busy people and often don't have time for research. That's why these forums are helpful (plus just the comfort of talking to people that understand!!!) They were very aggressive with my daughter, and she's kind of a wreck still even though she's in remission. The acupuncture and reflexology seemed to definitely help, but I think the biggest help will be to get her out of school. I swear, I'm going to tie her down in her bed for at least a week after her last final! (but I'm guessing I won't have to tie her - she wants to stay in bed!) Thank God her teachers have been a huge help and have cancelled a lot of her work.

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The two biggest things that helped me were physical therapy (including use of TENS unit) and tDCS. Neither is an invasive procedure (assuming you have the right sort of therapy) but both were key to getting me better. I'm not in remission...but functionally am SO much better than I was. Also, things like changing my diet, hot baths with Epsom salts, using heating pads, etc have also made a noticeable difference in my pain levels. I had to find out about all of these things on the internet (including the right sorts of exercises I should be doing and how to go about the physical therapy). Why don't doctors inform their patients of these sorts of things? How come even talking about physical therapy with most doctors they just Rx it but don't go over with you what you should be doing or what to expect or anything? They should KNOW these things and discuss it with their patients.
Yes, I wish they knew more. I think you're right - we just have to find out other things and see what works for us. The Epsom salt baths really help my daughter, but I have to fight her to get her in them because she's so tired she just wants to go to bed.

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And there are other treatments out there too...I just can't really speak to them because I don't have the personal experience. But the point is that there are OPTIONS besides the standard blocks and such. I think about all the people who AREN'T on the internet and can't find sites like this one and educate themselves on the various treatment options. How many of them COULD be helped by these therapies but will never learn about them? So upsetting.
I know!!
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