Hello

I developed CRPS following wrist surgery in December 2012. It has been fairly mild. I have had constant pain but not unbearable pain. I've had some burning sensations. My hand and arm are still swollen and I have unusual hair growth mainly around my wrist. I also have intermittent sensitivity to touch in my wrist. The pain has gradually spread up my arm and now I have pain from shoulder to finger tips.

I have been going to physio for a few months now and my range of motion has been slowly but steadily improving. I have been feeling pretty positive. The doctors (surgeon and pain specialists) said my case was not severe and they seemed to think I had a good chance of recovery. So did I.

I had a steroid injection in my shoulder a few weeks ago. This gave me fantastic range of motion in my fingers for one day and seems to have made some small lasting improvement. It didn't change the pain though.

I had a stellate ganglion block on Wednesday, 15 May. It didn't seem to help the pain but gave me a bit of a strange tingly feeling.

Then yesterday. Yesterday was horrible. Just horrible. Intense burning pain, like fire in my veins in my entire arm, particularly intense in my shoulder. I also crushing pain (mainly in my forearm) , and sharp stabbing pains and muscle spasms (mainly in my hand and wrist).

Today has been a much better day than yesterday but worse than Friday. Still, I'm glad it wasn't a repeat of yesterday.

Now, I'm confused. Although I knew it might not get better, I had been thinking it would. I saw the range of motion coming back and thought the pain would gradually go away. My case was only a mild one. I thought I just needed to keep up with the exercises, do what the doctors said and hang on until it got better. But after yesterday I just don't know what to think.

I am sorry. I know most of you are far worse off and have been for far longer so I don't mean to whinge.

I don't even have a clear question to ask. I am just really confused and, I'll admit it, scared.

Thanks for listening (well, reading).

Kim