oh Cheryl. I am sorry to hear the dx. I hope pain management will keep letting you sleep at night, to dream good dreams.

I am just glad that I finally KNOW what it is!

The nerve block this morning went very well, again. Slept most of the day. Next one is scheduled for late Tuesday afternoon so I am good to go on my trip Wednesday.

I know your relieved to have an answer but I am sorry you now have two diseases to deal with.

Go ahead and have a date with Jack. Slather some salt on your hand and lick away to take the "kick" out. If that doesn't work eat some pretzels and chase them with Jack.

I am sorry to hear you have CRPS Cheryl. It is good that the nerve blocks are working for you. Some people it does nothing, so that's great news.

I believe they can repeat a series of them in 6 months, if necessary. I know the nurses in the hospital would go down to get their cocktail shot on their lunch hour. They injured themselves easily with patient turning and lifting. For some it became chronic, others it went away.

Here is Medline's take on CRPS if some of the folks here never heard of it.

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Also called: Causalgia, CRPS, Reflex sympathetic dystrophy


Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is an uncommon nerve disorder. It causes intense pain, usually in the arms, hands, legs or feet. It happens after an injury, either to a nerve or to tissue in the affected area. Rest and time may only make it worse. Doctors are not sure what causes it.

Symptoms in the affected area are

Dramatic changes in temperature and color
Intense burning pain
Extreme skin sensitivity

The cause of CRPS is unknown, and there is no cure. It can get worse over time, and may spread to other parts of the body. Occasionally it goes away, either temporarily or for good. Treatment focuses on relieving the pain, and can include medicines, physical therapy and nerve blocks.

From the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

That is exactly what I have and that is what the docs/PT are doing. I am trying Neurontin but I seem to be having problems taking more than 300 mg! I am trying to titrate up on it,

Thanks for the information!!! It is very helpful!

I am SO glad to hear that your nerve block yesterday went well Cheryl and really hope that the next one before your trip goes well and that you get even more pain-relief!!

I was just wondering, has anyone mentioned a condition called Dystonia to you?? I know you mentioned having symptoms of 'Frozen Shoulder' but I just wondered whether you might have Dystonia as a LOT of the symptoms are the same!! I have both CRPS AND Dystonia and my Pain Management Doctor said that Dystonia is very common in RSD patients although not many doctors know about it unfortunately. Dystonia causes limbs to lock into un-natural positions, develop muscle atrophy and muscle spasms etc etc.

It might be something worth looking into if no-one as mentioned it to you already. Before I was diagnosed with the RSD/CRPS no one knew what was causing my foot to stay rotated but then my Neurologist took one look and knew immediately what was causing the problems and put me on a muscle relaxant to try and help.

I hate that you are having to deal with all of this on top of the MS and really wish I could help you in some way. If you have any questions, please know that I am here for you!

Cheryl sorry about yet another dx, but GLAD at least to have you know what it is, so that they can help conquer the pain better!! Hoping at least for less pain!!

Go ahead Jack it is, and pizza, then the salty or sugary margeritas!! mmmm hugssssssssss,sarah

Thanks Ali, but it is definitely frozen shoulder. It's not locked into any odd position and the ortho doc and the pt guy can definitely feel the capsulitis. They are working on it...it was caused from my arm being in a sling for so long due to the pain. They think they caught it early enough that we can work through it and get it moving again before it completely freezes.

Thanks for your help. Just pointing me to the RSD/CRPS forum was a lot of help! I appreciate that!

I had my last nerve block injection today. Now we play wait and see what happens. In the meantime, I continue PT to release the frozen shoulder.

Ah PT...pain therapy - sorry, physical therapy!

s for you flygirl!!!!!