Hi everyone. I am new to this site. I will try to be brief on my history:

I was injured, at work, in April of 2007. I tore my right rotator cuff in 3 places. I lifted approximately 250 boxes of files (about 50 lbs each), up and over my head (I am 5 feet tall). I was told by my manager to "go home and sleep it off". It continued to hurt, and 2 weeks later, I was forced to do the same thing, again. Again, I complained, and got the same response. I was in such pain, I called in sick and went to the doctors, who at that point, pulled me out of work and sent me to PT. Didn't work. Had an MRI and was told I needed surgery. 5 months later, finally got approval. Had 1st surgery. Went to aggressive PT and ended up with Frozen Shoulder. Had 2nd surgery 6 months later, followed again by aggressive PT. Had another MRI and was told I had several problems and a 3rd surgery was required. Had that in October 2008 followed by IMMEDIATE - same day as surgery - aggressive PT. The pain is worse, not better. I have limited ROM, cannot lift my arm higher than waist height, no weight bearing, and haven't slept in a bed since the injury. I saw a neurologist last Summer who said he felt strongly I had RSD and to discuss treatment w/my ortho. My Ortho does NOT believe in RSD. He just wants me to be treated at a Pain Clinic. I was given a 68% loss of use. I started seeing my PCP for pain management. He has me on 400mg Neurontin per day, 30 mg of Cymbalta,1600 mg of Ibuprofen 3x's a day, and 600 mg of Tramadol 3 x's a day. None of this helps. The pain has always been, and still is in my right shoulder, up my neck, down my arm to my hand, across my chest and upper back. It is a god awful burning pain. My PCP thinks I am crazy, as does my ortho. I am trying to get into the Neuro doc that diagnosed me, but don't know what else to do. I am NOT crazy! I also have such severe swelling in my shoulder/chest area, that it is extremely painful to wear . . . undergarments . . . and even a shirt hurts. Not sure what else to do seeing as all the docs think I am crazy. Oh yeah, I also have discoloration to the back of my right shoulder, which has spread across my upper back and almost to my waist.

I have always been active with my family, loved doing yard work w/my husband. I even picked up doing extra when my husband had open heart surgery 3 1/2 yrs ago at the tender age of 42. He is permanently disabled, as I am on my way to same.

Any thoughts / input w/be greatly appreciated.

Thank you all in advance.

PuppetGirl

Puppet Girl, I first wanted to say welcome to NeuroTalk! Sounds like you have been through a lot pain and tons of help but still no answers. Please don't give up hope. I think going back to the doc who diagnosed you is good. Always second opinions are good too. Take care and hope to see you exploring all the forums...lots of amazing folks ready to listen!


Still a winter wonderland and very beautiful here in Northern Utah!!

Hi PuppetGirl, and welcome to NT! This is such a great place with lots of friendly, caring, and helpful people.

We're so glad you found us!

Here are some links to help get you started:

RSD forum:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum41.html

Chronic Pain forum:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum10.html

Hi Puppetgirl,

welcome to Neuro talk, its a very friendly and helpful place.

I see you've already been directed to the relevant links above, I'm sure you'll find everyone there very helpful.
If you need any help getting around just ask, someone will be able to help
Kate

Welcome to NeuroTalk Puppetgirl!

You've certainly been through a lot but I'm glad you found your way here. This is a great community with lots of friendly folks and great information.

I hope you'll have pain relief soon...

I just want to thank everyone for the warm welcome. It is greatly appreciated.

I am still waiting for referrals to the new Ortho doc and the Neurologist. It's been over a week and a half. I spoke to my PCP yesterday and they said it "takes time". In other words, they never even marked my file and forgot to do it, so they started on it yesterday!

I wish the pain would stop, or at least subside a bit. I have Aqua Therapy today, which isn't too bad. Feels good to be in the warm water, just not so good getting out - LOL! It is about 15 degrees here! Burrrrrrr.

PuppyGirl

I cahn totally relate to how you feel. And yes water helps a lot.

I enjoy hot tubs, but had to give up my club membership for now.

I have fibromyalgia and it can get bad. I take neurotin for it but
take 900mg. I also take cymbalta 60mg.

I take tylenol with codeine as my pain medicine but take it as needed.
And can take 4 a day of the 10/500.


Let me know if I can be of help.


At this point I'm in PT for shoulder problems, and tight muscles.

Donna

And a big NT howdy to ya

Hope you're finding your way around and have found something to help you in some way.

It's a great place for support.

We're here for you.

not sure where to look for RDS/CRPS to find answers also I'm not sure if I posted in the right forum earlier, thanks i have crps, and pMD wants to do the SCS on me Thanks.

Here is the RSD and CRPS forum link

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum21.html

Don't give up. There's lots of RDS/CRPS suffers here that can relate to what you're going through.