Just when I thought it could not get worse ( I fell and suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury in 2010...in 2011 I was admitted to the hospital and had a IV started in the Emergency Room. The pain was unbearable and I told the nurse that, but he said, I will give you something for pain. Over the next week, a blood clot formed at the IV site, swelling, hot, etc. I was readmitted to the hospital for phlebitis of the left arm. Since then, I have been to my family doctor, vascular surgeons, and finally after many pain pills, my neurologist for my TBI said to me, it looks like CRPS. I was scheduled for a stellate ganglion injection, but it was too late, as I was already three months into the disease process. I have been to PT, Acupuncture, and nothing helps. My arm is in constant pain, either hot or cold. I am on Vicoden, Kadian, Cymbalta, Elavil, Topamax, Maxalte...I am 56 and have been out of work since 6 months after my TBI. I know it is difficult to litigate, but I am going to try. I do not wish this pain on anyone!!!!

Steve,

It is great to have you come and be with us. You will fine a great number of dear friends to listen when you are in need of ears. Please, just let us know how we can help you out. You will find out we are supportive and relaxing place.

Click on the following forum there are soon fellow members to help you out.

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

Please keep us up to date on your situation. Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Welcome to NT!

I'm sorry for the reason that brings you here, but the 'good' thing is that you've come to a wonderful place of support and understanding.
It's good that your doctor recognizes that CRPS might be the cause, rather than it not being acknowledged. I'm in a small community and most Dr's here don't even KNOW what that IS!

Darlene gave you the link to the RSD/CRPS forum. Definitely check it out!
There's alot of good information in the top section called the 'Stickies'.
You'll be amazed to see that you certainly are NOT alone in this. Lots of very caring people there!

It's great to have you! Just holler if you have any questions or need help in finding your way around.

Caring,
Rae

Welcome to Neurotalk, We are glad you found our site. Here you will meet lots of friends and be able to ask lots of questions. I am sorry you had to come here under these circumstances, but hopefully we can help each other feel better.

Hello there!

I have been around people with TBI'S while I was in an integrative pain therapy program, and I have CRPS on my arm. (and foot in the winter yeah!

Wow, I'm very sorry that you have to take all those pills.

My best advice is 92 degrees baby!! Aquatic Therapy, expensive for sure, can't do it all the time. Exercise in that pool little by little, let the waters natural buoyancy ease the weight of your affected limb.

But...very costly, and the YMCA only goes to 82 degrees.

Hope it helps, be blessed!

Also, the heat should be more tolerable than the cold on the skin.