puffy face
 

Hi All,
I have noticed my face has gotten more puffy, one side is more than the other side for the past month. can this be RSD on my face? Any one experiences puffy face and what is the causes for your puffy face.
Many thanks,
Numb

Hi Numb, puffy face
 

Hi Numb, how are you. Just wanted to see if I could help. I am sure the puffy face could be from so many things. Sinus infection etc. But I have it pretty severely now especially on the left side where i also experience numbness, tinglling, a heaviness. My doctor has but me on a diruetic heart medicine. This was done when i moved in to the lesion stage of rsd. I did find the reason once for perscribing this med. it reduces the collection of fluid around the heart and brain as well. It helps contol my face swellling as well.Its abbreviation is HCL. I will do some research and post more for you. Mine is rsd related. But again, it can be caused by so many things. Sorry this is not more helpful - but i will find the inforamtion and the correct name of this med for you. Take care, cz
Im back... I found the information:


Hydrochlorothiazide, sometimes abbreviated HCT, HCTZ, or HZT is a popular diuretic drug of the thiazide class that acts by inhibiting the kidneys' ability to retain water. This reduces the volume of the blood, decreasing blood return to the heart and thus cardiac output and, by other mechanisms, is believed to lower peripheral vascular resistance. Hydrochlorothiazide is sold both as a generic drug and under a large number of brand names, including: Apo-Hydro, Aquazide H, Dichlotride, Hydrodiuril, HydroSaluric, Microzide, Oretic.

Me too.
 

Hi Numb,

I also have the swelling on one side of my face. It is also red, very hot and burning. It's only on my RSD side. I have RSD in my left arm. I have asked many times and I'm told that that there isn't anything that they can do for it. But, I don't have the lesions and such as the last person posted.

Mine I think also has to do with stress. If I'm stressed about something, the left side of my face is red and burning.

I belivie mine is worse with stress as well- mine is also hot,
 

I fogot to mention that. CZ

Thank you all for your reply. Is your RSD smyptom on the face progressive from swelling, to pain, numb, etc? Did your doctor verify it is RSD. I think i will go to the doctor to check it out to rule out other possibilities.
Numb

Hi cz,
My name is Loretta. I've had RSD for 12 years now-full body. I've been reading the post on Lyrica and breathing problems. I switched to Lyrica a few months ago and now have rattling in my lungs and coughing. Had been on Neurotin, have gained a lot of weight since these two drugs, but had lots of spasms, shocks, jerks, etc. one very bad seizure, unconscience for at least an hour. Anyway, my question is what do you mean by the lesion stage? Do you mean lesions on the brain, or skin lesions. I am having progressive skin lesions, rashes, etc. Thanks so much. I always read your posts and learn a lot. Take care, Loretta

Hi Loretta, thanks for your kind words,
 

Loretta, I was referring to skin lesion, described as occurring in stage IV. Mine range in size form 3-4 Inches wide and long. On the day they appear- always open- the pain is excruciating. 9-10 i can barely stand it. If it is on my leg, like the last one , which ulcerated, I can be in my wheel chair for 2 weeks. The one on my knee took almost 6 weeks to dissipate. But thee scar, deep black or red during a flare is still there and it is still active under the skin.I sent pictures of all of my lesions to Dr. S he wrote back that they are caused by "cytokines being released from the nerve cell." Thus damaging the tissue, Neurological burns. He said he has consulted with all the big dermatologists and they have nothing to offer. You just have to Wait it out and get through them. My pain management doctor told me in my case he knew thy were coming. I was rather angry he didn't tell me. But they have there reasons- stress apparently aggravates them. the only thing we can do is keep stress low(lol)As far as treatment I was told to keep them clean and dry. I was given scripts for Elma cream, which I can apply very carefully by the third or fourth day and then wrap in Saran wrap for a few hours and the area goes numb.There are not enough pain meds for this type of pain, at least with mine.If I knew how to post pictures I would send them to you and you could see if they look like yours. Or if you send me your email I know how to attach pictures to the email and will send them to you. I am so so sorry to hear you are having these. They really set me back, I find them horrifying. I have strictly limited my activity even more as I am terrified of getting more, I have now had 6 very scary lesion. The one on my knee ulcerated and lasted 6 weeks and is still active- when ever I flare it flares turning black, blue then red hot on fire. Hope this helps, Please don't hesitate to write me or send you email address and I will send you the pictures. If you know how to post maybe you could post them for me.:: Thank you again so very much, Loretta(we are both full body)- Not that it really matter, pain 24/7 in one limb has all the same complications don't you think?God Bless.CZ

Healing of cuts
 

Hi CZ and Loretta,

I'm not sure if you can answer this or not. But I have a question for both of you. First, I am not full body RSD. I have it in my left arm and now in my right. But, my question is - if you can remember back to before you were full body - if/when you got a scratch or cut from something (which is very painful) did you see a problem with it healing? I have scars that are red. Even if it's a scratch, it doesn't heal right. I'm assuming that this is the RSD. Any scratch that I get doesn't go away - no matter where it is.

I have a scratch on the side of my nose that I got from my dog and it's still there - red - months after it healed.

Did you have this before the lesions started? Thank God I haven't received any lesions yet.

I hope this e-mail finds you having a good day... Atleast one good day...

:grouphug:

Hi ,
I did go to the doc. She could not tell whether or not my face was swollen. I know it is.
I have been feeling so terrible. My whole body hurt so bad. My back and spine are hurting me crazy. The pain was burning and radiate to my upper arms. I also have pain in front of my low thigh and calf. I do have intermittent back pain before but not to this degree.
My question is how do i know whether or not my back pain is RSD related? About 5 to 6 weeks ago, i did have a very painful nerve block in my buttocks, therefore, i am wondering whether or not my RSD in my hands and feet have spread to my spine and back and legs and face.
Take care and wishing you all have less pain and symptoms,
Numb

Hi CZ! hugs,

Thank you for writing back. I'm so sorry you have those awful painful lesions. Mine are really more like a rash, lots of small red dots in a pretty large are, actually several areas. My chest was an area about your size of lesion. Mine itch and skin gets like painfully raw. My chest is better, but now they are going up my spine.

Yesterday I saw my Dr. He manages my rsd and pain. I see him once a month. He is a neurologist, psychiatrist, and pharmacologist. From New York City, practiced there for years and now has a very limited practice and teaches. Now he is building two clinics. I asked him his opinion on HBOT. I know Diana A has a home unit. He explained how this treatment supplies the blood with 100% oxygen in pressurized chamber. Our RSD, in our case our body, especially hands and feet turn purple, bluish, mottled color because of lack of oxygen, from poor circulation. Didn't you try the HBOT or are you on that form of treatment. My Dr. is doing research in respect to the help for RSD patients. I can't wait to talk to him next appointment. I'm definetly going to try this. There is a RSD HBOT treatment center in Florida, I think it's Palm Beach, will need to look that up for sure. I just did a google search using HBOT and saw a website mentioning RSD as one of the disorders that they use it for.

The swelling I know goes with high blood pressure, RSD is an automic condition, which means involuntary organs are effected by RSD, like heart, lungs, kindneys, High blood pressure patients have to watch their salt intack. I don't use it at all, just what is naturally in foods and always choose low sodium or no sodium if have a choice. To me it makes sense if our circulation isn't good, we are going to retain more water than we should. I try to each fresh fruits and veggies and low sodium foods.

CZ, didn't you try the HBOT? To answer your question, We all suffer, having full body, is tough, but when I read about others like yourself having leisons, it sounds so bad. My Dr.
is really a stickler about working on how we react to stress. I use meditation, scented candles, calling old friends, We moved 10 years ago from Oregon. keeping in touch with friends here, and all of you on the forum. I love to read. Distraction is the only thing that helps, the pain meds aren't strong enough. We are having a weather front come in, and I feel like the flu. It's just so hard to get out of the house and even do an errand isn't it?
I really force myself to even get out of bed. My e-mail is out right now. Should be fixed next week. You can always PM me. Thanks for your interest, Take care, Loretta