Pregnancy Update
 

Just wanted to give a little update on the pregnancy (in a thread with a less negative title than "Terrible Day") and how it is/isn't affecting my RSD.

Unfortunately...I haven't experienced a full remission or anything like it. I knew there was an outside shot of remission in pregnancy but I wasn't counting on it. If I am honest though...I'm sort of grateful that I haven't experienced a full remission. It took a long time for me to learn all the coping techniques and to learn to just get used to this level of pain. If it suddenly went away and then came back full forced after the pregnancy was over...I don't know if I could cope with that. I mean...I know I COULD...I just don't know how long it would take for me to regain the function and everything afterwards and I will NEED to be functional to take care of the baby. So I am looking at this as a positive thing.

I do have to admit though that on a day to day, moment to moment basis...I feel better than I have in a long time. I still get flare ups and the pain is always worse at the end of the day...but I just don't feel as bad as normal. Maybe it's the pregnancy hormones helping me out...or it could just be that I am so frigging happy and am distracted from the pain because I am always thinking about the baby...or a combination of both. But this is genuinely the best I have felt in years.

As for the pregnancy itself...it is going very well and very smoothly right now. At my 12 week ultrasound the baby was very active and moving around a lot. So far every test for problems has come back negative...and the baby is measuring exactly the size they are supposed to be. Me on the other hand...I'm HUGE already at 14 weeks. People seriously think I'm 5-6 months along because my belly has gotten so big already...but I'm happy about the big belly and proud of it. Makes everything feel so real and makes me even more excited. Sitting on the couch, rubbing my belly...best coping mechanism for the pain I've encountered yet because it just makes me so happy.

I will try to post updates about everything and any affects the pregnancy has on my RSD...mostly because I get so very frustrated at the very small amount of information out there about what it's like to be pregnant and have RSD. I know it will be different for everyone...and each pregnancy is different too...but SOME information is better than none, right?

Hope everyone is doing well. :hug:

Hey Catra! So happy that things are progressing so nicely for you and that you are doing so well. It is nice to hear some good news for a change. Thanks for the update!

Nanc
:hug:

Hi Catra, thanks for sharing. Yes, the info benifits us all collectively, and it is so wonderful to share in this joyful time with you! Thank you! Gentle hugs to you, dad and baby! :-) wishing you wellness ~Lottie

Thanks for sharing Catra. Your pregnancy should be a happy time.
It's a positive reminder for us on here to still do everything we can
to LIVE with this! :hug:

Catra ,thank you so much for letting us know how you are doing,we are sure happy for you and your baby, gosh,times fly fast, soon we all going to be uncles and aunties , we are definitely getting old. :D
A pregnancy should be a reason for happiness, sure we are also enjoying keep the subject focus on you and the baby as well, enjoy now as much as you can,later on you will be handful with all the baby care, sure many of us want to live close to you with a helping hand.
Blessings and gentle caring hugs to both of you,from Jesika . :grouphug:

Just made me smile... :)

Just keep going, keep doing what you are, and stay happy. Endorphins are nature's painkillers, so I'm not surprised all those happy feelings are having such a positive effect!

So glad for you. You deserve a break :hug:

Bram.

Catra, thanks for the update. I'm so happy for you! It is wonderful to see you getting on with your life and being happy, not letting CRPS/RSD stop you. :)

Had a really bad flare up yesterday...the worst one I have had in months. I was on the way to work and all of a sudden my hip started burning, then it went down into my thigh, then knee, etc until it ended at my ankle. The pain spread to my left hip back in December and this has definitely been the worst flare up I've had there yet. I think it was the vibrations in the car that did it...I also hit a couple of rough patches in the road. Because of my already large belly...the seat belt sits differently and right on that area. I was a mess and only lasted 4 hours at work before I had to leave...and I was not very productive those four hours. I spent several hours sitting on the floor in my office with the space heater aimed directly at my hip...which helped just enough that I could consider driving home...which I did. I hate when I have to leave work early or call off because of the pain...but this was a REALLY bad flare up...I cried the whole drive home.

Feeling a little better this morning but it will be a rough night at work. Hopefully the drive into work doesn't kill me...

Sorry Catra! Is mass transit an option.? Or carpool with someone else who could do the driving?

Unfortunately...no. It's about an hour drive on a good day...about half of that highway. I also have very irregular hours...so it's hard to try and arrange rides for things too. I'm going to look into seeing if there's some sort of pad I could get for the seatbelt that would make it easier on me.

I'm feeling a little better now but am glad for the day off tomorrow so I can just focus on rest and recovery.

[QUOTE=catra121;1074392]Had a really bad flare up yesterday...the worst one I have had in months. I was on the way to work and all of a sudden my hip started burning, then it went down into my thigh, then knee, etc until it ended at my ankle. The pain spread to my left hip back in December and this has definitely been the worst flare up I've had there yet. I think it was the vibrations in the car that did it...I also hit a couple of rough patches in the road. Because of my already large belly...the seat belt sits differently and right on that area. I was a mess and only lasted 4 hours at work before I had to leave...and I was not very productive those four hours. I spent several hours sitting on the floor in my office with the space heater aimed directly at my hip...which helped just enough that I could consider driving home...which I did. I hate when I have to leave work early or call off because of the pain...but this was a REALLY bad flare up...I cried the whole drive home.

Feeling a little better this morning but it will be a rough night at work. Hopefully the drive into work doesn't kill me...[/QUOTE

Sorry to heard that Catra, when I have bad flare ups hot patches help with th deep bone pain,after I apply my lidoderm or fechtor patch , I normally don't take pain killer ,tramadol is the one I had in combo with other drugs , also my scs helps the neurological pain but the Boone to bone rubbing will be always an issues,no surgery is recommended as long rsd is active ,scs don cover bone pain, I did know that until I got the device on,bad luck,I should know that before.
I hope soon you can be pain free , try to relax and rest all you can for now , we all wish you only the beets for both of you and soon you will be fine. Many blessings and wish you the best :grouphug: Jesika

Thanks everyone.

I have the day off work today so I'm just going to have restful recovery day. I survived work last night but took it pretty slow and easy all night. I did everything I had to do...but just at a much slower pace and with a lot of resting in between. Thankfully I had a good crew with me last night so things went really smooth even though we were busier than planned. I really hope that after maternity leave I will be able to come back to this same store. Even though it's a long drive...it's totally worth it to work with great people.

Wish you a great day and a wonderful motherhood:)

Thanks for updating us!

I hope you have a nice restful day off!

Got to go in today for my 16 week check up and hear the baby's heart beat. Everything looks good so far and the heart beat was nice and strong. Get to find out what I am having in another 4 weeks. :)

You go girl!! Great news!

Good news is the best medicine for us,thanks for sharing and so happy as well. :grouphug: :Thanx:

I think it is going to be a human baby. Tee hee.

Sorry, I couldn't resist. But seriously, yay! You must be so happy and exited. :)

KimA

I think you might be right...but I guess you never REALLY know... ;)

:Dancing-Chilli: Great news!

Just wanted to pop in with another update on how things are going...

Everything is going very well with baby so far. I'm 19 weeks along today and my next ultrasound is in 11 days. That's the one where we get to find out the gender of the baby...assuming baby cooperates. Really looking forward to that visit not just for that but because it will be the first ultrasound where my boyfriend will be with.

We got our test results back from the last two rounds of tests for genetic disorders, downs, etc and everything came back perfect...no increased risk for anything so that's wonderful news.

Last week I went on a relaxing vacation up to northern Wisconsin and went fishing with my boyfriend every day, visited the flea markets, and did some sight seeing in town. It was a heavenly, relaxing trip. I did see an increase in flare ups...especially in my hands...compared to normal...but it wasn't anything so bad that it required anything more than rest, exercises, and a hot bath to get the pain under control so I could be back at things the next day. We'll be headed back up there in October when I am 32 weeks along...but I would venture to guess this was my last big fishing trip for a while. I will try in October...but seeing as my belly is already huge I think fishing would be very difficult and uncomfortable at that stage. But who knows?

I'm so happy for you! I'm glad you and your baby are doing okay!

Wonderful to hear this update! So glad the two of you went to Wisconsin and enjoyed the great outdoors. We all need to keep in touch with the healing power of our natural world. Give that little baby a pat on your belly from me! ~lottie

So glad everything is going good!

Nice you got to take a little vacation too :-)

Nice to hear from you
 

Both baby and you,so happy and also glad you have time to enjoy and let rsd aside , a baby bless is also keeping your mind so far away from unwanted guest.
I had been off for a while but always keep my thoughts and prayers for you and your family,that what's matter ,blessing and caring love from Jeiska .:grouphug:

Just got back from the doctor's office...baby looks very healthy, weighs in at just under a pound, and it's a GIRL!! We're very happy that everything seems to be going well with the pregnancy.

Unfortunately the doctor I saw today was a complete moron in the RSD department...I tried talking to her about seeing a specialist and she said that was a good idea...but then clearly wasn't listening to anything else I had to say or trying to understand what RSD is at all. This is one of those practices where you see every doctor at least once and then you can sort of choose which one you want to be the main one you see for the rest of the pregnancy...I do not want to see this one. Zero effort to try and learn what RSD is or listen to me try and explain it. Should see the specialist in about 8 weeks or so...hopefully they will take some time to at least read up on RSD or listen to what I have to say at the appointment.

But baby is happy, healthy, and moving around a lot. This week I started feeling the kicks a lot more...thought I felt them before but this week it has been more consistent. It's all so exciting!!

So happy to hear things are going well and the baby girl is healthy. Sorry about the stupid dr, so many of them around!! So, so happy for you!!!

Congrats on your good checkup! I am so glad your baby girl is doing well and I hope you are too. I'm sorry your dr is not understanding your rsd though. Maybe try ordering some rsd awareness pamphlets from rsd hopes website.They aren't alot of money and I got some to pass out to my drs and friends. I also ordered some rsd bracelets. I think it's good to wear in case of an emergency. You may want to get some of those too. Anyway, thanks for the update and I'm so glad you and your baby girl are doing well! Take care my friend. With love and soft hugs, your friend, Renee.

Thanks. I do have a medical alert bracelet and ordered a new one (that I am wearing now) that not only lists the RSD but also my due date for the pregnancy. I have a medical ID card in my wallet too with more specific notes (like no ice, pre-surgery block required, etc). The pamphlets are a good idea...this particular doctor just seemed like she wouldn't care anyway...I explained about blocks, why I should have one in the event of a C-section, etc (all the stuff I went over with the first doctor and she agreed with) and this doctor said the complete opposite that maybe I shouldn't even have an epidural, etc...so didn't listen to what I said at all.

Not going to let it bother me. My boyfriend's comment was, "Of course she didn't listen to you...it's all way above her pay grade." Not the first time I've run into this sort of doctor...things will turn out ok.

Catra - a healthy little girl!!! How wonderful! I really appreciate you sharing this most private of life events with us. It reminds me to look for the joy in the world around me and celebrate the good. I am so happy for you! Don't waste any energy on the ignorant doc. Put your precious energy into connecting with a good one and gett
Ing the excellent health care that you and baby girl deserve.
What type of specialist are you being referred to?
Wishing you wellness~Lottie

The specialist would be a perinatologist (no idea how to spell that)...basically a high risk pregnancy specialist. Not that I'm high risk...but they also see people who have unique situations/needs due to other health conditions. The specialist, at the very least, would work closely with a pain management doctor to determine the best way to handle the delivery, meds, etc. I think even just having a doctor who is used to partnering with other physicians and determining the needs of the patient is a good thing. It will be about 8 weeks until I see the specialist...my appointment in 4 weeks is to do the glucose test and then we will schedule the appointment with the specialist.

What great news on a healthy baby girl!!

I too appreciate you sharing this with us. It is so exciting to hear good news. Sorry the doctor was ignorant to RSD and didn't seem to want to learn. I really am shocked sometimes by the number of people in the medical community who have no idea what RSD even is!

CATRA: sounds like a good plan, the perinatologist will be a good person to have on your team. Keep us posted and give that little girl a pat on your tummy from me! :hug:

Congratulations on your baby girl!! How exited and I'm sure you will be ok. And specialist is also a great support for us and also make us be sure we are ok and taking a good care from every dr who had treat us and will treat us as well.
I'm so glad that everything is working the way is supposed to and also hope everything keeps that way, I know inside is always scary but nothing can be compare with the joy of knowing you are giving and caring a new life with you,that takes everything else less priority and the baby the first and only.
Rsd is so complex many times but making sure you are well take care will take some of the stress of your shoulders.
Blessings to both of you and gentle hugs,with love Jesika :grouphug:

It's been a couple of weeks since my last update and since I have the morning to myself before I have to go to work I thought I would post another one.

This week has not been the best. Last Friday I had a bad flare up in my left arm...sort of came out of no where. Felt a little better Saturday morning but then I had to carry groceries in and I aggravated it. Sunday morning again it was feeling a little better but we went to my niece and nephew's birthday party. It was about 85 degrees outside in the sun but I wore jeans and a t-shirt because I don't really trust being outside with my legs exposed to wind and the elements. Around 4pm...the weather changed very suddenly and it got windy, cloudy, and the temps dropped down into the 60s. My jacket was in the car so I was exposed to that crazy weather and my arm flared up REAL bad after that. Sunday night was miserable for me and I had to be up at 4:30am on Monday for work. So I got up Monday morning and within 15 minutes of being up I fell 3 times...twice into furniture and once all the way to the floor. My balance is really bad, especially during flare ups, and I'm blaming the sudden change in weather for this one. My whole left side has been in a flare up since then (I didn't go into work on Monday but was back Tuesday and Wednesday). My balance has returned now to some semblance of "normal" and I am moving much better...but the pain is still awful.

Good news is that baby is fine and doing well. I managed to turn while I was falling so I landed on my butt/back instead of my front. Other than being a very active kicker this week...I haven't noticed any changes or bad effects from the fall. I'm assuming she's kicking more because I am resting more (I've read that the baby is lulled to sleep when you move around and is awake when you are still). Healthy baby is really all I care about...and her kicks have a calming affect on me.

I am feeling some of the normal aches and pains of pregnancy (which compared to the flare up I'm having right now are a piece of cake to deal with...more of an annoyance than anything).

My back has been bothering me at night when I try to sleep. During the day I wear a support belt and have ZERO back pain (best $15 I ever spent in my life)...but at night I've been tossing and turning because I can't seem to get comfortable with my back aches.

My feet hurt...who would have thought carrying an extra 12 pounds would make your feet hurt more? But I finally broke down and ordered some shoes that I have been eyeing online for about 2 years now. They're more expensive than what I like to spend but the bottom line is that all the shoes I have are at the end of their lifespan anyway (worn out, no padding left, etc). So I decided to just go for it. Ordered them Friday I think it was and they arrived Tuesday. Reviews on them were mixed between people who LOVED them and walked all over Europe in them comfortably and people who hated them for their lack of arch support, etc. Well...I know I've only worn then for a day but holy crow...they are AWESOME so far. VERY light, breathable, flexible, and very comfortable. Maybe it's just because I am comparing them to shoes that my boyfriend paid $7 for at Kmart that I have worn until they are practically disintegrated...lol...but these are totally amazing. I can't believe how lightweight they are and how comfy they are even the first day wearing them at work (where I am on my feet for a good portion of the day...though slightly less yesterday since I'm still dealing with the pain flare up). These haven't needed any breaking in to be comfortable so far and that is amazing to me. I guess you do sometimes get what you pay for. Anyway...the point being that my feet have hurt less since I got these and I hope that trend continues. The pain isn't RSD pain...it's more like my feet ACHE because of the pregnancy...but it's still a rather annoying thing to deal with because I felt like I was constantly kicking my shoes off, putting different ones on, etc just to get some relief. These new shoes...I am keeping my fingers crossed that they continue to feel this way the longer I have them. I'm going to Disney World in just over a month and to have comfy shoes would be amazing for the trip.

Besides those couple of things and the flare ups...I feel really amazing being pregnant and so very happy. Being happy really does make the other stuff easier to deal with. Monday was big old slap in the face from my RSD...but it only kept me down for a day. Tuesday was rough but just being able to go into work felt really good (it always feels like I'm winning the battle with the RSD when I am able to work and do stuff...even if it hurts).

Hope everyone is doing well!!

So happy you both are doing ok and flare get in control .
Yes shoes many times makes a difference ,I bought a pair for $120.00 and was the best inversion ever ,problem was I only needed on to even up my ankle brace and surgical shoe but was real comfortable .
Many time the price don't matter when you get relief and hope that happy little girl brings you so many blessings ,my thoughts and prayers are always with you and your family,we are also here when you need us.
Thanks for making us part of your precious moments ,I'm sure we all appreciate it,gentle hugs ,with love Jesika .

Thanks for letting us know how you are doing, and letting us share in your joy.

Yup! I stopped buying cheap shoes years ago. Good shoes are an investment in your health and well being. And styles have gotten better over the years, not that I'm a fashionable gal but a cute shoe is always a nice treat!

Disney World is one of my favorite places to go! Have a wonderful ttrip.

Stay well, Catra!

~Lottie

Disney World is also one of my favorite places. My promise to myself when I was doing physical therapy and stuck in a wheel chair was that when I got better...I was going to have a year of Disney. I went to Disney World 3 times in 12 months and Disneyland once in that year as well. It's my happy place. I love how accommodating they are to people with disabilities...it means I don't have to give up on going to my happy place.

While I am there this September...I'm having my maternity photos taken at Epcot. I'm SO excited...it's a little expensive but this is the only time I will be pregnant for the first time and I want to celebrate it and have some amazing photos to look back at. :)

What a beautiful idea! Does Epcot offer a maternity photo special, or you just like Epcot?
Yes, Disney is the industry leader in customer service and they provide gold standard accomodations to the mobility impaired. My last visit (Dec 2012) went very smoothly. Can't wait to go again. Tell Mickey and Minnie I say "hi"!!!!
~Lottie

Hi, Catra,

I haven't been on the site for a long time so I did not know about your
expecting a baby. I am so happy for you. God bless you and keep you
safe and happy. :hug: