Contrast baths??? Good? Bad?
 

Can you please lend me your thoughts on using contrast baths for RSD affected limbs??

Good or bad??

Have they help you as far as "desensitizing" your RSD areas?

Thanks.

frank was told to do them too
 

but he can hardly stand any water on his entire arm, so i can't get him to try it........grrrrr

he does other desensitizing things, like with peas, wash rags, etc......but they are not really doing any good for him....................sorry, i know i was not much help.....

Hi In Your Hands--I tried it--the Ice part madethings WORSE....
Have had much better luck using different textured things, like velvet, a soft wash-cloth, those fluffy nylon scrubber things that comes with bath-gel, and believe it or not, on a good day, I can sort of tolerate a well-worn loofah-sponge and a very gentle skin exfoliator lotion (nothing too harsh or "grainy" to start with). The OT and my Doc said to just start off real gentle with what can be tolerated, and slowly work up to more vigerous pressure/scrubbing. They said it is good to use small, circular motions, and work your way towards the heart (helps with swelling).

Maybe one day you hubby will be able to tolerate water better; I do all these things plus my hand/arm exercises in the tub, FAITHFULLY, every a.m., and sometimes, 3 times daily. It has really helped my arms not to be quite so sensitive, and helps maintain what strenght/ROM I've got.

Hope your hubby finds something that helps!

Hubby is doing those right now but not with ice - cool water - not cold....He can wear clothes - so thats a good thing LOL but most of his shirts are short sleve and it does bug him with a heavier jacket. They've been doing this for a couple of weeks - No major improvements or striking difference yet

Hi Hubby with RSD--In my personal experience, it took quite a bit longer that just several weeks--actually, come to think of it MONTHS adn MONTHS--and three years later, there are SOME days, depending on "triggers" and flare-ups, that the de-sensitization exercises are NOT very "comfortable"...

After three years w/ RSD, I STILL cannt stand to wear "tightish" sleeves on my arms (WINTER)--summer NO sleeves--so I just find men's jackets and shirts that are EXTRA large, baggy, (like super-soft flannel, the BIGGEST size I can find) and I also look at how the arm seams are constructed--if they are wide, raggedy seams with scratchy thread (especially that nylon stuff that is like fishing line)...it goes right back on the rack!!!

I don't know what size your hubby is, but maybe going to a store for the "larger men", where they have the extra-extra big sizes might help him find something a lot looser on the arms and more comfortable in the winter.

I hope he finds something that is warm and COMFORTABLE!

Inhishands
 

Sorry to jump in here but I.m going on almost 4 yrs and Im in stage 3 already. I use to be able to take a bath because Im in a wheelchair from RSD and I use to take 3 or 4 a day their are days that I cant even get in the water anymore. I hate it and everything I have has to been soft my cloth everything. I slept the first 3 yrs on top of the bed with fur then I started dating and I finally was able to get soft enough sheets and I also have a cast on still after all this time and Im now sleeping under the sheets but there are times when My back is so bad that I cant stand it. All I found was soft blankets ,clothes, pillows anything. Its so hard...................Half my body now is almost always purple and red and black spots. I dont really know what to say except the softer the better when its that bad. I went to a conference a yr after I was just in the chair with my exhusband now as of june of 2006 and he is a nures he couldnt handle it and I am to I worked for hospic before my accident and there was this girl alot younger then me and I was watching her and I kept on thinking that was going to be me she couldnt be touched wind air anything was more painful and guess what its me at 39 yrs old raising a 15 yrs old boy alone without family support and my wonderful boyfriend moved to Oregon and we were going with him we have not made it yet I just saw him and it was in the 30s and 40s but I love him enough to try the pain was hard but then I came home and went to court to finish property issues and the stress got to me 4 days in court over 20 throusand dollars in fees and Im falling apart but Im doing my best but Im still under the sheets but I have the flu and lost my voice for the last week 2 days after court so anything tigers it and anything you or he can find that helps then go for it one day it does and the next it might not but my pain is at the level the dr said anymore meds the strenght of them that he would have to put me in the hospital to stay to live...............So I keep going I cant and nothing workes that they have found injections ,pump.stimaltor Im getting desperate that he want to try another stimalor and put it in my neck but one bad move and I cant feel my son so I have been putting it off but I dont know anymore and the pump they caused a hole in my spinal cord so that came out but they waited 8 months so do what ever is good that day. Im sorry I didnt mean to butt in but I didnt think wind could hurt me but it does and I hope your husband doesnt get there. But go for anything...............Anything that works for him it might not make sence but it will to the pain..............Sorry again and good luck I hope I didnt scare you Im in a bad stage and cant find any dr that can help anymore.....................BEST WISHES TO BOTH OF YOU............. Gentle hugs Karen :hug:

Hi Karen--I'm sorry that you are in so much pain all the time. If you go to the thread about nerve blocks, one of our fellow posters was describing a Brachial Plexus Block with a catheter that stays in--I am not sure if they can do something similar for RSD in the legs, but it sounds VERY interesting!

Brokenwings

Thanks for the great idea - Right now money is tight (fighting w/c) but will check at Goodwill and stuff for some larger things - He wears short sleeve almost always but his wardrobe is limited and there is nothing long sleeve that is comfortable for him. He gets cold so much easier it seems so we're going to have to do something - Thank goodness it's almost spring! We'll both be happier! He'll be warm or normal temp (for the most part) again and I'll be able to plant flowers! :D

Hi Hubby with RSD--yes--you just might be able to find something at Goodwill, or if your town has a Hospital, a lot of Hospitals have their own "thrift-shops". I have found some very NICE goose-down jackets there--they are much more "light-weight", and a heck of lot WARMER than heavy, bulky polyester-filled ones...

Sorry that you have to fight WC--I am beginning to think that the MINUTE they see RSD as a diagnosis, they start fighting AUTOMATICALLY...

I found a truly "enlightening" article on that very subject...
google "AMA is Harming Patients wtih RSD/Complex Regional Pain Syndrome".
Talk about an "eye opener"!!!!

Take Care and Stay WARM!!! If we are all lucky, we might just have an EARLY spring!!!

Brokenwings

Brokenwings.......thank you.......rsd kitti.......(Karen)
 

Thank you Brokenwings, I will try and I am going to ask my pain specialist Dr about it on Thur. when I see him also. The bad thing is the RSD is full body now it moved so fast with in months it was everywhere. I have had everything and my dr said because of scare tissue and other problems he cant do anything and I was told by my other Dr dealing with my mistake a Dr did during suregery it has changed my life at 27 so much than I had an accident in 2003 I was 35yrs old I had the accident and got RSD but they both have said go and enjoy life and if you find something we will try so I will ask him ....Im in a chair now I hate it I have lost so much bone my cast is still on to after almost 4 yrs. But thank you so much for the help........Nothing ealse was happening and Im all alone I have a almost 15 yrs old son but he has to watch this and I just been devorce no help from my family . So thank you so much all the Drs say because I'm in stage 3 they cant help they try but it doesnt help but I want give up................:hug:

Hi Karen--you might also want to ask your Doctor about the Lidocaine patch, and I think I remember reading somewhere about OTHER types of patches that work for pain, (Klonopin?) in addition to creams. You might want to do a little web-surfing before your Thursday appointment.

Hang in there! Don't give up hope, and DON'T let your Doctor, either! If HE isn't willing to do the necessary RESEARCH, or is NOT "open" to other forms of treatment, like the patches and blocksd, etc., then perhaps its time to find one who IS.

Brokenwings

Couldnt of said it better! My hubby saw so many people at Mayo who had been "treated" by so called Dr's who were not open to RSD as a whole - There were people with amputations, a man with a black leg (his dr had him jumping on a trampoline for treatment and had told him it was all in his head, he just needed to strengthen his leg....:eek: ), people with sores and other skin problems, people in wheel chairs and more - all due to lack of adequate treatment and misunderstanding (or not wanting to understand at all) RSD. Switch Dr's if you need to.

Hi Hubby with RSD-- hre is the link to that article....

http.//www.rsdfoundation.org/test/AMA.html

Many, many eperts in the field consider Dr. Fitzpatrick's criteria for RSD "THE BIBLE"--DESPITE how the ICs keep trying to make the criteria almost IMPOSSIBLE to meet (gee, no surprise, seeing how COSTLY the treatment is...)

Also, the web-site discusses the use of patches, etc., etc under the "treatment" section, as well as promising new treatments.

Brokenwings

Brokenwings, Thank you so much Im on Lidocaine Patches and Klonopin for yrs. Doesnt do much nothing really. But I try...........He has done all the different Blocks nothing Stimalor and the pump. The pump I had A leck in my spinal fluid. The Dr is the best here and I went to UCLA a teaching hopsital they both said sorry right now they dont know what ealse. My body wont be helpful and there is problems everytime. Im thibking of the stimaltor by the top of my spin my neck. But I have had so much problems to Im afraid So are they. My dr would do anything if he could thats why I do want to give up ....Everytime I talk to a dr about a trail they look at my records and say no..................Im all alone I dont have support from my familyand I got devorce and I only have my almost 15yr old son.........Its hard..........The pain is getting to me .........my son says he can hear me crying at night sometimes I dont want that...................Im all alone now My boyfriend when he lived here did alot of research on the pc I dont know pc Im just learning..........I just feel very alone no friends except on my pc because my boyfriend moved out of state I was suppost to go to but things didnt happen that way and I dont really have him anymore here Im on my own with my son in a chair sometimes I cant do it anymore and sometimes I CAN !!!!!!!!!!! I will try to find things on the web since I dont really drive My cast is on the right foot and I cant feel anything with my feet but pain and burning.I THANK YOU VERY MUCH and I will talk to my dr again he says I need to move somewhere that they know maybe..............Im thinking of doing that I just dont know where because Im alone and hurting and scared because I have been fighting for 12 yrs and almost died several times due to a drs mistake so Im fighting 2 problems. If you here of anything anywhere please let me know...........I will do try anything.............THANK YOU Brokenwings Please keep in touchwith me.......................Gentle Hugs Karen

Hi RSD Kiti,

Do you live by a area called Silver Lakes. I used to live in S/L. I also have 3 son's my youngest is 14, I am now living in Temecula. Hugs, Roz

buckwheat, No I dont I live in Pismo Beach area, San Luis Obispo, 5cities.I know where Temecula is. WE have alot to talk about with kids the same age.Im not married ntmore Are you? Its hard. Im in a wheelchair, with no help and drs have given up they have done everything they know....We can talk anytime you want to.
Gentle Hugs .................Karen

Hey.

With the contrast waters, I am currently in intense pt/ot 35 hours a week to hopefully reverse the RSD cycle. They do the contrast soaking tubs. They say that the more temp differences, the better. On my first day of intense pt/ot, they decided to do it with COLD water with ICE in it and a second tub of water that felt really hot. I personally feel that it isn't working for me and that it gets worse everytime I do it. I screamed harder the second time of doing the ice water than I did the first time. Of course, I have just completed my 3rd day of the intense therapy and they skipped doing the contrast soaking today ( :) ) so it might not actually start helping until after a week or so. I'll let yall know if it has helped or not by then. By the way, if any of you guys want to private message me, I can give you some of the RSD exercizes that I am doing and they might help some. I am now able to walk after about 8 months. It isn't very good (still limping from original injury) and I can't walk or stand very long but I can walk :) I have exercizes for both upper and lower extremities.

Hi this is rsd kitti, I did that to Im going on 4 yrs of this and they stopped everything Im in a wheelchair I havent walked in almost 4 yrs so that would be great. anything.........Dont give up I know its bad.............My pain is in the 15-20 off the scale. Its so hard so Ill try anything. Im in stage 3 upper and lower. Thank you so much

Gentle Hugs Karen

Hi Brokenwings,
 

I have trouble at times taking a bath. My Dr. told me also not to get the water too hot because it wakes up the nerves more. If I get it too hot I can't stay in it. There are times I can't even take a bath so I will just take a sponge bath.

I also have trouble sleeping in pajamas or anything on my legs. I have a pair of pajama shorts that I sleep in a lot and I keep my heat below 60 even if it's below 0 outside because I can't stand my legs getting too hot.

I haven't found no happy medium as most of the others said. It does take time to get to where you can stand some things and other things I don't know if a person with RSD can.

It interest me that people talk about using ice or cold water. Ice is suppose to be a no no for RSD isn't it?

Ada

Hi Dreambeliever--the warm baths have been most beneficial for me. I can't stand the water being too hot, either. I do almost ALL my exercises in the tub.
my main problem is SEVERE cold intolerance--and it will trigger a very bad flare-up. My arms/hands turn reddish/purple and ICE COLD. They BURN like when you handle handle snow-balls, your hands turn numb, and then they start to "thaw"..HORRIBLE. I also can't stand to have clothing, etc. on my arms. With the de-senisitization exercises, it has helped, but the baggier and sorfter the sleeves, the better.

I cut all the sleeves off my flannel P.J.s until I found super-soft nighties with NO sleeves. Nite-time can be pretty rough; my legs will be ok, but just my arms/hands will get drenched with sweat and get super-super sensitive.
I have spent a FORTUNE on feather-beds, goose down pillows, goose-down comforter, and very high thread-count sheets (the cheap ones do that balling up thing, and it really bugs my arms...).

My favorite sheets so far are some flannel ones that I got on one of those TV shopping channels, you know, the one that has "Quality"-I found a TERRIFIC "Value" at a "Cost" that i just could NOT touch here in the mountains where I live--and they were delivered to my door! VERY VERY SOFT

Those contrast baths were just AWFUL--my Pain Doc doesn't want me to do them, because it just makes it WORSE, and longer to get everything to calm down. So I have not had them for three years.

I was diagnosed relatively quickly, and started a series of Nerve-blocks within 3 months of the dx--those helped the most, and the Radio-frequency Ablation. WC is "not happy" with the dx--so , they haveve not authorized ANYTHING for the past several years--have basically had to figure everythin out on my own, with the help of my pain doctor. So, while I do have RSD, I feel fortunate that it has not progressed to the level and EXTENT that it has affected others on this Forum.

RSD Kittie--I REALLY understand how awful it is to be all alone with this RSD.
My b-friend of 10 years just "dissappeared" LITERALLY, several months ago after a very serious accident...which is probably for the BEST, as he had become increasingly verbally and emotionally abusive--it might very well have escalated to physical violence. So, I had to make a decision to ALSO have NO CONTACT with HIS "friends or buddies", as they are/were just as bad as he!!! As a result, I am all alone, with my friends/few relatives being out-of-state....this summer, when I am feeling better, i hope to take advantage of the WARM weather, and try to get out a bit, and maybe meet some NICE people.. For now, I am up to my neck in SNOW and no way to shovel it!!!!!
(But, that is ok--I would rather deal with the "white stuff" than the "other stuff", if you know what I mean!)

Some "men" (and "women") are Very threatened by "circumstances" that they "perceive" that they have NO CONTROL over--so THEY control the situation by being nasty to US, reacting in inappropriate ways, or by just BAILING. It has been a true "learning experience", in more ways than one!!!

Just hang in there the very best you can, Kittie--we are a LOT stronger than we think we are--and YOU are one heck of a STRONG, BRAVE lady!!!

If I find any treatments that look like they might be helpful, I will post them. And i am sure that the other posters will too. Finding something that works for you, me or the others, is basically just "trial and error"--keep trying, and I am sure that you will find something that makes the RSD more "tolerable", ok?

Maybe that pump thing that Tayla descibed might help calm things down...couldn't hurt to ask your Doc to give it a TRIAL !!

Brokenwings

Hon, I can't find that article any way I try to google, OR by using that link. Is it my puter, or has that link been taken away for some reason???? Can you try to find it online again, and freshen up the link? I'm VERY interested in reading it. I also googled the search criteria in your other post, and can't find it that way either :confused:

nikmcjo, Its rsd kitti my name is Karen I wanted to say welcome and hi, when I read your message I felt like it was me.I have the same with water,wind,and
I didnt sleep under the sheets intil a year ago I spent on top of my bed for almost 3 yrs. I couldnt do the water when I was going to phyiscal therpy and it made to orse for me to. I pushed it through the pain day after day for 1 1/2 twodifferent places and nothing except it got worse so the dr made me stop and I havent gone back but when I take my bath because I cant stand because I still have my cast on plus the shower I cant handle the water spraying on me. But everyday I take my bath I hold my bath and Im purple up initil the middle of my chest now I motice its bad but I have to do something Im not going to give up somedays I want to but I dont because of my son.So I understand total and Im scared is not me I worked for hospic Im not the one that needs help I dont have any right now but I need it. Im doing the best I can day to day mostly I cant get out of bed into my wheelchair. I need to push and push and find things that feel good on me its hard but Im going to talk to my dr about what Brokenwings said about the injection because I have had the different injections stemaltor and the mophin pump and it didnt work for me I have scar tissue problems but I will try anything. I will let everyone know what happens on Thurs when I see my pain specialist for my meds. I wake up every couple of hours crying at night from the burning on the bottom of my feet and other places but I will let all of you guys know wht happens but Keep going and keep trying we are in this together Brokenwings have made me feel like I have people that cares especially Brokenwings. Email me anytime. Keep in touch Take Care best wishes to you. Gentle Hugs Karen Im sorry I have to go and get some sleep. And say good bye to my son for school.

That Was One Ofthe First Treatments I Tried And It Was Torture And Did Not Work. I Cringe When I Think Of Those Days.

I have tried also and cant get it either please let me know to rsd kitti my name is Karen Thank you. Gentle Hugs

Spot the difference!
http.//www.rsdfoundation.org/test/AMA.html
http://www.rsdfoundation.org/test/AMA.html
et... voila!
all the best :)

lisam....

i think this is the article:

http://www.rsdfoundation.org/en/en_c...uidelines.html

hehehe...or i see artist probably found the right one.:D

Im talking about the Brachial plexus Bolck Info. Thanks !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!rsd kitti (Karen)

Hi Artist--oops! Well, THANK YOU for fixing the link to Dr. Fitzpatrick's article!!! :)

RSD Kitty--I am trying to find some info for you re the brachial plexus blocks that Tayla had desribed. In the meantime, have you pulled up the link in Artist's post yet? If you do, you will be able to pretty much navigate the rsd site. I too, am just learning how to do all this research on the P.C., and I found that site pretty interesting!!

Wow, that article just BLEW ME AWAY! They are saying that in order for the dx of rsd to be recognized by the AMA, there must be 8 of those of those criteria met? Like the article states, I don't know of ANYONE who meets 8 of those criteria, and if anyone DOES, then by that time, they are miles away from being able to be helped! That's ludicrous!

I'm shocked. Totally shocked. I can't believe that. And when it was pointed out to the proper person, it was ignored, still. How terrible is that?

Hi Lisa--yep--ALL EIGHT symptoms, and they "MUST be CONCURRENT".
Never before has such STRINGENT criteria been applied--and this is especially aggregious if you have a WC claim in California. Thanks to SB899 and all the "cost cuts", diagnosis and treatment must adhere to AMA Guidelines and ACOEM Guidelines. IWs who have been dx'd with RSD by their Primary Treating Physician are inevitably sent to either an AME or QME, who will, of course, say that the IW does NOT have RSD....so the IWs treatment plans get YANKED by the IC...

NOWHERE in the scientific literature, EXCEPT the AMA, does a patient have to have all 8 concurrent symptoms; just symptoms "AT SOME TIME", because, as we have all found out, the symptoms can "wax and wane", etc., and this is especially true if we have been FORTUNATE enough to get some APPROPRIATE TREATMENT!

And--according to the AMA, a good response to a Stellate Block is "no longer the Gold Standard" in CONFIRMING the dx of RSD!!!!

Its ALL about MONEY--as we have found out, treatment for RSD is VERY COSTLY--the Insurance Co's DON'T WANT TO PAY--so the cost is "shifted" , eventually, to either PRIVATE medical coverage or MEDICARE (who, by the way, does NOT apply such strict criteria, and you don't need "pre-authorization" for TREATMENT)....

And, if you were unfortunate enough to get injured in California AFTER SB899, there is a NEW Permanent Disability Rating Schedule, and guess what? Since "pain is subjective", RSD is "not ratable"; the MOST you can get is a 3% "pain add-on"...

Pretty INTERESTING.....

Brokenwings
 

Hi Brokenwings It's Karen I havent read the yet what you are talking about because I have had the flu so bad and been on meds for that to and tonight I just started to feel a little better but I was reading what you were talking about and I live in California and cant get any help I have an HMO Insurance but they just changed that to they changed it to IPA HMO Insurance and it makes it almost inpossible to get help of any kind the state will only help you if you have 2000 a month where I live thats my house payment with great credit Im so scared with no help from family cant work and a house and I have to pay for insurance the house the van and taxes meds for me and my son with an heart condition that could one mominte he could be laughing with friends or me and the next his heart would stop and he would die plus he has ocd anxixty dosoder and tourettos every morning Im glad I wake up but I was suppost to go live with my boyfreind in Oregon but its on hold now everything is. I just dont know what to do......When and I mean WHEN I get dressed the purple reddish is up to my chest now.I see my pain secialist today Thurs. I'll let you know what happens and buckwheat to. Im already having problems breathing for the last few months but Feb was probably been then worst time more signs that its inside.............I'm really scarced I'm fighting but I dont fell like its getting me anywhere except my love for my son but Im afaird that when my sson goes to college in 3 yrs I will need to be in a home I will only be 42 yrs old. Im afraid I wont be able to take care of myself plus I will be totally alone. My son says he wont leave me I keep telling him yes he has to go and grow for him and me in 5th grade he read at a 12th grade level. I need to make sure he does I put a college fund with my settlement to make sure but now I lost almost all the rest due to my devorce and living bills and MEDICAL and now whae does somebody do when they live in Calif. and their is no help for pain treatment or RSD................Im doing to read and I saw on the web CNN about kitamine and I was going to try that..........

That is what some say (Dr Hooshmand), but this is really a controversial topic... a friend of mine who "recovered" from RSD used ice in his RSD treatment, but Dr Hooshmand says that it can aid in the spreading of RSD... who knows?! :confused:

I personally cannot tolerate heat, and I loved using the ice; but I decided not to use ice because maybe it was a no-no even though it felt SO good to my burning up body! :confused:

Hope you are having a pain-free day. :hug:

Hi Karen--have you applied for Social Security Disability Benefits yet? How long have you been totally unable to work due to the RSD? If you have been unable to work for a year, then you should apply ASAP. There will be a lot of paperwork to fill out, BUT, maybe someone can help youwith it.

When you are feeling a bit better, you might want to go to the nearest Social Services Office in your area and explain your situation. They will be able to explain all the different programs that you might qualify for.

Another thing you might want to consider, since you have a house. Is there a Community College or University in your area? You might be able to find a very responsible student that you could rent a room out to, for a "reduced rent", in exchange for a little assistance. I found a really nice gal after I had my arm surgeries, and it worked out VERY WELL! She got married and moved out, so I need to find another room-mate. So ,I will be calling the College and also trying to visit in person, to see if they can find someone in the Nursing or EMT program who would like this type of 'arrangement".

I am not clear about what health insurance you currently have. Maybe your Pain Doctor or his Office Manager can explain what treatment is or is NOT covered...
All I have at the moment is Medicare, and so far, i have had no problems getting treatment. That is why it is important for you to apply for SSDI--there will be a "waiting period" to get Medicare, once you qualify for SSDI, so the sooner you apply, the better.

To qualify for Medi-cal, you can own a home and one vehicle. You cannot have more than $2,000 in the bank, stocks, IRA, etc. I don't think that the trust in your Son's name would count, but I am not sure.

The best thing to do, Karen, is go in person to Social Services--they might be able to help you find OTHER resources out in the Community who could assist--maybe Meals on Wheels, or services through a Chruch or other local organizations.

Keep your chin up!!! If we don't ASK for a little guidance, no one will know how to assist!

I hope your Pain Doctor appointment goes well today, and he can help you with the pain.

Brokenwings

Dear Karen, so sorry you are suffering so
 

Its breaks my heart to hear your pain, im trying to hang in there too also starting 4th year of this junk.. I know- I feel like the begining stages are starting over again. I hope things improve for you -hang in there and good luck to you on getting to try a new pump. write me if you need some one to listen to you vent, take care, cz

I too can not agree with using ice. Just heat
 

RSD causes vascoconstriction- Ice makes thats worse and the pain worse for most people. I can not take extreme hot water either, but epsom salts in a hot bath really really do help in some way, I dont know how but it really helps me. cz ( Just the mental break, the 10 minutes of getting it ready can distract for a few minutes from the pain.. take care.

Brokenwings, Thank you .I already tried for SSDI and all the other things and I dont qualify yet. Im not sure what Im going t do. My Drs appt didnt go very well like always, He said how pretty I am but he is so sorry that maybe next month or longer we would talk about putting the stimaltor in my neck the base of my skull. I never wanted to do this because of the chances of making a mistake but Im gettting there. He said that I have had so much done and nothing has helped so he wants to wait to try anyhing. I asked him about that block he said oh yes you stay in the hospital its like what we did before. He doesnt want to because he said the insueance wont cover it because it didnt work before. Bad day and Im not done with appt today. He just gave me more meds and said to hold on and he knows how hard it is and that everything I do is around this but my son is always first his kids went to school with my son. My son for the first time is telling me he is mad because Im so sick and alone. The dr said it takes someone special to handle the pain level and still see me. My boyfriend does but hesnt here.

Ill see what I can do thank you for the help............Have a good day Ill check back later tonight. Brst to you Karen

CZZ74, Hi its Karen thank you I would love to be able to vent to you as long as you do the same. I got NO help like always for the last few years. I dont know what to do or where to go I just want to run but I have my son and my wheelchair isnt that fast......l.o.l............the pain just doesnt break...........

Take care send me an message anytime best to you to

Gentle Hugs Karen

Hi again Karen--well, I am sorry that you have to WAIT, yet again, to see how your Pain doc wants to proceed...

So, it sounds like you did have the brachial block and the hospital and it did not help? Maybe I misunderstood...

The axillary block is done in the Doctor's office. The Doctor injects local anesthetic into the brachial artery which is located in the armpit.
Karen--when the procedure is done properly, your WHOLE ARM has NO FEELING--which means NO PAIN--NONE AT ALL (they could actually then do SURGERY on your arm, and you wouldn't even KNOW, that is how dead your arm goes)!

For me, Karen, these blocks last about 8-12 hours; I like to get them as LATE in the day as possible--that way, I can take advantage of NO PAIN in that arm, and at least get a better nite's sleep. I have noticed that it also helps break the "pain cycle" somewhat, and I don't have to take as much pain medication for several days afterwards. A few weeks later, I get the OTHER arm done. Even though it is not a "perfect solution", I at least get a BREAK from the pain in one arm or the other...it is MUCH better than having a LOT of pain ALL the time in BOTH arms.

Now, it could be that your Doctor might want to try this, karen. The procedure is very inexpensive (and your insurance co. should be HAPPY!):D

I know that I am afterwards:D :D !

I wish that I could try the Spinal Chord Stimulator, but unfortunately WC yanked the authorization for that...and it is WAY to expensive for me at his time. BUT, from reading other's stories, it seems that it might be something for you to really consider, if this is what your Doctor thinks may help you.

First, you have to have the "trial"--temporary electrodes are placed up in your neck. It is usually done as an out-patient procedure. The electrodes stay in your neck for a few days, and then when you go home, you get to select the type and intensity of the stimulation that you receive in order to help control the pain.

If the "trial" helps control your pain, then it might be that you will want to have the permanent implant. BUT, you won't really know unless you do the TRIAL. I can understand how scarey it all seems, Karen. I RESISTED the whole idea, and then when i FINALLY broke down and told my Doctor to schedule the Trial, the Ins. Co CANCELLED the day before I was to go in and have it done!
So, for now, I will NEVER KNOW if I could have been in a LOT LESS PAIN for the past TWO YEARS...

I hope that you find SOMETHING that helps with the pain, Karen, even if only temporary...at least it is a BREAK for a little bit...


Hang in there, and keep your chin up!

Brokenwings

Thanks very much for this description! I had read that somewhere before and I completely forgot... so now I see exactly why not to use ice!!

Now, what about cold water? Think it has the same effect? Anyone? I'd love to hear your thoughts! :)

Ok, can someone please tell me what the 8 symptoms are??!

TIA! :)