I think I may have RSDS
 

I will be very brief, i only have one working arm.

I had been having slight shoulder pain (level 2) for a year or so, I think it was from back & neck problems. Aug 22 I was working in the yard and strained my neck and left shoulder. Later that evening the pain level 8. It has got some better, pain avg 3.5 with about 25 mg of Loratab per day. It seems to be pinched nerves. I have been to 5 doctors, family dr, nerve dr says that two nerves are pinched, C-5 & C-6. Neck dr, shoulder dr, and neurologist find nothing that is causing the problem. They have done MRI's and CT scans of my shoulder, neck and head.

I am 71 years old. I don't know if this has anything to do with PsA or not. I was diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis about 3 yrs ago. I took MTX for about 1 1/2 yrs. My PsA was light enough that I was able to get off MTX according to blood work every 2 months.

My Arthritis immediately checked for symtoms of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome when I told her what had happened. Later that day the neurologist also said that it must be Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome. So what do I do now?

Welcome.... If your neurologists is knowledgeable about RSD, please ask about doing nerve blocks..soon. Time is of the essence... Better success rate... And remember do not use ice.. That will only aggravate your condition.. Otherwise turn to us with questions and concerns...

Take good care, Kathy

Welcome Rolacoy,
Don't just visit join the family. As far as what Kathy said I second that. Please let us know how it goes.
Best of luck to you...

I have been using ice all of the tine. It feels good, how does it harm the healing process? I think my neurologist knows very little about this. My next appt is not for 2 months. I agree I need a different doctor. Who should we see, we live just west of Shreveport, LA?

Also how can I be sure I have Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome. I know the neurologist was guessing. Here is the meds they have me on.

Dairy Digestive Supplement - at least one a day

St. Joseph 81 MG - 1 each day

Omepraxole 20 MG - 1 per day ( anti-acid)

Meloxicam 15 MG - 1 each day (anti-inflammatory)

Hydrocodon Acetaminoph 7.5-500 (1/2 tablet every 4 hours for pain)

Methocarbamol 750 MG (1/2 tablet every 4 hours muscle relaxer)

LYRICA 75 mg Capsule for Nerve pain, (2 in am, 1 lunch and 2 in pm)

Fanasteride 5 mg (replaces Avodart for prostrate)

Cymbalta 30mg (to heal nerves)

It's a bunch of drugs and I don't like taking so much. I am in physical therapy twice a week. If this is what I have I need som help soon.

Can you describe your pain and any odd skin sensations in more detail?
do any of these fit?
burning skin
skin color changes
swelling
extreme sensitivity to touch or breezes

these are just a few of the main RSD symptoms that are usually mentioned.

If not many fit, you may want to read on our Thoracic outlet syndrome forum (TOS) - to see it it fits.
I thought of it because of your comment -
"strained my neck and left shoulder."
here's the link to the useful sticky thread there-
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread84.html

RSD affects everyone differently, some people have all the symptoms, some only a couple, some symptoms come and go, some things come after a long time. Unfortunately there is no test to find out if it is or is not RSD...the symptoms have to fit and a certain number need to be observed by the doctor to give the diagnosis of RSD. This stinks because often times you end up getting a lot of testing to rule out other stuff before the diagnosis of RSD comes into play and by then you have lost a lot of time.

The important thing though is that if there is even a suspicion that you have RSD you should not be waiting 2 months to see a doctor about what to do next. Acting on it FAST is SO critical if it is RSD. If is not, then nothing hurt by seeing a specialist quickly. Try to find a doctor who specializes in RSD/CRPS and get in to see them as soon as possible.

I pray for your sake that it is not RSD. If you let us know more about your symptoms or any specific questions we can try to help you.

Some of the meds you are taking would be given if it is RSD...some not. Do you know if there are any that are particularly helpful or which ones are not? Everyone is different with meds...but I know that Hydrocodone was of ZERO help to me and I remember reading somewhere that it's not effective for RSD pain (but everyone is different so that's not a definite by any means). I also know that with RSD ice and cold are usually aggravate the pain, with heat generally helping with the pain.

If some of the things you read don't seem to fit then that may be a good sign that it is NOT RSD (and that would be wonderful news). Good luck, and I hope that you find the answer about what is causing your pain soon so that you are able to get some relief.

I subscribe to a web site called "Visible Body". On the site subscribers can view the whole human body in 3-D. It can be rotated to any angle, zoom in or out. Body parts can be made visible or invisible. I used it to turn off everything but the bones and nerves in the arm and shoulder. The nerve from C-6 goes right to the four finger and thumb. It feels as if my problem is only on that nerve. Also that nerve is very sensitive. Several times recently I have caused my arm to go numb by laying or leaning back in a chair, putting pressure on the nerve under my shoulder blade.

burning skin -------------------- Yes, at first my whole thumb and four finger felt as if they had been scalded, that has improved, now only when I wear wrist support that binds them. They always seem warm to the touch. At first my four arm and upper arm burned, that is much better. It seemed to improve from the top down.

skin color changes --------------- I don't think so.
swelling --------------- I don't think so.

extreme sensitivity to touch or breezes --------------- very much so, maybe not a breeze, but any place along the nerve that I referenced above.

As far as the meds, I have been on 15mg per day, that two pills, for more than two years for back problems. Since this happened I am taking 3 pills per day. I think they help. Sometimes, not often I take a 7.5mg Hydrocodone and I feel pain relief in about 30 minutes. As far as I can tell the LYRICA and Cymbalta, I see no difference. I think they were prescribed for "maybe these will help".

Ice can can cause nerve damage. Do not use it at all until RSD is ruled out.

My best explanation of what RSD pain is like for me, is when you stub your toe, and have that intense burning pain for a few seconds? It's like that, but it doesn't go away. It's much worse than post surgical pain (except for the day of surgery.)

Having someone lightly graze the RSD effected area will be more painful than if normal pressure is applied. You can test this by skimming a cotton sheet over the painful area.

If it is RSD, you must get URGENT CARE. You need a new doc for sure, if he believes you might have RSD, you should have a follow up appointment in a week! He's also throwing you on too many new meds at one time...

How do I find a neurologists that is knowledgeable about RSD? Are they listed that way?

I did not use ice lasgt night and my arm feels no worse so I will leave the ice alone till I learn more.

I really thank all of you for the help.

I have a suggestion based on your drug list.

Omepraxole 20 MG - 1 per day ( anti-acid)

Drugs that lower acid in the stomach when taken over a long period of time, (months) will block your body's ability to absorb B12 from food. They also block, magnesium, calcium, zinc, folate, and iron absorption.

All people in the US are now recommended 50 yrs and older to take B12 supplements separately from food and other vitamins.
This is because the older we get the less we make acid anyway.

I would get tested for B12 level, and it should be over 400 (US units). The lab ranges in US are still reported using the old scale, where 200 is considered "normal". In the 200's you can have significant nerve damage. The new scale starts at 400. When your B12 falls, nerve functions become impaired, and if not fixed, and raised, properly, you can suffer permanent impairement. This is a simple blood test.
While you are there get a Vit D too.

Here is my B12 thread:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread85103.html
There are medical links with diagrams in it...one is to American Association of Family Physicians.

Regarding the Visible Body... that is a great site, but it some of our members may not be be able to afford its monthly charge.

This link offers a similar 3D body view.... for free.
http://www.healthline.com/human-body...ous-system#6/5

It is not quite so stunning, but maybe useful still for some here.

How long does this RsD last?

I found 10 or 12 neurologists listed in Shreveport, La as doctors who treat RsD, but how do i know which one really knows what they are doing?

Oh boy...that's a loaded question. There is currently no cure for RSD (one can only hope they will find one some day)...but if treated early and successfully it is possible to go into remission. This is why it is SO important to see someone ASAP and get treatment started if it is RSD. There are even people who have been able to go into remission after having it for a while, though those stories are less common. Catching it early is the best bet and that's why you need to see someone who knows about RSD. Regardless of when it is caught though, proper treatment is key and for that you need to see someone who knows what they are doing.

As far as knowing who knows about RSD...that's harder (and the following is just my personal opinion, other people may have different ideas). There are certainly signs when they DON'T know what they are doing...like when they make stupid comments like "RSD does not spread" or "RSD can only happen in a hand or foot"...or many many others. Most important, I think is that if the doctor doesn't appear to be taking you seriously and your symptoms seriously (even ones that are not present at the time of your first visit), then that may be a hint that this is not the right doctor for you.

Best bet (in my experience) is to do your homework (no easy task) and learn some of the basics so that you can ask the doctor questions about RSD and get a feel for their knowledge. Any doctor who isn't willing to discuss the condition with you, the different treatment options, etc is probably not a good fit in any case.

Also...reccomendations from someone with RSD in your area are always a good bet and a great place to start.

Good luck to you. I am not the most knowledgeable person on here and can really only speak to my own experience. Other members on here can give you lots of great information and help you with some of your questions much better than I can. To be honest I haven't had a lot of success finding the best doctors to treat my condition...so I wish you much better luck in this respect than I had. Best advice I can give you though is that if you don't think the doctor knows what they are talking about or giving you proper care...get a new one. With RSD (and I still pray it is not RSD for you) wasting months with a doctor who is not giving you good care can seriously ruin your life and mess you up. THIS is something I do know from experience.

I looked at the members list hopping that there were some cities of residence, but there seemed to be none. I will start a new thread asking if anyone with lives in my area.

Hi Roy,
It sure seems like you are on an awful amount of medications, especially for your age. If Cymbalta and Lyrica aren't changing your condition than why are you on them?

I would try a nerve conduction study on your neck and arm.

I would try a sympathetic nerve block to see if your pain is sympathetically maintained or sympathetically independent pain. If it's sympathetically maintained you probably have RSD. That type nerve block only last a few hours and is really only good for confirming if your sympathetic nervous system is the culprit. If it is, try a long lasting nerve block to see if your sympathetic nervous system might just decide to shut itself off. If it doesn't shut off you still get pain relief for an extended time. You can do physical therapy while your arm is pain free that might help your pain level later when the feeling comes back.
You have had the pain for a long time and it hasn't spread past your arm, which is good news.
First thing is find out if it's sympathetically maintained or not. If it isn't it doesn't necessarily rule out RSD, if it is, it probably is RSD.

It sounds like you have some type of compartmental syndrome going on. (compression of nerves, blood vessels and muscles inside a closed space). RSD can certainly cause that. Arthritis can too.

Do you have any atrophy of your arm muscle? Do you have any skin, bone density, nail or hair changes on that arm? RSD can cause that. A bone scan can show bone changes too.

2 doctors saying the same thing, I would check out the sympathetic nerve block to try to confirm RSD.

PS. I am not a doctor so my advise is based on my understanding from materials I have read. Please check out everything and confirm it with your doctor. Find an anesthesiologist familiar with RSD. You can usually see one with a pain clinic referral from your regular doctor. Shop around and find an RSD informed one and ask the doctor to refer you to them. Make sure they are taking new patients too. (they do the nerve blocks)
Hope this helped.
Jerie

Nerve conduction tests are generally avoided with RSD. They can exacerbate the syndrome. I underwent another one for Work Comp about a year ago knowing it was a bad idea, with my doc advising against it. It won't help diagnose RSD, so don't request this test as suggested above.


Had I not been confident with my bag of tricks to deal with a flare, I NEVER would have allowed it. As it was, the technician felt so horrible, she cut it short on my "bad hand." For some with RSD it doesn't seem to be that big of a deal. We're all different. But you need to calm your nerves down, and I wouldn't risk it.

Also, please have your blood sugar tested ASAP. Diabetic Neuropathy is frequently confused with RSD.

RSD is a very severe pain disorder. You can go into remission, or you can end up with dealing with it the rest of your life. Treat this as urgently as you would with a cancer scare.

Lit Love,
You're correct that a nerve conduction tests can be more harmful than good. I had one done but my neurologist targeted specific nerves and she had some program in her computer that registered my pain signals to the brain. She was unable to find exactly were the disconnect was but she stopped after it became evident that the search was leading her to my cerebellum area.
Since I don't want anybody drilling holes into my skull I'll except the mystery and treat the pain...

P.S.: Roy, she's right on about getting your blood sugar checked. If nothing else to rule diabetes out...

Blood sugar was tested about two months ago by my family dr and less than two weeks ago by my arthritis dr. I have an appt with both within the next two weeks. I will ask about the B-12 and sugar.

Questions keep poping up:

What about using skin creams like Deep Heet?

Also what about using a heat pad or one of the bean bags that are heated in the micro?

How about Lidoderm patches?

Oh and I have physical therapy in the morning. I will ask about some of these things.

I would say heat pads, cream, etc. are tolerable if you don't have numbness. If you have numbness you can burn yourself without knowing it.

Is pain managment doctors what I need to go to?

We are headed out to PT this morning and I will see my family dr Friday and the Arthritis dr on Nov 1st. iwill ask a lot of questions.

I am out of time, sorry,back later.

Let's see...I use heating pads. I have 3 kinds: one that plugs in, one that is microwaveable, and the one time use air activated kind. I use the microwave one when I am moving around because I can strap it on...great for when I need to leave the house for any reason when it is less than 70 degrees outside. The plug in one is great when I am sitting because the other is much heavier (which can aggravate the pain so it's a balancing act between is the heat helping more than the weight is hurting). And the air activated one time use ones are great to use on my neck when I go outside (under a scarf). My neck is extremely sensitive now (can't even stand my hair touching it) but is the worst when cold air hits it. So having a heating pad on it, under a scarf is the best protection I have found and allows me to leave the house.

And then I also have a space heater set up next to the couch so that I can have my ankle completely exposed with nothing touching it and the warmth. This can bother others in the room though so it is mostly done when I am alone.

Lidoderm patches for me help a little...but a little is better than nothing. I tend to use them now on the newer areas of RSD in my upper body and I find that I get more relief from them using them that way. For me...it can be especially helpful to wear them on an area where they get touched the most (under a part of the clothing that touches the skin). Then not only do I get the relief but I also am avoiding the pain from that contact.

I haven't used a skin cream for heat but I have used Voltaren Gel for inflammation. I have discussed trying something else for the pain with my doc but we are only starting me on one thing at a time to see what works so that's just on the list to try in the future.

And physical therapy is really great. RSD is a use it or lose it sort of thing so it is important to push through your pain as much as you can to keep the function. Definitely keep your physical therapist informed of what things aggravate your pain, talk about the no ice thing. When I first went to PT they put me on a TENS machine with ice at the end and it just hurt. When I found out about the no ice thing I talked to my therapist and we tried the TENS with heat...this was amazing.

Speaking of TENS units...my new doctor was able to get me one and it is the best pain control I have had since this all started. Not everyone gets relief from a TENS unit...but I count myself lucky because it is the only thing that really brings me down on the pain scale. Without it I was constantly at a 10, not able to even DO the physical therapy that I knew I needed. With it I am at about a 7 (at least to start...the more I do the worse the pain gets)...and that is a frigging godsend after so many months of being constantly at a 10.

Pain management doctors are good because they will often be the ones who perform procedures like the pain blocks, and they will be (generally...not always) better at keeping your pain meds straight and trying new ones and combinations that will help. Not all pain management docs are created equal...my last two were awful and I was jerked around on so many meds, starting and stopping abruptly, starting a bunch at once, etc and ended up with some bad side effects and (my current docs think) a mild case of seratonin syndrome because of it (hallucinations and some other scary stuff). You really need to see several doctors in combination to treat RSD and a pain management doc is usually one of them.

As for the nerve conduction study...I would say voice your concerns with any doctor who orders it and find out why. If it's because they strongly suspect you don't have RSD and need it to diagnose what they DO think it is, then do it. If they give you nonsense about it being a way to confirm RSD then I'd advise against it. I did one this year because we were trying to figure out if the pains in my upper body were something else besides RSD spread. It was very painful where I am sensitive...which means everywhere except my right leg. I'm used to pain...but if my doc was convinced that the upper body pain was RSD I don't think she would have ordered the test. Really...that's between you and your doctor to decide if it is worthwhile.

Hope PT went well today.

Avoid Capsacin cream.

Lidoderm patches are fine. But, use them sparingly. If you use them everyday they stop being effective--at least that's my experience. You can also get Lidocaine cream.

If you get a good doc with RSD experience that wants a nerve test done, fine. I just wouldn't go asking for one which someone else suggested.

Sorry, doc. appt. today, gotta run...

Jerie, you really raise a lot of questions in my mind.

Conduction Study:
'I would try a nerve conduction study on your neck and arm." -

• This has been done and showed that the nerves that come from C-5 and C6 have some blockage, but they don't mow where the blockage is. It seems to me that it is mostly C-6, because C6 goes down my arm and to the thumb and fore finger. Also LIT_LOVE advises against the test. It did not bother me, it was done about three weeks after I hurt myself. They have another one scheduled in about a month.

Sympathetic Nerve Block:
"I would try a sympathetic nerve block to see if your pain is sympathetically maintained or sympathetically independent pain."

• This went over my knowledge level. Can you explain this in simple terms?

LIT_LOVE, thanks for your comments.

"Also, please have your blood sugar tested ASAP. Diabetic Neuropathy is frequently confused with RSD."

I will see my family doctor in the morning and the arthritis dr on Tuesday. Both of them have done blood tests with in the last month. I will have a long list of questions. Someone said to have B-12 checked also, I will.

My physical therapist was kind of unhappy that I am researching the internet about this. I told her that I will be an informed patient, it's my body, I live in here. I have been on a lot of forums and sometimes people with good intentions disagree. So I will learn as much as I can and decide what to do, but I really appreciate the comments.

Here is my question, if it was proven that I have RSD, what is the treatment?

If you hadn't been proactive about researching RSD, then you'd still be using ice, one of the first things your PT should've warned you about. Were they using ice on you in PT? Did you stop allowing them to use ice on you? (just a guess...)

Being informed will not implant any suggestions in your head, unless you have an underlying psych disorder (which I highly doubt) but it will help you prevent treatment that can cause you harm.

You have a very tentative diagnosise from a doc that isn't treating you urgently. Learning all the complexities about RSD and your treatment options is a lengthy process. I'd worry about getting a definitive diagnosis first, but I'd make it an urgent priority.

No one warned me about ice till you all did. I don't remember if anyone suggested ice, that was probably was my idea, because it felt good. I did use it from the last of August till I was told on here not to use ice. Also since about the first couple of weeks the underside of my right forearm has been numb. I attributed it to setting with arm on my knee while I held something hot or cold on my left arm (I know no ice, but I didn't then). Today some very slight tingles up the back of my upper arm. I pray that RSD has not spread to my right arm.

The one thing that I have not seen in your comments is a treatment.

After reading all of your comments I have tried to summarize as shown below:

• Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome (RSD)

Also my left shoulder/arm is much better and I thank you all.

• Some Symptoms:
burning skin __________________________ (Yes)
skin color changes _____________________(No)
swelling ______________________________(Very Slight)
extreme sensitivity to touch or breezes ____ (Yes, Thumb & Finger)

• No positive or negative test available.

• Nerve conduction study on your neck and arm (I had this, some say that this test makes RSD worse. The test indicated that I have some blockage in the nerves that come out of C-5 and C-6, but not where the blockage is located.)

• Sympathetic nerve block to see if your pain is sympathetically maintained or sympathetically independent pain. (Is it a anesthesiologist familiar with RSD that does this test?)

• Compartmental syndrome, compression of nerves, blood vessels and muscles inside a closed space. (Any tine that i set or lay down putting pressure on my left shoulder blade my arm immediately goes numb)

• Pain Management:
The place that I go to all of the doctors and that I have seen is the Spine Institute of Louisiana in Shreveport, Louisiana. Besides maybe 30 other doctors they have four Pain Management Specialists and one Anesthesiologist. I did a search for a doctor who treats or diagnoses Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy in Shreveport, LA and they came up. How do I find out if one of these doctors know anything about RSD ?

• TENS Unit:
I have a small tens unit from several years ago. I have used it some. I took it with me this PT group and they showed me how to re-program it to work more like the one they have.

When you call and say you want to make an appointment, tell them that you are looking for a doctor who can treat RSD/CRPS (complex regional pain syndrome). Once you are there, you have to ask questions about your condition. They will likely take a detailed history, maybe order tests or look over all your test results, and discuss what they think is wrong with you. They may need to see you several times before confirming the RSD diagnosis because I think they need to observe a certain number of symptoms, and you may or may not have those things at the time you see the doctor. You should be able to ask questions, and hopefully get a feel for how much the doctor really knows about RSD. If anything seems off to you, or you are unsure about something and want to ask here for opinions about it, then you can do that. Especially in the beginning it is very hard to know if a doctor really "knows" about RSD or not unless you can speak to someone with RSD who has been treated by that doctor. I mean...how would you know if they said something completely wrong or ridiculous when you are so new to it? So the best thing I think it to call and tell them you want to see someone who specializes in or is familiar with RSD/CRPS and then go from there.

Ice is a common component in PT, that they didn't stick you in ice packs is a good thing. But your PT should have warned you not to use it at home as well.

Skim through all the puzzles, and click on all that interest you.
http://rsdrx.com

quote from puzzle #14

"The chronicity of RSD is far more important than the stage the patient is in.

The accurate predictor in regards to the patient's treatment is not presence or lack of atrophy in the muscles of the extremity.

What is more important is the length of time the patient has suffered from the illness. In the first six months, the disease is far more amenable to successful treatment. The success rate in the first six months, if the RSD is treated properly, is over 80-90%. Between six months to a year, it drops to 60-80% and after two years, there is a risk of over 40% failure and with the passage of each year, the disease becomes more established and more difficult to treat. The other accurate indicator is the patient's age. Up to 22 years of age, the patient has excellent recovery power ( please see RSD Puzzle #11 regarding Children).

All of these indicators mean nothing if the patient undergoes treatment with ice, addicting narcotics, unnecessary operations such as sympathectomy, spinal stimulator, amputation, or surgery in the form of exploration in the area of inflammation of the RSD. Such dangerous treatments render a far lower rate of success in the long run independent of the stage of RSD."

Hooshmand quote puzzle #21

"RSD PUZZLE #21
Symptoms used to diagnose RSD

"One of the most accurate ways of diagnosing RSD in a patient who has had other manifestations of it (constant burning pain, weakness or movement disorder of the extremity, emotional disturbance, and insomnia, as well as evidence of swelling and inflammation of the extremity) is to do a sympathetic ganglion or IV Phentolamine) tests. In the first two to three years, such a sympathetic nerve block test definitively relieves the patient from her pain. Such a positive response of pain relief proves that the patient suffers from "SYMPATHETICALLY MEDIATED PAIN" (SMP).
*edit*

full info here-
http://rsdrx.com/rsdpuz4.0/puz_21.htm

Check out the "Useful Websites" Sticky at the top of the forum.

Regarding current treatment, this is a good link:
http://www.rsds.org/treatment.html

And don't miss the resources page:
http://www.rsds.org/resources.html

Finding a good RSD doc is not easy. It'll probably require lots of research. Make appointments for a 2nd opinion and when you find one you trust, switch docs.

Call the clinic you mentioned and ask if they have an RSD specialist. Take the name/s they give you and google the doc along with RSD and see if you can locate any patients reviews online.

RSD/CRPS Support Groups Link in Louisiana:
http://www.rsds.org/4/support_groups...html#Louisiana

Sorry to drop out after PT and the doctor I have been pooped out. Also typing with one hand is slow.

After seeing My PT'ist and getting another Dexameth patch on my shoulder I went and saw my family doctor. He has been my dr for about 20 years. He told me I did not have RDS, that I did not have the symptoms for RDS. I hope he is right. I think my neurologist just "grabbed" on to RSD because he had no other explanation. He did not examine me at the time that his PA told me I had RSD. However he did do a prety good exam the first time that I saw him. But at that time he did not appear to look for the symptoms That you all have outlined.

I am still researching the links you gave me. Tuesday I plan to make an appointment with Dr that recommended the neurologist to see what else we can do to track down th cause of my problem. There are 4 pain management specialists and one anesthesiologist in the same medical group listed as "Doctors in Shreveport, LA who treat or diagnose Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy.

Thanks again.

I hope for your sake it isn't RSD. There are enough concerns there that you do need to be proactive, but I agree, that your initial diagnosis is questionable. It is irksome that they gave the diagnosis and then scheduled your next appointment 2 months in the future.

One last quick link for you to look at:http://www.oklahomarsdcrpssupport.co...lpainindex.htm

You are familiar with arthritis pain. Compare how it rates to your new pain. Is your pain so severe it matches up with the pain scale? There are other types of neuropathic pain that are similar in intensity to RSD, as well.

Good luck with your upcoming appointment!

I also hope that it is NOT RSD...but then a family doctor is not necessarily the best one to trust with regards to RSD unless they have had experience with it. Not everyone has all the symptoms of RSD, and they do not all appear at the same time. But I am very hopeful since it seems like many of your symptoms don't fit with RSD that your family doc is right. I hope you find answers soon. Good luck at your next appt!

The PT says there some things called Bursa Sacs in many places in the body. She is treating, with orders from the neurologist, with the Dexameth patches. They help with the pain under my shoulder blade. It is called Subscapular Burssitis. But they are still guessing, I wish someone would say for sure what is wrong. I just warted about 20 minutes of TV in my recliner and my whole arm is numb. it seems that the only way that i get the numbness is in my bed where my shoulder blade is in a hole.

Maybe I do have RSD, I don't know. As far as the family doctor, I don't know, but he seemed more knowledgeable than the neurologist. At least he didn't have to go look it up. My symptoms are numbness from the top of my shoulder to my finger tips that comes and goes. A burning in my Thumb and four finger that never goes completely. Also during the first 6 weeks because of the pain I did not move my arm and I lost about 50% of it's use. I is coming back with PT.

I am also having trouble with my blood pressure. It is usually 124/72. Now I runing 145/80. Is this RSD or the medication?

I've always had great blood pressure before my RSD and now it's borderline high at periods of pain. The neurologist always checks my BP and there's no sign of the meds I take is the cause. It probably could vary by which meds you take but in my case it's the RSD...

Elevated pain increases mine as well... :(

Today I discussed the lack of treatment ordered by the neurologist with one of the head PT people where I am receiving PT. He seemed very knowledgeable about RSD. We discussed the progression and treatment. He told me to go to the doctors office and insist on seeing the neurologist today, I did, but he was in surgery. I have an appointment Thursday.Meantime I am doing more research.

I noticed yesterday that I had some swelling in my upper arm. Today at PT they got the Tens unit on my shoulder blade as usual, but the placement must have been different, because the voltage was going down the nerve C-6 I made them turn it off after two minutes. The nerve hurts, I hope it's just temporary.