Measurement of temperature difference between affected and no affected limbs
 

I saw a new doctor who I was very impressed with. One of the things he did was measure the temperature difference between my affected and unaffected limbs. There was a difference between them. I was wondering who else has had this done and what the results were?

Yes, my P.M. Dr. always checks temp. differences before my nerve blocks.
The first few were very dramatic with about 9 degree differences between
my RSD/CRPS arm & my good one. She used this to see if my arm warmed after the block. It did.

Before my bisphosphonate infusions (May 12-14, 2014), I could regularly get a 60 degree reading on my affected foot versus a 92-93 degrees (normal) on my unaffected foot when the affected foot was cold. Yes, over 30 degrees. The reason I got the thermometer was because I wanted to try biofeedback to see if I could change the freezing cold affected foot temps. I couldn't. Since my infusions, I rarely feel much difference nor do I measure skin temp. I just checked it and both are 93 degrees - the same.

I got a lot better in many ways after the bisphosphonate infusions in May after I got through the side effects but the affected leg continues to be extremely swollen and edematous which is still a huge problem. I'd say I've relapsed some but I've never been as bad as I was before them. I was already 14 months into it before the infusions with a lot of involvement.

The RSD limb was definitely colder, and got warmer after treatments.

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CDwall,
I started taking tumeric caplets (medical name curcumin) for my swelling and within three months the swelling was gone. I highly recommend trying it. The only thing to know is with tumeric you can't take it if you are on an anticoagulent and if you need surgery you must stop it two weeks beforehand and can restart one week post surgery. For me it has been a miracle with the swelling and it also raised my good cholesterol the highest it has ever been, my doctor was very impressed!

Hi,

Thanks for this info. Is tumeric considered a diuretic? Because anything like that, prescribed medicine or supplements, herbs, etc., has made my POTS symptoms much worse.

Hey Super,
I was tested with some sort of meter and it showed a big difference between affected areas and the control areas. The affected areas were at least 6 to 9 degrees colder. I was told that a 6 or more difference shows a significant CRPS involvement.
FYI: Measure of degree difference is one of the required test for WC, at least in my state...

To all who have posted on this thread,

My right leg is always colder to the touch than the other side. No one has ever tested to see if there is a difference in temperature between the two and when I mentioned it to a doctor, I got a look like I was insane. They did put one hand on one leg and their other hand on the other leg and said, No, they are the same. (They feel very different to me.)

What do they use to test the temperature of the skin?

Is it something that I could do myself so that I know that I am not just crazy?

This is a very interesting thread.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hopeless (Post 1096248) To all who have posted on this thread, My right leg is always colder to the touch than the other side. No one has ever tested to see if there is a difference in temperature between the two and when I mentioned it to a doctor, I got a look like I was insane. They did put one hand on one leg and their other hand on the other leg and said, No, they are the same. (They feel very different to me.) What do they use to test the temperature of the skin? Is it something that I could do myself so that I know that I am not just crazy? This is a very interesting thread.

There is a test that doctors can do called thermography testing. Here is a link that will give you information about the test and why people with CRPS have variations in skin temperature. I am not aware of any "at home" tests, unless you're just sticking an adhesive thermometer to your skin...no clue. I hope this helps with your question.

http://rsdguide.com/diagnosing-crps/thermography/

CD,
Tumeric is not a diuretic as far as I know and I haven't seen anything in the literature about it being one. It is an anti inflammatory and a very mild anticoagulent. The anti inflammatory properties are what help in reducing the swelling. One other thing I noticed the first official time I had the temperature between limb measured was with this new doctor and it was a few degrees difference. However I also noticed by touch that once I started taking tumeric the temperature difference seemed not as much as well. I am thinking the tumeric improves overall circulation and that is why the swelling g went down and the limb to me at least felt colder prior to my taking it.
I also read that 80% of patients with CRPS have temp difference but 20% don't. I found that interesting as well.

Curcumin is the active ingredient in turmeric. Virtually every piece of writing on either substance cites a diuretic effect for these substances alongside countless other claims. It's really important to factor in any diuretic (or any other claimed effect) for any so called natural substance or supplement before you consider taking it. Important also to ensure that it won't have any adverse reactions with any other medication you are taking for CRPS or other medical conditions.

My initial rsd site (my right hand and wrist) have always been colder then my other sites. My pm dr initially put this sticky temp gage on the back of my hands to initially check for rsd. The rsd hand was alot colder.

Thanks for the info :) I wasn't going to be able to use it anyway due to the bleeding risk. The diuretic effects make it a double no. I research anything I take even if it's a "just" supplement or herb to make sure it doesn't interact badly with my many other problems and meds. I hope everybody else does this as well.

Thanks again,

Denise

I have a 14 degree difference between my ankles - it is common with RSD. My doctor used a sensor that looked like one of the ear thermometers often used with children to take their temperatures. They are called infrared thermometers and I actually just ordered one. I ordered the "Tempir Body Temperature" thermometer. It got good ratings and only cost about $40.

It is SO uncomfortable, isn't it? I often wear two socks, an oversized frog slipper (yes, I said frog LOL) and then wrap my foot in a blanket. Trouble is, most days I can't get a slipper on my foot due to sensitivity, but some days I can, which is a big improvement for me! I look forward to being able to wear a shoe soon, especially with winter coming and the coldness of my foot being so significant.

Hang in there my friend - I hope this information helps you!

Pix

I don't recall anything about lower extremity values but I do seem to recall that a difference of 1.5 deg. C. difference from one nail bed to another on the unaffected hand is significant. Mine were done with infrared thermometer by an IME. There are published studies on this...