Intercostal neuralgia with CRPS
 

Hello everyone! I have had CRPS for over 4 years now. Recently I developed intercostal neuralgia. I have tried two courses of oral steroids but the intercostal neuralgia keeps coming back :-( My doctor is suggesting intercostal nerve blocks. Due to CRPS I really try to avoid all needle sticks but I am becoming desperate! Has anyone else suffered from intercostal neuralgia? What treatments did you try? Did anything relieve the condition? Thank you all so much! I hope everyone is having a low pain day!

Maybe ask your doctor if there perhaps are alternatives to nerve blocks. Like regular medications of some sort.

Good luck!

I have CRPS for 20 years going on 21 now.

Thank you! I am sorry to hear you have been suffering for so long :-( I too developed CRPS from a car accident :-( Praying for a cure!

I think for me, if there would be one, a cure would come too late. Whatever damage within the limbs it caused, is done, and that can't be reversed, no matter what. I'm afraid you have to be realistic where that is concerned.

You might have more luck, because you've "only" had it 4 years, but... IDK. I'm not very optimistic.

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Yeah, I'm very sorry. I'm not very optimistic, am I? :(

I totally understand----I can't imagine suffering with this for as long as you have :(

Yeah, since the age of 23, and I'll be 44 in a few days. Come September 21st will be 21 years since my accident that led to CRPS.

Hi Wonderwoman,

I am sorry to hear of your added neuralgia. I know from experience outside of CRPS how miserable that can be. Is there any type of PT or Mackenzie type exercises that can help calm the area or open up any space? I am wondering if there was a strain or mechanical cause that set this off that could be treated. Even Simple things like a strained back muscle can aggravate nerves.

I pulled my back this Spring and had such bad nerve symptoms result from it that I was almost convinced I would need some kind of injection. However, I was able to get it settled (and the buzzing subsequently resolved) with the help of a massage therapist I trust and some Active Release Therapy from my chiropractor. They both work on me gently. Just a thought.

If you do end up deciding to do an injection they can pre-numb the area with a small needle injection of lidocaine in the skin. They can also use ethyl chloride spray. There are options to increase your comfort if you go ahead. I made the difficult decision to have a series of injections right in my CRPS foot to treat a swollen nerve and reduce scar tissue. For me it was the right thing and although I flared a bit initially I did get relief and sustained improvement. Though needle sticks are never fun and caution is always wise, there are instances where the treatment they can provide can be helpful.

Also I saw you posted a question about neurology in Michigan. I don't know where you are but we had one poster go to U of M and they had a positive experience. Overall I have heard good things about multiple disciplines there.

I hope you find relief soon, :hug:

So sorry Marleen :-( Wish I could say something to make you smile. Way too long to have such suffering :-( I pray you are having a low pain day. Happy (early) Birthday!

Hello Littlepaw. Thank you so much for your response and for your thoughts :-) Miserable definitely describes well! There was a strain-turned upper half of body to speak to someone sitting behind me----but now CRPS has also spread to that area :-( Going to look into therapies to 'open space'-thank you. Right now I can't even do anything that stretches that area due to the increase in pain---whenever it seems to calm down I do something that stretches the area and boom-pain flares! I receive massage therapy but I haven't been able to tolerate any work in that area-too painful and really 'gets the pain going'! Good ideas re if I get the injections-thank you so much :-) Hearing your experience makes me a little less worried about trying the injections for this---THANK YOU! Met with doc recently and they may give me some sedation too. Thank you also re your thoughts about U of M....its so difficult to find doctors who are knowledgable and up to date on CRPS! Happy to hear injections were able to provide you some relief in your CRPS foot :-) I hope you are having a low pain day!

Hello Littlepaw! Thank you so much for your response and for your thoughts :-) Miserable to perfect description! Yes-I did staring the area---turned upper half of body to speak to someone behind me...now the CRPS has also spread to that area :-( I haven't been able to do any stretching----as soon as area seems to be calming down I do something that stretches the area and boom-the pain flares! Going to look into ways to 'open the space'-thank you! I also receive massage therapy regularly but haven't been able to tolerate any work in that area due to horrific pain :-( Hearing your experience with injections has helped me---less fearful of it worsening----we sure do have a lot of tough decisions to make with CRPS! My doc is also considering sedating me----also will discuss the numbing suggestions you gave to me---thank you! I am sorry to hear of your suffering----am happy to hear your back calmed down and that the injections gave you some relief in your CRPS foot :-) Thank you so much also for your response re U of M----its so difficult to find physicians who are knowledgable about and up to date on CRPS-as I am sure you know ;-) I hope you are having a low pain day and find many reasons to smile everyday :-)

Aw thank you, you are so sweet!

Don't worry about me too much, you have your own set of issues to deal with!!! I have lived with this for 21 years, almost - it's not gonna kill me. ;) If anything it has helped me grow so strong (while being yet so fragile). I don't know if anyone can relate to that feeling.

Wishing you well! :)

Thank you Marleen! You got that right---strong yet fragile! Yes we all have so many issues to deal with due to CRPS---I am very thankful that you reached out to me---I hope I am able to somehow help you battle your struggles too----kindness is such a blessing---thank you!