Other health issues from RSD
 

I just wanted to see if others have gotten other health issues due to the RSD?
I was recently diagnosed of having sarcoidosis both in my lung and liver which they said this was brought on by the RSD as it causes other autoamune(not right spelling sorry) which is like crystals that form luckily thay caught it before it sprea to my spine and brain. I also got thyroid cancer which they believed it was too caused by the RSD by lowering my immune system. And of course high blood pressure from the pain.

Sam

Sam, So sorry to hear it all. I haven't had anything diagnosed besides RSD spreading. I'm always worried though that something else will come up and surprise me. I also have degenerative cerebral atrophy and together with RSD that's enough...:grouphug:

I have celiac disease, which is autoimmune too. I started getting the symptoms about 6 months after developing RSD in my knee and shortly after I had surgery on the knee. I've read of many other people who have both too and I wouldn't be surprised at all if they're related.

I had one doctor (a neurologist) tell me that once you have one autoimmune condition it is fairly commor for it to "trigger" another one. Of course when I told this to the rheumatologist he sent me to she looked at me funny and asked how that would happen. I've read online in a few places about this idea of "triggering" other conditions...but every other thing they checked me out for basically came back fine and all my strange issues stem from the RSD itself.

It's fairly common for people with RSD to develop gastroparesis though. I know a number of people on this board have that.

And all the medications we take for RSD can cause all their own problems. I developed seratonin syndrome from the meds the docs had me on. That was a whole mess that I didn't need when I was having spread and increased pain levels from the RSD at the same time.

And I have also heard that RSD can weaken the immune system so we are more likely to develop recurring infections and other illnesses. Since I got the RSD I have had problems with a recurring MRSA infection and UTIs.

It's important to make sure that whenever something new pops up symptom wise that you get it checked out. RSD can cause a host of very strange things...but if we just assume it's the RSD then we could be missing out on something serious that could possibly be easily treated or that can lead to something much worse if it is not treated quickly. At the same time...it's always good to know what sorts of things RSD can cause. I had just this ridiculous list of problems that I started having this year after the RSD got worse and spread. The docs bounced me around, ran a million tests, and several either did not know or would not admit that the RSD could be causing these things. If I didn't have the people on this board and the internet as a resource I would have thought I was going nuts. But it turns out that it was mostly just the RSD getting worse (with seratonin syndrome on top of it causing hallucinations).

Sort of a crummy situation to be in. Hope other people can jump in with more experience on whether the RSD can "trigger" other conditions or if someone with RSD is more likely to have/develop other autoimmune issues/

I have peripheral neuropathy as well but it was dx at around the same time so not sure if connected. I also developed severe eye problems and though dx with belpheritits and dry eye they feel it may be rsd but who knows. I also developed seborehic dermititis. Through this I have other health problems and went to doctors for auto immune conditions cause for ex I have a lot of symptoms of sjogrens but never was dx with it.
I think a frustrating issue is that each speciality just likes to look at there one area and may not connect symptoms and dx. Some major places like Hopkins I heard does but I don't know that for a fact.
Hang in there and i am sorry about your conditions

Most of us develop other problems especially arthritis and mental issues. I believe osteoporosis comes around eventually in most cases. I believe we need to fight this disease constantly with everything we have but must accept the symptoms. Fighting it, for me, largely means identifying the triggers and avoiding them. It means finding the few things that help and incorporating them into our lives. It means being always on the look out for new weapons to fight the monster. It means experimenting and observing to see things that make life easier and more livable. For me it means trying not to worry and to monitor my medications.

I'll probably always feel I'm standing on the edge of a precipice until the day I fall off or am pushed off. Perhaps I'm wrong though; the doctor tells me that I should expect a normal lifetime. The doctor doesn't experience the things I do and communicating the symptoms to people is almost impossible when I hardly understand them myself. I'd have never understood if someone had told me.

greatest topic ever!
 

I am so glad someone posted about this becauze I was just about to.

I am 22... and totally 10000% rsd triggers other things. It messes up the brain so bad over time I believe and have had quite a few new ones pop up.

I am going to see a new doctor to figure out what else is going wrong. Its like it never ends. so frustrating.

So hard to just hang in here right now. Its so depressing having this, and my favorite day of the year New Years I layed in my bed and watched tv. The thought of going out in this pain is beyond me. Trying so hard not to become part of the statistic, but setriously... its so frustrating.

OMG, I thought I was going bonkers here. Thank you so much for posting this thread! I too feel like I am getting other health problems from this monster. I know for a fact I have gotten some type of dermatitis that comes and goes, but it lasts for months at a time and itches like all get out. My body looks like a battle field. I also bruise very easily now, literally for no reason at all. Of course the doctor's blame it on other things. I take as little medication as possible with no narcotics, I have to long to go without adding medication induced problems. I will know when and if I have to add medication to deal with pain. Right now, I fight the pain pretty well and maybe my RSD/CRPS isn't that bad, who knows. My body scares me, I used to know how to read my body and now I don't. I feel like a hypocondriac (sp.)

I have joined a gym to walk on the treadmill some, to get out of the house and not dwell on the condition (it is in my hands/wrists). I try to do what the dr.'s tell me, but they do not live the physical or mental nightmare. For me, sometimes the mental nightmare is worse because it plays games with me, the physical is there for real, I know that and feel that every minute!

Sorry to rant, just frustrated like all of you!! :)

Sonny,
I have the same crap happening to me. I itch all over especially on the arm which all this RSD stuff started. I bruise easily too. My skin on the left side of my face is flaky like dandruff.
I suspected it being from RSD and now it's confirmed...:(

I got the red bumps and itching once my RSD spread to the new areas (arms, neck, hands, etc) and my doctor said that it is caused by the inflammation (which is the result of the RSD). That comes and goes...much like many other RSD symptoms...but boy when it comes I feel like I am going to lose it. When you are sensitive to the touch AND you itch like crazy...that is a terrible combo.