Rsd?
 

Hi,
I'm new here, I joined in hopes of getting some opinions. I don't know yet if I have RSD or not. I have a follow-up scheduled for My 9th. Think I'm going to try and make an appointment on Monday.
So anyway this is my situation.....
On March 7th I crushed and broke my Ulna along with breaking my Radius. The Doctor Casted it instead of doing surgery. The 6 weeks that I had a splint(3 weeks) and cast(3 weeks) I had tingling/prickly feelings in my arm and hand along with my hand feeling cold on the inside. I also had major swelling. They changed the cast thinking it was too tight. But the swelling never went down. Well now that the cast is off(4/19) I still have major swelling, purple blotchy, warm and at times a pale looking hand. Along with pain and a weird sensation in my hand that comes and goes. When I take a deep breath I get the same sensation that runs down my arm through my hand. I switched my Doctors right before I had the cast removed because I just didn't like him. I love my new Doctor he did my carpal tunnel surgery a few years back. He can't believe they didn't do surgery. I've been going for PT for 4 weeks, 3 times a week. Not making good progress. She even saw my purple hand and said it could be my sympathetic nerves which I can't control.
ANYONE HAVE ANY INPUT? PLEASE!!!!!!!!

Hi, sorry you've had such a rough time, that sounds like a nasty injury :rolleyes:

Your symptoms certainly sound like they could be CRPS/RSD, but as always they could be caused by something different. I think you should get an appointment with a pain management doctor or neurologist who has experience of CRPS, and get a professional view of things.

In the meantime, try to avoid using ice as that can exacerbate CRPS symptoms and make things worse. Elevate your arm to help with swelling, but try to keep your hand moving regularly, even just small movements will help with blood flow and stop the CRPS (if it is that) running rampant. Also, try submerging your arm in a solution of Epsom salts and lukewarm water - Epsoms work on CRPS by blocking the calcium channels and pain signals, but they can help soothe non-CRPS pain as well. Just make sure there are no open wounds to the skin.

Good luck and push for a quick appointment. Whatever it is that's going on, you are obviously worried and need some reassurance and pain relief if nothing else.

Bram.

Thank you for the reply,
I do my regular exercises that the PT gave me. It's my new(current) job,lol
Its so hard to move the fingers when they are so swollen. I think I will pick
up some Epsom salt today and see what happens. Do you think maybe I could have a blocked/pinched nerve? I'm suppose to go to Fl. for a do nothing vacation in 2 weeks. Not going anywhere just the beach and pool at the condo. Do you think this will be good for my hand?

Ouch! I really hope that its not CRPS but atleast if it is your on to it. I like you caught mine early and we are lucky enough to be in with a fighting chance of recovery. So dont panic!!!!! not everyone is worst case scenario.

Mine is also in my arm/hand but started in my hand. So what I found best when i was starting out was keep it elevated for the swelling and small amounts of gentle movement. Move until there is pain. stop and rest then start again. I started to loose all movement in my arm but regained it by doing this. but it was much easier once I was medicated.

I hope this helps in some way. I also found that doing lots of research helped, but try to focus on understanding it and what you can do about it. Dont focus on stuff that hasnt happened yet. This is a great place to ask questions and everyone is very supportive. Also looking back at older posts is a great way to learn. It really helped me.

Hopefully you get positive news though. Good luck.

Thank you for the replies and concerns. I went to the Doctors today and YES he diagnosed me with early stage RSD. I have an appointment for the nerve block consultation. What am I in for with the block? Im suppose to go to Florida in a week or so, should I be informed about anything? Sun, cold water, salt water, anything? I'm glad we caught this early.
Thank you again