I'm back - Question for everyone
 

Hey - Sorry I have not been around latley - been really busy.

First a break down so were all on the same page:

Hubby had RSD in his left leg (major symptoms receeded over years, still had minor but nothing major going on with it for a long time.

Hubby HAS active RSD in right arm/elbow (Diagnosed at the end of last year) - Currently has all major symptoms.

Ok...so here goes.....Remember when a short time ago I mentioned that both hubbies legs cramped and his toes curled up, ankles turned in...locked up, etc (twice in one day and even in the leg that does not have RSD) and that he was having difficulty getting up and around? I had thought at the time that it was the Cymbalta...It still could have been...BUT...

About 2/3 days ago his legs began getting numb...he is loosing feeling in them and again can't get around. Yesturday it took until around lunch time for him to regain feeling and to be able to get around. This is in his entire lower body from his hips/waist/lower back on down.

He is off the Cymbalta

He is on....Lyrica, Hydrocodone, a muscle relaxant, getting Gaglion (sp?) blocks and is also on a pill that goes along with the blocks...(forget the name at the moment...).

I'm really worried about him, he called the docs about it yesturday and have yet to receive a response regarding it but was told by the nurse to "get rest"......well DUH!

Anyways - if anyone has any thoughts or ideas as to what could be causing this please let me know - I'm about going out of my mind with worry.

If you need more details let me know.

Hi Hubby--Has your hubby ever had low back problems? Does your hubby have difficulty controlling his bladder/bowels at times? It is really important that he have a thorough evaluation by a Neurologist , etc. to rule out other medical problems, including vascular problems, before attributing his symptoms to RSD or medication side effects.

If your hubby has these problems again and can't be seen pronto by his regular Doctor, go to the emergency room, IMHO. This doesn't sound like anything to fool around with.

I hope your hubby is ok. :hug:
Brokenwings

Hi HwRSD,

Entire lower half? I'd be in the ER already - completely agree with BW - and you might as well be worrying in a place where they can try to help him rather than worrying at home, waiting for the doc's call, nothing being done, you know?

Take care, all the best :)

Try to answer some of the questions...
 

No he's never had any lower back problems before...No bowel issues and he said it was mainly contained to his lower legs but felt "funky" in his lower back.... I'm wondering if stress might be playing part of this? He's been fairly ok since the other day. When he called his perscribing dr the nurse was nasty to him, he wonders if the IME's report might have something to do with it....also his pain managment Dr and Dr who gives him is blocks is not around for 2 weeks (holiday & vacation) and so he cant even ask him any questions nor can he have his regular weekly block for his arms. We've had bad weather, extra stress, his Dr brought him down to 1 day a week therapy, and it's just been a trying time for us and he's also been less active (bad weather and cant get out) which I'm sure does not help. Keeping an eye on it right now and will keep you's posted. Thanks everyone

Did you get a copy of the IME report?
you need to know what kind of baloney it says so you can clear it up with dr and atty.
work comp case I assume?

I didn't know this in time so i think my dr and atty believed some of it- I should have gotten my report and addressed each fallacy made by IME.

and has hubby had a full spine MRI or at least some xrays to make sure no DDD or other spine trouble is happening?

Yes we have a full copy of the IME Report - It's required by law here that they "give it up". They did blood work and are also considering some other test (I forget the name) ...just to make sure the meds or blocks have not done something else to him.

What is DDD?

Hi Hubby--DDD is "degerative disc disease" . Depending on the severity, it can basically put pressure on the spinal chord and also other nerves. So, it is important to have an MRI and/or CT scan to evaluate the intergrity of the vertebrae (bones), spinal chord or other nerve compression.

Usually, there is a form that the patient fills out to desribe their symptoms, what activities, etc. aggravates the pain, numbness, etc. The Radiologist then correlates the patient's symptoms with the actual findings seen on the MRI or CT scan, which helps them better determine what is going on with the patient.

Hope this helps.

Brokenwings