Hello! Here because of nerve damage after burns.
 

Hello. I just found this forum and decided to join a) because i need help and b) you all seem really nice.
5 months ago today i was hurt in an explosion when a full can of spray paint was accidently put into a fire. I was 2metres away and was hit by a blast and then showered with burning pain and stuff. I had burns to 20% of my body and half of that was mid to deep 2nd degree burns. this mostly being my left arm from the shoulder to the fingers, with just a 2inch strip on the under of my arm and the palm of my hand untouched. The back of my hand was the worst. some spots were close to 3rd deg and this is where my problem is.

Ive been back at work for 2 months and prob 4 weeks ago i noticed some swelling inbetween my index and middle fingers up above the webbing and between the two bones. I then started to feel some pain shooting down my fingers. I had taken work in my mums cafe to get me back on my feet and she basically told me to get over it. I think ive used up all my sympathy from her. so i did. I have a bad habit of doubting myself and putting others first. I had read that with nerve pain you should rest it but i folded and kept going.
So two weeks ago i had to drive my nan to Adelaide to see her neurologist (ballence problems) and after driving 7-8 hours in one day my hand was sore. The next day it was so painfull. the shooting pain had spread to all fingers and up my arm. I could barely hold anything. I stupidly worked two more days until i was in just too much pain and my entire arm became swollen.
I went to the doctor and she just told me to put my pressure garments back on and keep the arm up to reduce the swelling. Come back in 10 days if the pain is still there. Plus take painkillers and dont work. Finally after 8 dys the swelling has reduced and now im left with an arm that has shooting pain down the fingers and through the wrist. plus deep aching pain in the arm. there is still a small amount of swelling and my hand function is up and down. Sometimes i can barely move it. It also numb, sensation feels slightly muted and the whole hand feels tingly.
One factor that could have caused more damage is that my burns were not treated properly for the first 5 dys and i missed alot of initial care because the doc at my local hospital told me to go home and let it heal. After 5 days and another visit, where he again told me to go away (again i doubted myself and though i was just being a baby), the nurse who was dressing my burns went over the docs head and got me into the Royal Adelaide burns unit. I was admitted with infection and what they called "dirty wounds". I had surgery the next day, but there were a few complications from having older infected burns.

Im back to the doctor in 2 days so if anyone has any thoughts id love to hear them. To me it seems that it is my nerves, but it seems to painful for basic nerve regeneration. Plus I dont think the swelling is the norm. Another thing is that im not sleeping. Its currently 6.30am and i have not been to sleep yet. this has been happening for the past few weeks. Partly from pain, but even the pain killers arent knocking me out when they normally do. But they could explain if this isnt making sence. lol. Also i feel like im starting to slightly get the shooting pains in my feet and other hand. Just sometimes as if they are sympathy pains?

I guess this is my hello and if anyone has any ideas or has suddenly experienced nerve pain this long after a burn injury, or any injury i would love to hear. and if so how long for? I feel like this is karma in a way. At the time of my burns i kept saying at least i was smart enough to burn my nerve endings off so it didnt hurt so much. OPPS lol. thats come back to haunt me.
Thankyou, even if its just for reading.
Sarah

I see you posted on our PN forum but it might be good to explore our RSD/CRPS forum too.
Here is the link to it-
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum21.html

RSD/CRPS often can start after an injury or surgery, that's why I suggest learning about it, just in case..

Thanks. Ill pop over. Ive seen a bit on CRPS/RSD but wasnt sure if i had the right symptoms.
Thanks again.

Great to meet you!!
 

Molly, I have been thinking about you since I read your first post.

Have you explored hyperbaric oxygen therapy?

People with burn injuries are given this in the US sometimes... as a treatment to facilitate healing.

It is something to look into in more detail, I think.

Thanks everyone.
MrsD, I had a look into Hyperbaric therapy and the hospital where i ws treated can do this so ill look into it. I remember my cousin using it for his Cronic Fatigue years ago and saying it really helped.
Im off to the Doc tomorrow morning so ill let you all know how i go. Im just dotting down info now because im just expecting a referal out of it. But who knows i might be suprised.
Thanks again is so nice to have found some people who care.

Hi mollymoo and welcome to Neuro talk you have found the best group of people, I am new here aswell but have been made to feel right at home, I'm sure you will find it the same.

I went to the doctor today expecting to be sent away frustrated and i mentioned RSD and she said she was thinking the same. She was also shocked to say that i was the third case in the last month and she rarely see's it. I live in a town with 2000 people, so not a wide selection of people.
So im on Endep 25mg (Amitriptyline) to start with and can up it to 50mg and then 75 if needed. Im also booked into a Physio on Monday afternoon. I found one that Specialises in Neurology and its only an hours drive away. So we will see how it goes. Im having a good day today. the pain isnt too bad today, which is typical when you see the doctor and want them to see the pain your in. But im glad the doc was on my side and understood what i was feeling.
Im just happy to have somewhere to go with this. Just seeing what happens is crap when your in pain.