How Do I Know If I Have RSD?
 

This is too much to type tonight due to my pain. I'll type details tomorrow.

I have most symptoms since last year, but how can I know FOR SURE if I have RSD? I had an appt. today with a podiatrist and asked him about it because I've barely been able to walk for a year! The pain and burning is insane. He touched the bottom of my foot and said if I could feel it, then it's not RSD. That really confused me.

Thanks so much!

No offence, but that podiatrist is an idiot, and demonstrates exactly why we as the patients have to be so informed and strong about this darn condition, because SO many of the medical profession haven't got a clue! It's quite scary, and about time they found out so that they don't make our already difficult lives even worse through their ignorance. I wish if they didnt know they would just say so, instead of pretending they do... Sorry for getting annoyed, it's just so common that attitude, and it really annoys me!

I would suggest that you look at a good RSD/CRPS website, rsdhope, or the NHS one even, they will have all the symptoms listed. You need to have at least one symptom from each category to be diagnosed, and only really a pain specialist or experienced surgeon/GP can diagnose you. The burning pain, difficulty walking etc sounds pretty accurate, and if you have hypersensitivity, colour changes, temp changes, sweating, hair or nail changes in the area then I'd say it's pretty certain, but there are other conditions that show similar signs at times, which is why you need to see a CRPS specialist.

Hang on in there. I have CRPS in my feet and I completely understand your pain and frustration with the condition itself and the medics who confuse everything :rolleyes: But i promise you the podiatrist was about as wrong as its possible to be :winky:

Good luck,

Bram. :hug:

I agree with Bram. CRPS is widely misunderstood, even among professionals. It took me 6 doctors before I got a diagnosis. Some doctors I saw have never even seen one case personally.

Please do yourself a big favor and get multiple opinions. And I'd start with a different podiatrist. Ask them point blank how much experience they have with CRPS. You need to be working with someone who has some practical experience treating it.

I would scrap the foot doctor and go straight to a pain specialist. My wife who has RSD would only go to the podiatrist only when her nails where out of control. She had issues with him also as far as gentleness, touching-grabbing etc.

Symptoms are here print it out and show it to him. http://www.rsdhope.org/crps-symptoms.html Tell him we are hypersenitive not numb. Ask if he is the US's first surviving Brain Doner.
Then politely explain if he knows jack**** about your condition he cannot be trusted to treat you safely

I have no problem with a podiatrist not being familiar with RSD.

I have a HUGE problem with a podiatrist not familiar with RSD telling someone whether or not they have RSD.

I'd try to find a specialist who can discuss how he would dx RSD and what kind of treatments he has offered his RSD patients.

There are other conditions that can cause burning pain, especially in the feet and hands, so I would be asking for a referral to a decent neurologist and/or rheumatologist. In my experience, pain consultants don't seem to focus on diagnoses, at least not the ones I've met over here. I wish I had had one from them but it's less of a concern to them as just treating the symptoms and trying to push counselling is. I get the impression that it's not that way in the States though - I think that many docs over there are more motivated to keep trying. My cynical side says it's financially motivated, but it's true that the better docs over there have a larger repertoire of treatments and diagnostic avenues than are considered over here.

The States does have some extra RSD treatment centers here but always many miles from everyone else. Trust me when I say the difficulties dealing with RSD treatment is hell here too. A matter of fact to me the treatment for those with RSD in the UK (posts by Brits over the years) is similar to what I've experienced here. (wife has RSD)

The US may be different in that other options are tolerated, less regulated perhaps than in the UK. This can be both good or bad. Quackery abounds, make no mistake. Those who seem legit are only common hustlers in a suit with a degree on their wall. The upside, a treatment may work for a long duration, not just a few days.