RSD, SFN, MG and Hypothyroid
 

So I acquired RSD from a fall down the steps almost 30 years ago. 8 years before I had half my Thyroid removed due to nodules. After 10 years of treatment, I found remission from RSD through Tegretol. I had occasional small relapses. Fast forward 10 more years and I began to have severe muscle weakness, sometimes almost paralyzed limbs and weird sensations. I was diagnosed with Myasthenia gravis, a rare neuromuscular autoimmune disease as well as hypothyroidism. I still had other unexplained symptoms. They kept testing. They did a tissue biopsy and found small fiber neuropathy. They did a muscle biopsy, showing mild angular atrophic fibers. They did a couple of brain MRI showing increase intensity of foci. Does anyone else with RSD have a history like this? Am I crazy to think this is all related to the RSD? I feel like my whole nervous system is being attacked. Oh by the way the RSD pain is coming back.
Any insight would be appreciated
kathie

It is pretty common for those with RSD to also have other autoimmune diseases.

I've had RSD for 7 years now and I was just diagnosed with small fiber neuropathy...though I haven't had my first appointment yet with the neurologist since the pain management doctor diagnosed it with a skin punch biopsy.

Hopefully someone else can chime in with more experience with this.

Thanks, so Is RSD considered to be autoimmune too? I get IVIG and it helps all my symptoms
kathie

I have CRPS, and was in latest years diagnosed with Menière's. I don't believe it's related at all.

I mean, it's not as if it all *has* to be. Until there's proof to the contrary, I'm just assuming it's two different disease processes (well, they *are*).

Hi Kathie,

I am sorry you are having to deal with so much and hope your MG is under control. I am glad the IVIG is bringing you relief on so many levels.

There has been research in the last few years by Dr. Louise Oaklander showing a correlation between small fiber neuropathy and CRPS. There has also been research by Dr. Andreas Goebel showing an autoimmune component in a percentage of CRPS patients. IVIG has been given as a treatment for CPRS and there was a recent trial for it. I am not surprised that IVIG helps.

Here are a couple of links to peruse. There are numerous articles on both subjects available. The SFN article is a heavy but very interesting read about nerve injury in CRPS 1. Though I feel fairly well read, I encountered some technical information in this article that gave me a few aha! moments. The autoimmune link is just a nice, easy summary.

Autoimmunity Linked To Complex Regional Pain Syndrome - Chronic Pain

http://rsds.org/wp-content/uploads/2...eurol_2009.pdf

Sending thoughts of hope and healing, :hug:

My 2cents, I think it is all auto-immune related, which is why LDN seems to help so many varied ailments-they are all auto-immune related.

Thanks for the info, I thought it had to be related. I just worry because most of the drugs used to treat the RSD, exacerbate the MG. So I am very limited to my treatment plans. And the disease kick each other off. And heat is the worst time for me