is it rsd or not? That is the question
 

I had carpet tunnel surgery 2 weeks ago. That was all i needed to get back to the working world. Then 2 days after surgery I was in more pain than I have ever felt in my life. I have had two kids... My right arm between the elbow and the shoulder is hot and numb to the touch but in the same not feels like fire and constant pain as if it was broken. I have been to er 4 times and a few of the people there mentioned rsd,but not the doctor. they wont give me diagnoses. I cant even use my arm all the way i am unable to put my hand on my hip. Aggg even typing this is a pain. I am on lyrica and norco and still wake up in pain and all i can do is cry. Is this rsd? they did a mri and said i had an impended shoulder. What is that. they said due to the position my arm was in surgery can cause that much pain. I have the hot feeling. I am freezing everyone out of my room. My clothes can't touch my arm at all. Now my neck is starting to hurt and i seem itchy. I am just feed up and need some input. My family is being helpful but they are tired of hearing me complain. i need a diagnoses to give to my job for long term disability. agg Stuck.

Hi, Helpme! Welcome to NeuroTalk!

Here is a link to the RSD forum where there is a good bunch of folks who will be able to offer you their personal insights on RSD.

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forumdisplay.php?f=21

Feel free to jump in anywhere or post a new thread.

Hi Helpme100...
First let me welcome you!!!!:welcome_sign:

I'm sorry you are in such pain...:(

Here is a link that may help you a bit with wondering if it's RSD or not.. unfortunately only a doctor can tell you for certain.

http://www.rsdsa.org/2/what_is_rsd_crps/index.html


This link is to the Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association... I don't know for certain that this link can answer your question but I hope it helps a bit.


I see that AMN directed you to the RSD forum here... you will find some really GREAT people there...it's a really active forum!!

If you need assistance or just have a question... please let us know... someone will be around shortly that will jump right in and help you out!!

:hug:
Abbie

Hugs. Come on down to the RSD forum. I know of at least one person (Desi) who is dealing with RSD after CTS. My name is Christine, i'll see you down there.

Hello and welcome to NeuroTalk. I am not that knowledgeable of RSD, but see that Cindy (AMN) and abbie have gicen you some good links to click into.

I am so sorry for the pain. Hopefully your doctor can assist you soon.

There a quite a few forums that help a great number of problems and others here to just socialize among members. May your pain ease soon.

Darlene:hug:

Also, www.rsdhope.org is a good site.

STAGE ONE

Stage one is called the acute stage and can last one to three months.

Some characteristics are warmth, coolness, burning pain, edema, increased sensitivity to touch, increased pain, accelerated hair/nail growth, tenderness or stiffness in the joint, spasms, limited mobility, some bony changes may be visible on X-Ray, abnormal amount of pain for the injury. In this stage there is decreased sympathetic activity. For the patient, she, typically a she, may feel as if their limb is on fire and is amazed when it actually feels cool to the touch (this is due to the lack of blood flow to the extremities).

If you don't already have one, please request a referral to a neurologist and a pain management doctor.

what about work?
 

I am worried about work? Can i still work? Do I always have to have pain killers to numb the pain? Will i have enough good days that i could go back to work? I work in a production type plant and it is not easy work anywhere.
Any input or thoughts would be helpful.. I am lost. Thanks Oh and i just now noticed that i said carpet in stead of carpel agg it is just not getting any better.. LLOL

Impinged shoulder maybe? If so, someone should have explained to you how to adjust posture, move the arm gently in the correct way to aid healing, and maybe recommend aspirin to bring down inflammation.

It's important to take care of an impinged shoulder, otherwise it can become a "frozen" shoulder.

rose

maybe inpinged shoulder
 

Someone did say something about an impinged shoulder and that was over the phone and did not tell me what that may include. Does and impinged shoulder have the same same terrible pain that the rsd does? It wakes me up at night with pain. I will be sleeping finally and then all of a sudden i will jerk a terrible jerk enough to wake me up, kinda scary some times it is just me or the drugs or is this another side effect of rsd or could this could a sleeping nerve still from surgery that some have also said.