Crps complications
 

Hello all-

I haven’t been back on this forum for almost 4 years. About 7 years ago when I was 19 I had neck surgery and ended up with CRPS. After nerve stimulator trials, injections, pain meds like crazy. I moved to Arizona for the weather in hopes it would help....and it did in a wonderful way. I’ve been functioning off pain meds (just nerve meds) for almost 3 years since I have been here and was able to get off disability get a college degree and go back to work.

About a month ago, I woke up with not just my usual radiating pain and numbness down my arm. I couldn’t move my neck and both of my arms were numb and shooting pain. I went to the hospital and my pain management the following Monday. They did imaging to find that under my anterior cervical discectony and fusion at c6 and c7 I have a disk out of place pinching a nerve at c5. I have had 6 injections in the past for my Crps from stellate ganglion To other nerve blocks and injections that only exacerbated my pain. They believe if I do an injection targeted for my spine to help push the disk back into place that it will help my pain. Would not touch the Crps pain but would help the numbness and pain in my other arm. I was told about 21 after 6 failed injections not to get any more. However since they would not be treating the Crps my doctor now thinks they should try This to see if it helps. Any advice or suggestions on this matter? It would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

Angela

What are they doing to treat your pain currently? What options do you have if you don't do the injections? Can they get you in with a CRPS specialist/pain management near you to help with that pain? I would tend to go for any non-invasive options first unless the injections are known to work and have a shot at alleviating most or all of your pain. I haven't had many in my back though so I'm not super knowledgeable in that area.

Angela
I guess a second opinion wouldn't hurt, unless you have great faith in the doctor and diagnosis of this disc causing a nerve impingement. If that is the case then that could be "fueling" the crps. If you do go thru with the surgery, I would encourage you to discuss the crps surgical protocol with your doctor and anesthesiologist.
Barb