Beyond Fight or Flight
 

Hi,
I wrote this (I'm sorry I got a bit text-booky) but it indicates some of the reasons for some of the signs & symptoms of CRPS.

Please make with it what you will and ignore the rest. I offer it as it goes in a very small part to explain some of the lesser but intensely important actions of a small and oft forgotten part of the nervous system.

Also, I think it goes some way to explaining the simple "fight or flight" descriptor & perhaps a step or two further. I have purposely kept it general as I am avoiding trying to promote myself as "expert" in CRPS except that I have the rotten syndrome and have thought about a lot. You can all put your signs & symptoms in the right places should they fit.

Higher Control Of Autonomic Functions
Important centre for the regulation of autonomic functions are found in the brain-stem and hypothalamus. The latter is frequently considered to be the major higher centre of the autonomic nervous system. The role of these and other areas of the neural axis in autonomic control can be investigated by stimulation or ablation experiments and such investigations have shown that the cerebral cortex is also involved in autonomic control.

One function of the autonomic system is that of maintaining the internal environment within closely defined limits. To achieve this aim of maintaining homeostasis, the nervous system frequently utilizes the principles of a negative feedback mechanism, in which any change in the controlled variable will result in an effect on it in the opposite direction – for instance, a rise in blood pressure will be opposed and the standard level maintained. Positive feedback mechanisms do occur – the generation of a nerve action potential being an example – but are not generally involved in homeostatic control.

The basic components of a negative feedback homeostatic mechanism are:
1 The controlled variable is the parameter which is kept at a standard level, eg; blood pressure or arterial pCO2 (carbon dioxide pressure);
2 There is a specialized sensor element which responds specifically to changes in the controlled variable – eg: baroreceptors which monitor changes in pressure or chemoreceptors which may be neurons in the central nervous system or peripheral elements and which are selectively sensitive to specific agents such as carbon dioxide;
3 The afferent pathway along which information from the sensors is transmitted to the co-ordinating centre;
4 A co-ordinating centre those for respiratory and cardiovascular functions are located in the brain stem;
5 An efferent pathway which for the respiratory and cardiovascular systems may involve both somatic and autonomic nervous pathways; and
6 An effector mechanism, which is frequently muscle.
The operation of a feedback circuit such as this can be exemplified by the brain-stem systems which control blood-pressure and the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the blood.

Effects of Autonomic Stimuli
The effects of stimulation of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems especially when the two systems innervate the same organ or tissue, are often antagonistic. For instance, the parasympathetic system inhibits the heart; the sympathetic system excites it.

However, there is no general principle about which system inhibits and which stimulates. Both systems excite sphincter muscles, but one innervates the constrictor muscles (SNS) and the other excites the dilator muscles (PSNS). The sympatheic system prepares the body for muscular exercise and reactions in emergencies. It exerts an important control over the cardiovascular system, increasing the strength and frequency of cardiac contractions and regulating the diameter of arterioles (peripheral) resistance). Both effects are intimately involved in the regulation of arterial blood-pressure.

Sympathetic activity causes adrenaline to be released by the adrenal gland in situations of severe stress – “fright, flight, or fight” – and during fatigue, cold and shock. The circulation of this hormone mimics sympathetic activity, causing increased blood-pressure, dilation of bronchioles and pupils, release of red-blood cells into the circulation from the spleen, increase blood sugar levels and elevation of body temperature.

Neurotransmitters at Autonomic Synapses
Details of the synthesis and release of acetylcholine, noradrenaline and adrenaline are complex reactions about which we are concerned.

Supersensitivity due to Androgenic Denervation
The action of circulating noradrenaline is mainly terminated by andrenergic nerve terminals which accumulate noradrenaline by energy-dependent mechanisms. When andrenergic nerve terminals are destroyed by surgical, chemical or IMMUNOLOGICAL methods, the action of circulating noradrenaline is greater and prolonged in comparison to normal. This phenomenon is called “supersensitivity” and is mainly due to the absence of re-uptake mechanisms in the denervated area.
What if a myelinated neurone becomes de-myelinated through these or any other mechanism. This results in a clearly crossed and exaggerated impulse that will interact with the limbic, endocrine reproductive , metabolic and bioenergetic: any body system.

Regrettably, the oversimplification of such complex systems leads to a misunderstanding and expectation that they are somewhat like a spark getting to a plug in a motor. This simple system can present enough problems to the average person so a system as complex as the one touched upon above is clearly complex and controls the whole body maintaining the homeostatic state in the normal organism.

Best regards
Please ignore if you think it nonsense.
Auberon

Hi Auberon,


A very complex system yet one which I think we can all identify with for the overwhelming sensation we get when it as at work!
I know for myself that many times at work I was very happy for this response, it sure helped me get through some really terrifying patient episodes.
Cheers Tayla:hug:

Hi Auberon,

Thanks so much for sharing your wisdom on how are body organs work together. Hugs, Roz xx:)

I've long suspected that demyelination is the root cause of RSD.

It may be caused by any number of factors but spirochetal infection seems to best explain symptoms. Indeed, it may be two infections with onset caused by one being quorum sensing.

hello all,

very interesting article. I must say that I believe that I believe I have demylenation going on even as we speak! The constant "muscle twitches" or "evoked responses" as the medical field calls them, leads me to fear that this is indeed the case. Unfortunately, every damn doc I have been to tells me this is not related to rsd and that the pins and needles and electrical currents that I suffer in my feet are also not related! Another reason this forum is so valuable....information and personal experiences! :hug: jen

Imahitep has brought up a valuable point here. Here are some of the SX to a spirochetal infection.

Musculoskeletal System
Joint pain or swelling or tenderness
Stiffness of joints, back, neck
Muscle pain or cramps
Bone pain
Heavy feeling in one or more limbs

Neurological System
Tremors or unexplained shaking (especially at night)
Burning or stabbing sensations in the body
Weakness or partial paralysis/stroke-like symptoms
Pressure in the head
Numbness in body, tingling, pinpricks
Poor balance, dizziness, difficulty walking
Increased motion sickness
Lightheadedness, wooziness
Sudden jerking of fingers or entire limbs
Pain in spinal column

General Well-being
Unexplained weight gain, loss
Extreme fatigue
Swollen glands
Unexplained fevers (high or low grade)
Continual infections (sinus, kidney, eye, etc.)
Symptoms seem to change, come and go
Pain migrates (moves) to different body parts
Early on, experienced a "flu-like" illness, after which you have not since felt well. (If it was mild, you may not even recall this.)

Eyes/Vision
Double, blurry or dim vision
Increased floating spots
Pain in/behind eyes, or swelling around eyes
Over sensitivity to light
Flashing lights
Optic neuritis

Ears/Hearing
Decreased hearing in one or both ears
Buzzing or clicking noises in ears
Pain in ears or sound sensitivity
Ringing in one or both ears
Pressure or feeling of fullness in ears

Digestive and Excretory Systems
Diarrhea, irritable bowel
Constipation
Irritable bladder (trouble starting, stopping)
Frequent urination that is not normal
Upset stomach (nausea or pain)

Respiratory and Circulatory Systems
Shortness of breath, cough
Chest pain or rib soreness
Night sweats or unexplained chills
Heart palpitations or extra beats
Heart blockage

Psychological well-being
Mood swings, irritability, rage
Unusual depression
Disorientation (getting or feeling lost)
Feeling as if you are losing your mind
Overemotional reactions, crying easily
Too much sleep, or insomnia
Difficulty falling or staying asleep

Mental Capability
Memory loss (short or long term)
Confusion, difficulty in thinking, brain fog
Difficulty with concentration or reading
Going to the wrong place
Speech difficulty (slurred or slow)
Stammering speech
Forgetting how to perform simple tasks

Head, Face, Neck
Unexplained hair loss
Headaches, mild or severe
Twitching of facial or other muscles
Facial paralysis (Bell's Palsy)
Tingling of nose, cheek or face
Stiff or painful neck or creaking
Jaw pain or stiffness
TMJ � sudden onset, jaw spasms
Sore throat, hoarseness
Loss of sense of taste
Difficulty swallowing, throat spasms

I think we should just keep a open mind about everything. Much Love, Roz