Traetment for newly diagnosed rsd patients used in Germany
 

Hi all,

I don't have access to any research material on this but I do want to put it out there for people to discuss. I'm not sure if this procedure is being offered to newly diagnosed patients commonly in North America or not. When I mentioned it to my pain doctor he complained that he only had 4 beds to treat pain patients for the whole province of BC.

While in Germany to have surgery on my rsd affected foot the doctors offered me a continuous peridural catheter for 7 days. They told me that it is the "Gold Standard" of treatment especially for newly diagnosed RSD patients. Apparently they have very good success rates and were very surprised that I had not been offered it when I was first diagnosed with RSD.

In my case since it has been so long (6 years) they have little hope of it giving me any long term relief but felt that it would be beneficial to prevent further spread or intensity my current rsd state. So far I'm doing ok but it was hell flying home.

I'm interested to know if this treatment is being offered commonly else where and would like to hear about your experiences.

MsL.

Hi MsL, Thank you for the message on Germany treatment. No I have not heard of it before. Is it connected in any way to Ketamine infusion? Hopefully it will keep your RSD from spreading. Mine went full body after a second injury I think in my 5-6th year. It's been 12 years now. I live in the U.S. but have been to Germany from the west coast. Long trip. How are you doing now? Take care, Loretta

Hi Loretta,

No the continuous anesthetic peridural catheter treatment is not associated with the Ketamine treatment but since it is considered the "gold standard" of treatment options I would assume that it is being used throughout Germany. My husband is German so it is a little easier for me to get help there, especially with translations. I did meet with the doctor who does the Ketamine coma treatment a couple of years back but we decided to only have that if all else fails.

I'm sorry to hear that your RSD is now full body. What were your first signs that the rsd was spreading to your full body? So far it seems to still be contained to my left side but lately I have bouts of increasing intensity and nothing will stop it except for an Oxycontin. I hate taking those but sometimes I just don't know what else to do. I'm afraid that my pelvis region is starting to be affected too. Thanks for asking.

What do you do / or take to try to keep your pain levels down. Have you been able to find any relief? I hope you are having a good day.

MsL