RSD Spread to Opposite Knee: Feels as if Someone hitting Left Knee with a Hammer!
 

I awoke this morning to severe pain to the opposite knee(left) to where the RSD is diagnosed(right). I am calling my PM doc this morning, as I had to use crutches to hobble from the bed to my computer chair..and took my morning pain meds,immediately.

I knew this culprit could spread;however, I am taken aback by the intensity of the spread to my left knee. It is a sharp, deep, achy pain. It feels like someone is pounding the left knee with a hammer! I had been experiencing the burn in both knees,hands and base of spine. This is a totally different intense pain:eek:

Have any of you experienced this type of spread?

I will let you know what I find out from the PM doc.

Thanks,:grouphug:
Dew

UPDATE:

I just spoke with my PM doc's nurse. She told me that RSD doesn't spread!!! I told her that I want the PM doc to return my call, as she is not the doctor. She told me to elevate my legs, put ice on the knees!!! This woman has no clue. She then proceeded to tell me that I called on PM doc's backline, and I should call on reg. line. I replied;"How do you think I have this number; PM doc gave it to me!" If I am not better in 2 days, I am to call back..I have my appt. with him on 4/28/09, at 10:45 AM.

Currently, I am in tears. Frustration and Pain tears. Hubby just applied a Flector Patch to each knee.

You say that it is a totally different kind of pain, so I'd trust my gut feeling, and have the doctors rule out anything else besides the RSD. There's more to a knee than you think, it's a very complicated joint, and there could be all sorts of things wrong with it.

My cartilage pain is a deep achy feeling, sometimes sharp, that lessens when I take it really easy. I can't do stairs, for instance (I lack strength for a full flight of stairs) or the knees will start acting up to such a degree that I could basically scream in pain, it enhances my RSD too (it will cause a flare-up in the knees like you wouldn't believe). It will then take more than 2 weeks for the knee pain to lessen to a tolerable level (and no my regular meds don't cut it at all). It's mostly my left (unoperated knee) that gives me the most problems and that has the most intense flare-up. I have to be careful with the knees, because if it comes to the day where I will need to have the knees replaced, that's an operation I won't be able to undergo due to RSD.

Sorry Dew
 

I am so sorry. Wish I could be there to share conversation and some morning coffee.
She obviously doesn't know what she is talking about!
Having said that, I would suggest you start some grapeseed extract. This antioxidant may slow or stop the symptoms. Add a extra amount of antioxidant foods to your diet. If you have a juicer try making some vitamin enriched drinks, carrot/apple is a great combination. Yogurt berry drinks for desert. Also, as you well know, don't let stress and anxiety get a hold on you. Space your meditation time to several times during the day to keep you centered and focused.
Visualization, soft music and laughter will contribute to your well being. I know you know all these things. You just have to make a conscience effort today toward your well being, during the appearance of this spread.
No resistance. "What we resist persists". Just nurture yourself. Lots of Hugs Di

Hello yes I also have r.s.d in my right knee after total knee replacement and that brought on my rsd for a year of painfull crying pt I really thought I was going crazy. They stretched my knee untill I thought It was going to come off my body...... I have had many sugeries in both knees the pain is unbearable at days, I still work on my feet 8hrs aday. The weekends our bad because Im not moving as much pain need a break off my feet..Now I have a :hug:because of rsd in right knee... Can it get worse...... Want to donate my body to the University of Michigan find out all the can I this painfull disrupting thing called rsd!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you need someone to talk to I'm here for you I really feel your PAIN............

I'm so sorry to hear that you have been having some very difficult and scary times. When I read your post my heart dropped because I have been in that circumstance 2.5 years ago.
My CRPS started in the right hip and within a month the whole leg was affected from hip to toe. Within the first year the CRPS spread to my left leg and I too felt like my knees were hit with a baseball bat over and over. I was not diagnoised until last year so every dr said that it cant spread and the left leg was mirroring the right however when I saw one of the top specialist in Chicago at Rush University he tested both legs and confirmed both the left and the right have CRPS. I dont know how a dr could possibly think that this disease does not spread when both my legs are crazy looking as usually ice cold and purple which I thought was a dead give away. The one thing I have learned in the last 3.5 years of dealing with this is as follows:
1. Dont trust the nurses, the have F*** me over by always trying to be my Dr and not passing the messages on the Dr *the not passing messages has happened over a dozen times!
2. Keep calling to get the message thru to your Dr because the quiet patient is a patient that the Dr thinks is doing okay. Request to speak with the Dr and call every 30minutes if needed.

It may seem like I'm telling you to be rude but really you are paying for your Dr's care and anything less is unexceptable. You should be able to talk to the Dr on the phone in the least.

I hope that your left knee is not hurting because of spreading but if you have not taken a direct injury to the knee recently then what else could it be? Good luck and keep us posted as to how you are doing. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sarah