My chiro uses a cold laser { also called low level laser or soft laser} for my TOS, CMP and C spine pain.

Denise-quote
[When I was injured at work it caused a RCT, stretched/torn ulnar nerve, severe sprain of my wrist (all on the right side), and a slight buldging disc in my neck which is causing neck pain and sometimes SEVERE headaches. No one diagnosed me for so long. Then, my left hand and arm began to hurt and turn colors also and I was told I developed CRPS II (and possibly TOS).]

Ahh - that's what i was wondering if you might have some TOS type of sx also - those could be what is flaring for you.
We have a TOS forum here too- you should visit it - quite a few have RSD & TOS -
but don't cross post in both forums due to limits of arm use.

What is TOS? I am confused!


And--- welcome here Denise!!

Vanessa,
TOS stands for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. Just go down to the bottom and go to the area where you pulled up the RSD website and scroll down until you come to the Thoracic Outlet Syndrome site.

I am not a good explainer of TOS, I just live with it. I've always been one to say next to the RSD it's the second syndrome closest to hell.

It is nerve impingement in the thoracic area. I have had a rib removed on the right side to make room for the nerves to spread. There are 3 kinds of TOS and luckily I only have the neurological. There is definatly no cure. Surgery only sometimes helps. The surgery can also bring on RSD. That's how I ended up with the RSD.

There are a lot of good people over there and they will help you with any answers you might need on it.

Sorry I'm not much help but as I said I live with it but I can't explain any of it. LOL

Ada

I understand now. Thanks for the explanation. ((hugs)) to you! That certainly does not sound like fun... RSD is enough! I can't imagine having TOS on top of my RSD.

[QUOTE=dreambeliever128;55877]Through lots of work I am in remission in my arms and hands. The only time I see the RSD flare up is when the barometer changes and then no meds on earth helps with the pain.

Hi Ada!

Thank you for the "welcome"! You all sound so encouraging. I really appreciate this group!

I guess I didn't get my response to you correctly yesterday. I live in Palm Springs area & due to "work comp finance fiascos" I've been trying to get moved to Colorado where I have a sister. But she has Fibromyalgia & she's having SEVERE problems due to the weather...in particular...the barometric pressure (at least that's what she thinks it is).

Until I saw your note I didn't know RSD may be affected by it. Hmmmm. I'll have to think about this move!

I'm sorry about your fingers spasming. My hand curled up one time after I had to move to a new place, then had no one to help with my dishes, etc, so I think I over did it. But I kept doing gentle exercises to straighten them out, and eventually it stopped. I hope that's all you have to do.

Have a great weekend!

Denise

Hi Lisa!

Thanks for your encouragementand info! Even if I'm not in remission, I just appreciate feeling better....at least for a large part of the day. I'm going to try to look into that laser treatment. Sounds good.

I've been seeing a Chiro since almost day one of my injury, way before anyone told me about RSD. From what I've been reading the last couple of days I believe that is the reason I never developed the EXTREME sensitivity to touch that many RSD patients have. I have never been able to tolerate breezes, but clothing and touching doesn't bother me.

I just wrote Vanessa about Mannetech Glyconutrients. I really do believe they may have helped me come out of this latest flare so fast.

I'm so glad to hear you are doing so well. I would love to be able to work part time, but I rarely have a consistent night with being able to sleep due to the pain when I cut back on Lyrica. But when I take enough Lyrica to sleep my brain goes dead!! I get my words all mixed up and people look at me like I'm stoned!

Oh well! LOL

Have a good weekend,

Denise

[QUOTE=VWBeetle;55802]Remission ? Nope , not during the 4 years I have had RSD . I have never read about a total remission either but if so , sounds hopefull .

Hi VW,

Thanks for your note. I've just read a note from Lisa and she says she knows people who are doing great!

I think I was a little bit in denial about being "In remission". But I wasn't in 24 hour pain and wasn't even taking Lyrica...so it "felt like" a remission or something. But the pain still gets sooooo bad at night.

Hang in there! I appreciate all the encouragement!

Denise

Hi jo55!

Thanks for your note. I'm going to try to find out if work comp would pay for laser therapy.

Just wanted to explain I never had surgery for TOS. But when I broke a finger last summer (I don't have any insurance) my work comp doc tried to set it in his office (for free!!). He said I really needed surgery, but an operating room would cost $20K. It didn't "stay" and now my finger is crooked.

But I learned NEVER to do anything like that again! The flare it caused was horrific! So, unless I'm dying, I don't want my RCT repaired or any TOS surgery. Actually, if I have TOS, it's not that bad! It's just from spasms or something.

Denise

Heather,

I sure appreciate you & Vanessa! You're both so young to have so much pain....but your attitudes are fantastic! Keep it up! It always helps to keep hope alive.

It's amazing how long it takes to be diagnosed. The SGB's really helped me a lot, even though I got them 3 yrs after injured.

Take care!

Denise

Hey there!

To make a long story short hubby has had RSD in leg since 1995 - After Ulnar Nerve transposition (work related injury - both arms) He developed RSD in his right arm (first surgery).

After developing the ulnar nerve damage he started having cramping, and where his arms would curl up at night (or when he fell asleep) in a protective mode, his hands would claw up too and we have to massage them to get them to "open up" and start working again...I'm wondering if your pain at night has something to do with your ulnar nerve?