Hi, I'm new today! I've had CRPS II in my right hand and arm for 5 1/2 years. It spread up to my neck and into left hand also, but not as severe. Haven't been able to work in over 3 years. Didn't get diagnosed and treated for 3 years. Had several Stellate Ganglion Blocks that REALLY helped calm down my pain for a couple of years, as long as I limited my aggravating activities etc. Then, I broke a finger on my worse hand (right) early August and I went into a MAJOR flare in both arms. Lyrica has been working great, but I nearly had a car accident due to not being able to "think straight".

I cut back on the Lyrica as soon as flare began to let up in November. Now I'm doing better than I have in a long time! Which is great, EXCEPT I'm finally being sent to a Neurologist (thru work comp) tomorrow, and it seems I have very little symptoms!

Has anyone else gone into some sort of a "spontaneos remission" for a little while, then get bad again?

Thanks for any input or suggestions for this appointment!

Denise

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 .

Good luck to you .

Hello to both of you,

I don't have RSD but just wanted to welcome you to the forum.

and ask a question-
Denise-
Is the work comp for the RSD only?
or did you have a injury at work that brought it on?

we also have a work comp forum if that might be of help.

Hi jo55 (Hope I'm doing this right!)

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).

I also would like to know if anyone else has worse pain at night on a regular basis. I mean, the very WORST thing for me is to have cool air blow on my right arm or neck anytime day or night. I usually go into horrible pain then. But then, even on days when my pain is "calmer" and bearable, as soon as I get into bed (almost) the pain in both arms and hands worsens. Maybe this is due to the RCT on the right shoulder and now I'm having problems with left shoulder too since I lift everything and drive with my left hand.

No doctor answers me when I ask if this is the RSD or not.

I'm so glad to fing this site! I haven't had ANYONE who has this to talk to or ask questions to "compare".

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?

Hi "HubbyWithRSD",

I'm glad your Hubby has such a caring "Wifey"! My heart goes out to him!

Yes, you're very perceptive. I do have ulnar nerve neuropathy due to entrapment. But my chiropractor always "tweeks" my elbow and must be releasing it.

I'M TERRIFIED OF GETTING ANY SURGERIES!

I also have 3 torn tendons in my shoulder that they say I need surgery for, but my WONDERFUL, GIFTED, CHIROPRACTOR also keeps my shoulder loosened up.

So I feel blessed that I've been able to get some help w/o surgery.

But were you saying that the elbow nerve entrapment gets worse at night?
I know torn rotator cuffs hurts worse at night, but since getting so much Chiro help my shoulder is much better. But still the rest of my arms and hands get soooo painful every night.

Please tell me why you think this! I really appreciate it!

DeniseG

Hi Denise. Thanks for the reply about my sleep question. Including myself, some I have talked to that are long sufferers have experienced a period that the pain became less severe. Remission, I've read about but most all of them were caused by a treatment such as ketamine. My period of less RSD pain was really controlled by my meds. Maybe the way you can tell, is miss a dose of meds, if you are O.K. go from there. If I'm two hours late taking my meds I become very ill.

the BEST to you Denise...Michael

Hand clawing is often associated with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome also.
Some with TOS were mis dx'd with ulnar or carpal tunnel {or other tendinitis injuries} and after those surgeries they still had sx - because the real injury/compression is up in the brachial plexus area of the neck.

HubbyWithRSD,
does he have a tight neck and or neck and shoulder pain along with the other symptoms of ulnar and carpal?
there is also whats called a double crush and triple crush - where there is a compression at the BP, the ulnar and the carpal.

Just wanted to mention this in case you haven't heard of it before.
What was his work injury?

We have a Thoracic Outlet Forum here also.
many do have RSD with the TOS and work comp claims.

if you think you might have TOS we do have many threads on self care and "helps" and meds.

my husband and i both have rsd.........he was diagnosed in 2001, and had been doing fairly well.....been able to continue working, etc.........until......................march 24 2006 he got hurt at work yet again, this time his left rotator......he had surgery, and whammmmmmmmmmm he has been down for the count since..............his left side is really bad........ he has had some sgbs, but they only gave short relief...........he now has a frozen shoulder, and his hand is starting to claw..............pain is through the roof...........
so to answer your question, yes, .......he is on lyrica and norco, and they are doing a port in his neck for continual coverage jan. 24.
good luck to you, and again, welcome.
ps. i was diagnosed in 2002 and have my pain at a tolerable stage, thank goodness................the fibro is the more painful part for me...............

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.

I have had blocks that worked wonders. If the blocks work the first time then use them again. I'm on a minimal Methadone dosage. I have to go up on it when mine is worst but it still doesn't help at that time.

I am dealing with my fingers spasming up now and I just took pictures of them awhile ago. I want to show it to my hand surgeon. I honestly don't know it it's the RSD or a pinched nerve somewhere. It just started back up about a month ago after not dealing with it for about 5 years. I'm wondering if what Claudia is talking about her husbands hand is going on with mine.

I do think we have had one or two on here before that said they are in complete remission. Don't remember who but some of the others might remember.

Welcome to the board.
Ada