[casinochick]

Hey my name is erica and im 17 and from Ireland. I was diagnosed with RSD on my rght hand about a 1 or 2 years ago and everything has been going great with my hand, it is sore when i write for to long but that is to be expected i guess. The reason im posting this was on thurs i started get aches and pains all over. Then by friday night i started to get a burning sensatition on my legs. I can walk a tiny bit it is quite sore and my legs feel cold. I am just wondering is it RSD spreading or is it something else?
Erica

[AintSoBad]

Welcome Erica!
You'll find lots of information, and friendship and support here.
Glad you joined!

It's a certain possibility that your RSD is spreading, it tends to do that.

What is your treating doctor?
Neurologist, Pain management, family doctor?

I'd get on the phone with your doctor, (I hope you have a neurologist),
and I'd think (I am NOT a doctor!) that you may be started on water therapy, warm pool so you can excercise, and move all those muscles!

As I'm sure you know, as RSD spreads, it becomes a "Use it or Lose it" syndrome.

Please, spend some time reading here.
And, call that doctor!

Another question, do you take anything for pain?
If not, maybe aspirin, Aleve, or motrin might help a bit...
(I find that Tylenol does very little, because it has no anti inflammatory aid).

Hope you feel Better!!

Pete

asb

[ewizabeth]

Welcome to NeuroTalk Erica! I'm glad you found us!

Hopefully you're just having a touch of the flu or something that will clear up soon. Good luck and feel better soon!

[casinochick]

I just have a family doctor at the moment but my family doctor has been lets just say not listening to my dad or other doctors, my dad had an argument with him a couple of weeks ago to do with me so i dont want to see him at all. I take zydol for the pain.

[CRPSbe]

Try and find a pain management specialist or neurologist in your area. The best way to go about it is to contact your local hospital. Make an appointment, or make several. Time is key right now. The RSD might be spreading if you are starting to have the same symptoms elsewhere on your body. Pain management specialists, neurologists, rheumatologists, they are most familiar with the condition. If you can't do this on your own, then ask your parents to help you. If they won't help you... well you *are* 17. You need medical attention first and foremost. We can't help you with that. That's your responsibility.

Try and read up on RSD in the mean time. Your best chance right now is information and education and the help from an RSD knowledgeable doctor.
http://www.rsds.org
http://www.rsdhope.org

Good luck in finding one!

[Scottish Girl]

Hi Erica,

Do you go to a pain clinic? How is your RSD treated - medication, nerve blocks etc? If you're not already seeing a pain specialist, and you don't get along with your g.p., ask to be referred to your local pain clinic. They should be able to help you.

It may be that it is the flu, or some kind of virus, but if the symptoms don't clear up I'd definitely seek some advice.

Take care.

[CRPSbe]

Originally Posted by Scottish Girl

It may be that it is the flu, or some kind of virus, but if the symptoms don't clear up I'd definitely seek some advice.

What an awful thing to say!

Any RSD patient knows exactly what the difference between a mere flu & RSD is...

[dealingwithtos]

Hello,

CRPSbe, Please don't jump to conclusions that the RSD is spreading. It could be a lot of things. Off the top of my head, it could be the flu, the start of fibromyalgia or even the change in barometric pressure.

I've had RSD for a long time as many of you have. Just because you have aches and pains doesn't mean your RSD is spreading. It's not an awful thing for Scottish girl to say. I have problems with my foot - burning on the bottom and burning half way up my calf for a few days. I only have RSD in my arms. It's not spreading. I don't specifically know why my nerves are messed up, or why I get these symptoms, but they go away.

Scottish Girl was absolutely right to say it could be the flu or something else and if it doesn't go away to seek medical advice.

[CRPSbe]

dealingwithtos, please also read my previous message. I was the one who said she should seek medical assistance.

Besides that, would you ever mistake the flu for RSD, because I sure as *hell* wouldn't. About 16 years ago I was stuck with a *severe* flu that lasted 3 months (with complications) and I'm sorry for having said and for saying so, but RSD is at least 100 times worse. I know the flu. I know RSD (because I've had that for 14 plus years in both legs and in 2008 it spread to my arms). I would never mistake one for the other.

[bassman]

I have to agree with Marleen, especially if the patient has had RSD for any length of time. We know our bodies and what is normal, what is a flare-up, what is a new symptom, etc.

I have Rheumatoid Arthritis along with the RSD and I have been asked if I could tell the symptoms apart. Since those symptoms are sometimes very similar to each other, that is harder than identifying a *flu*. But for the most part, I can still pretty much tell when a pain is related to the RA or when it is good old RSD.

I do think that some doctors don't want to take the time to diagnose conditions. Unless you are in obvious trauma or having a major emergency, they will commonly answer "wait a week and see what happens."

Mike