Hi,

Can anyone give me some suggestions as to how to get thru sinus surgery with out causing a spread that I might be able to give to my comletely unsympathetic ENT? I'd really appreciate it!

It would be helpful if it were medical literature I could present to him. He's very arrogant and non receptive to my comments. Unfortunately, I am stuck with him due to Insurance constraints.

Thanks in advance,

Maddy

Maddy
By you telling him of your RSD condition , your concern of spread,,you are putting the ball in his court and he is accountable to any adverse effects due to the surgery,,or , you can just talk to the antithesiologist before hand about your condition,and request a continuous block for the procedure,,,,,It also is protocol for all sugeries for the patient to have a consultation with the antithesilogist before surgery,,,,,,that is one window you could use to avoid your arrogant surgeon,,,,but, if it were me,I would bite the bullet and consult them both ,for your protection,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,bobber

Hi Maddy, Look up rsdrx.com.. Under puzzles, there are 147 questions to Dr. Hooshmand,now retired, but very experienced RSD Dr. He gives medical information on each question. Also have you looked at RSDSA the national support group for RSD? It might have something?Dr. Hooshmand, Florida, turned over his practice to another Dr, named in the forum. There is a phone number. I would be very cautious, any surgery is risky for spread. I would try to find out any precautions are available. The Cleveland Clinic might have some information. Also Dr. Swartzman from Philly might have some thoughts.
Is the surgery something that is absolutely necessary? I have sinus infections quite often due to deviated septum, but just live with is and us a netty pot and keep the sinus clean.
I hope you get some knowledgable answers, loretta with soft hugs

Hi Maddy--
I've have full body/internal RSD and have had at least 3 surgeries since RSD/CRPS (2 of which were after I was diagnosed). 2 nose surgeries and 1 ear surgery. I understand the fear, but I also understand the necessity of surgery. My nose surgeries were to help me breath (and on a side note, not breathing well was causing a lot of sinus infections) and my ear surgery was because I had ruptured my ear drum--- causing hearing loss and lots of infections.

The key for me has always been making sure I had adequate pain control during and after surgery.

Most anesthesiologists will at least know a little about RSD and the "during surgery" part of it, will probably not be the biggest issue-- my challenges came after surgery.

The surgeon who did my ear surgery 7 weeks ago, completely understood RSD/CRPS, but my previous ones did not. So, rather than try to go into detail with a surgeon who just doesn't get it (and probably doesn't want to learn), I'd express what my concerns were-- how RSD/CRPS relates to what they are doing, how they can help and possible ways to alleviate problems. Most surgeons get that pain can slow down healing, causes immune system weaking-- which can increase the risk of infection and no surgeon wants that. So, come up with a plan before hand hand to deal with that. With my most recent surgery, my surgeon kept me in the hospital for 3 days (normally this would have been an outpatient surgery), had me on IV fluids, IV meds and IV steriods. That way my body could begin to recover before I was on my own. When I was released from the hospital, I was put on a prescription anti inflammatory, in addition to regular pain meds.

Also, know what to expect. With my last two surgeries, I've had a longer than typical recovery time. My surgeon said all bets were off in terms of my recovery time --due to the RSD/CRPS my body does things in its own timing--- BUT, at least I knew that going into this surgery. Is it frustrating ? Yes, definitely, but not unexpected. Also know that there is the possibilty you may have an RSD flare. I didn't have any RSD/CRPS flare with the nose surgeries, but with the ear surgery, I have had several major ones. However, being that the ear surgery was, by far, the most "intense" surgery, I expected the possibilty it might happen. Come up with a plan and rest as much as possible.

Keep all of your doctors, nurses, etc informed and let them know what need-- what has worked, what hasn't, pain levels, IV sites, etc.

Good Luck !

L2L