[hope4thebest]

There are so many similarities in symptoms and physiology between peripheral neuropathy and RSD, particularly lower limb, I am wondering if they are related, or if they can exist simultaneously, and if so, how can you tell which symptoms are from which condition? I'm not so sure that Peripheral neuropathy presents with discoloration and redness (?)
If one doc says you have peripheral neuropathy, and another says you have RSD, who wins the contest or are they both correct?
Either way, we are the ones left with the booby prize
Hugs from Hope4thebest
xoxoxox

[daniella]

Hi I have both PN and RSD though my pain doctor and neuro feels the pain is the RSD. Well for me I had an emg/nc that showed I have PN. My pain doctor was saying how with PN though sometimes there is a reason behind it where if you treat that the PN can get to a better point. With RSD it is about pain management though PN has pain management too. Not sure if I am making sense here. I have seen so many doctors and none have made the connection between the RSD and PN. Not to say they are not but just my experience.

[mrsD]

I believe that RSD is called a "neuropathy"... This means a disorder of a nerve(s).

But RSD is different, as it is more severe, and when spread, more severe. RSD appears to favor the sympathetic nerves. Most peripheral neuropathies are sensory at first, with the more severe type, affecting motor functions (autoimmune), or genetic spreading. Most PNs have numbness. Peripheral neuropathies don't always follow a trauma or injury like RSD does. Peripheral neuropathies may be induced by poisons (pesticides, arsenic) or drugs. PN may occur in diabetics as a complication.

There are many kinds of PN, most do not swell or discolor however.

RSD and PN share dysautomnia symptoms, and gastroparesis however.

I think it is important for RSDers to make sure they don't have PN as an overlap, as PN sometimes responds to Vit D and B12.
Also some respond to carnitine, and other nutrients like lipoic acid. People can have more than one illness/syndrome, and keeping an open mind when new symptoms crop up may be to your advantage.

[hope4thebest]

Thanks for the insight! I am having an emg/nerve conduction test on Wednesday (if I can stand it in the RSD limb and foot) and I wonder if it can reveal RSD or will it reveal PN, or both...
It will be interesting to review the results with the tech, and the following week, with the doc..
I have wondered about the status of the nerves in my limb...
I can't believe this wasn't done 4 years ago!!
I am sorry that both of you suffer from P.N. The combination (RSD and P.N must be doubly painful!
It is hopeful to know that P.N. can improve with supplements and time !

Hugs from
hope4thebest xoxoxox

[mrsD]

Hope, not all PN's improve with time. Many of us have prevented progression, and in my case I did improve (but not 100%). For most of us, once you have PN you have it always.
But the severe, pain, sweating, discoloration, and other things RSDers endure, we don't have that. When things get really advanced in PN we become numb as a rule. (also weakness, and disability follow). Some become paralyzed in a way.

The genetic ones like Charcot Marie Tooth, (which has many variants) don't have studies showing nutrients help yet.

Some of the autoimmune ones are connected to gluten intolerance.

There are over 100 forms of PN, but many are linked to low levels of some nutrients. And the nutrients that help mitochondria, like carnitine and CoQ-10 may help those that have mitochondrial damage like arise from chemo or HIV treatments.

The problems with PN are that finding the culprit can be difficult and many doctors, don't bother. Without a hint as to what is wrong, then the proper treatments cannot be applied.

There is a new test for sensory neuropathy, and that involves a skin biopsy to count the nerve endings actually present. EMGs don't as a rule show small fiber sensory changes. EMGs do show motor (muscle) involvements, typically called axonal.

When I read here on RSD forum I am struck by the similarites too that exist between the two disorders. But they are different also in alot of ways.

[peppermintpatty]

I have both PN (as a result of trauma) and CRPS (developed as a result of the nerve injury). I have two very different, distinct types of pain and can usually differentiate between the two quite easily. There are many times that I have both simultaneously, and I can tell which is which.

The nerve pain is like hot, sharp pokers, almost electrical currents, through my leg. The CRPS pain is painful to the touch, skin that begs not to be touched, is hypersensitive to any extremes in temperature, sometimes even the touch of air from the ceiling fan can aggravate it. Warm water in the shower can be excruciating. I have a handheld and have to be very careful to control the water from hitting that area directly.

My injury has become disabling, although I still have hope that one day I will be able to walk again. Even if not perfectly, even if I had a limp, just to be able to walk would be really nice.