Eight years ago I fractured my foot in several places, a week later I developed RSD. For six weeks my treatments were spinal blocks and it worked. I live a holistic lifestyle so medication was very invasive to my body and I had hope that the RSD would never come back. Two months ago I developed a small tumor on my other foot on my small toe, because of this I had to have an T-3 MRI, no contrast, the vibration was so intense that i believe it is what has caused my RSD to revisit me once again. Has anyone else ever experienced this? Can it be triggered by any vibration?

My husband has RSD, diagnosed in Oct. '09 after surgery on two severed nerves in his hand (his own doing with a table saw). For a while, the vibration from riding in a car caused him to spike to a 7 or 8.

Since Feb. or March he has been in what I would call partial remission. I say partial because his fingers are still sometimes cooler than on his other hand, but his other symptoms, including and especially the pain, are gone.

While I would love to close him off in a room where he would be safe from anything that might cause his symptoms to come back, he has no interest in living that kind of life so I grit my teeth and encourage him to do as much as he wants to do.

Recently that has included shoveling, hoeing, pounding nails, rototilling, lawn work (mowing and weedeating) and any other rough-and-tumble activity he decides he wants to do. All of these involve varying degrees of vibration and I have agonized over his trying each and every one. So far though, his pain and symptoms are staying away.

From reading other posts on this site, my guess is that most will say that symptoms can come back for the tiniest of reasons and sometimes for no apparent reason at all. I hate to think that after eight years an MRI would cause your symptoms to return, but it wouldn't surprise me to learn that was the case.

You'll find lots of great advice and wise people on this site. Even with my husband doing so well, I come back here daily to stay as informed as possible. It's a great site.

Hi Dalia,
I'm sorry you are facing this again? Besides the MRI, did you have a surgical procedure to remove the tumor? I haven't heart of vibration causing relapse, but I believe it certainly could.
I got RSD following breast biopsy and wasn't diagnosed for 4 years, but immediately got frozen shoulder (RSD) and startaed pt..... After a year of therapy, before moving to another state my pt said I could get RSD in other shoulder. He said that happens, but sounded strange to me. I had remission for over a year and out of nowhere, got frozen shoulder in other shoulder. Remember I didn't know I had RSD, was playing tennis, water skiing etc. When it came back, had more therapy and went into remission again. Again over a year of remission. While water skiing, felt a nerve pull in left hand(original site) this time it came back for good. Was misdiagnosed and went to an orthopedic Dr. and he diagnosed me in 1 minute as RSD. It certainly is not uncommon to have spread for various reason.
What are they doing about the small tumor? I know physical therapy, and massage therapy helped me get range of motion and remission back. Both shoulders have full range of motion, and because of delay of treatment, my hand has about 50% of range of motion. Like a claw, but able to cut food, button clothes etc. so grateful for that.
One thing I want to say, is movement is extremely important. It's been 15 years for me since the beginning and have full body. Maybe 3-4 years ago my toes started curling up off the floor, my dr. had me exercise them in swimming pool-water needs to be 86 degrees. 4 months of that and my toes touch the ground and walk good. I work hard to keep mobility and have total use of body except the left hand is partial. Activity, stretching, I still do.
It's important not to freeze up and keep mobile. Stretching is great, swimming is so good for us. squeeze balls, Please get a good pt. I found massage therapy to be wonderful and kept me from being hypersensitive.
To keep from being sensitive, take 5-6 plastic bowls and put cotton balls, rice, coffee grounds, fabric, sand, and run hands and feet thru various textures. A tens Unit is also helpful-my diagnosing Dr. ordered one, ins. paid for. Had nuclear med tests to diagnose.
Hope this helps, It's good you keep informeed. I continue to research. Important to be your own advocate. I'm researching HBOT now and plan on having it. My Dr. just built two clinics with HBOT in them.
A good website to learn from is www.rsdrx.com puzzles list. Dr. of 40 years helping RSD patients. He is retired in Florida, but has someone take over his patients.
RSDSA is the national org. Can put in your zip code and get nearest support group. They can be very helpful to meet local RSD'ers. Take care and let us know how we be there for you and your husband. Your friend, loretta with big hugs

Just a guess, the tumor itself was the trigger, the vibration exaserbated it.

I think LIT LOVE might be onto something. I had unending MRIs, dye and non, day and night over 15 days, late last summer ($136,000 worth ) and I saw no affect on my RSD. I'd look into the toe, also. Everyone is different, though. Best of Luck to you

Loretta mentioned warm pool therapy. I also had excellent results with warm pool therapy. When I was all broken down after years of CRPS I started a new comprehensive treatment program. Part of the program was exercise but I was in such bad shape I could not tolerate it, even starting off with very light movement. Then I tried warm pool therapy and gradually over about 6 months I was able to get moving and then transition into exercise out of the pool. It was extremely helpful and I would recommend it to anyone. God Bless You.

Bernclay-

My vote is the toe also...AND further agravated by the ugly vibration which is a secondary but is a real negatixe for us, can't take loud noises nor vibration......possibly any other symptom possible prior to the MRI being done?? What are they going to do about the tumor??? Otherwise, it is early yet again..jump on to some treatment so it does not get too far and treatments won't help...Hello Dr...Can you help my friend?!!!! NOW!! Once in remission you can get him back there..Let us know how its going..

Hugz, Kathy