Forgive me if this has already been discussed somewhere -but I can't find a way to search this site to check...

Has anyone heard of a link between people that have an autoimmune disease (like diabetes, chronic fatigue syndrome, hypoactive thyroid disease, celiac disease, rheumatoid arthritis, MS, etc) and CRPS? I've heard that there might be a genetic factor with CRPS, but was wondering about an autoimmune factor that would predispose or increase the likely hood of having CRPS triggered?

Figures, lol, that I just did a search online and DID find something about autoimmune disease and CRPS. I'm posting the link here for anyone else that is interested.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0201171417.htm

Thanks for the link. I found that very interesting.
Angela

Thanks for the link! I was just referred to a rheum for full autoimmune work up as my pain doc thinks I may have underlying issues!
Very timely, thank you!
Lisa

I've always suspected there is an autoimmune component to RSD. But I also suspect there is a microbe or two at work as well.

Just found your post. I developed RSD 25 years ago that had been under control for the last 15 years. I also have asthma and in the last 2 years have developed the autoimmune diseases Myasthenia gravis (MG), Hashimotos hypothyroidism and eczema. Since my MG has gotten bad, my RSD pain has returned. I always thought there was an autoimmune link to the RSD. What are the statistical chances of someone having RSD and a rare autoimmune disease like MG?

I see that there are starting to treat RSD with IVIG with some success so it must have an autoimmune component. I am suppose to get IVIG in a few weeks for the MG. I hope it get the RSD under control too.

kathie

May I ask what a IvIG is? Kind of knew to disease. I am sure everyone knows how hard it is to find a doctor, that really know about CRPS . Trying to educate myself as much as possible

Hi, yes there was a thread about it recently, but your article was very interesting

I have coeliac disease, and it's very common for those with CRPS to have other auto-immune issues...

Ivig is intra-venous immunoglobulin - I've been reading up on it a lot as its something my pain doc has said she will look into for me. Sounds promising, and it has very little by way of side effects. I think you have regular IV infusions at a certain dose - every few weeks or so.

Also, by way of interest, I was looking at vitamin deficiencies recently for a poster who had white patches on her nail. I'd had one recently, and apparently zinc is a common mineral to be low on, and it is particularly good at boosting the immune system in general. I'm adding it to my diet! It's also good for boosting blood flow and is helpful for the skin in general - all very CRPS kind of issues lol

Interesting topic...I know there is some research going on at the moment into the auto-immune theory of CRPS.

Bram.

The IVIG they are doing for me for MG is 30 grams a day for 5 days, once a month for 3 months.

I have issues with the toenails too on the foot that has RSD. I also have eczema on the skin on the foot with RDS. They did a skin and nail biopsy and called it annihydrosis eczema. The doctor did think it was curious that it was only on the foot with the RSD and not the other. The nails turn cloudy white, lumpy and grow very fast compared to the other foot. I have not found anything to make them look better. I keep them short and paint them so no one can see them

kathie

Hi, I am in my 8th year of rsd. In the last year, I have also been diagnosed with fibro and celiac. Interestingly, my asthma went away when I went gluten free. Have two copies of the "celiac gene" which is also a marker for ra, lupus, and other things that run in my family. Like the poster above, I am convinced there is an autoimmune link.