I was diagnosed recently with RSD in my right arm and hand (of course, I am right handed). The prescribed physical therapy is helping increase my range of motion, but I am having ongoing problems with circulation and pain. My neurologist said that he doesn't know what to do for me and I am currently waiting for an appointment in February with an RSD specialist who is 3.5 hours away. It is becoming increasingly difficult emotionally to deal with the pain and the limitations in the things that I am able to do. I have had to drop my hours at work to between 3 & 4 hours (I expect I'll probably be let go soon). The cold is really making things much worse (I live in upstate NY, so it won't be getting much warmer for quite some time...) Can anyone help me with hints on how to help the circulation, deal with the pain, or with the emotional drain? I don't mean to whine, but I am really feeling adrift...

Sorry to here you have RDS in your right hand and arm. I have mine in the same area going on 4 years.
I deal with the pain other than the meds by using 2 really good heating pads at the same time. 1 for upper arm, and shoulder, the other around the wrist, hand. I bought mine at Walgreen's. Look for the type that will stay on for at lease an hour at a time. The cheaper ones will only run for 15 minutes and then shut down not allowing you to get the heat build up to do any good.
Next thing for pain I have a 55 gal. drum of icy/hot that I go through each week just kidding I go through a tube a week. But really icy/hot came help on the really bad evenings. I found heat to be my best friend when it comes to deep pain. I also have a wax tub for my hand that helps with circulation very well. It seams that heat gets the blood flowing.

I keep my mind busy by doing things and if its a bad day I read a good book or surf the internet. It can be hard in the beginning but you need to cope by finding ways to not think about this devil.
There are a lot of good folks here that can and will help you through this. Just jump in and get to know them. Some of the people here are in really bad shape and get through it well. These are the ones that will be the most to help you first.

Good Luck and hang in there. Smile it will be alright.

Less is more. I'm learning to live at a much slower pace, and I have more quiet peaceful times. I don't expect anywhere near of myself than I did a year ago. I'm happy to be able to take care of myself since I had two depo medrol injections 3 weeks ago. So much relief from the burning and swelling. I'm learning to balance my activity to keep the discomfort at a tolerable level.

My neurologist emphasizes 'no stress' each time I go. He says it is a chicken/egg thing. He doesn't know which comes first, or both together.

Take care of yourself first. Get rest.
have a peaceful night,
gramE

It was so nice to receive your replies and helpful suggestions! I will be sure to give these things a try (although Gram, as you noted that stress part can get tricky ) To be honest, right now it's especially nice to know that I'm not so alone in this. Again, thank you both so much for helping out a newbie!

Could you tell me more about the wax tube for your hand? Is that something that I can buy over the counter or does it require a doctor's prescription? I would also be interested in hearing how it functions. Sorry if I'm asking too many questions, but you seem so helpful and I am truly grateful for that! Good luck to you too!!

Have you been able to continue working? What types of activities have you had to limit? I'm 42 years old and have two children and a job that's supposed to be full-time, but I am unable to perform for that many hours. Although I have decreased my work hours it is so hard to decide where to make the other "cuts". Thank you so much for being willing to help me in my search for people who understand. It means a great deal!

I apologize, but in my last response I forgot to ask if you are able to work. I have had to cut my hours drastically (and have a very unhappy boss). Also, have you noticed any traveling of your symptoms? I've noticed other people saying that their RSD has moved to other parts of their body. In your 4 years has yours pretty much remained in the right arm/hand area? I don't mean to pester you, but I am really happy to have found this site and to hear from people who can give me real knowledge that comes from experience. Thank you!

Hi welcome to the boards though sorry for your pain and the rsd. A few thoughts. One when I have an apt that is far off I call everyday to see if there was a cancelation and usually I do get in early. For me the cold is very bad but I live in a warm climate but when I used to live in a cold place or even now when it is cooler baths help me to an extent. As for the mental side a huge mistake I made was to wait so long to go to a psychiatrist. I felt if they could fix my pain mentally I would be fine but that was not happening. The build up of so much physically,the anxiety,fears,limits,worries took a huge mental toll. I did go to a psych about a 1.5 ago and it has helped me cope in a better manner. As my pain doctor says one can't be in pain so long and it not impact you mentally.

TD,

I'm guessing hurting was referring to a parrafin wax treatment. You buy the wax and the heating unit and can dip your hands or feet into it. Spas also use the treatments to exfoliate and moisturize your skin.

TD723

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you.

The wax tub is made from Homedica it uses 6 pounds of paraffin wax. I bought mine off of e bay. On the top of their home page just type in paraffin wax spa than hit search it should bring you to the area listing 100's of these. There are several brands I choose this one because it was the largest one and best known. The size is 8" tall by 8.5" X 14'. When buying new it comes with 6 pounds of wax, bags ect. Take your time and you can fine a really great deal on one. It took me 4-5 months before I bought mine for less than $50.00 new. On really bad days when my fingers and wrist are acting up this works well in re leaving some of the deep pain. This time of the year is when I use it most.

Working. I had to stop 6 months after my first surgery in March 2007. The pain just kept getting worst and traveling from my hand wrist area to my elbow. 20 months after the first surgery I found out why I had this burning numbing pain from the elbow down into my hand an fingers. The first Dr. in 2007 doing joint replacement to the base on my right thumb had severed my radial nerve in my wrist. The first attempt to repair the nerve did not work so in Dec 2009 I had a new Dr. try to fix the nerve problem and she redid the joint and found that I had carpel tunnel. Now my CRPS type II has taken over my entire right arm upper back, shoulder, neck and has now moved down into my right hip, and upper leg.

I use to own to 2 businesses that I had to close. One after 36 years the other 12 years. I could no longer perform my daily duties. The worst problem was from the side effects from all the meds. Air head, could not stay awake when talking to someone after 5 minutes. Kept forgetting things all the time. I could not sell the businesses because I was the business. Without me no one wanting to do business with my help. I went from making a lot of money to nothing.

I cannot drive very far more then 20 miles before I fall asleep or for get where I was going and end up lost.

I am working on something that I can work a hour or 2 a day and let everyone else do all the rest. This is the hardest part in dealing with this crps.

I read a lot to keep my mind working all the time and help business owners with their problems.

As long as I stay out of the cold and do very little with my right arm the pain is fine. Vibration from sounds, driving, riding in a vehicle, lots of movement with my right arm, hand, a/c in buildings, cold water, cold air, sets my right side into high pain for days at a time.

Everyone is different that what increases my pain my not affect your pain at all. Fine what sets your pain off and that work around it. Once you do that then keep your mine busy doing things you like and don't think about the RSD.

Don't let it run your life the more you think about it the worst it will be for you and your family. You control it as much as possible and you will feel better. Also PM Drs. will do as little as possible in helping you the right way. They want to treat you the most expensive way they can. Don't get me wrong their are a few good PM Drs. out there but very few. If you find that you are talking to a wall it is time to change Drs. I when looking for a new Dr. because after telling my old PM Dr. about the pain in my upper arm for 6 months with no new type of treatment for this pain I new it was time to change.

The first new PM Dr. I went to never asked me about me all I heard was how good he was and that he did more SCS implants then any other Dr. in a 10 state area. I went to this Dr. twice and he change my pain meds. to nothing leaving me in more pain from his treatment than when I first saw him. All I heard was how good he was and to do a SCS try out takes him only 15 minutes to do. He also told me that CRPS/ RSD does not spread. On my 2nd. visit he wanted to do a block I told him that I was by myself and would be driving myself home. He said no problem he does blocks different so I would be able to drive myself. I said no thanks I have had 10 blocks and I always needed a driver after. Needless to say this Dr. was out for money and could care less about me.

I found a good PM Dr. after going to 5 other Dr. after the first new one. This Dr. listen to me and we work from there on my treatment. You have to be part of your treatment and have a say so.

I have talked too much. I hope some of my information helps you. Good luck.