Is CRPS 1 a problem in the central nervous system, autonomic nervous system (sympathetic nervous system) or is the condition a mix of the whole nervous system?

Also, could each individual have different parts of the nervous system compared to others? Just the sympathetic NS for example?

I have had CRPS 1 in my loweg right leg as a result from an overuse injury resulting in a soft tissue strain (hamstig tendon) for 6 months. Just wondering if its possible to determin which part of the nervous system is effected in my condition?

Reason im asking is because I do not have every symptom that comes with CRPS (pain to touch) however i have alot of sympathetic pain (abnormal temreture change, burning pain & redness of the feet). Also wanted to know if ketamine IV treatment hits all angles in regards to treatment for CRPS?

Thanks for any help,

Nigel

Dear Nigel,


I will try to help you....CRPS is a condition of the Sympathetic Nervous System... The sympatheic nerve going hair wire... The difference between CRPS 1and CRPS 2 depends on the severity or type of the nerve damage... Everyone reacts differently to RSD, CRPS...as in not everyone has all of the symptoms... We all react differently to this crazy illness.... I do believe we all have in common the hallmark of this disease and that is the pain!!

I hope I helped you...This is such a bear... Know that you are not alone...

Take care....Kathy

Nigel -

I am like you..fortunate that I am not too hypersensitive to touch. I am sensitive to some clothing brushing (a skirt over my leg is worse than pants) and the weight of my feet on the bed hurts like not tomorrow! BUT I don't hurt too badly after being touched (I can even have the dr handle my feet and touch them for an exam.)

I do have mottling, my feet get very cold, the pain, burning, etc. (though for me the burning is much less since i have had the sympathetic blocks...thank goodness!) The blocks take my pain completely away so right now my pain is sympathetically maintained. I am guessing that as RSD goes, I may have a "mild" case? Or it is mild for now? (I SO hope it doesn't get worse!)

Hang in there. =)
J

I am sorry if I am confused about your question. Some doctors for ex if you don't respond to a certain type of treatment like a block they will state that it is cause the pain is coming from the brain not the spine. I am not sure though and I think since people with rsd all respond different it is hard to know.
Many people like stated on here don't have all symptoms of rsd.I don't though some symptoms have changed or happened since the 4 years I have had it. Also for me I did not get rsd the typical way from an injury or accident.
Have you had treatments like blocks and worked with meds? What was your response to those? I am not sure with ketamine but what I feel is we all respond different like I said so it is hard to know.

Thanks for the info guys.

6kiddos - Same, I get mottling, my feet get very cold and then my toes heat up at night. The strange thing is that my good foot is also getting the same symptoms as my right (very cold then the toes heat up at night, mottling and redness however not too painful). The origin of the pain is behind my right knee which has travelled down to my foot and I get alot of strong burning and stinging. Regarding the sensitivity, I can even massage my foot however avoid touching behind the knee directly. There was one question I have been really wanting to ask on hear...do any of you get the a line of vibration in the affected part of crps?

daniella - I have tried every med under the sun in the past 6 months. Nothing really touched the pain. Right now I am taking Lyrica 300mg x 2, muscle relaxants 50mg x 3 and Amytriptaline 100mg at night. I do feel the combination of Lyrica + Amytriptaline do have a positive effect as they help me get a long sleep and keep me 'calm' through the day. I do feel that my sympathetic NS is hyped up as I get really strong goose bumps when watching films and strong adrenaline rushes sometimes at night. So my sympathetic NS is defiantly going hair wire..regarding blocks, no I haven't tried one.

The main reason for my question is that I am scheduled to undergo the 10 day inpatient IV ketamine infusion in around 2 weeks with Dr. Rohr in Germany. Just wanted to know if the ketamine infusion will try to 'reboot' my nervous system as a whole, which will also included my sympathetic NS? Prob a stupid question as ketamine should have a much stronger affect that a SN block...

Just trying to get as much info as possible for my treatment..

There are no stupid questions with this condition. I am thinking you are out of the US?
I remember when I researched ketamine there was a person with rsd and also the sores that come with it for some. Anyhow not only did her pain get better but the sores disappeared. I can't recall if this was for the coma or op infusions but I would think it would be similar results. I remember talking about some symptoms with my pain doctor and he felt that the right treatment would help all.
When I first developed this condition it was just in one leg but then in about 6 months it spread to the other. It is common unfortunatly. I aslo rely on my better leg too much with causes its own set of probelms. I am not sure if I would call it vibrations but I get a pulsing feeling when it feels like my foot got run over,tingles,pins along with the other symptoms. I am super sensitive. Like no doctor even is allowed to touch my rsd areas. I try to on my own to touch the area a little and get used to more textures.
Keep us updated and let us know how you are doing with the ketamine.

Yeah im from Malta. Mine also spread to my left leg and i get the same discoloration in it. I always relay on it when standing and that also causes its own problems however the pain is MUCH less that the right one.

Today I got really fed up sitting down and did decided to do a light work out at home on the weight machine. Also did 6 min bike (was prob a crazy idea) but the RSD is really getting to me now as i just want to get back in the gym! I have tried fighting for 3 weeks of PT but the RSD kept getting wors till d point i couldnt sleep for 4 days with the pain spreading to my left hand.

Not sure if i should try fighting it again before my treatment or if i should just stay relaxed...would prefer killing it off myself but that feels as though its impossible