I am new to this forum. I recently had a total shoulder replacement and after the surgery I developed RSD on three of my fingers and have 25% nerve and muscle damage of the medial nerve. It is now 5 months and I have been on Lyrica and Percocet for the pain. The pain is not as bad as the extreme swelling of my fingers and I can not bend my pointer; my middle and thumb and swollen also but not as bad. I am so frustrated with this condition and don't know where else to turn. I am told to "Deal with the situation" which I cannot accept. I am going for hand therapy where they massage my fingers with a cream called Traumeel to help with the pain and swelling. I went for accupuncture for a month but that did not help. I am now going to a Homeopathic and taking ARNICA 10M for the pain and swelling which I know helps, but people say I am crazy for going. I feel like I am going crazy and hope someone has some information as I do not wish this on anyone. To hear there is no cure is not in my vocabulary. Does anyone know of a similar situation to mine.

hello welcome to Neuro talk

3Fingers,
First I would like to welcome you to the family.
Your frustration and anger is understandable as well as your pain is understood. This monster affects us all in much the same way as well as in very different ways. But it sucks never the less.
So sorry that you're going through this but at least you've come to a place to read, vent, even scream if you need to and someone is always willing to lend an understanding ear...

[Over the past three years my daughter has tried all that you have mentioned and many, many more. What eventually did work is ketamine infusions which she gets on a regular basis. I would encourage you to read more on this site and on FB for a list of doctors who use ketamine.

Liz

The first thing usually tried with someone newly diagnosed with RSD is a series of blocks. Likely stellate ganglion blocks in your case. You need to see a doc that has a plan to try and put your RSD into remission FAST.

Hi and welcome to neurotalk. This is an awesome group and family. We are sorry that you have gotten bite by the RSD monster. You seem to have a fairly good attitude of not quitting or giving up. There are rare remissions, esp. when treatment is started early.
If you have any questions or just need to vent please let us help. We are all in the same boat and don't judge. listen and give you our opionions.

Thank you for the welcome and it is definately good to have a place that a I can express my feelings with people who understand what I am going though as people who don't have this condition say I know what you are going through and that gets me ANGRY...only people who are going through the same thing can understand.

I appreciatte the welcome and look forward to being part of this group as I feel it will help me with my thoughts and feelings.

I have a pain management doctor who mentioned that kind of block, however, he said it would maily help with the pain. I am more concerned with the swelling of my fingers as the pain has started to be manageable and it is 5 months since my surgery and the doctor said that the nerve block would only help with the pain and not the swelling. So how do I get my condition into remission?