[Linmarie]

I've had RSD in my right hand for 10 years. It had atrophied and become immobile going into the claw stage. I found a good therapist & worked the hand back to where I can use it (it's still smaller and weaker than the other hand). I still get the burning pain and often use parafin wax but try to stay away from the glove. Last night both hands turned really bright red (like they had been in boiling water - or like a lobster). Today they burn and really ache. Does anyone else have this happen? Does anyone know what may have caused it?

Thanks,
Linmarie

[catra121]

This happens to me when I get a particularly bad flare in my hands. Sometimes it is accompanied by swelling and sometimes it is just the redness...but always with the pain. If they get cold this can happen, or if I overuse them, or if the weather changes, or if I bump them on something just the wrong way, or...well...just about anything really. But I have learned to recognize this as just part of a normal RSD flare up. But if your RSD is only in your right hand I'm not sure why it would have happened in both hands. Sorry...hope they feel better soon...makes it awfully hard to do anything when you have pain like that in your hands.

[Linmarie]

Thank you for the reply. The RSD has been only in the left hand & that's why I was surprised to see both hands affected. Yes, the weather is changing from dry to rain. Also, I have been quite stressed lately. I'm thinking that might affect it, also. Do you ever have a problem with electrical gadgets like remote controls or atms with your hands? I've zapped alot of them (especially when stressed) & wonder if it has anything to do with the RSD.

[catra121]

When you say zapped do you mean like an electric shock? If so then yes...but I think in my case it's just because it is so dry in my house. I'm constantly getting shocked by everything...which is no fun when you have RSD. But my boyfriend never gets shocked by anything (except if he tried to touch ME and then he gets a little jolt too) and he's living in the same dry air in the house as me. Other than the shocks though I don't think I've had any other issues besides typical RSD stuff.

[Linmarie]

By zapped, I mean they quit working. Like sometimes, the tv remote will get stuck & I can't change the channel or volume. I can't use the keypad to access the garage or the atm at the store won't work for me. At times, they will work for others and sometimes they just break (like the remote at the Sleep Number bed store). Sometimes, after a period of time, they will start working again. It's weird. Maybe, too much electrical charge from my hands. My pain doc thinks it's amusing & says it's too bad I can't store the electricity on a grid to use for my house.

[catra121]

That's a new one for me. I've never heard of something like that before. That has got to be awfully inconvenient for things to just stop working.