I've missed much of the last few days here. Very late on Monday night of this week, I stumbled getting ready for bed (balance late at night and in getting out of bed in the morning often becomes an issue over time for people with RSD/CRPS) and as I fell down on my right side, I crashed into hand-pounded temple bell, maybe 18" high and 20" across, with a 3/8" wide lip that had been cut flat, fracturing two ribs (9 and 10). OUCH!!!

I suppose I could struggle to find a Zen koan somewhere in there: it's certainly a different take on "Meditation and Pain." Or is it? In the days that followed, as I made a deliberate movement that I knew would cause pain, I had no problem in focusing away from the pain in the instant it was most acute, so that it didn't bother me nearly as much as it otherwise would've.

But to the point: in the ER I was told that I would be miserable for the first and second day, and better thereafter. And while Tuesday was awful, until 1 cc of i.m. hydromorphone cut in, I woke up Wednesday feeling surprisingly well, and have steadily improved since then, and cancelling all of my appointments "over the hill" until Monday has I think really helped, but I want to give a shout-out on my pain doc's suggestion of putting lidocaine patches directly on top of the injured area, before any secondary pain complications could set in. In fact, the first lidocaine patch was put on right in the ER.

It may not have been continuous regional anesthesia, but it was as good as anyone could come up with off-hand. (Especially where all of my tDCS equipment is still awaiting delivery.) And think about it: when was the last time you heard of lidocaine patches being used essentially as first-aid?

Mike

Be careful with the lidocane patches. Do not wear one in a warm shower or use one under a heated blanket or heating pad. The heat can cause your body to absorb too much of the medication too quickly and could have deadly consequences.
Naturelover

Mike,

Hope you are recovering. Ouch is right, ribs are the worse.
Take care of yourself.

Gabbycakes

I am so sorry to hear that you got hurt. My balance problems are more concerning than most of my other symptoms at this point because I am so afraid of taking a spill and hurting myself worse. That's a good tip about the lidocaine patches and I will definitely keep that in mind. Happy to hear that you are on the mend though. Take care.

Lidocaine patches are the best, I use them daily! It's the only way I have been a wear clothes over my shoulder for probably 5 years now. Lately, I have discovered they are awesome on the bunion on my liitle toe, too.

Feel better soon! Xoxo Sandy

Thank you for posting this, Michael! You've been AWOL lately, I hope you're doing alright.

This is one of the most important applications for Lidoderm patches! For areas that are awkward to use patches, like the neck, then switch to lidocaine cream.

I was originally prescribed Lidoderm patches nearly 10 years ago, with the original directions to wear 1 a day in the same spot. Unfortunately, they lose their effectiveness when used that way. I discovered that even the application of 1 patch for 12 hours has turned off the dysfunctional, diaproportionate, burning pain, that had every indication of spread, countless times over the years. The sooner applied--the better!

I also use them on my original RSD site when I travel farther than 20 miles from home (it can reduce return to baseline pain by days) or for an unusual flare or when I visit an environment that will cause me to flare.

Most pain management docs should have samples to try. They can be expensive, but a generic version is hopefully going to be released soon.

Hi Mike,

I’m new to NeuroTalk and for that matter CRPS. You seem to have alot of knowledge with regards to this ugly disease, so I thought I'd tell you a little about me and see if you have ever had a continuous cervical epidural?

I was diagnosed four months ago due to break to my right wrist. Within two weeks of being casted unfortunately things were compounded by separate injury to my left hand, thus the symptoms have now spread to include both arms, both legs, the back of my neck and my face.

Though my orthopedic surgeon was prompt in suspecting CRPS, the spreading of symptoms has made it very difficult to treat. I’ve had numerous nerve blocks in both my upper and lower extremities with no lasting results, so I then flew to Florida to have a 4 days of Ketamine infusions followed by heated pool exercises 3 – 4 times a week. The infusions did provide some relief, however they didn’t put me into a remission as I’d hoped they would.

Because I live in a small city in Alaska the nearest pain management clinic is a 45min plane ride away, so needless to say I am feeling very alone. My pain management doctor is pretty vigilant about treating things very aggressively in the first 6 months and is now suggesting I have a continuous cervical epidural by means of a pump for 1-week in order to knock this down. I’ve discussed this with my doctor in Florida and he said that the procedure is very risky and to keep with the heated pool exercises and get a Ketamine booster when needed, but that means another plane ride across the country! With that said I am now really unsure. I really don’t have any doubts as to the capability of my PM doctor in Alaska, but I’m really scared about the possibility of spreading things further and possibly having a new source of pain. Therefore I was wondering if you or anyone out there knows anything about this procedure?

In the event I don’t do this procedure, I am contemplating doing a second 4 – day infusion with hopefully better results than the first, but was also looking for any information on this as well.

Thank you for your time,
Denali

Yikes! Be careful. I know what you mean. I feel like a weeble wooble most days. I said to my husband just today; I am waiting for the day my legs give and I go down. Gosh, broken ribs... that horrible. I hope you heal quickly and feel better soon!!