just diagnosed about 2 weeks ago with crps in right arm. i didnt know attempting to get a tooth pulled would hurt this much, i got the novacaine injection but that made firey pain shoot down my arm, unbearable pain. so the broken tooth is still in me. my problem is my ear drum seems to beating loudly causing poor pain into my face and arm. what can i do? i have had enough painkillers, they are not working

I am so very sorry to hear what you are going through right now. Not sure who diagnosed you with CRPS but I hope that you will be seeing a pain management doctor very soon? If that's who diagnosed you then you need to call them ASAP to see what can be done for your current situation.

CRPS doesn't necessarily respond to the same pain killers that you would use for other stuff (assuming it responds to anything) and unfortunately everyone is different with regards to what meds they respond to or not. Narcotic pain killer (norco/vicadin) had absolutely zero effect on my CRPS pain. Lyrica, Neurontin, Tramadol, Cymbalta...these are all fairly normal ones to start on with CRPS but there are others.

As for what you can do RIGHT NOW...not sure but some things to try would be a hot bath with epsom salts (this usually helps to take the edge off of my pain)...and definitely NO ICE as this can make the CRPS worse and even cause spread in some cases. There are also those heating patches that stick on that you can buy at the pharmacy...those help me with the pain as well since I can't very well sit in a hot bath all day...the water would eventually get cold. You might also try an NSAID pain reliever like Aleve...NSAIDs are also commonly prescribed for CRPS (though obviously in prescription strength)...so that might help (just be careful that it doesn't interact with any meds you are currently taking since I don't know what those are). I'm not a doctor but from my experience those might be the best things to try to help right now.

But you need to get yourself to a doctor ASAP and get the pain levels down. I am so so sorry for what you are going through. I wish the doctor who diagnosed you would have given you some precautionary information so that you might not have gone ahead with attempting to have the tooth pulled. If all else fails and you can't get ahold of or in to see your pain doctor like tomorrow then maybe you need to go to the ER. They are not usually the best option for treating CRPS but if you are suffering they might be able to help take the edge off or even put a call in to your doctor's office to see if they can get you in sooner.

I'm so sorry...hate to hear you suffering. I wish I could help more. If you have any other questions or anything I will be happy to try to answer.

lets see...my pcp diagnosed me. started w burning pain in both arms in sept 2011. he had a nerve test done, supposedly it was fine that was jan 24 2012. i see nuero on fri at 8am. mornings are better for me but crps pain and swelling worse in late afternoon. i take hydrocodone for my back which i guess may help crps, current gabapentin 100 mg 3xday, soon to be 200 mg 3xday and working up to 300 3xday, i have flexeril for bed time and thruought night. thats it for crps meds. hubby went and got a moist heat therapy pad we can heat in microwave, i can hardly talk the pain is horrible worse is i still have damn tooth, now mind u the tooth wasnt hurting before i went in. my ears are thumping which worsens the pain, why idk, crazy crazy. i just cry from pain. im scared, no one around me hsa ever heard of this. i felt like i was crazy for months.

So sorry you are having such pain with the CRPS. There are alot of medications that can help. don't give up and get to a doctor that specializes in this. After your pain in under control, consider going to an oral surgeon, who could put you to sleep to remove the broken off tooth. That way you won't feel any pain from that. Removing the broken tooth will be important to do to prevent infections in your jaw. I hope you get some good help soon. Let us know on NT how you do. I care about you. ginnie

thank you atleast now i know i guess, oh well, and i dont understand how some days the pain and swelling is horrible and others its less. is this normal?

Unfortunately it is normal. CRPS is just an awful condition and it can affect us in so many ways. Many symptoms come and go...sometimes I get them all together and sometimes I will just have a couple at a time. The pain is really the only one that it truly constant and all the time for me but the swelling and color changes are pretty regular too (just not 100% of the time).

It's good that you have an appointment with the neurologist on Friday. Maybe you could call the office and see if they have anything earlier (if you are available of course) or if they could call you if they get any cancellations. I really hope that he can help get you some relief.