To answer another of your questions, I can't really tell you what to expect, since no CRPS patients experience the same type of symptoms, progression & severity of symptoms, spread or lack of spread, and length of time before symptoms go away (if they go away).

Good luck with your neurologist. If you get the sense that he/she is not taking you seriously, tell them that you would like to see another neurologist.

If you haven't already had one, you will probably have a nerve conduction study sometime soon to confirm the location of the injury (even though it's obvious since it was caused by a needle). I'm assuming your diagnosis of median nerve injury is based on location of symptoms(?).

Gotta go,
Annie Poo

Hi, I've written what happened to me in the new member introduction section, but I feel like it's best here...

The symptoms seem all too familiar to me...I'm glad I'm not the only one, but am so sorry you're going through this nightmare as well.

Here's what happened.

I honestly wouldn't tell people to not donate blood; I think it's a wonderful thing to do and I've done it many times before without incident. I think it's okay to ask questions though before someone sticks you! "Like, how long have you been doing this?" Or to make sure the person with the needle isn't in a hurry, which definitely was the case in my situation. (A blood drive at work)

Please allow me to vent. I just can't seem to get passed the total disregard the Phlebotomist seemed to have when she admitted she hit my nerve or muscle which caused me to jump out of my chair in agony. I'm furious...even a year later as I sit here with my swollen arm which feels like my bones are shattering and this burning neck pain. She just gave me an ice pack and asked if I was okay and told me to go in the hall at work and help myself to some pizza. I had no idea what had happened, but it didn't seem serious, (although it hurt like hell). It seemed quite common and of no concern to anyone working at that blood drive. No special instructions of warning signs or courtesy follow up call etc. Had I known that I would have these symptoms a year later and it was never to get better I would have sought help immediately because my research on the internet has mentioned the sooner you can identify nerve issues the less chance of having permanent damage.

It seemed to be getting better...but during the months following I would still get that certain "sting" I felt when it had happened in that spot. I thought it was just slowly healing etc. No swelling until about 6 months later. I woke up with my hand and fingers numb, then the pain in my arm came back full on and by the end of the day I was swollen. The only thing I could associate the pain to was that needle, because that's what it felt like! My Primary Dr. had doubts I had these symptoms from blood donation, but he suggested I see a Neurologist who I though was going to be my angel of relief. He put me on nerve pills and sent me for an EMG as I was having burning flesh pain on the outside of my arm and he detected some weakness in my left hand. The EMG just showed minor neuropathology at the Median nerve at the wrist. He was sure it was Radial...stumped. He sent me for an MRI, you know to see if there was fluid or a needle tip which broke off somewhere. He went on vacation, came back, didn't look at the results and said "I have a feeling this will get better over time". When I reminded him that it had been 7 months now and it seemed to be getting worse, he admitted..."I just don't know, so maybe I should send you to an Orthopedic Surgeon". Okay, fine...so I go to the O.S. who says "there is clearly something wrong, it doesn't seem like Carpal, it doesn't seem like Bursitis or Tennis Elbow". I ask if it could be RSD and she replied that it couldn't be because I don't have discoloration. She prescribed me Physical Therapy twice a week. I asked if before we do that if I could check to see if I had a clot in my artery, something I read which might cause this swelling etc. I was just trying to rule things out, and I've been doing a lot of research (as you can probably tell). She sent me to a heart specialist and they conducted an ultrasound on my left arm artery and found it to be clear. So I then called my Primary Care Physician again and just asked if he could order a blood test to test my sugar levels. Reason:I had Gestational Diabetes 7 years ago with my daughter and about a year after she was born my blood sugar was high and I was able to reverse it by losing a bunch of weight. My results came back completely normal.

You know...at this point you WANT something! Because having something that nobody can pinpoint just outright sux!

I was worried about physical therapy...because too much activity really hurts my arm. I expressed my concerns to my boss, she suggested I see an Arm/Hand specialist. I called the receptionist for his office and explained to her my symptoms. She called back within 5 minutes and told me he wanted to see me the very next day when he wasn't even scheduled to come in AND he was booked solid for 2 months. So I felt like "wow, he may be able to help!" He spent over an hour with me in his exam room. He also said he felt it wasn't RSD because there was no discoloration. But he really talked about options and what he felt might be the best way to get the arm un-swollen which would hopefully relieve the pressure off my nerves. He asked if I would like to try a Cortisone shot which actually took the swelling down for like a day. Then my arm puffed right back up...refilled with fluid I guess...I don't know. I've been going to Occupational Therapy, the OT who is trying to help me is very nice, but the sessions do not seem to be working. In fact, I was crying like a baby just two hours ago.

I'm just so frustrated...I've turned into a bitter person when I've always prided myself on being kind and generous. It just seems like no one can really help me.Hopefully someone here can relate or help to pinpoint a cause for my discomfort.

I just want it to be over...there are so many things I want to do. I want to play the guitar, I want to type without my forefinger going numb. I want to wash my hair or put it up without feeling like my arm is cracking.

I feel all alone, like there is no one out there who understands. I'm afraid to talk about it to much, I'm afraid people will think I'm a hypochondriac. I mean the doctors know something is wrong but they don't know what exactly. I have physical evidence of there being a serious malfunction here! The OT performed strength tests on me...my left hand/arm...very week. The back of my neck, puffy and on fire at times. (Like this evening) Swollen arm...but no one knows why? Can't I just get a full body MRI or something????

At this point I've contacted a lawyer...I just don't know how much longer I'm going to be able to continue to provide along side my husband for our three beautiful children and two dogs.

Okay, I'm done whining. Sorry

hi MMoran

good that you have copied your introductory post over here as I am hopeful that the RSD members may have some insight for you on what you have been experiencing

Cheri

My thought would be to see a pain management Dr. They are usually pretty good at diagnosing RSD. They aren't always good at taking care of it but they might be able to diagnose it if it is. Also you might try a learning hospital. I don't know what state you are in but a University Hospital might be able to diagnose the problem.

It took about 3 years for me to get it diagnosed and it was a hand surgeon that diagnosed me after seeing 3 Neurologist, a Rheumotogist, 2 PM Drs. and too many more to name.

What I have noticed if a person lucks up on a Dr. that is up on RSD then they can diagnose it. Like I said the key work is lucks.

My PCP takes care of my Pain Mangagement. After seeing all of the Drs. I saw and getting diagnosed he's the only one that was willing to learn about it and help me with it.

I have had blocks, which reminds me an Anesteolgist is a good one to go to . They can do a block to diagnose RSD and the block may even help put it into remission. I had 3 and they helped mine. If you could get your Dr. to send you to an Anesteologist that does blocks then that might be the answer for you.

Others will have more advice to help you also.

Like you, I about went nuts until I got my diagnoses and started getting care to help with it. RSD is one of the most painful things a person can live with in my book.

I do hope you finally get the help you need to get your diagnoses and the help to deal with whatever you are going through.

Ada

Ada,

Thank you for your support. I will definitely check into that right away!

I live in Massachusetts, we have a Neurologist in Boston who has written about RSD after needle injury, but I canceled the appointment because I found someone locally which turned out to not so much about RSD. But I'm thinking of calling him again and I will check out getting a pain management specialist on my side as well.

Really good advice! I'm so glad these methods of treatment were affective for you.

Thank you once again!

I hope everyone on here finds the freedom from pain they deserve.

My heart goes out to everyone!