[free2frog]

Not sure I belong here as no one will say I have CRSP My Shoulder surgeon and Pain management Doctor both say I appear to be developing CRSP.
I will try to keep this short I got hurt at work Thanks to work comp and there treatment protocols it took 3 months (February 2012)before I had Surgery on my Right shoulder for a torn laberum and had to have the rotater cuff cleaned up.

Within a month of surgery I developed an intense burning in my Right wrist my Surgeon and I wrote it off to the sling rubbing, but even after coming out of the sling the burning has never stopped, the intensity changes from time to time. within 3 months of surgery the burning had spread and I developed numbness and tingling in my hand with what I call lighting bolts shooting up my arm. this has since spread to both arms from the elbow down and both legs from the knee/ mid calf down. I have in the last few months developed the burning sensation in my chin ( which comes and goes depending on severity of other areas) and around the left eye that is consistent and burns like there is sweat dripping in my eye. also have cluster headaches and migraines since surgery.

None of this makes any since to me the burning swelling the sweating cant stand Hot water on my hands or wrists clothing even bed sheets touching my feet or hands/wrist.

I'm 44 years old and raised old school no blood no foul rub some dirt on it walk it off. I hate taking pills but currently take 600mg of Gabapentin 3x daily and Soma only at bed time as it make me to tired to take it 3x daily Tylenol as needed which helps for the shoulder aches but nothing else also take B complex vitamin. I stopped all narcotic pain meds some days are tolerable but mostly I am miserable and walking is getting more painful with the feet being involved.

I guess I should add My Surgeon has for 4 months tried to get me into see a Neurologist But work comp continues to denies it says that symptoms are un related to Injury I did retain a work comp Lawyer about a month a go to try to help but no luck as of yet. My regular health INs denies any coverage as original injury occurred 2 weeks prior to insurance being in effect.

Any Ideas here The more I read on this CRPS the scarier it gets, With my Regular Dr. and testing we have ruled out PVD, Diabetes, EMG last month showed some mild carpel tunnel in wrist but no other nerve damage in the arm or shoulder.

[nalakity]

I am so sorry to hear about this. Work comp can...WILL make life as difficult as possible. I am going through a similar situation and I feel your pain. It is a good thing you got a lawyer though...I had to as well. I would argue that if it were not for your work injury you would not have had a surgery that gave you CRPS, which I definitely believe you have...but I am no doctor! M lawyer and doctor recently had to make this very same argument to work comp...and it worked! Please give it a try...and think about getting back on your pain meds...I understand how you feel about that. A lot of people feel the same way, but as long as you take it in moderation you'll be fine. I mean your pain level will lower, at least a bit. Anything is better than nothing, right?
Gentle Hugs

[painman2009]

Originally Posted by free2frog

Not sure I belong here as no one will say I have CRSP My Shoulder surgeon and Pain management Doctor both say I appear to be developing CRSP.
I will try to keep this short I got hurt at work Thanks to work comp and there treatment protocols it took 3 months (February 2012)before I had Surgery on my Right shoulder for a torn laberum and had to have the rotater cuff cleaned up.

Within a month of surgery I developed an intense burning in my Right wrist my Surgeon and I wrote it off to the sling rubbing, but even after coming out of the sling the burning has never stopped, the intensity changes from time to time. within 3 months of surgery the burning had spread and I developed numbness and tingling in my hand with what I call lighting bolts shooting up my arm. this has since spread to both arms from the elbow down and both legs from the knee/ mid calf down. I have in the last few months developed the burning sensation in my chin ( which comes and goes depending on severity of other areas) and around the left eye that is consistent and burns like there is sweat dripping in my eye. also have cluster headaches and migraines since surgery.

None of this makes any since to me the burning swelling the sweating cant stand Hot water on my hands or wrists clothing even bed sheets touching my feet or hands/wrist.

I'm 44 years old and raised old school no blood no foul rub some dirt on it walk it off. I hate taking pills but currently take 600mg of Gabapentin 3x daily and Soma only at bed time as it make me to tired to take it 3x daily Tylenol as needed which helps for the shoulder aches but nothing else also take B complex vitamin. I stopped all narcotic pain meds some days are tolerable but mostly I am miserable and walking is getting more painful with the feet being involved.

I guess I should add My Surgeon has for 4 months tried to get me into see a Neurologist But work comp continues to denies it says that symptoms are un related to Injury I did retain a work comp Lawyer about a month a go to try to help but no luck as of yet. My regular health INs denies any coverage as original injury occurred 2 weeks prior to insurance being in effect.

Any Ideas here The more I read on this CRPS the scarier it gets, With my Regular Dr. and testing we have ruled out PVD, Diabetes, EMG last month showed some mild carpel tunnel in wrist but no other nerve damage in the arm or shoulder.

Hello. I too am a comp patient as well. It sucks.but this is the system we will be contending with for the duration of this problem. as far as comp denial saying this was not part of original injury. your attorney and doctors need to make the argument that the RSD(WHich it sound like it) is causualyrelated to original injury. basically that because the original injury caused you to have surgery with then caused you to have RSD. just like NALAKITY said. Its like the game that kevin bacon started years ago. 3 point to kevin bacon. he bet that with in 3 people he could link himself to any one. Its all linear. and the doctors need to show that line and your attorneys need to take that before a judge. as long as your doctors link it you should win. of course the comp atty,s will fight till they r blue in the face so heads up. I wish you luck, And I hope you treatment is expedited. warm wishes and soft hugs

[free2frog]

Thanks painman2009 and NALAKITY it really been frustrating with work as I returned 3 weeks post op to light duty It's a pay check at least only allowed 40 hours a week at 8 hours a day I am physical spent. Before the Injury I was a truck driver delivering products to stores 6-8 stops a day hand unloading almost 30,000 lbs over a 10-14 hour day 4 days a weeks. Now I peel stickers off plastic totes 8 hours a day and I'm completely wiped, by the time I drive an hour home I can barley walk to get in the house and cant wait to get boots and socks off as my feet and legs are on fire. Some days direct sun light hurts I feel like a vampire as the sun light increases the burning sensation. I go back to pain management doctor this week I guess I'll talk to him about trying another pain Med since I cant get cleared to drive without seeing a neurologist. I cant take NSAIDs even Aspirin as they cause antiphalactic shock. I still have Physical therapy 2x a week but just recently learned not to apply ice I always iced my shoulder after therapy per the therapist ( I have no burning in my shoulder) but have found my symptoms are not as bad afterward.

[AintSoBad]

Freeto,
Please, be sure that you don't have TOS as well, they're common together!
(Thoracic Outlet Syndrome).
There's a spot on this website for that as well.
I have them both, going into my 30th year.
It can wear on you.
And, there's no cure sadly, just pain relievers, which knock the edges off.

I wish you all the best!

Pete


Asb

[free2frog]

Originally Posted by AintSoBad

Freeto,
Please, be sure that you don't have TOS as well, they're common together!
(Thoracic Outlet Syndrome).
There's a spot on this website for that as well.
I have them both, going into my 30th year.
It can wear on you.
And, there's no cure sadly, just pain relievers, which knock the edges off.

I wish you all the best!

Pete


Asb

Thanks Pete for even more good news I did see that earlier and that sounds about right before the spread, so I could be looking that combo also 44 years of living 6-8 concussions 6 broken noses 2 shoulder dislocations torn glenoid labrum 5-6 broken ribs, fingers and hands broken more than I can count, tonsils adenoids, gall bladder remove double Hernia repair, Fx tibia multi fx of both feet more bumps bruises and tears than I care to remember and most of them injury's I had fun getting then I get this Shoulder repaired and whined up with this, WHY Now what changed. I could start my own medical device company with the collection of boots, braces, rehab assist devices. I honestly cannot remember a day in my life since about age 12 where something didn't hurt, The only things I have developed is High Cholesterol and Sleep Apnea ( I where a C-pap Machine) But at least with all the other Injury's I could find away to take my mind off of the pain but nothing seems to help with this as it is constantly changing. Any Idea's here in the past reading, computer games anything that required concentration help but now with this concentrating on anything is near impossible

[painman2009]

Originally Posted by free2frog

Thanks painman2009 and NALAKITY it really been frustrating with work as I returned 3 weeks post op to light duty It's a pay check at least only allowed 40 hours a week at 8 hours a day I am physical spent. Before the Injury I was a truck driver delivering products to stores 6-8 stops a day hand unloading almost 30,000 lbs over a 10-14 hour day 4 days a weeks. Now I peel stickers off plastic totes 8 hours a day and I'm completely wiped, by the time I drive an hour home I can barley walk to get in the house and cant wait to get boots and socks off as my feet and legs are on fire. Some days direct sun light hurts I feel like a vampire as the sun light increases the burning sensation. I go back to pain management doctor this week I guess I'll talk to him about trying another pain Med since I cant get cleared to drive without seeing a neurologist. I cant take NSAIDs even Aspirin as they cause antiphalactic shock. I still have Physical therapy 2x a week but just recently learned not to apply ice I always iced my shoulder after therapy per the therapist ( I have no burning in my shoulder) but have found my symptoms are not as bad afterward.

hey frog. I used to drive but with this beast any type of medicine should keep you out of a truck. Dot said no way to me when I started my pain meds. and I only take them at night. but the issue is even if just in the pain it makes us unreliable drivers and a risk on the road. these trucks are missiles on wheels and that is in good weather. then you addd rain and snow.. not good. I was denied a medical card because of the pain alone. because it affected the light leg, then with neurontin was started and it was a complete end to the exam. . Just keep ll this in mind when moving forward in trying to get back to work. Trust me I know how bad it sucks.. also think of the pain you are in doing light duty. now put in your normal work load. I wound up with the skin on my feet splitting open my socks filled with blood every day.just consider all of this as you make your decision.. ....Hoping you all the best

[alt1268]

Welcome to the forum. You are definetley in the right place. Unfortunately, you can not walk this out. RSD is truly a monster. Fast intervention is important. You definetley should be getting blocks from a pain management dr.

I would also recommend you get an attorney fast. WC is out for them and your employer. They are known to deny treatment and cause more pain then what we need. Also this will help a little bit with the stress that causes flares.

Feel free to ask questions, rant, rave, etc.

[free2frog]

Originally Posted by alt1268

Welcome to the forum. You are definetley in the right place. Unfortunately, you can not walk this out. RSD is truly a monster. Fast intervention is important. You definetley should be getting blocks from a pain management dr.

I would also recommend you get an attorney fast. WC is out for them and your employer. They are known to deny treatment and cause more pain then what we need. Also this will help a little bit with the stress that causes flares.

Feel free to ask questions, rant, rave, etc.

Thank you Alt I do have an attorney I finally got one last month as WC keeps denying the Neuro Appt. And since My doctors had stated the appearance of CRPS I found an Attorney that handles WC cases and CRPS, I took about a week reviewing Attorneys before my decision. The Attorney I choose picked up on my symptoms without me ever mentioning CRSP they asked if any of my Dr. had said anything about it because that's a game changer now I'm looking at a lifetime of medical care, but based on other clients pray that it not CRPS because even if they get the maximum Indiana allows it wont be enough in the long run if I progress through the stages quickly.

[free2frog]

Originally Posted by painman2009

hey frog. I used to drive but with this beast any type of medicine should keep you out of a truck. Dot said no way to me when I started my pain meds. and I only take them at night. but the issue is even if just in the pain it makes us unreliable drivers and a risk on the road. these trucks are missiles on wheels and that is in good weather. then you addd rain and snow.. not good. I was denied a medical card because of the pain alone. because it affected the light leg, then with neurontin was started and it was a complete end to the exam. . Just keep ll this in mind when moving forward in trying to get back to work. Trust me I know how bad it sucks.. also think of the pain you are in doing light duty. now put in your normal work load. I wound up with the skin on my feet splitting open my socks filled with blood every day.just consider all of this as you make your decision.. ....Hoping you all the best

Painman lol your just full of good news lol I am due for my DOT physical in Sept. and already know I wont pass because of the medications, I have to jump through hoops because of my sleep apena, So this is Just a death blow to my driving career, But I'm ok with that as I have always wanted to go back to school and finish getting my Computer Science degree.
It's the result of failing that causing me Stress as a driver on light duty I still get Driver's Pay 16.95/hr but when I fail the physical my work will drop me to warehouse pay 9.50/hr So I will have to find a new job( more stress)