I have been having a "flareup" today. Its overcast and threatening to rain. And my arm feels like one huge ache! Like its going to explode from the inside out.....ugh. Sometimes just when I think Ive gotten a handle on this CRPS thing, it stands up and says "oh HI! Handle this!". I have been able to cope with all the other emotional parts this condition can induce. The therapy is truly wonderful there. Bit I still have days where I feel like screaming. I'm sure we all know the ones. Where your breakthrough pain meds make absolutely no difference and you feel like seeing no one and hiding from any responsibilities.

Has anyone else noticed their pain getting worse with inclement weather changes? And have you found anything that helps ease this deep throbbing ache?

Yep...changes in weather definitely cause my pain to flare up. We're having quite the winter storm here in Chicago. I stay inside, close to a heater, and usually take at least 2 hot baths with Epsom salts during the day...more if I'm particularly achey. It's going to be worst than normal for me no matter what...but those are the days to take it easy and rest up and pull out all my tricks for keeping the pain manageable. If I can find something to distract me...so much the better...

Most definitely! When I get too cold, my hands hurt something awful. When it is damp and cold, everything else chimes in especially my left leg...it is miserable. Unfortunately, I have not found anything to help other than taking it extra easy. I do not have any pain meds to help me with breakthrough pain right now and I am not on any other meds to help my RSD...only have my twin SCS's, which help but I am having issues with them at the moment. Soooo, the next few days will be a little rough with the rain/snow coming

Nanc

I will have to try the baths tonight....it even sounds like it would feel good lol. I am at work (lol), so it will have to wait a while. I'm down to 25 hours a week....it's just killing us financially but I couldn't work the way I was with the amount of pain I was in.....and Nanc have you talked to your doctor? It's never good to take a prescription than it's meant for you, I need pretty strong narcotics for breakthroughs. In conjunction with Lidoderm patches, but I've had HORRIBLE reactions to basically ALL of the non-narcotic medications used for CRPS .Though I am not familiar with what an SCS's is.

I have talked to my PCP and PM doctors. My PCP manages all of my medications and we have been trying to find something that I can take. I seem to be allergic to EVERYTHING. The last pain med we tried was morphine and I had some adverse reactions to it. I have also tried the Lidoderm patches, did nothing for me. Fentanyl patches - bad allergic reactions. Different compounded creams - did nothing for me. I cannot take Lyrica, Cymbalta, or anything in a gelatin capsule as I am deathly allergic to pork (gelatin). Neurontin, you name it, allergic...it is so frustrating

Sorry - SCS's is spinal cord stimulators. I have two - cervical and thoracic.

I'm sorry to hear that. Definitely a tough spot to be in! I really didn't want to be on "narcotics" long-term but I'm stuck for now as well. I had a LT of adverse reactions to almost everything too. I have an appoin6tment with a neurologist on Thursday, not sure what they want to accomplish there, or what else can be done, but we'll see. My current Doctors are starting to not know what else to try or what other medications would be useful. It's frustrating, when they have the medications, but you can't take them...ugh. lol Money is also a BIG hurdle for me as well. Being part-time is less than ideal and I found I'd already spent almost $900.00 in medications since November alone...that was shocking. It makes me worry about how I'm going to continue to afford them!

The last couple of months have been very difficult for me. We've had storm after storm, after storm. Just when I feel like I might have a handle on it, another storm comes and punches me back down. I need to find a place with consistent, stable weather. I hear San Diego is like that but I can't afford it.

I hate taking the narcotics, or anything really, but I would take it if it would help this pain!! Good luck at the neurologist on Thursday. I have not had any luck with my neurologists (I have changed a couple of times). Once one of them diagnosed the RSD in my hand, they didn't want to deal with it...they sent me on my way. The next one I saw for my migraines was great, but his residency ended and he moved on. The one they put me with after that was a complete idiot. My pain dr is at a loss with me too. He doesn't know what else to do with me and is afraid to do anything because of my reactions. I am not happy with him here lately anyway. I see a new one this Friday, so I hope I have more luck with hm.

$900 is a lot of money for meds since Nov. I totally understand about the money issue. I am not able to work any longer, last day I worked was 12/28/12 and the disability insurance carrier denied me...I am working on an appeal but no income at all for me. My husband works for the Dept of Defense and is going to be furloughed...1 day per week off without pay for 22 weeks. It is all so very frustrating!!

The place I always think I would like to move to is Arizona or New Mexico. I would do it if my boyfriend wanted to move there but his whole family is here (including nieces and nephews)...and I honestly can't imagine trying to go through everything I have without him AND his family for support. They've been so wonderful. SO I guess that means I am stuck with the yucky winter weather in Chicago...

O my goodness!! I was thinking the same thing. We have been having kinda good weather and then today it started snowing, so holy cow I am in pain. Right now I want to cut my leg off! LOL I am starting to realize the weather has a huge difference on my pain! Which is why I am counting the days until warm weather comes.