[Racheal]

I had an injury at work just just over six months ago Diagnosed with CPRS/RSD in my hand and forearm 2 months ago. I have been on Gabapentin, building up to 600mg 3 x daily since which helps except when I have flare ups (usually caused by change in weather from what I have noticed) I am having a flare up at the moment on day 3 but over the last week or so my shoulder right side and hip have been feeling numb, with shooting pains and now a mild burning but its no where near as bad as my right arm and hand. Is this the RSD spreading? I was under the impression it spread to extremities first? I am going to call my GP first thing Monday even though I hate going. Any advice would be good xxx

Hi Rachael

I have CRPS in my right hand and wrist (developed following surgery in December 2012). My shoulder is also really painful. Strangely, my flare ups seem to start in my shoulder. I get burning and crushing pain in my whole arm. The pain in my hand and wrist is also spasm/cramping pain and stabbing pain. I also get pain on the right side of my neck.

So, for me, what started in my right hand and wrist has spread to my entire arm.

There are many people here who, sadly, having been dealing with this far longer than I have. I’m sure they will be able to offer more advice than I can.

Good luck with your GP tomorrow.

Kim

[Racheal]

I hope so ... really worried that it seems to be spreading so quickly when I am doing PT, meds, de-sensitisation and resting etc I too was injured in Dec 2012 the pain is so bad if only I could pop a pill and it would go away and I could start living my life again

[Brambledog]

Hi Rachael, sorry you're dealing with so much...

Mine spread from L knee to L foot, then L thigh and rest of the leg, then jumped across to my R foot, then my L arm most recently. There's no rhyme or reason with CRPS.

Vitamin C is meant to help prevent spread, I know there is evidence that it reduces spread after surgery etc, and some take it to prevent spread generally. I don't know if it works like that, but it's only Vit C so might be worth a go.

I personally found Gabapentin did very little to help mine (docs love it because it is cheap to prescribe), I'm back on a low dose of Lyrica again now (more expensive for them) and coping better, but my arm is getting worse with the symptoms. Physio is really important, and that you get the meds to control your pain and let you do that. Hope you have a good GP who is supportive and ready to partner you through this

Take care and all the best.

Bram.

Not only can it spread but it can also start at the site of any other slight trauma. My spread was caused by the use of a sensitivity pin 4ins outside the affected area. It started in both legs when my grandson started to walk and trod on my toes with his shoes on.

[Imahotep]

RSD never provides a dull moment. I've had many thousands of symptoms over the course of the years but, fortunately, most of them are incidental or even humorous. You need to be aggressive about trying to cure this in the first couple years because it's probably too late afterward. A good doc will keep you going if you tell him what's going on. Some even seem to be able to anticipate your problems.

Good luck.