Originally Posted by zookester

Hello Angelina,

I am so sorry to hear that you are having such a terrible time right now, I wish there was something I could say or do to help you get through it!

The pain and area of pain sound very familiar to something I go through periodically. The nerve damage I have is right in my groin crease (where the hip/thigh bend) and I have a neuroma just to the inside of the hip bone or in the very lower pelvis. This causes severe pain in my lower abdomen/pelvis during my cycle as well as when air or stomach troubles are causing movement in my lower bowels. There has been several times when I felt much like you describe. What we (my doctors and I) have discovered is that when there is pressure in my lower abdominal area and or pelvic area during my cycle that this causes muscle spasms that affect the neuroma and nerves surrounding it. It makes sense since often time it is scar tisssue that traps nerves and if this scar tissue is disturbed like with cramps then that would escalate pain. When I sit upright and even clear my throat, this sends the shocks down my thigh it is reproducible every time and is the same thing that happens when I walk or flex my hip/thigh; have you noticed anything similar?

If you have ever had any abdominal surgeries or infections then this can also cause adhesions to form. Adhesions are scar but it is a "sticky" mess of scarring that actually causes internal organs to basically stick together. If you have adhesions then cycle pain, gas, constipation and even intimacy can severely increase pain at times. What can be done for it - warm compress, muscle relaxers, OTC medications like Aleve, Ibuprofen, Advil or even Midol. Stronger meds can work but.. I personally don't know which one would work for this type of pain.

Did you ever get a new PM doctor? What do they have you on?

You will get through this now and in the future!! I know it is hard to fathom that right now but.. you will. What are you doing to help you get through the tough times? Having a "pain flare protocol" will help when we are so wracked with pain it is hard to think straight.

I hope you wake up today feeling better than yesterday,
Tessa

Originally Posted by Allanira

Did he also check your gallbladder? I know it sounds weird but this sounds like it might be gallstones. I'm not a dr either. This is also why rsd is called a suiside disease. We hurt so bad we do contemplate suiside to make the pain stop. Even for a little. I know I have. Also when you start feeling a lot of pain it makes you flare worse. Have you tried an epsom salt soak? It might help. Sorry I can't be of more help. If the pain gets too bad go to the ER. I was almost in for a trip there myself yesterday, but I pushed through. Don't ask me how I pushed through because I don't know.

Originally Posted by Angelina55

No every pain management doc I see tells me there is nothing for me to do. My ankle doctor is going to send me to Seattle to see a CRPS specialist. I am on Cymbalta, Lyrica, and Oxycodone. I have Lidoderm patches but they don't work real well. I do use them when I have back pain though. Your pain does sound very familiar but my pain goes up into my rib area and from front to back. And now when I eat it gets worse.

Originally Posted by RSD RENEE

Sounds like it could be your gallbladder, (but I would think a catscan would have picked that up) but maybe not. the catscan I had at the ER a few months ago picked up two small gallstones that my gp said I may want to see a gastrointestinal dr to check out. maybe check with a gastrointestinal specialist to see what he thinks. I'm no dr. so I'm not sure. I also take neurontin along with percocet for my rsd pain. percocet alone is not enough for me. My pm dr prescribes both for me. You may want to ask him about taking that. Let him know of course the other meds your taking.
I take advil too, but have been off it for a while to give my stomach a break. I don't take cymbalta or lyrica. I was told that the neurontin is just as good as lyrica for rsd and firbromylagia (which I have too). And last but not least, you may want to see a dr about taking an antianxiety and antideprssent meds. I take zoloft and xanax and they help alot when I'm stessed and in a lot of pain. I hope all goes well, and that you find the right drs to help you. My thoughts are with you. Take care. P.S. You may want to find another pm dr. I had drs tell me there was no more they could do before, and I said that I couldn't live with the pain, so they referred me to a specialist. good luck my friend and don't accept that "there is no more they can" do as an acceptable answer, if you're still hurting. Ask them for a specialist or maybe find anther dr. Hope you have a better night.

Originally Posted by zookester

That is unbelievable about the PM doctors!!! Seems like it was a few weeks ago or more that you were going to see someone in Seattle; what is the foot doctors hold up in getting you in? Do you know who you are going to see yet? I actually now have 2 different ones working together - they are both incredible. I think I already gave you one name but if not just ask and I will tell you their names. Wow.. Cymbalta and Lyrica together? Why the need for both? How about Amitriptyline? This is usually taken at night to help with sleep/depression and muscle spasms or tremors they often start at 25mg and then slowly increase by 10mg increments until you reach 75mg. I would ask about that one the sooner the better. What about long acting oxycontin instead of Oxycodone or better yet a Butrans patch? This would help regulate pain more consistently so you don't get the highs/lows or rather pain wind up?

Re; the pain - mine also went up to my ribs when it was really bad. I can't recall if it went front to back or not but I know it was miserable and it must have went to my back because I remember wondering if it was my kidney's. Food was a problem as well but mainly because I had lost my appetite due to the high levels of pain. Have you looked at the side effects of the medications you are taking? Do you think this may be contributing? The oxycodone was really hard on my stomach!!

Can you call and make an appt. with a pain doctor without having to wait for your foot doctor? You can gather all your records or just let them make there own diagnosis based on a new exam and your history. Just seems like you have been waiting way to long to get into see someone who can help you?

How are you feeling tonight?