If i had an actual nerve injury...wouldnt the nerve test be abnormal?

Hi Ozzie

You've had some good advice here. I understand your frustration, but pain management courses etc can actually be very useful when dealing with something so long-term and painful as CRPS. If you do have it then it can offer good advice and techniques - I was VERY scornful of pain management until I did it and over time I've realized that most of the meds and treatments can be be somewhat ineffective compared to a good attitude, regular movement and stretches, pacing effectively and relaxation techniques.

I developed CRPS type II after a knee arthroscopy just under two and a half years ago. It's spread to my whole left side and right foot. The first six months to a year were the worst, when the pain was highest and everything was confusion and misinformation. Then I got a good physio and pain doc, a med that helped a bit, and the pain management programme. Last winter I was on crutches and in a wheelchair out of the house - at the moment (fingers crossed) I'm on my own two feet again and feeling much more positive. The pain hasn't gone, but it's changed and I've learnt to deal with it better. The support and advice on this forum has been an amazing help, just knowing that there are other real people out there dealing with this!

Good luck and keep fighting. Get that lawyer if you possibly can, because money really does make a huge difference when fighting this thing, and if it's been caused by a car accident then you need a good lawyer who can get you as much as possible.

Have a good read around this forum and the threads on the first few pages. There's loads of hints and advice for coping, and lots of things to try. In time you'll find a groups of techniques, exercises, meds etc that work for you and make your days easier.

Keep smiling whenever you can and keep posting!

Bram

Well it depends on when the NCS was ordered and what the requesting doctor was looking for. What I mean is that if the NCS/EMG was ordered looking for a Brachial plexus injury the testing more likely was looking at the motor nerves or nerves the supply the muscles. Since CRPS is a disease process that originates from peripheral nerves then different testing such as the SNAP (sensory nerve action potential) during what is a complete PNE (peripheral neurophysiological examination) unfortunately unless the doctor requesting these more in depth studies or the diagnosis in question doesn't point to this then they aren't always done. Then to make matters even more confusing the timing of the EMG/NCS also plays a role in whether or not it will show the damage. After nerve injury or damage it the nerve goes through several changes over the course of hours - weeks and even months depending on the type of injury or damage. So even if your nerve was partially severed and the study was done.. say 3 days later the testing most likely will come back normal. If however the same test was performed 3 weeks later those same results would be markedly different.

Sensory nerves are challenging to test through NCS/EMG but, MRI's (certain ones) or even ultrasound can make the nerve injury much more visible. My nerve tumors and entrapment were visualized through both.. I was even given an ultrasound picture of the large nerve tumor (neuroma) to take to my PT so they would know exactly where it was.. lol.. my CRPS II souvenir Ugh And the first EMG/NCS was considered a normal study but the one done just 2 weeks later came back as an abnormal study.

You can ask your doctor specifically which nerve was injured/entrapped since in order to make a CRPS type II diagnosis they are required to have a "verifiable" nerve injury. This is not to question your doctor but, it should clear up any confusion which is your right as a patient to ask. If nothing else it might result in further testing or a second opinion to confirm.

The past few days I have felt the burning pain go up from my shoulder, neck and into my ear....and this morning my was on fire, the skin started just peeling off, and now its all red and shiny....what the heck? Im considering calling the doctor for an earlier appointment, last week my fingernails started peeling and ive always had pretty nails.

CRPS is different for everyone. I dont have major swelling and the discoloration is very minor. I get a re and white mottled color and even then its light. Also the temperature change is sporadic. but the pain you described sound exactly like CRPS I am sorry to hear that your going through this. It could be a Peripheral Neuropathy or just nerve pain in lamans terms some neuropathies can mimic CRPS. I would make sure you see a very good neurologist and go from there. But DONT be silent about your level of pain. Make sure they treat it. You have a very hard road ahead of you....either way you have a life altering diagnosis. Good luck! And know we are here for whenever you need a supportive ear. No one can understand the pain we have except people like us.

With these symptoms I would say yes you have CRPS. DO NOT PUT ICE ON IT!!! it can cause awful sores and be very careful with heat! YES get in to see your doctor as soon as possible!!

Any suggestions in my ear that is peeling? Its so gross looking...good thing I have long hair, the skin is flaking off from the inside out, its shiny and extremly painful to even touch.