[BostonFern]

I don't have diagnosis of RSD. My doctor appointment is a month down the road, so I might as well try to figure out whether I have RSD or not.

My problem with my right arm is that the nerve gets injured easily and healing is very slow. As of today, when putting my arms behind me, my right arm can only go as far as to the right hip, while my left arm can go all the way up to the right shoulder blade.

What bothers me the most is not the pain, but the pain triggered by certain activities, like dressing and undressing myself, or using mouse. The pain can be at different spots of right arm and right shoulder. If there is enough pain from these activities, then I would have persistent pain at places like the surface of forearm and shoulder. Does this sound like a RSD symptom?

Also, when I have new injury of right arm, it would be painful for a few days, regardless how I move.

[Brambledog]

Hi Bostonfern

None of here can say for certain because we're not docs and we don't know enough about you as a person, but I'll happily give you my completely non-expert opinion lol

It doesn't sound like CRPS from what you say. There are many different types of nerve damage and tissue trauma that could cause your symptoms. That doesn't mean it couldn't be CRPS, but I would think it unlikely unless you start having other symptoms as well. Loss of range of motion is certainly something CRPS can cause, but equally there are other more likely causes.

Is your pain constant or associated with certain actions?
Have you noticed any odd visual changes on your skin?
Does your skin feel very hot or cold at times? Any clamminess or sweating?
Do you have swelling?
How would you describe your pain? Aching, stabbing, burning, etc.

Sorry for the grilling! I know how awful it is when you know something is wrong and have to wait for any answers... Of course you want to try to figure it out, but just be aware that it's really easy to go down the wrong path when researching it yourself, and frighten yourself silly. It's also not uncommon to start feeling symptoms that you've read about - its a physiological thing (your body and mind reacting to it) and not deliberate or nutty , but you can end up in much more stress and panic about the possibilities. And stress is not a good thing for our bodies....

There's obviously something wrong, and from what you said, your quite right to think it might be nerve related. But if you can bear it, I would really try to wait and see what your doc says. In the meantime, to give you something to focus on, start keeping a daily diary of your pain and symptoms. Record your pain level out of 10 three times a day, and describe any pain you get alongside. This information will be massively useful to your doctor in trying to figure out what's wrong - most docs are well impressed if you turn up with this kind of record!

Please let us know how you get on, and I hope you have a better day today. Try to keep your limb gently moving and not to keep it still for too long - inactivity can be one of the triggers of CRPS, and with nerve pain it's not a bad plan to keep things moving...

Take care,

Bram.

[BostonFern]

Bram,

Thank you for your wonderful reply. I really appreciate your good heart.

Let me answer your questions first.

My pain is triggered by motion. When the pain is severe or frequent enough, it will persist for quite a while. I call this flare-up.

I don't notice any skin color changes. Sometimes my right upper arm, which is where the original pain came from, feel warm to the touch. There is no sweating or swelling.

The pain, most of time, feel like they are close to the bone and usually localized at different spots. I would describe them as throbbing pain or arthritis pain. However, when I have flare-up, the skin of my forearm would feel painful, like somebody scratches it with the tip of a pen.

Now I want to share with you something interesting this morning.

While I was lying in bed this morning, I exercised my right arm in a way similar to Tai-Chi movement. Then I exercised my right arm according to my physical therapist's instruction. My right arm was painful. Then I tried to send "Chi" to my right arm. It took a few tries, as I rarely do this. But my arm felt a lot of better afterwards. I'm using my mouse at this moment, and I don't feel any pain as I had when I used mouse.

I practiced Tai-Chi for a couple of years before. I didn't really get the notion of Chi until I gave and received Reiki. Chi was something I sent out to other people to help them, but today I realize I can send it to myself.

As for my symptoms and the causes of my problems, I need more education. I feel I have little understandings about nerves and muscles. Perhaps I should borrow a book from the health library of hospitals.

[Brambledog]

You're welcome

Sorry about all those questions! From your answers I'd still think it's unlikely that you have CRPS tbh. That little bit of heat sounds more like it's caused by inflammation than because of the tissue damage of CRPS. But, as I said before, I'm not a doc and it's just my opinion.

It's a good idea to learn something about the anatomy and physiology of the arm, plus it keeps your mind occupied while you're waiting for that doctors appointment

I do gentle exercises called Qi Gong, and the Qi is basically Chi spelt differently lol. They are very soothing and calming I think, and being gentle they don't aggravate my limbs like one other exercises... I understand the concept of Chi, but I must admit I don't know much about it and certainly not about sending it!

Keep up the positive attitude, and enjoy your learning

Bram.

For a Diagnosis of RSd you need 3 of the 4 main symptoms.

The Symptoms
There are FOUR Main Symptoms/Criteria for a diagnosis of CRPS:
• Constant chronic burning pain - (includes allodynia; extreme sensitivity to touch, sound, vibration, wind, etc.)
• Inflammation - this can affect the appearance of the skin, bruising and mottling for example.
• Spasms-in blood vessels and muscles of the extremities
• Insomnia/Emotional Disturbance (including limbic system changes such as short-term memory problems, concentration difficulties, and irritability)
Not all four symptoms are required for a diagnosis but most patients do have at least three out of the four at any one time. What makes this disease even more difficult for Drs to diagnose and treat is that patients can present with different symptoms at different times, even from one appointment to the next.

The CONSTANT PAIN can be described as burning pain as if a red hot poker were inserted into the affected area; as well as throbbing, aching stabbing, sharp, tingling, and/or crushing in the affected area (this is not always the site of the trauma). The affected area is usually hot or cold to the touch. The pain will be more severe than expected for the type of injury sustained. This is a hallmark of the disease. Allodynia is usually present as well (extreme sensitivity to touch). Something as simple as a light touch, clothing, sheets, even a breeze across the skin on the affected area can cause an extreme amount of pain to the patient. Pain can also be increased by sounds and vibrations, especially sharp sudden sounds and deep vibrations. This makes it increasingly difficult on the spouses, children, and other family members; as their softest touch can now cause pain instead of comfort. If the patient has not been properly diagnosed yet and these sensations not properly explained, these symptoms can cause extreme duress and confusion to all involved.

The INFLAMMATION is not always present. It can take various forms, the skin may appear mottled, become easily bruised, bleeding in the skin, small red dots, have a shiny, dry, red, and tight look to it. An increase in sweating usually occurs as well as swelling in and around the joints (shoulders, knees, wrists). In some patients a lack of sweating may also occur, and may even go back and forth between the two.

The SPASMS result in a feeling of coldness in the affected extremity as well as body fatigue, skin rashes, low-grade fever, swelling (edema), sores, dystonia, and tremors. The spasms can be confined to one area or be rolling in nature; moving up and down the leg, arm, or back.

The fourth part of this square is INSOMNIA and EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCE. CRPS affects the limbic system of the brain. Doctor Hooshang Hooshmand described it well; " The fact that the sympathetic sensory nerve fibers carrying the sympathetic pain and impulse up to the brain terminate in the part of the brain called "limbic system". This limbic (marginal) system which is positioned between the old brain (brainstem) and the new brain (cerebral hemispheres) is mainly located over the temporal and frontal lobes of the brain." This causes many problems that might not initially be linked to a disease like CRPS. Chief among them are Depression, Insomnia and short-term memory problems. CRPS can cause Depression, NOT the other way around.


ADDITIONAL SYMPTOMS

There are many additional symptoms that can be part of CRPS besides the four main ones. These include but are not limited to;

- Changes in skin temperature (warmer or cooler compared to the healthy/opposite limb.
- changes in skin color (skin may appear red, dusky, covered with red dots, cyanotic, blotchy, or pale).
- hypersensitivity to touch, sound, vibration, wind, noise, temperature, barometric pressure changes, water temperature, etc.
- irritability.
- depression, fatigue, and/or insomnia.
- changes in hair/nail growth (nails can become brittle, cracked, or grooved - increased/decreased hair/nail growth).
- skin can become shiny, changes in sweating patterns - increase/decreases
- bone and muscle loss/changes, atrophy/weakness.
- swelling and stiffness in affected joints.
- throbbing, crushing, tingling, shooting, aching, stabbing, burning pain in the affected area.
- tremors (shakes).
- problems moving the affected extremity/body part.
- migraines/cluster headaches.

These symptoms can come and go and alternate over time, changing from month to month and year to year depending what stage the patient is in

This will spread in 77% of sufferers and in 10% will go full body, (all 4 limbs, neck, head, eyes and internal organs.
8% of sufferers may get wounds which never heal.

[moosey2me]

Originally Posted by Kevscar

For a Diagnosis of RSd you need 3 of the 4 main symptoms.

The Symptoms
There are FOUR Main Symptoms/Criteria for a diagnosis of CRPS:
• Constant chronic burning pain - (includes allodynia; extreme sensitivity to touch, sound, vibration, wind, etc.)
• Inflammation - this can affect the appearance of the skin, bruising and mottling for example.
• Spasms-in blood vessels and muscles of the extremities
• Insomnia/Emotional Disturbance (including limbic system changes such as short-term memory problems, concentration difficulties, and irritability)
Not all four symptoms are required for a diagnosis but most patients do have at least three out of the four at any one time. What makes this disease even more difficult for Drs to diagnose and treat is that patients can present with different symptoms at different times, even from one appointment to the next.

The CONSTANT PAIN can be described as burning pain as if a red hot poker were inserted into the affected area; as well as throbbing, aching stabbing, sharp, tingling, and/or crushing in the affected area (this is not always the site of the trauma). The affected area is usually hot or cold to the touch. The pain will be more severe than expected for the type of injury sustained. This is a hallmark of the disease. Allodynia is usually present as well (extreme sensitivity to touch). Something as simple as a light touch, clothing, sheets, even a breeze across the skin on the affected area can cause an extreme amount of pain to the patient. Pain can also be increased by sounds and vibrations, especially sharp sudden sounds and deep vibrations. This makes it increasingly difficult on the spouses, children, and other family members; as their softest touch can now cause pain instead of comfort. If the patient has not been properly diagnosed yet and these sensations not properly explained, these symptoms can cause extreme duress and confusion to all involved.

The INFLAMMATION is not always present. It can take various forms, the skin may appear mottled, become easily bruised, bleeding in the skin, small red dots, have a shiny, dry, red, and tight look to it. An increase in sweating usually occurs as well as swelling in and around the joints (shoulders, knees, wrists). In some patients a lack of sweating may also occur, and may even go back and forth between the two.

The SPASMS result in a feeling of coldness in the affected extremity as well as body fatigue, skin rashes, low-grade fever, swelling (edema), sores, dystonia, and tremors. The spasms can be confined to one area or be rolling in nature; moving up and down the leg, arm, or back.

The fourth part of this square is INSOMNIA and EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCE. CRPS affects the limbic system of the brain. Doctor Hooshang Hooshmand described it well; " The fact that the sympathetic sensory nerve fibers carrying the sympathetic pain and impulse up to the brain terminate in the part of the brain called "limbic system". This limbic (marginal) system which is positioned between the old brain (brainstem) and the new brain (cerebral hemispheres) is mainly located over the temporal and frontal lobes of the brain." This causes many problems that might not initially be linked to a disease like CRPS. Chief among them are Depression, Insomnia and short-term memory problems. CRPS can cause Depression, NOT the other way around.


ADDITIONAL SYMPTOMS

There are many additional symptoms that can be part of CRPS besides the four main ones. These include but are not limited to;

- Changes in skin temperature (warmer or cooler compared to the healthy/opposite limb.
- changes in skin color (skin may appear red, dusky, covered with red dots, cyanotic, blotchy, or pale).
- hypersensitivity to touch, sound, vibration, wind, noise, temperature, barometric pressure changes, water temperature, etc.
- irritability.
- depression, fatigue, and/or insomnia.
- changes in hair/nail growth (nails can become brittle, cracked, or grooved - increased/decreased hair/nail growth).
- skin can become shiny, changes in sweating patterns - increase/decreases
- bone and muscle loss/changes, atrophy/weakness.
- swelling and stiffness in affected joints.
- throbbing, crushing, tingling, shooting, aching, stabbing, burning pain in the affected area.
- tremors (shakes).
- problems moving the affected extremity/body part.
- migraines/cluster headaches.

These symptoms can come and go and alternate over time, changing from month to month and year to year depending what stage the patient is in

This will spread in 77% of sufferers and in 10% will go full body, (all 4 limbs, neck, head, eyes and internal organs.
8% of sufferers may get wounds which never heal.

YOU FORGOT TO ADD MEMORY LOSS..I CAN'T REMEMBER CRAP..BUT HAVE TO KEEP SMILING..

[moosey2me]

Originally Posted by BostonFern

I don't have diagnosis of RSD. My doctor appointment is a month down the road, so I might as well try to figure out whether I have RSD or not.

My problem with my right arm is that the nerve gets injured easily and healing is very slow. As of today, when putting my arms behind me, my right arm can only go as far as to the right hip, while my left arm can go all the way up to the right shoulder blade.

What bothers me the most is not the pain, but the pain triggered by certain activities, like dressing and undressing myself, or using mouse. The pain can be at different spots of right arm and right shoulder. If there is enough pain from these activities, then I would have persistent pain at places like the surface of forearm and shoulder. Does this sound like a RSD symptom?

Also, when I have new injury of right arm, it would be painful for a few days, regardless how I move.

I AGREE IT DOES NOT SOUND LIKE RSD..BUT GLAD YOU ARE SEEING A DOCTOR..GOOD LUCK GET BETTER...

I didn't forget, yo uforgot what you had read in the fourth part

Chief among them are Depression, Insomnia and short-term memory problems. CRPS can cause Depression, NOT the other way around.

[cactusfoot]

Chi is key to pushing through.

[moosey2me]

Originally Posted by cactusfoot

Chi is key to pushing through.

AMEN.....