Thank you all so much. I said some brave things yesterday (bad mistake) I was going act like I don't have this!!!! Was short lived. Couldn't sleep last night. Woke about 3 and realized, I fell asleep before taking my neurontin so I took it couldn't go back to sleep. I readjusted my times today. My arm does have more pain today. My calves have been tight and sore for 2 weeks. Last night I had a slight burning sensation nearly over my entire right side including face!!!!! My feet froze while up watching tv , so today I ordered a massager and booties you can warm in the microwave. Thank you all so much. My husband still acts like I am the same as I was before the surgery. He is so spoiled. I did the spoiling so there are gonna be a lot of struggles there too.

Hi murgir

Everyone takes a while to get their head around this and find a plan and meds and activity level etc that suits them. You'll get there, don't beat yourself up about it!

We all have struggles about the rejigging of roles that happens. My husband has been great and very supportive, but we still have had a lot of issues around the fact that I was the leader of our little herd like most gals, and he supported me. When I got this my first year was a wash-out and he had to take on a lot, bless him, and we both found it very hard. I'm into my third year and we are finally seeing a counsellor about it all, and it's the best thing we've ever done - I honestly wish we'd done it at the start. Not a psychologist through the hospital, but a counsellor - friendly and warm and someone to talk to who doesn't have any agenda... I'm very lucky that mine has experience of chronic pain illness, and she's really helped us both. I see her mostly, but my husband has also had a few sessions, and it's been amazing at opening his eyes to the effect this has on ALL of us. We can't afford it, but it is seriously money well spent Do it if you possibly can!!

Try not to worry about random feelings of stabby pains, burning heat or prickles etc in other areas - I've had a lot of this at odd times, and it hasn't been spread. The CRPS is affecting our nerves, and nerves are all connected. It also affects the part of our brain where pain and sensation are processed, and sometimes there's a little short-circuit effect... It's not fun, but you have to try not to panic. If it becomes very regular (every day) for weeks and in exactly the same area, then yes it could be spread, but otherwise it's likely just the CRPS playing its own sick brand of games...

Take care and have a good day. At this early stage of things, it might be helpful to keep a pain diary (or CRPS diary lol) - for each day, record your pain levels out of 10 in the morning, afternoon and evening, and note down any particular pains/sensations you have. Also note any activities you do like exercise, going out, housework, etc. It's a very useful tool for docs (they love it - major brownie points ) and it's great for you because you can spot patterns of things that cause a flare in pain etc. A pain diary also gives you something productive to focus on at regular intervals through the day, and a feeling of control. Both very important IMHO lol.

Don't forget to have some fun, even if it's just watching a funny show or laughing at your pets/kids being daft Hope you have a better day.

Bram.

Thank You so much. I think that is a great ideal about keeping an activity/pain journal. Thank you so much for responding. Love this group already