I was wondering if Generalized RSD is in fact Central Pain Syndrome. I stumbled on this disorder when being angry at being diagnosed with Chronic pain syndrome due to my trunk, pelvic and facial RSD? No one will diagnose my body and facial issues as RSD and I had the burning nerve pain spread in my face, abdomen and vaginal cavity along with organ burning and so on.

Hi Jerie,

I am sorry you are having a difficult time! I would not think that RSD is Central Pain Syndrome. From what I read, Central Pain Syndrome is a disfuntion in the brain, brain stem or spinal cord caused by epilepsy, stroke, MS, Parkinson's, tumor...the symptoms are not exactly the same either. RSD is thought to start in the sympathetic nervous system.

I think that doctors use the term "chronic pain syndrome" for any pain condition that lasts longer than six months, that is hard to treat and that they don't understand fully.

As far as having RSD in those other areas, yes it is definitely possible! I was diagnosed 23 years ago with RSD in my face. Now, in addition to my face, I have it in both hands, feet, shoulders, left arm, left leg (spreading to the right), trunk and outer vaginal area. If your doctor does not think it is possible that RSD can spread to those areas, then you should look for a new doctor...one that is more knowledgeable about it. Of course, you need to rule out anything else that it possibly could be. But when the symptoms are the same...well, it probably is RSD spreading

Nanc

I think generalized RSD is just Centralized Pain, or pain that has spread to all the nervous systems. The symptoms are very similar. Especially the burning. I have deep core burning including in my organs at times. I found it interesting on an infrared thermography my forehead hade hyperthermia demonstrated in it. My entire forehead was white and I my entire head heats up at times, besides burning. It all spread from nerve stimulation done in PT post op foot surgery and spontaneously spread throughout my body. I live in tin buck two and I am luck I have the PM I do. I drive out of state 4.5 hrs for PM and I am prescribed oral ketamine. If it wasn't for that I would have offed myself by now. Only thing that works on burning pain, except Ativan and other sedating drugs. They do reduce my pain levels by quieting my nervous system. Some anyways. Those drugs are hard to get prescribed too. When you tell a doctor my symptoms they go straight to psychiatric solutions and drugs which don't help. I know RSD spreads body wide but many doctors don't. http://centralpainsyndromefoundation.com/

I agree with Nanc. I think that maybe you should find another dr if your current dr doesn't think rsd can spread. It can spread. Mine has spread and my PM dr has confirmed it as well as my Endometriosis dr and Rheumatologist. I didn't need them to tell me though, because I already knew. It's a feeling of pain that I've never felt before in my life and it's horrific. Plus I have outward symptom. Excessive hair growth on my arms and swelling in feet with redness and burning skin with a deep aching vibrating pain that goes deep into the center of my bones. I can't move until the pain pills kick in. I lie in a ball in bed until they start to work because it hurts too much to move. A good PM dr should know about RSD. My PM dr knows more about RSD then my neurologist I now think. So keep searching for a dr who knows it spreads if this one doesn't get that. It is not in your head and no psychiatrist can help take the physical pain away. A PM dr can prescribe the meds you need to deal with the physical pain. A psychiatrist can help deal with the mental pain we suffer from RSD with meds too. I see both and they help alot. Good luck and take care. I hope you feel better soon. I will pray for you.