Hello

I have had RSD for 20 plus years. Yes, owch. . I developed RSD originally from a MINOR surgery to L knee which left me permanently inflicted with RSD. Then in 2005 I had surgery on L arm/wrist which left me with full blown RSD in left arm despite a block pre op. Surgery is the direct cause, and so far, sole cause of my intense RSD. I now need a hip replacement on the R side, and am really really uncomfy having this done due to RSD. My previous surgeons, docs did not do what was medically necessary or prescribed or follow a decent protocol to help me avoid spread or as I call it NEW RSD since I feel the RSD in my arm was a new injury, not a spread. RSD is lurking all over my body just waiting to jump out at first cut, lol.

I also have other medical issues which made surgery very difficult. I have to have the surgery. I am at the point of needing to schedule it but NEED a reputable surgical protocol I can give to anesthesiologist, surgeon, pain management team about pre, during and post op treatment to help prevent and God forbid, treat any new spread. I know many people have had surgery without spread or getting new RSD.

Please, please share with me what you and your docs, surgeons, pain management, anesth dept has done to help you for a major surgery. I live in an area with the best of hospitals and surgeons, very well known, yet I cant seem to get the care and help I need when it comes to RSD and surgery. I will not be able to physically handle another limb being taken over to this horrible beast. WHAT did you have done to help prevent RSD?

Epidural catheter?
IV?
Pre-emptive meds weeks before surgery?
Additional hospital stay for a day or so before surgery to get meds in you early and calm system?
IV lidocaine, Ketamine, etc?
Do you have something written down? How did you get insurance to approve it?

Thank you all so much. I never ever wanted to have surgery again, and I am facing this again with a lot of fear, trepidation and so far, lack of support from the medical world to help me stop the beast from being a bigger beast.
Soft hugs for all!!!!