3.8. Dissociated spread (DS)

In nine cases of IS and MS (patients 3, 5, 8, 10, 17, 18, 21,
22 and 26) we noted a dissociation of spreading symptoms,
J. Maleki et al. / Pain 88 (2000) 259±266 263
where parts of the CRPS-I/RSD symptom complex other
than pain (abnormal vasomotor or sudomotor function,
and/or diffculty with movement) were the first to be noted
in the new area. This phenomenon has been described
previously (Schwartzman, 1995). The variable presentation
of CRPS-I symptoms is well known (Stanton-Hicks et al.,
1995; Baron et al., 1996; Schwartzman, 1996), and it has
been suggested that some patients may present with all of
the symptoms except pain (Blumberg, 1988; Baron et al.,
1996). The signifcance of DS is unclear. In particular, it is
diffcult to say whether or not the appearance of the other
symptoms first implies that they cause the pain.
It does, of
course, suggest the opposite ± that pain need not be the only
cause of the associated symptoms.

Maybe it would be a good idea to at least get xrays of your hands - just to verify that nothing is broke or arthritis has or hasn't set in.

Sandel...This link http://www.msnusers.com/TheCanadianR...ttachments/207
is a "for members only" thing. But thank you for trying anyway.

Buckwheat... no, I am not taking thalidomide. The article is very interesting, though, so it's something I will certainly research and consider. Thanks!

Nikon... it doesn't have an arthritis feel to it, at least not the way I remember my Grandparents feeling. Sorry to hear that they have taken away your choices of SCS or not, that really sucks. You're so right that the more options they remove from the list of "might helps", the more depressing it is. They're such hope killers, grrr.

Jo, I think you're right about the xray. I haven't had one in at least 11 years. Maybe I could get them to take one of my worst foot, too. That's where I worry about the bone density, etc.... it's the site of the original injury and surgery, so it's where the crps would be having the worst impact.

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate you all taking the time for your replies and help. I owe you each one spoon...you can all have them on Monday, and I'll just stay in bed, lol.