Hola Imahotep.

Just want to say I find your theory on a possible microbial link to be really intriguing. I am 100% positive that from a purely physical standpoint, we're looking at an autoimmue condition. So it would make sense that there could also be a primary microbial influence in some cases, as a result of an already compromised immune system. The fact that you noted improvement from antibiotics regimens in the past is strong anecdotal evidence of this.

And the vast majority of initial cases are related to specific physical trauma. Spread is a further example of this. These traumas aren't the direct cause; they're just physical "triggers."


For me personally, RSD was triggered by ankle surgery. Going into the surgery at the time I thought I was in great shape, doing all the right things. I know now for a fact that my immune system was already completely shot to h*ll well prior to the surgery.

I hope you are back to 2003 and beyond soon I'm no expert, but do believe that unraveling the ingrained pain "mapping" within the mind is the key for longer term sufferers. After all, you don't have RSD pain when you're dreaming...

Did you try any nerve blocks prior to your natural healing regiments?

I did not. I heavily considered it early on though. From what I read, they can provide temporary relief for some, cause more issues for others, or have a limited effect either way.

So, you are in full remission by implementing your regimen outlined in the post. How long it took you to the remission. Did you have any flare ups after your remission. I often have flares resulted from any trauma.
Thanks.

numb,

It took around 120 days for the primary 24/7 RSD burn to go away. You know that weird RSD "feel" that's a combo of feeling like the affected body part isn't yours somehow, plus that damn burning? I woke up in the middle of one night and realized that my leg was "mine" again, and the burning had essentially disappeared. Pain reduction was happening gradually before that, but I was still anywhere from a 1 to a 5 on the pain scale to that point. I still remember the recovery of my leg as "mine" again as clear as day.

The primary swelling and inflammation was fairly reduced by then; I'd say about 75% better. Still a lot of redness in the skin though, and it took at least another 6 months for that to clear up. And lots of other "lesser" symptoms like muscle weaknesses, migraines, heart palpitations, gastric reflux, muscle spasms, sweating, etc took 6-12 months to resolve too.

Since then I've stubbed my toe, gashed my skin, and had several deep bruises. Used to get stressed out and immediately apply DMSO, superdose Vitamin C, do visualization techniques, etc. Think about it less and less the more time goes by.

Things like sugar and alcohol and caffeine still set off a weird tingle if I overdo them. Also, and especially --- the act of thinking about it (right now for example) sets off a definite tingle. It is not painful; it's just a vague "nervy" feeling.

Maybe you're just one of those "lucky" people for whom RSD doesn't stick around. The rest of us aren't so lucky.

I have this for going on 21 years now and I am left with a disability because of it. So yes, people, please do take RSD/CRPS seriously.

It doesn't just "vanish" for most of us.

It took me almost 3 years to get diagnosed, and I think the doctors were onto it much sooner than they let on, and also thought it would clear up on its own, which is probably why none of those orthopedic specialists ever uttered a word about it. I mean were they blind?

Marleen,

It took an X-ray with patchy osteoporosis for me to be diagnosed and I was just damned lucky that the rheumatologist ordered it. I had a classic presentation of CRPS which none of the 10 or so doctors I saw seemed to notice for a year. NOW going into my 3rd year all the doctors suddenly are talking about the visible signs and the Budapest Criteria, now that most of the color has faded, the ligature mark is gone and the swelling is slight. Why didn't they mention the freakin' BC when I had every single sign?

The other day my right foot was a block of burning ice at my PT eval, so cold on a hot day, that the PT commented about it. I had to BEG her to note it in the report.

You have described my journey. I am in the gastric, migraine, muscle spasms portion right now. I am very aware of my CRPS limb. It seems bigger, heavier and "nervy."