Originally Posted by catra121 (Post 1103395)

You may be one of the lucky ones that got diagnosis and treatment early enough to have success at remission and if that's the case then I am very happy for you. If that's the case then I would keep the following things in mind (based on my own experiences):

1. Avoid immobilization. Even if it hurts...keep moving. Never push yourself to the point where the pain is too severe...but even on "bad days" try to at least do gentle stretches so you don't completely immobilize anything. Immobilization and CRPS are not a good match. If you can get any exercises from a physical therapist that you can do at home this would be helpful.

2. Avoid ice. Not everyone agrees on this but I would say the majority have experienced additional pain and (more importantly) spread as the result of using ice. Though I have CRPS through most of my body...I will not allow anyone to use ice on ANY part of my body (even those unaffected by CRPS at this time).

3. Keep a very close eye on the things that trigger your pain or make stuff worse...and then avoid those things. Sometimes it's just about learning a different WAY of doing something that will avoid triggering the pain.

4. Avoid getting yourself into any kind of bad pain cycle. If the pain gets worse...address it. If you don't have anything at home to do this with, then call your doctor right away if the pain increases. Hopefully you have something to address flare up pain that you don't take every day but that you can use as needed.

5. Try to find ways to relax and wind down. Stress is a known trigger for CRPS...so do your best to avoid that like any other triggers. It's amazing how much this can help...but it's also one of the hardest things to do when you are dealing with chronic pain. At least now you can hopefully focus on moving forward now that the diagnosis has been confirmed and that should at least be one less thing to stress about.

Best of luck to you. I agree that most of us on this forum have had this for a while and/or have more severe cases of the condition...but that doesn't mean we can't help you. I've learned so much from this forum and because of what I've learned I have been able to take my life back despite the CRPS pain I deal with each and every day. I hope you experience a full remission...but even if you do keep many of the above in mind because remission is not a cure and you still need to be careful and on alert for any signs that it might be returning.

Take care and good luck!

Originally Posted by visioniosiv (Post 1103382)

I'm one of the fortunate ones whose CRPS resolved (Jesika don't I count???:)). My basic advice for your particular situation (which you did a heck of a job detailing BTW) is:

1) mirror therapy coupled with ROM movement - 10 mins 5x daily. See where you are in 2 weeks and go from there.
2) massage/desensitization techniques (can be combined with mirror therapy). Actually - desensitization is not critical in your case based on the mildness of your symptoms.
3) 50/50 DMSO/vegetable glycerin applied to the area 3x daily. I made my own and can provide a link to purchase quality 100% DMSO if interested. (no monetary benefit to me lol:))
4) NAC 600mg 3x daily, or a boosted Vitamin C regimen, or grape seed extract (not sure on dosages there having not used it myself but have read studies and anecdotal evidence that it is a highly potent antioxidant.)
5) Take a look at your overall diet and limit caffeine, alcohol, and inflammatory foods. You will know which foods are inflammatory by how your foot reacts if you pay attention.
6) Take a look at your overall environment and pay attention to where the most stress arises. Seek out and establish a positive environment for yourself. Do stuff you love. Get out in nature. Play your favorite uplifiting music. Do it for you. Ironically, being selfish to heal yourself is the most selfless thing you can do. Live your life and revel in it dude.
7) Now that you know the worst that can happen having been on this forum and incessantly researching multiple studies, let it all go and allow yourself to heal up.

Originally Posted by visioniosiv (Post 1103382)

I'm one of the fortunate ones whose CRPS resolved (Jesika don't I count???:)). My basic advice for your particular situation (which you did a heck of a job detailing BTW) is:

1) mirror therapy coupled with ROM movement - 10 mins 5x daily. See where you are in 2 weeks and go from there.
2) massage/desensitization techniques (can be combined with mirror therapy). Actually - desensitization is not critical in your case based on the mildness of your symptoms.
3) 50/50 DMSO/vegetable glycerin applied to the area 3x daily. I made my own and can provide a link to purchase quality 100% DMSO if interested. (no monetary benefit to me lol:))
4) NAC 600mg 3x daily, or a boosted Vitamin C regimen, or grape seed extract (not sure on dosages there having not used it myself but have read studies and anecdotal evidence that it is a highly potent antioxidant.)
5) Take a look at your overall diet and limit caffeine, alcohol, and inflammatory foods. You will know which foods are inflammatory by how your foot reacts if you pay attention.
6) Take a look at your overall environment and pay attention to where the most stress arises. Seek out and establish a positive environment for yourself. Do stuff you love. Get out in nature. Play your favorite uplifiting music. Do it for you. Ironically, being selfish to heal yourself is the most selfless thing you can do. Live your life and revel in it dude.
7) Now that you know the worst that can happen having been on this forum and incessantly researching multiple studies, let it all go and allow yourself to heal up.

Originally Posted by eevo61 (Post 1103399)

I'm deeply sorry that I forgot to mention you,I had several a days with flares and also as you know suffer three family members losses I the past month,it was and is a hard time for me but I want to be here and get back not track and try my best to help but wasn't my Intention to,leave you out,so sorry but I'm sure you do understand ,thanks so much for the support and again ,you are also in remission but my Brain got clog just like other part on my body :D, sorry and hope to keep helping the best way possible.gentle hugs and lots,of love from Jesika .

Originally Posted by HarryDresden (Post 1103300)

Thanks for the input Nanc. I mean this in all sincerity, could you link me to a resource that shows (and explains how the reached that consulsion) that no one is ever healed? I understand that their are many cases that spread and never resolve themselves but my doctors who have years and experence and that study I linked indicate their are many cases with some form of resolution (get better, heal). I have been steadly searching through what journals and studies and have yet to find something conclusive. Perphase I don't understand what i'm reading.

Originally Posted by LIT LOVE (Post 1103435)

Harry,

Please read these 2 links:
http://www.rsdhope.org/pain-index--crps-mechanism.html
http://www.rsdhope.org/how-is-crps-diagnosed.html

"What does the Doctor look for? Not all patients will have the symptoms listed below at every stage of the disease, especially early on, but the physican should be alerted to:

1.Pain that exists long after the injury has healed.
2.Pain that is out of proportion to the injury sustained (these are two hallmarks of the disease that Doctors look for).
3.Changes to the skin; color/texture, dryness, tightness, redness, skin rashes, possible sores, as well as an increase or decrease in sweating.
4.The presence of a constant chronic burning pain. While there are some cases where there is no burning pain, it is rare.
5.Spasms of the blood vessels and muscles.
6.The existence of a prior injury that could have damaged a nerve.
7.Use of casting, surgery difficulties, injury subsequent to the original incident.
8.Lastly, they need to look for symptoms that the patient might not realize are significant and need to be shared with the doctor. These are changes that occur in the limbic system that cause:
• short-term memory loss
• difficulty concentrating
• insomnia
• difficulty finding the right word when speaking
• sensitivity to sound, vibration, smell, barometric pressure changes, and touch
• depression"

Because CRPS is devastating, and because prompt and aggressive treatment is the best chance for remission, it has been questioned whether docs are over diagnosing CRPS. I remember coming across something claiming JHU claiming 70% of patients were misdiagnosed. (We've had posters a few years ago here on NT that felt their diagnoses were unfairly questioned at John Hopkins Pain Clinic and they went on to receive better care with Schwartzman though, so...)

The most important diagnostic criteria for diagnosing CRPS seems to consistently been severe, continual pain out of proportion to/or without any injury. Without that, I don't believe any reputable CRPS specialist will diagnose you as having the syndrome. You can absolutely have some type of neuropathic issue that is serious and needs urgent attention, but it isn't likely to be CRPS.

Originally Posted by Nanc (Post 1103427)

Hey Harry! What study did you link? Could you link it again so I can see it? I have not seen studies or documents per se, but it is a known fact mentioned by top docs and all of the credible RSD/CRPS resources on the web that there is no known cure. There is remission though. And to me, when you say resolving itself you mean being cured. But if you do in fact have RSD/CRPS and you get better, symptoms dissipate, then you are experiencing remission not a cure. Remission can last forever or just a month...my remission lasted several years. But in dealing with this for almost 24 years, I have never seen a proven cure, only remission.

I am not trying to argue with you about this, so please please don't take it that way.