Littlepaw,

Yeah I just looked it up again and I never havehave any numbness in my arm. It's always pain. But thank you for telling me about that.

Thank you Jo*mar , I thought that that was what it was but that helped.

Spoonie,

There are other meds that might help you. Many people find relief with neurontin or lyrica or with the old tricyclics antidepressants like nortryptiline given at a lower dose than used for depression. I also take something called PEAPure, a complex fatty acid that affects mast cell activity which is implicated in neuropathic pain. It is a bit expensive and I now have to order it from overseas as the US pharmacy that had it ran into some kind of import issue. Not sure medical marijuana would be any cheaper. Dr. Pradeep Chopra has a good talk on rsds.org right now where he mentions the PEAPure. I have taken it for the last few months, don't know how much it helps but hey... Dr. Chopra also cautions about nerve entrapment and I would advise if the ER docs gave the initial diagnosis and you go tell other docs that you may have CRPS they are likely to follow. ER docs are great, but their training is to make sure something is not going to imminently kill you. They are not necessarily geared towards the kind of thing you are dealing with. Just be sure you didn't get misdiagnosed again!

BTW, entrapment does not always cause numbness, can cause electric sensations and shooting pain as well as coldness in limb and circulation changes. Nerves do weird things and don't always behave as "expected". A nerve conduction study is non-invasive and easily accomplished...If stuff is ruled out and you have CRPS that's one thing. It's another if your doctors aren't checking out all the options that might affect treatment and outcome. Can you tell I worked in healthcare?
Good Luck! Littlepaw

Littlepaw,

I'm actually allergic to most antidepressants, even in small doses. I took some to try and manage my anxiety and they all made me sick or gave me anaphylaxis. I am going to see a neurologist soon here and I will have that test done. And I have had other doctors look into it with only telling them my symptoms, and they have made a diagnosis from there. I appreciate you're insight and help. I'm sorry if I come off as non appreciative. It's just, for someone who has, I'm guessing, also going through people and doctors not believe your pain; it is hurtful to feel like I have to prove my condition to you when I only joined this site for support, not judgment.

Poop on the antidepressants - though TCAs are different than SSRIs. A pharmacist could tell you about cross reactivity. I am glad you are seeing neuro. Sorry if I am overspeaking. I just feel very strongly that we must advocate for ourselves. I know a heck of a lot of doctors and they do make mistakes. I also think it is easier as a patient accepting a chronic illness knowing that you have made sure absolutely everything was checked out. Especially with CRPS. It's right in the criteria that there can't be another explanation. You do not come off as unappreciative. You have a lot to process. And the great thing about the forum is you get ideas thrown at you from every which way and can decide which ones you want to pursue. I in NO WAY meant for you to feel judged. I am always, always hoping someone has something easily treated that will permanently resolve their pain. Something that maybe was missed. I feel like sometimes CRPS is a 'garbage-can" diagnosis with docs. My CRPS is unrelated to my nerve entrapment. I had a podiatrist tell me my cold blue foot with shooting pain was CRPS and I would be a chronic pain patient the rest of my life. Treating the entrapment actually solved that part of my problem and the CRPS came later after an unrelated procedure. Hate to see this kind of thing happen to anyone else...
Ugh! So sorry I made you feel bad.

Take care,
Littlepaw

Anytime I injure a new area I use Lidocaine patches to avoid spread. When spread to a new area seems like a serious issue, then I will usually undergo a stellate ganglion block.

Are those patches available at a drug store? Thanks for the advice

By prescription, but generic now. The brand name was Lidodem. I actually prefer the other manufacturer, they stick better.

Hi again Spoonie,
My CRPS started in my left arm by having surgery after a bad accident. It seemed to spread sort of randomly but once I fell breaking my right wrist the spreading quickened. After that surgery I became full body rather quickly.
In my case my CRPS is complicated by also having cerebral degenerative atrophy.
I fall a lot when I try to do something out of my wheelchair.
So my answer to you is once I suffered a trauma after having CRPS the spread sped up and it became full body within two years of the initial accident.
I hope I explained myself correctly and somehow helps you...

I'm so sorry this might be spreading. I sort of hesitate to share my story as I don't want to increase your worry, but maybe it will help. I have had CRPS in my foot since July. In December it spread to my ankle. In January, it spread to my calf. Now, I'm showing early signs of it spreading into my knee. On February 2nd, I had a sympathetic nerve block. At that time, there was no sign of it in my knee. Just over a week after the block, the mottling is above my knee. I have had no new injuries. I was super hardcore about preventing spread. I'm on gabapentin and neurotonin, lots of supplements including vitamin C 1000 mg, and I tried multiple treatments including aggressive physical therapy, acupuncture, chiropractic, and therapy. Nothing has stopped the spread and no one knows why, including a leading expert in the field. I believe stress had caused spread in my case. On February 6th, I had an e extremely stressful day and the spread to my knee started after that. I have problems with meditation and I can't do many types of yoga right now, but I still highly recommend anything that reduces your stress. There are many types of yoga, so maybe try another like nidra yoga, hatha yoga, gentle yoga, or restorative yoga. Meditation doesn't have to be this transcendental thing - it can be just sitting and trying to focus on your breath, without changing it, even for 5 minutes. Starting in January, I have been trying to do these things and I see their potential, if I can just overcome my anxiety and do them. Maybe they aren't for you, but I strongly encourage you to find something. Maybe an anti-anxiety med. And I second an earlier post that medications like noritytripline are different than regular anti-depressants. They are many options, don't stop at the first one that doesn't work. Treatment is supposed to stop spread, so consider asking your doctors for more option . Gabapentin is a typical first step and I'd consider that before medical Marijuana which has less research. Research all the treatments on sites like RSDA or various books and decide what you are willing to try, then ask for that. Doctors don't always offer; we sometimes have to ask. I hope this isn't spreading for you and I hope you find relief soon.