When this first started and Ortho thought it was something that needed imobilization and pulling my thumb away from my hand and stopping me from carrying it claw like, I was given a brace that immobilized my wrist and thumb...
I have been in extreme pain lately and I'm tired. Tired of hurting. And I just don't want my thumb to even twitch( funny how my thumb hurts way more that my wrist which is supposed to be the worst part)
I tried to wear my brace today but my forearm and wrist and hand are so swollen it doesn't fit right and wearing it is hard to tolerate, but if I can work through that do you think it would be detrimental to immobilize it just till the 8th when I get my next block?
I've read braces are a no no, but would it be short turn? I just have nothing that even takes the edge off this pain right now. My gabapentin just seems to be doing very little anymore and I of course didn't bother to ask about that or tell the dr last week when I saw her. I just got excited about the future plans.. And I get very nervous for some reason asking about changing doses or meds..

Hi Jennijojo,
Try to never be afraid to ask your doctors for anything. They need to know what's going on.
For some reason wearing a brace to control movement was explained to me was not good. I had a very badly clawed hand to the point of my fingers were pressing my veins and if not addressed they would cut off blood flow and nerves. So I had surgery done to fuse my wrist to were it looked somewhat normal.Just saying....

You want to avoid immobilization if at all possible. Prior to developing CRPS I had been in a wrist brace for a few years. I was never able to wear one after, although I developed the bad habit of guarding which resulted in major atrophy and an escalation of other symptoms and spread up my arm, to my shoulder, to my neck, and down my back. I had to work with a pain psychologist to eventually stop guarding.

Hey there!

Sorry to hear you are in so much pain

I remember going through that period where I didn't want my knees to move at all, and it turned out that was making it worse. What I tell my friends and doctors: "The only thing that hurts worse than moving is not moving". If you don't move it, it'll get stiff and hurt more. Unfortunately you have to VERY SLOWLY AND CAREFULLY move even though it hurts. For most of us it seems to help to do it in water (something about different pressures? )

The thing that helped me the absolute most so far in regaining mobility and decreasing pain was kinesiology tape. It's a special kind of tape made to either help your muscles move or keep them from moving depending on how it's applied and (though no research has proven it yet) theoretically assists in directing blood flow. It is kind of a more effective second skin. Find someone who is certified in taping and try it out! There are also videos online how to do it that I can point you to but really it is much better to find someone who is certified.

Hope you feel better!!!

hi Jennijojo,

I am sorry to hear you are so flared up. I am concerned about a couple of things for you. Did anyone ever order an MRI or your hand? I remember your concerns about your thumb and the lack of imaging there. It makes it impossible to know what really needs to be done. Maybe you need immobilization or maybe you don't. It could be either helpful or harmful, you just don't know. It really depends on what the issue is.

Please don't be nervous about talking to your doctor. It sounds like you have a good one and she cannot help you without your input. Call and let them know your questions and maybe bump the block up sooner if you can. If an MRI needs to be done it might be best to have it strategically after the block by X number of days so swelling is down and they can visualize the soft tissues better. Difficult with a lot of fluid buildup. Your Pm may be willing to order MRI if ortho is not. A pain contributor may affect your treatment planning.

Did you ever take the article about the alpha blocker to your PM?

Please take care and be a Mom to yourself like you would to your children. You'd pick that phone right up if one of them was hurting. You deserve the same.

Sending hugs and Healing Love,

I called my pm and left a message but have yet to bring the article in but I set up an appointment today with my gp. Cause this losartan stuff (she doubled my dose last week even?)is giving me horrible muscle cramps. I will bring the article then. I'm also going to ask her to order an mri. i will I will! I mean couldn't my bp be higher on top of the meds cause I hurt so bad? (I know it can) so we need to adjust these meds. I want to try an alpha blocker. You are right I wouldn't hesitate if it were my kids.

I ended up not wearing the brace. I mean even a bandaid bugs me so that drove me insane for the 5 mins I had it on. And as said above I've noticed clawing my hand turns it purple really fast and increases the swelling. It just wants to do that so I'm working really hard not to.

I am also using crocheting to keep my hand moving when I get a turn at the tv lol. I also can't say no to people and get lots of calls for colors and haircuts As painful as it can be I need my right hand so I will do everything I can to keep using it.
Let's hope these series of I injections knock this thing back.

Aack! I meant to put the article on the ACE inhibitor and their association with CRPS in case it is contributing. I think you know what I meant. I had just gotten up from my post-ketamine nap when I posted.

Alpha blockers could be good to try, they give some sympathetic blockade orally.

I am glad you called your PM.

I knew what you meant

The whole ACE inhibitor thing has always bothered me. The majority of CRPS patients are female but the majority of patients taking ACE inhibitors are male. There is just such a disconnect!

Hi Dubious,

I am not sure what you meant on the ACE inhibitors. The study I read found a higher incidence of CRPS in patients on ACE inhibitors. Possibly due to the increase in bradykinin, one of the inflammatory cytokines. in that case I am glad less women are on them.