History-
RSD was in my right foot. Fracture of fibular sesamoid, the ball of your foot, which never healed and had to be removed surgically. Post-op I couldn't move my toes, extreme pain, etc and was diagnosed some weeks later with RSD. Doctors believe I had the RSD prior to surgery, but the surgery made it worse. Long story short had several sympathetic nerve blocks, medications, and PT. A year after surgery I was able to return to work, another 6-8 months working through the pain and now I've been in remission and off medications for close to a year. I can go on a ten mile hike and work 12 hour shifts as a nurse. I did give up running and riding horses to minimize injury risk. Pain is mild, my circulation is not great in the right foot and it gets cold very easily, I am very particular about shoes, but I can wear socks again.


New-
I am so mad at myself for letting the clinic give me an antibiotic (right side) and steroid shot (left side) in the dorsogluteal site (butt) even though I know that site is no longer recommended due to high risk of complications like hitting nerves. I almost passed out when she did the antibiotic shot and shots normally do not phase me. Both sites had a normal amount of pain anyone would experience. However, the right side began hurting more after a week, by day 10 it hurt to jog. Day 13 I went back and the Dr. said they probably hit a nerve and it will take WEEKS to feel better. She instructed me to massage it and take aleve daily. This is just a walk-in clinic....she doesn't understand RSD and didn't seem to take my concern seriously and acted like this is normal. I am scared this is going to turn into a whole new disaster....help!

It's hard to tell if it feels like my foot felt and it certainly does not hurt as severely as my foot did...but I'll describe the pain a little. I wake up and the first thing that crosses my mind is how bad my butt hurts. It is hard to get out of bed because of the pain. One night my dog bumped into my butt and I woke up in tears. Walking I feel pain in my my butt from the range of motion, but mostly from the force of my foot hitting the ground that is worse if I walk quicker or jog. It hurts to touch it, rub it, and if the waistband of my pants rests on it. Now sometimes, walking or touching it does feel FINE, but if it is hurting nothing I do really makes it feel better.

It'll be a couple weeks before I could get in to see my neurologist. What steps would you take to minimize the risk of this being RSD flaring or spreading? Should I be thinking about restarting medications (obviously will have to prescribed again). Heating packs helped my foot in the winter when it would get ice cold, but not sure if that would help this? Any suggestions appreciated.

I'd have put Lidocaine patches on the day of the shots as a preventative measure. If you have any in or Lidocaine cream, use them now. If you have pain meds in, use them now.

Take 1500 mg of Vit C a day. I would absolutely see if your GP or an Urgent Care or the equivalent would give you a course of steroids for a week if you respond well to them or didn't try them early on last time--I have had great success prevent spread using them.

I'd try Epsom Salt lotion, I've been shocked how well it works to reduce my swelling. And for me it's a never ending cycle of swelling and pain. You may want to pickup Magnesium oil as well, that's supposed to be even better,

Even you have a good massage therapist, it's worth the money in my opinion. If you can swim in a warm pool, that can help. I'm a fan of infrared saunas--it seems to help with the swelling. Yoga or Tai Chi are good ideas.

It might not be a reoccurrence of RSD/CRPS and even if it is, you know how to deal with it.

Hi,

LitLove has made excellent suggestions. I second the steroid recommendation and would add that IF you don't settle you could consider starting a medication such as neurontin to dampen nerve signals for a while. Doesn't have to be long term, it is sometimes used after surgery to keep the nervous system calm for a short time only.

I hope you heal soon and get back into that beautiful remission zone. It sounds like you have done really well.

Sending hugs and healing love,

Hi TBDE,

Welcome!

Sorry you have cause to join us. Yet, I am looking forward to having you with us. This is an amazing community of mutual support.

I am responding late. My apologies. I have been "away" from the forum.

Your earlier history, one of eventual remission, is very encouraging.
(I cannot move my toes, either.)

I see LIT LOVE and Littlepaw have welcomed you and have given outstanding advice.

All of the suggestions made are important ones.

As you know, a comprehensive approach is likely best.

LIT LOVE did also mention the Epsoms lotion.
If you are comfortable soaking, you may want to use the Epsom salts as an additional/alternative option.
I have had good luck with both of these.

I have had the best luck with consistently massaging with 100% magnesium chloride oil/brine directly into affected areas. Some people add the chloride/oil to their baths instead of massaging it directly into the affected area. (Just a warning: The chloride form will most likely give a burning sensation if there is a rash or open skin lesions in the area.)

I hope to hear you are feeling better, pronto!


DejaVu