If we can help in any way let us know. Thanks for doing this I think it will really help!

If you get them all into a single post , just add or copy it to the useful sticky thread -
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread247.html

I will post this in the sticky thread as well but this is what I have so far. Please let me know if there is something I missed or made an error. I have a little bit of pain brain going on so mistakes are probable.


Abbreviations (general):

CRPS- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (formerly RSD)

RSD- Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (Now CRPS)

PM- Pain Management

PCP- Primary Care Physician

PMR- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

WC- Worker’s Compensation



Frequently used terms:

Edema- Swelling

Budapest Criteria- List of signs and symptoms used in the diagnosis of CRPS

Allodynia- Pain from a non-painful stimulus of skin (i.e. light touch, sheets,
gentle breeze)

Causalgia- Alternative name for CRPS (not often used)

Hyperalgesia- Increased sensitivity to pain


Tests:

EMG- Electromyography: a test that studies muscles and the nerves that control them

QSART- AKA sweat test: studies the nerves associated with the sweat production by measuring the amount of sweat produced

NCS- Nerve Conduction Study: used to asses for nerve damage

Bone scan- A test that uses nuclear medicine to show bone damage and density.


Treatments:

PT- Physical Therapy

OT- Occupational Therapy

ROM- Range of motion

SCS- Spinal Cord Stimulator

SGB- Stellate Ganglion Block: procedure where a small amount of anesthetic is injected into the sympathetic nerves in the neck; used for pain in upper body including the arms

LSB- Lumbar Sympathetic Block: procedure where a small amount of anesthetic is injected into the sympathetic nerves near the spinal cord; used for pain in lower back and legs

Mirror Therapy- Uses a mirror to “trick” the mined into thinking it is touching the unaffected limb when you are actually touching the affected limb

HBOT- Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Device/tube that you lay in as 100% oxygen is pumped into a high pressure environment

Calmare- “Scrambles” pain waves using electrodes that are placed on the skin
Water therapy- Therapy done in a warm pool

Kinesio Tape (KT) - Flexible tape that when placed on the skin can help with swelling and pain

Quell- Programmable device that when placed on the body uses nerve stimulation to aid in pain control


Medications:

LDN- Low Dose Naltrexone

Gaba- Gabapentin/Neurontin

TCA- Tricyclic Antidepressants (i.e. amitriptyline, nortriptyline)

Compound cream- Cream made from a variety of medications; usually included ketamine and lidocaine

Troche- Lozenge; Medication made to slowly dissolve in the mouth

Looks good...maybe also add TENS and tDCS under treatments?

NurseKris,

Thanks for your work on this. Great job!

Sorry I've been MIA recently but I am working on the additions. I had a WC hearing the other day and going out into the cold and windy weather set off a horrible flare. I should hopefully be able to add the new items today if I am feeling better. Thank you for all the support it means a lot to me!

Here's to your feeling better soon. Salute, *sips his Dr. Pepper*

I am going to add the 2 suggested treatments here and then as one post in the sticky about useful information. Sorry it took me so long but I was waiting for NASA to call about the solar flares coming from my legs and feet.

I also want to thank everyone for the support and encouragement while working on this. I know there is a very good chance I will never be able to return to regular nursing and it really gets my down sometimes. When describing myself using only a few words nurse was always one of them. I always say it's not just what I do, it's who I am. Working on this list has brought back a little bit of the rewarding feeling nursing gave me.

So onto the 2 additional treatments.

TENS - Transcutaneous Electical Nerve Stimulation: Uses electrodes placed onto the skin to help prevent pain signals from reaching the brain; some research states it may help increase endorphins

tDCS - Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation: Stimulates designated areas of the brain with low electrical currents using electrodes placed onto the skull

Let me know if you think of anymore!

I know it's in no way the same, but I nominate you to be Head Nurse of this board. We need a nurse around here! Thanks again for your work on this.
~mac

Lol!!