I had a very minor surgery today. To be quite honest about the whole thing, my CRPS response to the surgery was and is much worse than the actual surgery. Do any of you have any tips on how to ramp down the pain that I'm experiencing in one of my CRPS limbs, now that I'm on the other side of the procedure?

I screamed all of the way home, while riding in the SUV. The greatest pain was in my CRPS affected foot. I'm wore out and need to bring this horrific pain down to baseline.

Spike,

I'm sorry to read about your flare up and pain. Even minor surgery can be worrisome for us. My first thoughts are to start taking Vit C 500mg daily. Depending on what you had done you might want to keep that up for a month. If you have Lidoderm patches or topicals I'd put those both on your foot AND close to your procedure area if it's possible.

If they gave you anything to take for pain be sure to stay on top of it. Even if you are wanting to avoid extra meds it's better to keep pain control steady than try to address it once it's out of control. If you have anything to take for occasional sleep problems that may good to make sure you rest.

Oral steroids may be quite helpful at this juncture too. My PM gave me a script to take with me for travel and such in case I flared badly. They are effective for knocking the response down so it's worth asking about.

And NO PIZZA! Be good and avoid those flare foods.

I hope your pain decreases soon and you heal quickly and completely.

Sorry to hear about this...I hope the pain gets back to baseline quickly.

I don't have much to offer except to say that you probably need to pull every trick you have out of the bag and use it. For me that would include a hot bath with Epsom salts, ultrasound treatment, using TENS unit, then a Lidoderm patch with a heat pad over it, listening to my "pain" playlist on my iPod (instrumental stuff that calms me), and rest.

You're in my prayers my friend.

The infared red jade mat got me through several bad patches. I think the intense radiant heat heals on a deeper level then a basic heating pad.

I stopped taking LDN about a month ago so I could take opiates for my headaches and I am starting to have CRPS breakthrough pain. The oxycodone did knock the CRPS pain down when I took it for my headache, but I was zombified. Can you take oxycodone or hydrocodone? Chopra doesn't recommend them, because they don't heal, but I think masking the pain can be the right thing to do on some occasions.

I hope you get relief soon.

I will read helps now.. respond later.. thanks for help!!!!!!!!


in Pain 10+

I am so sorry that your pain is so out of control following your surgery. You had mentioned earlier that you were planning on having a minor surgery sometime this week. I was hoping that this would not happen.

I had a cyst on one of my fingers sometime last year. The doctor I saw refused to do any type of surgery, no matter how minor in fear that it might make things worse. Luckily, I no longer even notice the cyst anymore.

It is interesting, I just watched one of Dr. Chopra's videos again and took notes on what to do in case surgery is necessary. Most of this has to do with major surgeries, but I thought I would share anyway. Here is what I took notes on:

If surgery is necessary, ask if they can administer IV ketamine. start gabapentin, vitamin C, and minocycline at least 2 weeks prior and continue at least 2 weeks after surgery. Let them know that you have CRPS, and that it needs to be marked in your chart so that it will not be missed. Make sure the medical staff knows to handle you with extreme care. Have the most qualified and experienced person set up any IVs or other needlework. Apply Synera patch before starting an IV. Let them know that you have difficult veins. Keep all trauma to an absolute minimum. If having lower surgery, talk about the possibility of an epidural and continue with it for at least 24 hours post operative.

Did they prescribe anything, or are you taking anything that might help reduce your pain level? If it is not helping, maybe try calling your surgeon to see if they can provide something a little stronger for a short time.

Sending healing thoughts, prayers and hugs in hopes that things will calm down some for you.

I know your baseline isn't that much below a 10, I am so sorry this procedure took you so far above.

I can only agree with the aforementioned suggestions. If I remember right, you have more 'hot' CRPS?? If my memory serves, I would go with a lukewarm epsom salt soak. Yes Vit C. Yes any (and every) topical you have available to you. Also couldn't hurt to add a bit of Vit D3/. I would seriously consider calling the provider who did your procedure as well as your pain management doc...perhaps they can do a bit more on a temporary basis. Stay very on top of medications...I would only fluctuate no more than 5 minutes and that would probably be on the top side.

Celery and peanut butter...broccoli and hummus...whichever you prefer

In your minds eye, touch the tail of the cloak...

Spike I am so sorry you are going through this! I am hoping they gave you something to help with the pain, either a oral medication or a topical. Many of the things I would recommend have already been said.

I find my compound cream of ketamine, gabapentin, and lidocaine can be very helpful. I will say that most times it does hurt when rubbing the cream in but I feel the benefit outweighs the negative.

When I am in pain I use one of my apps to help relax. Personally I find the ones focused on breathing techniques help the most. Occasionally I use guided imaginary to be beneficial as well.

Please don't feel like you need to respond right away, you need to be focused on resting and healing. I will keep you in my prayers and hopefully you get relief soon.

Spike I am so sorry you are in so much pain. I hope you get some relief soon. I am glad you reached out for ideas, so many good ideas have been given. I know how the pain can take over and that is all you can think about. I have a relaxation tape, slow breathing, as I am taken on an imaginary trip to the beach, it is very calming, sometimes puts me to sleep to the sounds of the waves.

Heat is what helps me, I have a heated mattress pad on the bed, it is very soothing to my foot.

I will keep you in my prayers.
zinnia

As a Holistic Healer, I have gotten really into Apocathery, essential oils, healing properties, etc. I have RSD in both feet all the way up to my lower back/hip area.Back in July of 2015 I started having invasive procedures every other month(which only made my RSD worse). I just had my second surgery(of 4-6) on both feet and ankles, and like you stated the recovery has been worse than the surgeries or procedures. So I started to play around.And I created a mixture for pain and inflammation, which are two of my biggest and consistent issues. And let me tell you that it does work. Coming from me thats a pretty big deal being that I haven't walked in 4 years, I cannot be touched from my lower back down and I'm in excruciating pain 24/7. My life is mostly lived in bed, I'm completely dependent upon a wheelchair as well as others. So if your up to try something new I'd be happy to share. I would seriously love to patent these two remedies if I ever got the opportunity, so if that day comes and it works for you as well as it does for me I'll definitely need your testimonial for the advertisement lol.

For Inflammation- Coconut Oil & Lavender Essential Oil
For Pain/Spasms/Shooting/Stabbing/Burning/Etc.- Coconut Oil & Eucalyptus Essential Oil

Directions:
-Mix both Coconut & Essential Oil together in a microwave safe container, liquify, apply to problem area, let air dry
-The mix will harden eventually which is normal, it doesn't need to be refrigerated, and can be applied as often as you want
-It will either work or not, no side effects(unless you are allergic to any of those ingredients)

Coconut Oil is usually sold at most grocery stores, I prefer and get more for my money when I buy it in a plastic container then a glass one. I keep the coconut oil in the refrigerator so it stays hard(easier to chip out a few pieces when creating the healing oils).

Good Luck, I really hope that this helps give you some much needed relief as it has for me.