[Blueberry]

Hello, my daughter (28 y. o.) has just been diagnosed after getting her first symptoms two months ago. It is her foot and she is using crutches. The importance of starting treatment as early as possible has been mentioned in several posts here. She was referred for a nerve block and put on gabapentin. Would it make sense to consider ketamine treatment right away?
Thanks for your help!

[catra121]

Not necessarily. Nerve block, meds, and physical therapy are usually the first steps. Unless the condition is spreading all over and progressing very fast then she'll want to start with the least invasive stuff first. Early on those treatments have a pretty high success rate. The physical therapy is the most important but the block and meds will hopefully give enough relief so that she CAN do the therapy. Also very important that she really do any at home exercises she is given if at all possible. It's move it or lose it with this condition. The pain will get worse with immobilization so avoid that. Also....NO ICE. Heat can be very good bit ice is a big no no for this condition and make sure the physical therapist knows this.

[Blueberry]

Originally Posted by catra121

Not necessarily. Nerve block, meds, and physical therapy are usually the first steps. Unless the condition is spreading all over and progressing very fast then she'll want to start with the least invasive stuff first. Early on those treatments have a pretty high success rate. The physical therapy is the most important but the block and meds will hopefully give enough relief so that she CAN do the therapy. Also very important that she really do any at home exercises she is given if at all possible. It's move it or lose it with this condition. The pain will get worse with immobilization so avoid that. Also....NO ICE. Heat can be very good bit ice is a big no no for this condition and make sure the physical therapist knows this.

Thank you, Catra. She has been icing it for two months, of course, as her podiatrist instructed her. Three steroid shots in the bottom of foot. Then the neurologist made this diagnosis right away. We are at the very beginning of this journey and I have just started reading on it. Any doctors in Chicago that somebody can recommend?
Appreciate all your support.

[BioBased]

Please stop icing immediately. It is ill advised in CRPS.

[catra121]

Dr Lubenow at Rush Pain Center is a good doctor in Chicago for CRPS. Can be a 4 week wait or so to get in but worth it.

[catra121]

Also agree to stop the icing. I did that in the beginning as instructed by doctors prior to getting the CRPS diagnosis. I believe it made my particular condition progress faster though it did take 6 months for me to get a diagnosis and at that point blocks did not help me.

[RSD ME]

pt (WITH NO ICE), gabapentin and pain meds, along with an anti inflammatory, anti anxiety and anti depressants have helped me to manage my rsd pain a little better. prednisone early on helped bring down swelling a bit and numb the pain a bit but could only take for a few months due to side effects. nerveblocks helped only a little. accupunture caused pain and spread so stopped that one. aqua therapy for mild exercises is a good one to do for rsd as long as water temp is warm enough. hope your daughter starts to find some relief soon. a good pm dr, neurologist and psychologist/psychiatrist who are knowledgeable with rsd are the most important drs to have imo. soft hugs to you both. i have put off considering anything more invasive like ketamine or scs until all other options that are less invasive stop helping me. just taking it one day at a time.