Hello Wreta,

I'm so sorry that you have RSD, but you have found a wonderful place for information and support.



Best regards,

EJ

It feels very nice to bee welcomed like this! This disease is difficult to talk about, especially since it is so unfamiliar to both to the public and to many doctors too. I am lucky to have met some doctors that have believed in me from the start, this discproblem would have been undetected if my orthopedic surgeon wouldnīt have done the complete workup on me (just like you Desi!). Knowing I have RSD I myself thougt that all these new symptoms were "just" the RSD acting up. Looking back that was kind of stupid I guess since even swallowing sent shooting pains down my arm... I guess that isnīt normal?

Wakegirl, did I understand you correctly that your pain got worse from having your arm in the sling? So it is the immobility that triggered the pain more than the shoulderinjury itself? I am curious because most of my RSD-pain is not in the shoulder but from the elbow down to the fingers. This is also why my insurance company donīt want to understand that these symptoms are from my injury. I am so tired of fighting with them...

While on the subject, may I ask you all, is your primary pain located in the same place as your triggering injury, or am I just a freak? I have my own theory about my own case, but just wondering if this is uncommon or not. I hurt my arm in 2005 when I tried to catch a sheep. I grabbed the sheep by the wool, the sheep pulled away at the same time that my feet slipped on the wet grass and I fell on the ground landing on my elbow. My theory is that I got a lot of small tears from the fingers up, but since the shoulder was badly torn I did not notice the arm. Does that sound plausible? I actually get more pain from typing, writing or eating than from carrying or lifting heavy boxes. Iīm odd.

Well, thanks again, I really enjoy being in some small way part of such an awesome, strongwilled and warmhearted group of people like yourselves! to all of you!

Welcome to the forum. You will find the support sometimes is the one thing that can get you through the dark days. It's like having a cozy hammock that snuggles you close and gently rocks you to peace. Everyone is wonderful.

I had a car accident 2.5 years ago, along with an injury to my hand and arm and a fractured sterum, I had 3 herniated discs mid back. I left them alone as I was already in enough pain. If they are not pressing on a nerve or causing other problems often times they can be left alone. At this time they do not cause me any pain unless I try to lift heavy items or try to pull weeds. My Rsd had moved from my left hand and shoulder to the right upper back and arm, also my feet. Again welcome,Carose

Hello and welcome,
Sorry you have the extra worry about the discs. I presume you have had an MRI which will give the neurosurgeon some idea what is pressing on what and whether he will be able to do something to help you.
As carouse said, if there is no cord or nerve compression then often times I believe it is best to leave well alone but if there is some compression then he maybe able to help reduce the pain you don't need to have as well as RSD/CRPS.
My sister had herniated discs between L3-4-5 and was virtually crippled by the intense pain she had, she saw a neurosurgeon who did a disectomy and she has been perfect (back to golf) since.
I realise that her not having RSD has made her recovery much easier, I would hope your neurosurgeon (if you need surgery) will refer you to an anaesthetist who knows about RSD and will know what type of pain relief and anaesthetic you need so as to lessen the chance of a flare.
Heaps of luck
Tayla

Hi , I just wanted to recommend that the surgeon not only know about RSD and be sympathetic about it.. I had port surgery the post operative pain was beyond imagination- later the surgeon said I really should have put a marcaine pump in you because of your rsd. so please make sure the are adequately prepared and willing to take care of your increased pain due to your RSD. Really dont want to scare you but my pain, post surgery, was shocking.Prior to rsd I went through surgery like it was nothing. take care, cz