[GreyHoundLover]

Hi Friends,

Went to my theropy appointments today for my arm and neck. It appears that my arm is an inch bigger. The fingers on both my hands are red and swollen. My leg still swollen, we didn't measure it but it definately looks bigger to me.

I read some posts here (thanx everyone) to try stockings on the swollen limb. The O/T gave me one when I told her what I read here. I hope it works, but why am I swollen in so many places? I guess this is common. Will my parts ever be normal again? Does that ever happen? I'm just confused, scared.

I've been feeling so much better lately, maybe because I didn't sleep well these past few nights is why I'm feeling some burning again.

I've already tried the Epsom Salt baths...should I have them daily?
I'm elevating my arm and legs at night and if I wake up in new positions I fix myself to be elevated again.

Any tips you could be uselful. Maybe there is a thread that I havent read, but I really doubt it!

Ive been following all your good advice! Like the pain clinic, which the receptionist STILL hasnt scheduled for me. (I called her today) She promised she would "try to get to it today". I nicely asked her to please make sure it is done as my limps are getting bigger and I need some relief some way to help minimize the size.

I'm really scared, please help.

[Sandel]

hello there..
I find that antioxadent tea seems to bring down my swelling quite a bit.. but I am mostly bedbound these days and that aslo helps the swelling too.
I drink white tea and roibos red tea, the white tea is realy good.. I usualy drop in a dolop of whatever fruitjuce I have to flavor it a bit or drink it plain is good too the roibos red is great on its own. I love it and drink large amounts of it a day most days..

The white tea more good for us antioxadents than green tea, the roibos tea has even more than white teas and is naturaly decafinated.. an low or no tannins so no bitterness at all.. Roibos tea is given to cholicky babies in africe wher it is a main staple drink, with a little milk in roibos tea they wean babes from their mothers teat. a very good tea I frink it red no milk.. its good hot or cold.. I drink both... yumm and soo darn good for you anytime but expecialy around flair time and spread.. or if swellings an issue.

When my legs were swollen I was having daily epsome baths (my house was cold) or at least every second day.. the swollen stage it settles down abit later on.. I forget how long have you had RSD and what treatments have you had already?
I hope your day is going better bud,
Sandra ((((((hugs))))))

[GreyHoundLover]

Hi Sandra,

Thanx for the info.

I've actually been drinking Roibos tea, because I read a previous post from you. We have an ample supply at work of a variety of teas, I may buy some white tea in addition and alternate with the Roibos.

I will try to eat more colorful veggies as well. I don't know if I can squeeze in Epson Salt baths daily, but when I'm finished with this I will try. I'm usually always on the run, and have a very tight work schedule. (8:30am to 8:00pm) I get home around 9:00 pm and it's coordinating for the kids for the next day and some "catch up". I will try though, anything is worth a shot!!!!

I'm also considering
Acupuncture, what are your thoughts? Please advice, to me you are the "ALL KNOWING" on this forum.

My treatments are generally the Neurontin 300mg twice a day and Physical and Orthopedic Therapy twice a week. I've been treating myself mostly any way I can find!

I agree with you about the arm splint, and I have read similar information about casting. So for the past 4 or 5 nights I have taken it off. I try to sleep with my arm straight and elevated. The key word is "try". It's only during the night the doctor wanted me to wear it...it's not a cast, it's a splint. Do you think that matters?

I'm in so much pain right now. My fingers, my neck and my arm. I just took the stocking off it, it was starting to burn a little.

Off to the bath now, I pray it works.

I'm so sorry you're confined to your bed, how sad for such a nice person as yourself. I do hope they find a cure for this monster and you are able to do the things you like to once again.

Lots of Love,

Melissa

P.S. I just got a call regarding my MRI for my C-spine, I'm scheduled for 6:15 am day after Christmas. (About an hour and a half drive...eek)
Wish me luck!

[ali12]

Melissa,
I am so sorry about what you are going through
I have not found anything so far that helps with the swelling, but I have heard that Grape Seed Extract can be really good.
Hope you are feeling a bit better
Take care
Love
Alison

[GreyHoundLover]

I never heard of that...I'll look for it tonight at the store and let you know if it works. Do you just apply it to the swollen part? Is that a silly question?

Last night I sat in the bath with Epson Salt for over an hour (filled it twice with hot water) Elevated and drank the Roibos tea. Today I've been drinking orange juice, V8 (with fruits and veggies) and had plenty of colorful greens at an italian resteraunt for lunch today.

See, I really do listen to y'all! The fingers on my right hand seem less swollen, but are still red. Lips and teeth still very odd sensations though!

I'm going to keep up the Epson Salt baths nightly and the other suggestions to see how things turn out.

How are you feeling? Any better sweetie? I know you and your mom are going through so much with your health. I do hope things improve and you're able to hold up with your new hectic schedule this winter. Saying tonz of prayers for you both. I have a 14 year old daughter, and I can't imagine her going through what you've been going through.

Lots of love!
Thanx again for your help.

M

[ali12]

Melissa,
Thank you for your reply. Grape seed extract are herbal tablets which you swollow (they don't contain many side effects)
This is a website about Grape seed extract http://nccam.nih.gov/health/grapeseed/

How are you?
Sadly no I'm not better. I have had another flair of RSD in my arm and my arm is infected. My leg is still the same unfortunatley.

I really hope you are a bit better.
Take care
Love Alison

[ali12]

Melissa,
I am not sure if they sell Grape Seed Extract in Walmart etc. You are probably best going to your herbalist (that is where I got my Grape seed extract from)
Take care
Love
Alison

[GreyHoundLover]

Hi Alison,

I'm sorry to hear you are not better!!!!!!!
What are the doctors going to do for your infection? Do they think it will get any better? I'm so sorry to hear your arm is infected, please keep me posted.

I'm doing fine today, on and off (You now how it is)

I'm going to the herbal store after work and going to see if they have any and give it a try.

I've been trying the stockins, but they seem to irritate my arm more than anything. I also worry the fluid will build up in my fingertips and cause more problems with my nails. (So far they seem fine)

I appreciate your good advice and sincerly hope you will find something to help yourself with your arms.

[ali12]

Hi Malissa,
Many thanks for your reply.
I really hope that you can get the Grape Seed Extract, please let me know if you can get it.

My PM doctors ringing my mom on Monday (Christmas eve) to see how my arm is, if my arms still red then he is going to prescribe me some Antibiotics and we will have to pick them up straight away. If my arm gets worse (which it doesn't seem to be doing) I have to go straight to the hospital. The swelling on my arm seems to have gone down a little, but all of my skin seems to be cracking and going red and yellow where the infection is.

I am glad that you are a little bit better, have you got all of your Christmas shopping sorted??

The stockings hurt my leg and arm too, I can't wear them on my leg because of the hypersenstivity.

Take care
Merry Christmas and a happy new year
Love
Alison

[Sandel]

Hi there..
Ali can you get your mom to take a picture of your arm now and post it so we know what to watch for with infection,, so others can know if it is just normal RSD swelling or mabie infection.. I had a bite that blew up my ankle for awhile too. Sory you are doing so poorly honey.. I hope you are feeling better real soon.

Grey hound lover (GLH?) lol sory its just a mouthful.. I had missed your post to me here.. sometimes I just come on to post a link and dont read.. depends on mood pain and time.. then they slip away,you know same ol.. lol.. feel gidy today for some reason.. but hon honestly I am not all knowing as you put it, I just read alot to distract me from the pain.. Alot of what I post too is because I think it's important for us all to see the options and treatments avaliable, and so we can make informed decisions about our own care.

My own opinions about acupuncture is somewhat gaurded.. I know people who say it's helped them but I personaly would not try acupuncture, mostly because my RSD is generalized so I am now very leary of any treatment that my body may consider invasive anywhere.. second I am a big chicken at the best of times and third WCB wont pay for it here.. *sigh* I would however try acupressure I think.. the studys sound good but what works for one.. it may not work for another.. but I think it's a bit expensive for me at presesnt too.

I am looking into a study that works with the middle ear and hot or cold water in the inner ear canal.. sounds realatively unenvasive and is having very promising results with RSD.. I am in contact with a group doing a clinical trial in California.. I wish I could go and be a part of it.. another *sigh* lol..


Take care my friends,
Sandra

Ohh and I second the grapeseed extract.. its another antioxadent, but always check with your doctor is also a good habit.