[mrshippie]

I've had RSD for almost 3 years stemming from a left ankle injury. I have been on lots of meds and receive aquatherapy and acupuncture along with regular checks with pain management Dr. Very little change noted.

However, I have recently had severe swelling in my hands and more sensitivity in my right leg and foot. Until this occurred, my pain, sensitivity, and swelling were basicially confined to my left lower extremity and lower back.

How do you know for sure that the condition is spreading?

PLease share any clues to this for me, I am becoming more and more afraid that I will lose more of my abilities/ROM, etc.

Thanks!

[wakegirl]

i think the best way to monitor the original phase of CRPS ans the stages of progression is to set up a journal that allows you to write down all of the good and the bad you have encured overtime. this journal will allow you to sit down with your doc and explian where you are concerned about srecific concerns. in your journal i would recommend you add pictures of the changes you using the best art skills you have (even if it is just stick figures). the problem here is that so many doctors struggle to believe that your pain has actualy transfered from one are to another, and most important the damage it causes. the only way a doctor is going to take your new injuries seriously is because so many frauds have infiltrated the system and made up everything in hopes being of able to continue. now the gut reaction for the majority of md's is to take the complaint of a shift of complaints as nothing more than someone who is trying to get something their old injury no longer requires so they add additional ailmwnts to force a continued level of care.
anyway the only way to distinguish is to show your doc that you have a problem is by compiling evidence to the fact. most drug seekers wont waist their time because they are focused on other things. a journal also helps doctors to see what is and what isnt on your current regimine.

[ali12]

Hi there,
I am so sorry about the problems you are having. My RSD spread to my right arm. I could tell that it was spreading because I had the burning pain, swelling, color changes, temperature changes etc.
Speak to your PM doctor about the problems you are having.
Sorry I can't help you further
Alison

[Sandel]

My spread actualy started without much pain initialy it was the other symptoms that seemed to creap in, cramping and muscle twitching.. then came the sunburn feeling then the deep ache and the surface burn, I also got alot of stabbing pain very early on..

What other symptoms do you have?
Do your hands sweat alot?

I would up your antioxadents.. grape seed extract, rooibos tea, green tea, dark vegtables..
Vitimin C (containing antioxadents) has been shown to prohibit CRPS from happening after a wrist break in a couple large scale studies done.

And use the new areas as much as you can without hurting yourself too much.. try to stay limber, slow stretches, mabie a foam ball.. use the area as you would normaly as much as possible and touch the new areas as much as you can to stop the sensitivity.. nothing to the point that you feel may be hindering.. trust your instincts and start self treatment now.
Elevate those hands too, and soak in epsome salts baths.. 1 cup of salt to a tub to start.. There is Magnesium in the Epsome Salts that helps inflamation and helps relieve pain as well.

Lol.. bossy arent I only cause I care, and I think it'll help the spread if it is and your pain even if it isnt spreading.

[Tiril]

Maybe you should stop the acupuncture, i've heard a lot os CRPS'rs say this caused a spread or worsening of there RSD/CRPS

[Goodn'Plenty]

Acupuncture is my very favorite form of pain management .
It got rid of all my cold pain in a very bad flare .
I feel my very best when I use acupuncture regularly.

If you find a great practitioner it is a very good option .
Once again some treatments work for some and some for others .
I personally think it has a lot more to do with the practitioner than the treatment.
Acupuncture has been treating all forms of illness for over 5000 years- much longer than western medicine.
Many western medical centres are now incorporating acupuncture into their pain management programs as well.


Peace and good luck
GnP