I have just recently diagnosed with RSD, 6 months after my injury. And, by all measures, that I have read about, my RSD is starting to spread. The injury began in my right shoulder, and is now effecting my right bicep area, elbow, both sides of my neck, and, just recently, my lower back (which wakes me up in the middle of the night, in tears, because it feel not only stiff, but stuck).

I am seeing an RSD specialist/pain management specialist early next week. Presently, I am taking low doses of Hydrocodone and Neurontin (which, on a good day, puts my pain at a level 6). Which, to me, has become normal...

my questions is/are...are gangleon blocks painful? What does this involve? Also, I have read how this disease affects the limbic system, which is in charge of many things, but namely memory and emotions. I take Adderall everyday for my ADHD which works, in conjunction with the limbic system to sustain a chemical balance to allow me to focus, concentrate, regulates my moods, etc. Does anyone know if this disease would or could affect the effeciency of my Adderall? It doesn't seem to be working "right"..

any ideas/answers/feedback would be so greatly appreciated and put my mind at ease a little in having the answer(s) (whether good or bad)

Hi there,
I am so sorry about what you are going through ((hugs))
Please let me introduce myself:
My name is Alison, I am 12 years old and I suffer from RSD in my left leg and right arm. I first developed RSD in my leg on the 16th March 2007 after an ankle sprain. After 4 months of physiotherapists telling me to stop imagining the pain, I was diagnosed with RSD, I felt as though my life had just ended. Immediatley after diagnosis my PM doctor performed a "Guanethidine nerve block", which caused me to lose my balance (I can't walk my leg shoots out in front of me)
2 months later my PM doctor prescribed me "Amitriptyline" to try and help me sleep but I suffered from a nasty side effect of "blurred vision", this resulted in a knock to my right arm. My arm began to swell, I got the burning pain, colour changes etc. 2 weeks later, I was diagnosed with RSD in my arm. The RSD in my arm has been into remission, but the RSD keeps flaring up when the weather is cold etc.

I hope this link helps you:
http://www.rsdrx.com/rsdpuz4.0/puz_105.htm

If I can help you in any way please let me know
Thanks

J Crew...

You are under local anesthetic when they perform the Stellate Ganglion Block. They have to sit you upright and they use a fluoroscopy guide, like an ultrasound, to see exactly where they need to insert the needle into your neck area.

The pain is very minimal...You wake up with a tiny bandaid like you just had a shot.

I would suggest getting in contact with your Dr. ASAP, because it sounds like yours is spreading quick like mine did. He should see you sooner. If he is an RSD specialist, he should understand.

Hope this helps!

Heather

so, they (they being the doctors) have to put you under in order to do a block? Scary, but almost a relief too. After having had, previously, an arthrogram and NVS test done (involving multiple needles of course), it would be nice to be "under" to have any more needles involved in treatment.

so, it's normal for RSD to "spread"? Is this spreading a sign that the RSD is getting worse? Does that then make it more difficult to treat or decrease my chances of remission of any kind?

http://www.rsdhope.org/ShowPage.asp?PAGE_ID=79

Thanks for the article, it was very informative...it takes away some of that fear of the unknown really. I greatly appreciate it. Of all the meds that you are taking, does that mean that you are "pain free", or that there is just a great reduction in your overall pain? Are these meds you will have to take for the rest of your life? How did you develop RSD? How do you afford to pay for these medications. Sorry if I am being intrusive, I am just trying to comprehend all that I can.