First a little background info. I had a back injury in 6/06. First diagnosed with herniated discs and cts. I began having numbness to both lower extremities much worse to the left. Nerve conduction studies showed impinged nerve l5-s1, radiculopathy, sensorimotor polyneuropathy, mod to severe cts both hands/arms. I was having an intense burning pain in my legs and feet, stabbing at times and nothing helped. the skin on my lower left leg has turned a dark red, the area is hardened, my leg/foot swells and I have decreased rom. I had pain in both legs but much more intense on the left, it hurts for my pants to touch it, or the bed sheets, the hair grows like crazy and now I have an ulcer.
The pain has gotten so severe that I can hardly take it. It still burns but there are lightening like stabs of pain. It seems to get worse later in the day and at times eases off so I can rest. Even though I have an ulcer I don't think the pain is coming from the ulcer (well at least not all of it) because I am beginning to feel some pain in the right ankle now as well. I will tell you I have a history of varicose veins, superficial phlebitis and lymph disease (causes swelling).
My circulation was tested and found to be fine. My question is, can this be crps and if so could it have been induced by the neuropathy? I never had any of this pain prior to the back injury.
If anyone out there can provide any info please do. I am so distressed by this. I have been dealing with the pain pretty well up until now. Is it normal for crps pain to be severe one minute and then calm down for a short time then start all over again/ I never know when the sever pain will hit. Sometimes I do not sleep very much due to the pain.

It sounds like rsd to me. The reasons, the dark red color of the skin, the hardness you describe is due to the swelling forgot the technical name for it, the sensitivity to touch, decreased rom most like due to the swelling, last but not least the severe pain and burning, oh and lesions are also a rsd thing too. Weird hair/nail growth as well. It's always good to go get lesions checked just to make sure it's not due to something else.

I'm not a doc of course, but that's just my opinion based on what you've said here. Have you seen a pain doc? Have you been dx by a doc? If no then you should find a doc who knows rsd and get in to see him/her soon. You have so much going on at once and there can certainly be a cross over.

Rsd quite often is horrific then calms down. Anything can make the pain go up, weather, barometer changes, cold, heat, stress, etc. I have good days and bad. Sometimes it'll start out bad and then calm down later on. Not being able to sleep is something we all deal with. Rather hard to sleep with all that pain! lol I've had rsd since feb of 2003 and I have it everywhere except my chest,neck and face. I find it easier to list where it's not. LOL

If you have any other question ask away. We're here to help!

Hugs,

Karen

Hi and Welcome, I'm sorry to hear of all your symptoms. I've had them all, the electrical shocks, knife like stabs, The only thing that stopped them was when I was diagnosed with RSD and take meds. Neurotin or Lyrica are both anti-seizure meds, and they got them under control. The burning pain and lack of sleep are difficult, all of your symptoms spell RSD to me. You need a good Dr. I was misdiagnosed and finally found a Dr. that was able to diagnose me in a minute, followed up by nuclear med tests to confirm. I've had lots of p.t. and done stretching and swimming to keep from being disabled. I do have one hand that is partially crippled. Grateful I had some talented therapists and massage therapists helped too. If you have an RSD support group in town, maybe you could get a list of Drs. or pain management drs. Some neurologists are familiar, National RSD group can give you close Dr. by you giving your zip code. I flew across country to initially get help after 4-5 years. Had a Rheumatologist misdiagnose me and wrong meds. Hope the best for you to get properly diagnosed. Loretta

Definitiely sounds like RSD, could you tell me more about your ulcer, I have had several. Where is it located, how did it begin? and how long has it been there? If you post your city, I am sure someone would recommend a doctor who could recognize RSD if he/she saw it. If you are just getting rsd immediate treatment is critical!!!! it can be cured in the first 6 months only. Worried about you! CZ