[rsdwife]

My husband was involved in an accident in May of last year. His original diagnois was left shoulder/thoratic sprain and left wrist sprain. Since about September of last year, and 4 doctors later, his pain managment dr diagnosed CRPS. We are now at a stand still waiting for the workmans comp company to decide whether or not they will accept this condition. Today, his left had was so swollen and purple that his nails started to turn black. He went into the ER, where they gave him a shot of some strong meds and doing an ultra sound to ensure there were no blood clots and sent him on his way. The ER doctor had to look up CRPS to see what it was all about. After being home and laying back in the recliner with his hand over his head, he his fingernails were no longer black, the swealing and purple color is always there however. Our lawyer is trying everything he can to try and get this approved so my husband can have a spinal cord stimulator trial. If he has to try and control pain with meds (which do not give him much relief) he will no longer be able to drive for a living since he will loose his cdl. We are still having a hard to accepting how diabling this is. I have read over this board for many months, but just now feel like I can post our story... it's nice to know we are not alone...

[Jomar]

Originally Posted by rsdwife

My husband was involved in an accident in May of last year. His original diagnois was left shoulder/thoratic sprain and left wrist sprain. .

Have you visited out Thoracic Outlet Forum?? {TOS}
It is equally unknown by many doctors also. His accident might have triggered some sx of TOS which can be misdx'd as RSD/CRPS and some will have a dx of both.

scar tissue can develop from many causes and affect the muscles, nerves and the vascular system in the collarbone, neck & armpit areas.
here's out TOS sticky thread for a crash course see post # 1-
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread84.html

[rsdwife]

I have not checked that out yet. Thanks so much!

[rsdwife]

Wow, they have some very similiar symptoms. My husband has had nerve conductivity testing, vascular studies, ultra sounds... but it sounds like TOS can be as difficult to diagnos as RSD. My husbands left arm was fully extended and did not give as his mixer truck hit a log truck that pulled out in front of him. His arm took such blunt force trauma, that i am surprised it didn't break/fracture. The medics originally thought he had broken his shoulder or back. We have an appt next week with his pain management doctor and will definitely ask his thoughts on TOS vs RSD or the combo.
Thanks again for your help. It is greatly appreciated!

[angelrsd]

hi rsdwife
welcome i am sorry that your husband has got rsd i hope that here is something that they are able to do to help him has he had blocks or anything like that . i also got rsd from a car accident in 98 i know have full body rsd with organ involment . i hope that they are able to get his treated since they caught it early .

carrie
ask any questions we will always answers

welcome again

[ali12]

Hello and Welcome to Neurotalk, RSDWife!! You will meet lots of great people here who I am sure will be more than happy to help you in anyway they possibly can!!

I am SO sorry to hear about everything that you and your husband have been through and I really hope your husband can get the help and treatment that he desperately needs real soon!!! Has your husband had a Nerve Block before? Lots of Doctors like to do them when they first diagnose someone with RSD and they can be used as a Diagnostic tool also. If your husband decides to have a nerve block, please do a lot of research and ensure that his doctor doesn't inject directly into his RSD leg - I made that mistake and was left with pretty severe complications. Many people have had lots of relief from the nerve blocks though, especially if they are performed early on in the RSD diagnosis.

My leg goes black sometimes like your husbands does also. I have RSD in my left leg and right arm and possibly left - I developed it when I was 12 years old after an ankle sprain and am now 14. When my leg first swelt up and went black, my PM Doctor was really concerned and thought I had a blood clot also but the ultrasound showed nothing just decreased circulation and muscle swelling from the RSD.

Does your husband have Physical Therapy?? It is extremely important that he keeps moving his leg as much as possible - I KNOW it is painful but it is probably the one thing that will help and that is really important. My PT's always tell me if I don't move my leg, I will end up losing it which is true so I always try and move it as much as possible. I have PT once a week at my local childrens hospital and also do PT at home on a daily basis.

If you need anything, please don't hesitate to ask - I am more than happy to help you in anyway I possibly can as I DO understand some of what you and your husband are going through and how frustrating and scary it is. Please don't be afraid to come here for support for yourself also ... it is really important that you know that you aren't alone and we are all here for you!!!

Thinking about you and hope to see you round here more soon!!! Please send my love to your husband!

[rsdwife]

First thank you so much for all your kind words. It is amazing to actually talk to people who know what where going through.

He has had two SG Blocks. The first gave him about 2 hours of relief. The second lasted less than 2 hours. He has been through so many medications, none really work well. He tried PT but the pain is unbearable. He tries to help with laundry/dishes when he can. His doctor told him to use it until his hands gets too swollen and the pain too much. So far its staying on his left shoulder/hand.

He is also on several meds to keep his bi-polar in check. Adding constant pain to someone who is already dealing with a mood disorder has been quite a ride for the whole family.

Not sure if you read my other post in a different catergory (i kind of get lost in the forums). He was driving a mixer truck going approx 55 mph when i log truck started crossing the road ahead of him, 70 feet of skid marks later, he made impact on the back forks of the log truck, then bounced off down into a ditch. The whole time his left arm was holding on to the steering wheel fully extended. It broke the steering wheel, shaft, pitman arm, cracked the engine/transmision. All on a 2008 Freightliner! It's Amazing he didn't break anything, and extremly fortuante he did not have a load of cement in his truck or he would have been crushed on impact. For that we are extremely grateful.

If i have any other questions, I will definitely be asking you! Thanks again for your support!
April

[angelrsd]

hi april
yes i bet its been a ruff ride i dont have bipolar but mid as well due to the moods i go thro lol im so sorry that your husband has gone thro this period i was also in a car wreck that started my rsd . was hit by a drunk driver as a passenger in my friends car when we were 16 that day forever changed my life period. i really hope that they are able to calm down some of his pain . im gald that you found us and ask away

carrie

[rsdwife]

Hey Carrie,

Wow! I have to say its inspiring to hear what you have dealt with and yet on here helping others. Thank you. Have many people on here had a spinal cord stimulator? It is really a last resort for my husband to be able to continue to do the job he loves. Thanks for sharing your story!
April

[angelrsd]

Originally Posted by rsdwife

Hey Carrie,

Wow! I have to say its inspiring to hear what you have dealt with and yet on here helping others. Thank you. Have many people on here had a spinal cord stimulator? It is really a last resort for my husband to be able to continue to do the job he loves. Thanks for sharing your story!
April

hey april, yes alot have SCS i dont tho i have a morphine pump with fentanyl in it and it has helped me. thanks for the kind words i have found that it is kinda theraptic like for me . and its just giving back to all that helped me when i was young scared and had no idea what was goin to happen to me and some of those great ppl are here on this board!!!! so you are in great hands here