In whatever stage you are in, whatever your start is, PT alone won't help you. You need medical treatment along with it or it will do absolutely no good!

what medical treAtment in addition to PT?

Are you seeing a doctor right now? What kind? What treatment was prescribed for you next to the PT?

Medication? Nerve blocks? Infusions?

JUST PT Now
pain is only infrequent for now but taking cymbalta already for dp so maybe this tamps down any pain

Like I said in another thread. I would go see a pain specialist right away. Pain specialists are trained RSD doctors. They know the condition and they know how to treat it.

Best of luck.

I was injured at work on 3/24/07;WC would NOT allow treatment until 5/22/07. I worked that 2 months in extreme pain. I complained to the WC case manager, with no approval until lawyer was threatened to be brought in for action.
I believe that is why I have rsd/crps I..delay in treatment.
Hyper-state of sympathetic nervous system, in chronic pain, w/o relief for an extended period of time.

hugs,
Dew

The "usual" treatment for rsd are meds, blocks and pt. The blocks are the thing you should be getting asap. They are a mixture of anesthetics that numb the body part and it interrupts the pain cycle. I know a couple of people who went into remission by having blocks done very early. They are no guarantee but they're an essential treatment after diagnosis. Pain management doctors are the ones who give them and pm docs are also the ones who usually really know about rsd.

With rsd there are never any guarantees but as of this moment in time, the above are the only "treatments" they know to do. RSD is different for everyone because all of our bodies work differently. What works for meds with one may not help someone else and that goes for any treatments they try for rsd. The important thing is to be aggressive with treatment as soon as you're diagnosed before the pain cycle becomes permanent.

Hugs,

Karen

My PT has definately been the most important part of the medical team taking care of me - he sees me 2x a week and pretty much knows all of my medical history having to do with the RSD and is familiar with all of my symptoms. He has encouraged me to use my affected part (arm and shoulder) as much as possible. He also believes me when I say I am in pain, which is critical. I am using my arm more than I ever was before probably because I am not as scared to use it like I used to be.

You have to find the right PT. Many of them don't know anything about RSD, and many of them may want to you to push too hard. Also - don't let them use ice on you. As a matter of fact, if they suggest it, get the heck of out there because it's a sure sign they don't know enough about RSD.

In response to your question - no, I was not lucky enough that PT made my RSD vanish. If only it were that simple....