Hello Kate!
Nice to know you!

Yes, I think that your rsd might, just might be spreading a bit. It "tends" to do that, but I'm no doctor!
Ask Him/Her!

This 8 hours of our day, is so imperative, and impossible with RSD.!
I can't imagine going back to being "normal".

You sleep "well", and then ya get stiff, by staying in one position.
Last night, I fell asleep with the A/C on, AND the ceiling fan, why?
Because I can get all kinds of "abnormal heat" built up when I try to sleep.
Heck if I know why? I drink ice water, it helps just a bit....

But, I woke up today, like I was in a body cast! My friend was gonna take me food shopping. I couldn't do it! My Arms were in so much pain! (tos).
I had trouble moving at all. You all know what that's like.

Still, he visited, which, I appreciated very much, and I'll do the shopping another day.
Thank God for milk and Cereal!

But Kate,
Maybe you can rub on some Mineral Ice when you wake up?
The BEST thing to do, (and it hurts), is to MOVE the painful parts!
It's "Use it, or Lose it".
I hate to say...

So, wake up, take your meds, and start moving, as best you can!

PM Me,!

Best of wishes to ya,

Pete
asb

Mineral Ice
 

Hi Pete,

What is mineral ice and where can i buy some? Does it help you? Hope you have a nice day.:):)

Kate

Kate
"Mineral ice" is just an over the counter gel, that gets warm, then cool. It's main ingredient is "Menthol", so it has that smell to it.
Any drug store, or even a big super market would have it. (Look near the "Ben-Gay" type stuff).
Some folks may not like it, you can get a small jar for about 7-8 dollars.

It does help me in certain spots, a stiff joint for instance. Or, if my hands get stiff.
It's only a topical treatment, but it may give you some relief. Just another part of my "war chest".

Feel Good!
:hug:

pete
asb

That stuff (menthol gels) enhanced the pain in my case. That's why I immediately switched to regular anti-inflammatory gels, the kind that don't heat up or cool down the spot where you rub them.

Marleen,
What would they be? The anti inflammatory gels? Are they the sports creams?
Any name brands that you like?

Thanks,
Pete
asb

I used Flexium spray, Voltaren gel, known brand names in my country. I don't know about Flexium spray, but Voltaren gel should be known in the US. Those type products don't chill or heat up the spot where you put them. They just work as anti-inflammatories. You have 3 types, chilling, heating, and regular anti-inflammatory gels.

Flexium spray:
http://www.farmapolis.eu/product/296/flexium-spray.html

There was another gel from Pfizer that I used for a long time... it didn't heat up or chill the spot either, forgot its name... damn. Got it: Feldene!

Thanks Marleen!

Great Info!

:Tip-Hat:


Pete
asb

update on Dew's Sleep patterns
 

I have noticed in the last 2 weeks, while in AZ, my 8 hr sleep is getting smaller ..like 4-5 1/2 hrs at a time. I think this is a good thing as I don't want to have to "catch-up" on pain meds,again!

Some of you may remember the all niter that I have had to pull on 2 occasions while visiting my sis in AZ. My PM doc told me that he was going to increase me from 10 mg x 2 per day, to 30 mg x 2 per day on 5/26/09, which is my next PM appt. The first week on Opana ER was blissful sleep. I needed it so bad.

I have learned to take a hot epsom salt bath before bed. It relaxes me, and my muscles and joints feel so free in the water.

Sweet Dreams to Each of You:grouphug:
Dew

Hi CRPSbe, Sorry you have sleep problems too. It's tough isn't it. How do you know the RSD isn't in your spine? Any tests? I have very painful lower back probably last two years. Have full body 13 years. The lower back is really painful, especially if I try to do too much house work, like I did yesterday getting ready for company. The back pain flare lasts a few days.
Hope you have a good day. I enjoy your posts. loretta:)

There's no talk of "RSD" being anywhere in my back. I don't feel it is RSD (whole other sensations that I'm feeling in my back).

My spine was damage free in 2007, when X-rays were taken, though I have considerable pain in my back. It comes and goes, but is mostly there and mostly in the mornings. 2 years ago, my back just locked into place, I had this hollow back posture and the pain was intolerable. I could hardly move. Excruciating pain. They thought it might be Bechterew's disease (ankylosing spondylitis), but the blood test (rheumatoid factor) was negative, and there was no damage to the spine (yet), so no diagnosis could be made... so far it's thought to be bad posture because of the RSD. There is damage where the cilium bones go to the sacrum, something about sacro-iliac joints, AFAIK. I do know that I have pain where my back goes to my buttocks, especially on the left side, HURTS LIKE HELL (bony, gnawing, pain), sometimes inhibits me to get up. Sitting down is hardly ever comfortable. I was told by the doctor that if it does turn out to be ankylosing spondylitis (that means that if with time damage does occur to the spine), then in that case it's a very slow form. It's not really reassuring when your back keeps aching... but hey, I'm no spring chicken anymore, am I?