Funny (odd), I can put ice on my shoulder, because of the shoulder surgery that led me here (which helps), but I CAN'T let the fan hit my arm or tolerate cold weather on my right hand or arm at all (absolute killer)!

We may all have RSD but that does not mean we all use the same treatments. I love my ice, hate heat. What may be a no-no for the majority of us does not mean it is a no-no for all of us.

I agree!!!! Isn't that what I just said (I think)????

I myself cannot use ice at all on any part of me that has RSD. Did that once and ended up with frost bite on my knee in just a few minutes. With that said, though everyone is different. But generally speaking I have not heard many RSD patients that use ice on their affected limbs.

Thats exactly what you said, and what I missed. Not getting nearly enough sleep, definitely bleary eyed.

I'll say one thing about ice packs.
I never use them directly against my skin, (I use a towel),
But,
For swelling, like my feets, it works well.
Ice packs are commonly used to fight swelling.

And, another Important point,
Headaches.
With Migraine pain, it's imperative to get some cold packs around the head!

Ice is not the demon some are making it out to be.

It merely needs to be used judiciously.
IMHO.

pete
Asb

Before I was diagnosed with RSD, my PT's used to put ice on my leg and it aggrivated things a LOT! I remember dreading going to PT as I knew they were going to ice my leg and I would be in tears for a few hours afterwards. The ice made my leg go blue and purple also and the spasms got a lot worse after icing.

It was only when I was diagnosed with RSD that my Pain Management Doctor told us you should never ice an RSD limb and that the ice probably made things worse and contributed to the problems I now have as it can cause nerve damage.

I have read a few articles on the internet stating that icing an RSD limb is probably one of the worst things you can do as it will probably make things worse. I really wish we knew that at the time as I would have never agreed to the icing but my PT's told me it would help with the swelling - boy were they wrong!

I would definitely speak to your PT's and ask them exactly why they are icing your RSD limb and whether they know they shouldn't do that, especially seeing as it's making you worse. It doesn't sound like they are very trained in dealing with RSD if they think icing is a good thing to do!!

If you aren't happy with your PT's, please try and find another one! It is REALLY important that you find a PT that is trained in dealing with RSD and knows what they are talking about otherwise it will only make things worse!!

I guess it's different for everyone but seeing as though the ice is making you feel worse, I wouldn't use it at all and would speak to your PTs. Theres quite a few articles on the internet about the use of ice in RSD that might be worth taking to your next PT appt.

I hope you can get things sorted soon and feel better! Please keep us posted and know you are in my thoughts!

Hello everyone,
I have experienced the Ice/Heat dilemma and after trial and error I have determined this routine helps me. Both my Ortho and PM doc said that I would have to find the happy medium between Ice/Heat.

Knee (where original injury is located) will get so hot and on fire that it turns red and will swell. I have to put Ice wrap on this area but can only stand it for about 10min max. Ice does send my PES Area, which is where the main nerve damage is, into chaos because it is so close to my knee/meniscus injury but I have to get relief to my knee. So I just deal with it!

Foot/Lower leg where RSD runs wild, limb will get so frozen that I have to put heating pad on it to ease the intense cold burning. Toes turn purple and go numb and leg gets the usual molten color. It is uncomfortable at first but does help get body temp up in this area to take the edge off the pain.

Hip and lower back where RSD is starting to rear its ugly head; I need heat to warm that area to stop the burning needle sensation. I learned early on NO Ice on my sciatica area. That wakes the monster in my entire leg. I have a small back massager that has heat which I position at my lower back and it helps a lot.

For my migraines triggered by the pain, I use Ice on my head to keep it from exploding.

Just thoughts I would share my experiences on this subject. I hope everyone can find some form of relief and comfort.

These electric 'hydro therm" Or some other term electric hot packs are wonderful!
They're (obviously) electric, with a forced typed switch, (You must hold it "ON") let go, and it shuts off, they can get so hot, they'll burn. They're packed with something like "sand" which holds the heat. And wrapped in a wool outer sheath. (The wool, brings moisture to the heat, thus making it "Moist Heat".) True! They work!
They're made by the same company as most Chiropractors use. (Dam Tbi)
Get the name (sorry, I just cannot think of it @ the moment)
They're wonderful devices
I had one to wrap my neck.
One to cover my back.
Wifey took care of that. Not mine any longer....
But, they're GREAT.
And, if you get headaches,
the ones you keep in the freezer, and stay malleable are wonderful too!
No heat on a Migraine! Ice cold in a towel!
If I could only remember the name!
grrrRRRR!

pete
very bad!

Pete,
Did anyone ever tell ya how Stoopid ya'are?
Well, you're stoopid!
Can't remember a simple name......
like that.

GrrrrRRRR!

Good night Gracie!

Good night All!

xo