ok, i broke my left wrist last yr....developed RSD in left wrist, hand, arm, even up into my shoulder. i've previously suffered w/plantar fasciitis in my left foot, almost 2 the point of surgery! NOW, the drs think i have RSD in my left foot - much pain all over my foot, burning, knife-stabbing pain, etc. can RSD affect one side of the body?? pls help!
p.s. most of u know i have epilepsy....and had started the drug Keplin 12 days ago 2 help my Lexapro work better. well, just started having seizures - had 2 get off Keplin - even had 2 begin Attivan..... helped settle my nerves!

RSD can spread anywhere in the body it wants to, including internal organs. Not to scare you with that info but it's the truth. RSD spreads via our nervous system which touches every single square inch of us.

There are three "types" of spread, Mirror spread, which is when it spreads from the left side to right or right to left. Continuous(what has happened with you) when it spreads up or down one side of the body. Independent spread is when it goes from left to right foot or left foot to right shoulder.

Hugs,

Karen

wow....thks so much 4 the info! my wker's comp can't understand how it could spread from hand 2 foot!!

Hi NancyinLA,
RSDSA is a national organization for RSD. Their annual meeting was here in Scottsdale Arizona, so I got to go. They will have a DVD of the 2 day seminar. lst day was for RSDers and 2nd day was physicians and therapists etc. They have a lot of information in their web site. They have a spot on the web where you can put your zip code and they will give you the closest location for a support group. They will give you a phone number and contact name. It's a good way to find out good Drs. therapists in the area familiar with RSD. Another good website is" rsdrx.com Dr. Hooshmand for years was a prominent Dr. in Florida. His website is still up and very informative. He retired. A part on the website is puzzles. It's 140 questions by patients and his answer. Worth looking at. For instance, information before going to dentist. We don't want RSD in our mouth, which can happen. I take precautions and he has me take antibiotics the day of the procedure.
Hope the best for you. your friend, loretta

Hi Nancy
mine has mirroed from my right leg to the left,,even the original site[small cut on r-heel] is where it started on the left leg,,then consumed the left leg ,migrated,,,Good advice is to not wig out,,everytime i did,,it made it worse,,,its hard to stay in a calm state of mind when you see it spreading ,,but it does calm my flares down when i stay busy and stay calm,,good luck with you,,maybe its not rsd,,my hope and prayers are with you as well as with everyone here ,,,,,,,,bobber

I got my rsd about 2 yrs ago, after right hand surgery. It took about 6 months to almost completely resolve. I started getting botox injections (my second round)---now my rsd seems to be returning? It also seems to be going into my feet and left hand, do you think this is possible. I didn't know it could come back like that? You are right, it is very hard to stay calm when it feels like it is spreading. How long have you had your rsd? Is it getting better?? take good care----hurxh

Hi Hutch
its been 7 months for me,,what speeded up my spread was that i had a THR on 4/13 without a continous block,,Everyones rsd spread at a different rate,,mine was boosted because of the hip surgery,,staying calm is very important and exercise is inparitive to a recover or a remission,,,my gut is telling me that being that your in like a reinstatment of rsd,i would aggressive attack it with a pain management and bombard it with exercise and back this animal back into its cage, i feel very confident that your in a stage thats very crucial,,time is a valuable thing,,in the last 2 weeks, ive seen mine recede,Since then,,,ive been in the pool aqua jogging an hr aday 5 days a week with a light full body workout in the gym. Im not spazing out, and am trying to stay focused,,,i was a certified PT for quite some time,,feel free to pick my brain on a regime,,or anyone else here as well,,Im always asking for help too,thats what were here for and if anyone here wants to contact me ,my phone number is available,,pm me,, I dont want to just survive anymore i want to Live,,,,,,,,,,,and pray to the Lord,,he will heal,us as he says,,,diligent hands rule,,,,,,,,,,your friend,bobber

My RSD started in my upper right extremity after 2 rotator cuff repair surgeries (May 2007 and April 2008) The ortho surgeon suspected it in June 2008, sent me to PM doc, who did about 25 or so trigger point injections during the summer in my upper back, neck and head. By Oct 2008 the RSD was in my head and my sympathetic nervous system was pretty whacked. I didn't get my first block until christmas eve 2008. I suffer from severe head pain, especially after using my arms for anything strenous.

I'm almost certain I've got it in my right leg too. It burns and stings almost all the time, it just hasn't felt right for several months and I know I'm not crazy. I have varicose veins in that leg, but I've never had my veins bother me before now, and its been over 15 years since I developed them while I was pregnant with a 9 lb baby boy. The leg also gets grossly swollen at times - usually when I'm in a flare - and the knee and ankle get stiff and sometimes get those RSD sparks of lightning in them. I walk at least 3 miles a day, usually 4 or 5 - I figure like everyone else on this board says the exercise is hopefully keeping the RSD in leg from advancing too far if that's what it is. I just had a doctor test me for lyme again (test #5 in the last 6 months or so). Maybe a tic bit me and that's what lyme feels like. Could be.

I like the idea of a "chill pill" like the Ativan. I don't currently take anything like that, and I have a terrible time sitting still, for instance, I can't remember the last time I watched TV. But I'm afraid of being tired all the time, too. Do you end up napping a lot when you take it?

Sandy

Hello---did you say you live in W virginia still? What does THR stand for? I do (although I hate to admit it to myself) believe you are very correct that my rsd is reinstateing itself. I do have access to a pool so I will start doing exercises that way. I had my left wrist operated on 3/5/09, maybe that has something to do with it flaring up again? I also question if my botox injections could of aggravated my rsd?? I am not seeing a doctor for this--what type of doctor do I go to. The first time I got rsd it was my hand surgeon that sent me to a pain management doctor who gave me nerve blocks--only thing with that was the shots only worked the first 3 times and then it was no longer effective. I am not sure that would be the way to go again?? I am very leery of pain meds--they scare me. I do take ativan occasionally, so maybe I should take that a little more often for now. Oh, what does PM me mean?? I am not very good at the computer lingo yet. I go to John Hopkins for my epilepsy, dystonia & arachnoid cyst, maybe I should call JH to see a doctor there for my rsd or do you think the exercising will do the trick?? Thanks for your reponse---and what days and times are good to call you?? much thanks---hutch

jus' replying to PM (Pain Management, i think!) & THP (total hip replacem.)....r u on Neurontin? i have epilepsy, too! i take Tegretrol XR 100mg & 200mg (900 mg/day) & 80mg Phenabarb/day. i live in the south!