I have RSD from TOS surgery, I actually think I had it before that but just never had it diagnosed nor had I heard of it. I had right side TOS surgery and had a very hard time getting my RSD in check. I had blocks, triggerpoint injections, massages, tried all kinds of pain meds and now take Methadone.

I have since had about 8 more surgeries. The rotator cuff surgery brought the RSD back out after I had my blocks from the first bout of the RSD. What I learned about the surgeries is to have a block before the surgery. I had a block before my 2nd rotator cuff surgery and ulner nerve surgery and it kept the RSD in check. I'm still in pain but it's not a 10 now. There are days I am at an 8 but I am staying at about a 4 to 6 otherwise.

I didn't have a block before they took out my last overey and scar tissue and I do have RSD in my pelvic area. We have had a time getting it under control.
Now I'm getting ready to have pelvic surgery again and I am going to beg for a block. The only trouble is with this surgery it will be in a hospital where no Anesteologist do blocks. That's a worry for me.

Mark is right . I ended up with the Fibro and the RSD after my TOS surgery but they were just sitting there waiting to rear their ugly heads. Had I known about RSD I would have demanded a block. The second surgery that Dr. Sanders did on my left side taking muscle out from under my left arm was done after I received a block. He was more then willing to have a block done for me.

It is scary and you need to do a lot of reading. Go over the the RSD forum and talk to the people over there that ended up with the RSD after surgery and I'm sure they will give you more input.

Ada

Mark, you are always welcome to contribute!! I appreciate your insights and especially your good wishes!! I am concerned about fibro. too. iT is frustrating because one Dr. will say fibro. another says no, the surgeon said maybe RSD, another says no. Why can't they all put their heads together and come up with a consensus??

Ada, thanks so much for your post!! I just had a QME yesterday with a DR. (for our side) that knows Dr. Sanders personally, (skiing buddies, tough life ) that recc. trying methadone for my pain mgmt.!!That of course will depend upon the outcome of all these test results,I suppose. And I will do my research, thanks again!!

Thanks you two...

and take care!!
G~

Hi G,
Dr. Sanders does ski. I even teased him about being too old to do that and he said his wife says the same thing.

When he did my last surgery under my arm he was getting ready to go skiing after I got out of the hospital.

He just called me a few weeks ago to check on me. He calls me about every 6 months just to see how I'm doing. We have emailed also.

I am also on Methadone. I have been on it for about 3+ years. My PCP keeps me on it. I really like it. It has the least side effects of any med I have tried. As a matter of fact I think I tried them all before I ended up on it. That's a running joke with my PCP and I. Anytime I ask him if I could try another med he just laughs and ask me which one I haven't tried. Seriously though, I do think you would like the Methadone. I'm not on a very high dosage but just what little I take once it starts getting out of my system I am in such a mess I know I forgot to take it. It surprises me how much of the pain it does take away.

Good luck,
Ada

This Dr. said that Dr. Sanders wife is also a doll!! He said he wished he could have me go to Denver and meet them both!! He couldn't stop saying enough kind things about them!!

I have another appt. with him coming up and I hope to get more info. from him about the Methadone.

Thanks for sharing about your experiences with it. That is very encouraging news!!
G~