Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD)

[livingwith]

Hi my name is Paula,
In november i fell and broke my left wrist. Hospital suggested i see surgeon who decided to put pins in. A few weeks later my fingers were were so swollen that one was squished down under the other 3 as there was no room for it. 4 weeks had gone by and still no change, i went to emergency room as the pain was unbearable and my fingers felt like they were on fire. i was told make an appointment with your surgeon. 5 days later surgeon says too swollen to take pins out. 2 week...Read the full article

[savagemama]

Hi, my name is Venus and I wanted to say sorry for what you've been going through. I alsso have RSD, since 2001 now, and it took 13 doctors (primary physicians, ortho specialists, ortho surgeons, neurologist, occupational health) and finaly a doctor said it looks like RSD and I should see a pain management specialist.

I suggest the same to you, seek out a pain management center. They shoudl be able to offer you several options for treatment and understand what RSD is. The problem with most doctors is either
A) The dont really even know what RSD is
B) They know but don't feel confident diagnosing it (since it's usualy a life-long problem, doctors don't want to be the one.)
C) They don't want to assume care of you (many doctors refuse to prescribe strong pain killers for fear of being prosecuted by the DEA)

I really wish you the best. And sadly, this run around from doctor to doctor is usualy needed. There is no one test for RSD or one symptom that guarantees that's your diagnosis. So they have to usualy test for everything in the book (I got bloodwork, x-rays, MRI, ultrasound, nerve conduction test, fluroscopy, physical therapy, occupational therapy) and when the cannot find anything wrong, you're still in searning pain months or years later, then they start to treat you for RSD.

The attitude is slowly changing so more doctors will understand and hopefully pain will be treated quickly (the faster its cared for the less likely it will be a life-long issues research is now showing) It took me 6 months to start getting treatment and that's pretty good from what I hear, some people take years.

Anyway, good luck, please keep searching the internet for more promising RSD news, and keep searching for a good doctor. If you havnt seen a nuerologist yet you may want to try one of them too, in case it's not RSD they may be able to diagnose & fix it.

[paula-]

thank you so much for your advice. nobody seems to know what to tell me and i havent told my family or boyfriend how serious it really is because doctors tell me it will pass. it is phantom pain they say. now i know it is not. i really appreciate your advice.
Thanks again
Paula

[VIRGETTA]

Paula--your story is similar to mine. My Dr. put me on Lyrica. It is helping me to sleep and I believe to make strides in therapy.

[bumpkin]

Paula, did your Doc rule out "compartment syndrome"? It can happen after surgery, where excess fluid moves into the 'incised' (or, cut-on) area of surgery- there, excess fluid can/ does often, if untreated, cause nerve/ tissue damage. Did you go to www.abms.org (American Board of Medical specialties) website, to MAKE SURE your DOC was trained in caring for your type of injury/ disorder? I personally know of docs overstepping their practices- one here in my town has a sign that says "Cardiologist" on his office building, and often refers to himself as a cardiologist, but has NEVER been certified as one!- but thats another story. Go there, check out your doctor/ surgeon, and also, find a doc that is trained in post-op neurological disorders, although with the swelling, (if you still have it,) I am not certain you are just suffering from neuro involvement. Also, Remember, Paula, that swelling is affected to some degree by tissue 'dependency'. - Meaning nothing more than by the position the affected body part is in relation to your body. ELEVATE that hand, if its still swollen. Higher than your heart, as much as you can stand. Do the "statue of liberty" if you can; if your shoulder is also affected, you may have to do it on the sofa. I smell a 'rat' here, though; there HAS to be more to the story, considering the massive swelling. How did you fall? Why did you fall? Did you fall on your shoulder, too? Is your arm/ hand 'hot and red'? (infected?)- You see, Paula, there are many questions that need to be addressed! Too many to fix here, but good luck to you!