[rmcclinchey]

Hi, I have just joinded the forum, I was diagnosed with RSD in March after dropping an old wooden kitchen cupboard door on the top of my foot. I have been on morpine to help with pain since April, I see a pain specialist, have had a nerve block and a couple of epiderals. I also am taking Lyrica to help with the pain. I am really eager to get off of the morphine, so I asked my specialist.....(not that I feel the pain has improved, just that I hate the thought of being on it for so long, not to mention my husband and I (newly married) are eager to start a family. So I have started to weene myself from the morphine, and find that I am going through horrible withdrawl symptoms, not to mention incredible pain. I have a walking cast that I wear when I am out and about and at work, but otherwise I walk with a cain. This has effected my gate, which in turn has thrown my pelvis off.
Anyone with any suggestions on new meds (poss safe for pregnancy), other things that have worked for you???? I am doing physio, I am desperate!!! WHen I was first diagnosed the docter had mentioned something about the risk of depression and I couldn't understand why....now I know. I am 28years old and walk with a cane, living in pretty much constant pain, and above all else has a body addicted to morphine......HELP!

[Bussey]

Hello,

First of all, I am very sorry that you were injured, and as a result of your injury, you are now suffering from RSD. I understand, that it is important for you and your spouse, to get on with the next stage of your lives. You are absolutely correct. If you are planning to start a family, it is necessary to discontinue taking morphine. It is unfortunate that you are suffering from terrible withdrawal symptoms. Have you discussed this process with your Dr.? Perhaps, you are attempting to get through this process too quickly. Also, I believe it is extremely important, that you consult your Dr., when determining which medications may be safe to ingest during a pregnancy.

You stated that your body is addicted to the medication. Are you addicted to the medication, or are you dependent upon it? An addiction, is something you are unable to stop using. Your body doesn't need the drug, you are simply addicted to it, either psychologically, or physically. There is an uncontrollable desire to use the medicine, even though there is no need for the medicine.

If you are dependent upon a drug, it means, you have to take it, because the drug has a beneficial affect on you, but you are not addicted. For example, if my pain stopped today, I would no longer have a need to use the morphine, and I would no longer have a desire to take the medication. Unfortunately, it is necessary still, in order to control the terrible pain caused by this condition.

Another statement that stood out in my mind from your post, was that you use a cast on a daily basis. If at all possible, I would suggest that you stop using a cast, as soon as possible. Doing so, only causes the RSD to get worse, and it keeps your pain at a high level, consistently! Research has found in some cases, wearing a cast, was the cause of the development of RSD. Again, I would suggest that you speak to your Dr. about this, immediately!

Last but not least, I was wondering why you had only one nerve block done? It is possible, that during the early onset of RSD, nerve blocks can help to reduce your pain significantly, and some patients have been fortunate enough, to go into remission. I believe that RSD should be treated aggressively early on, rather than attempting to simply address the symptoms of RSD. I know that nerve blocks do not help everyone who suffers from RSD. Unfortunately, I am one who wasn't helped, however, I do know of patients, who have been helped by them.

Please write in, as often as needed. Take care.

Bussey

[reruho]

Sweetie,
First you have to realize you ARE NOT ADDICTED, you have a physical dependence to morphine. There is a big difference between the two, which your doctor should have explained to you.

"Physical dependence is different from psychological dependence (addiction). The latter is often characterized by a compulsive need for a drug for psychological reasons, while the former is characterized by need for the drug due to tolerance and the need to prevent withdrawal symptoms on discontinuing the use of a drug. Physical dependence however, commonly occurs with both addiction and therapeutic use of drugs..."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_dependence

Does the specialist you are seeing have experience with RSD/CRPS? You really need to have a doctor with experience treating you. There is so little known about this disorder that having doctor/physical therapist with no experience treat you, increases the risk of more complications and more injury.

Do not try to wean yourself off your medication by yourself. You can make yourself quite ill.Your doctor can give you meds to help bridge the gap as you decrease one and increase the other one. Your doctor needs find a new mixture of medication for you. All our medications regiments are so different, you must work with your doctor to find the right mixture for you.

Be aware that any medication you have to ramp up to a target dose can cause withdrawal symptoms if stopped too quickly. I had withdrawal symptoms coming off of lyrica and I was only on it for a month. Lyrica helped with my burning pain and helped me sleep, but was too costly to my body (side effects). Watch the weight gain, lyrica causes what I call mindless eating and creates a craving that can not be satisfied. I craved something for the month I took it and I never figured out what it was.

Have you gotten into any physical therapy? Have you done any desensitization? That will help your foot. I can't imagine how you can stand that boot. Do you work at a desk where you could remove that boot during the day? I could not wear that brace on my arm, it made things worse. I gave it up and just guarded my arm for quite 6-8 weeks while I worked on desensitization of my arm.

Do you live in a cold climate, possibly with snow? It is very important to keep warm. We all have different methods. I like polar fleece because it is soft, warm and light. Epsom salts bath/soaks help warm you up and help relax the muscle spasms you might have. Magnesium is a natural muscle relaxer. Do you have clothing issues? I have problems with anything restrictive, or heavy. It is even worse when my pain is high.

Please avoid ice at all cost. Ice is your enemy and will injury for RSD limb. Dr. Hooshmand at www.rsdrx.com has a great explanation of this.

Also be aware that insomnia, depression, brainfog and fuzzy thinking are part of the rampage this monster leaves behind. RSD will affect the limbic system of the brain. Doctors rarely discuss this and that is a shame because these are some of the most confusing symptoms we have to deal with. Do not be alarmed if you get a prescription for antidepressant. Antidepressants are often prescribed for pain relief and insomnia. They will help you sleep, which can make you feel better.

My best advice to you read, read, and then read some more. You will start to see trends in the literature. You will learn many things and do not be alarmed by all you read and you will read some very bad things. You are young and you have a higher chance of remission that an old bird like me at 53. I have actually gotten to a good point of pain control and live a pretty normal life with my medication. I have accepted this as a permanent condition and my goal is management of pain through a variety of methods. We can talk about that in another response. I don't want to overwhelm you anymore than you have been already.

My name is Reta and I am from Florida.

I wish you some rest, a bit of sunshine to bright your day and a low pain day.

Reta

Continue to write and ask any question you want an answer to. You can come and vent if you need to. You never have to apologize about it here. Sometimes the only people that will understand your frustration/anger/grief are the people that are going through the same thing as you.

[Bussey]

http://www.neurologychannel.com/patient-information-rsd/index.shtml

The above listed web page, has a list of questions that your Dr. should be able to answer, if the Dr. is knowledgeable, as it pertains to the diagnosis and treatment of RSD. If the Dr. is unable to answer the majority of the questions, I would suggest that you find a new Dr., who specializes in the treatment of this condition. Also, there are excellent web sites, that are available to us. So, if you haven't found the answers to some of your questions, again, write in to the forum. You will find that there are individuals with a wealth of knowledge, in this particular area.

Bussey

[chrisandrob4ever]

I am so sorry for your injury. I am almost 34 have 3 almost grown children and walk with a cane. the only thing I can say is that I will prsy that someone can help you, so you may become a momma.

so sorry,
Chris