Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy

Question: Any help in the relief of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy? I had tendon surgery 6yrs ago July, and I am still on crutches! Was told my nerves didn't wake up after the nerve block, diagnosed with Reflex sympathetic dystrophy. Already have an implanted battery for the pain, UMM NOT WORKING! Meds make me sick. Any natural cures for some relief out there?

Answer: cannabis sativa works well

Question: What is reflex sympathetic dystrophy? What is reflex sympathetic dystrophy?

Answer: RSD is actually now known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), because the role of the sympathetic nervous system appears to be less important than was once thought. It is usually the result of some sort of trauma, be it injury or surgery, minor or severe. The current theories out there seem to suggest that it is partly due to a process called 'central sensitisation' and 'wind up'. It's very difficult to try to explain, but in 'simple' terms - pain signals to the central nervous system (CNS) sensitise certain nerves and receptors to those signals ('wind up'). The line of thought with CRPS is that the CNS becomes more and more sensitised to those signals, setting up a vicious cycle of abnormal pain signals ('central sensitisation'). The role of the sympathetic nervous system, while still recognised, is now thought to be less important than it once was. Some people do experience 'sympathetically maintained pain' (SMP - which is responsive to treatments such as sympathetic nerve blocks), but in others it is classed at 'sympathetically independent pain' (SIP - more common in longer-standing CRPS cases). Many of the visible changes associated with CRPS do appear to be autonomic in origin. In practical terms, it is a chronic neuropathic pain disorder. It causes severe, unremitting pain and trophic changes (skin, hair and nail growth) as well as oedema and colour & temperature fluctuations. In some cases there can be other complications, such as muscle dystonia, ulceration, etc. The treatments are pretty varied, but include sympathetic nerve blocks, antidepressants & anticonvulsants (both of which have activity against neuropathic pain), other drugs, physiotherapy (VERY important!), ketamine infusions, spinal cord stimulation, intrathecal medication, and the list goes on. I've had CRPS for 9 1/2 years. Have been through all of the above treatments and am now in a wheelchair due to severe involvement of both my legs.

Question: How can I raise Awarness of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy? What avenues can I take to make Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy more visible in my area? What can I do to raise awarness?

Answer: You can sell t-shirts, do a bake sale and raise money and awareness for RSD, and here are some ribbons that you can buy that you could sell to help raise awareness http://www.rsdhope.org/Showpage.asp?PAGE… this site RSD hope is fairly into raising awarness for RSD here are some brocures and other things that you can get from them http://www.rsdhope.org/shop/Products.asp… http://www.rsdhope.org/ShowPage.asp?PAGE… Here are some other sites with ideas of raising RSD awarness http://www.rsdawareness.com/ http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/RSD/ http://www.stormsrsdawareness.com/index.… You could also make a website, have a run/walk-a-thon to raise money/awarness. I think that is such a great thing that you want to do!

Question: What is "Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy" in Spanish please? I am an interpreter and came upon this term. I still don't know what it is. I don't think I will need it again, but I would like to know just in case.

Answer: In Spanish it would be: "Distrofia Simpática Refleja". It is also known as: El Síndrome de Dolor Regional Complejo

Question: Is Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome a disease or disability?

Answer: I would classify RSD as a syndrome that in some cases causes disability. A syndrome is defined as a set of symptoms (what the patient reports feeling) and signs (what the doctor can notice). Many people also call it a disease, and I tend to agree with that. The only problem terming it as such is that nobody yet knows what the exact pathophysiology of the condition is. Dictionary.com defines disease: "1. a disordered or incorrectly functioning organ, part, structure, or system of the body resulting from the effect of genetic or developmental errors, infection, poisons, nutritional deficiency or imbalance, toxicity, or unfavorable environmental factors; illness; sickness; ailment." We know that, for some reason, the nervous system is "disordered" or "incorrectly functioning" in RSD/CRPS. What we don't yet know is exactly why. Someday, it may even turn out that RSD has different causes in different people. This makes sense, given responses of some people and not others to certain treatments. Example: The classical explanation for RSD is that it is a malfunction of the sympathetic nervous system (hence the name). Some patients respond wonderfully to sympathetic nerve blocks (injections that numb the sympathetic nerve chain in a certain area of the body). Others don't respond to sympathetic blocks at all, yet still have all of the symptoms of RSD. It's possible that the same symptoms are caused by different malfunctions in the body. Right now, nobody really knows! Although the symptoms of RSD/CRPS may be very debilitating and disabling, many people recover with treatment, especially if treatment is started quickly after onset of RSD. Others who aren't so lucky may become disabled, some severely so. I've had RSD for over 12 years, and I don't consider myself "disabled" per se. There are some things I can't do, like go mountain climbing or run a marathon. But I do basically everything that most other people do.

Question: I need find out more info on Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. I also need to find a doctor that treats this.? I need to locate a doctor close to Mississippi where I live.

Answer: A few good sites to check out for info about RSD/CRPS are www.rsds.org www.rsdhope.org www.rsdfoundation.org I would suggest beginning with your local university/research hospital in the neurology or pain management department or get a referral from your primary care doctor of who they would suggest going to. Good luck!

Question: Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy/Complex Regional Pain Syndrome? What is your pain on a daily basis (on a scale of 1-10, 10 being the worst), How are you dealing with your pain? What are some types of treatmetns that you've tried for your pain? What has and hasn't helped? I'm 14 years old and am having a bit of a flare up with my pain, and was curious as to what other RSD/CRPS patients do to help with their pain? I have a Spinal Cord Stimuator (SCS) which helps, but I'm waiting to get reprogrammed, and am looking into some other treatments for my pain, and was curious as to what others have tried, and what has been helpful, etc. Thanks!

Answer: I have RSD and have been suffering with it for 25 years. The thing that helps me the most is deep tissue massage therapy. Nothing else works as well. I also do the following: Take a hot bath with 2c. of dissolved Epsom salts. Soak for 30 minutes. The Epsom salts will help eliminate the lactic acid that forms on the muscles. Massage an analgesic cream into the sore muscles. I find the best cream for pain is “Blue Emu,� You can read more about this cream at http://www.blue-emu.com/ Dehydration can cause severe pain in the muscles. I recommend you drink purified water mixed with mineral water 50/50. This will replace the minerals that are exiting your body continuously. I suggest that adults and children drink 40 ounces of water per 100 pounds of body weight every day. I take muscle relaxants when the pain becomes unbearable. I hope this helps you.

Question: How do I help muscle contractions due to RSD (reflex sympathetic dystrophy)?

Answer: I take Flexeril to treat my contractions, but sometimes this is not even enough especially at night. I am trying potassium supplements now because I have heard that this can reduce the symptoms. I am getting ready to have a pain stimulator inserted that is made by Medtronic. Check out their site in the Internet. I am hoping to be able to stop most of my medications after this is placed. Good luck with your problem.

Question: I need help finding treatment for Reflex sympathetic dystrophy?

Answer: Look under Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) at Mayoclinic.com: http://mayoclinic.com/health/complex-reg…

Question: are there drs. that treat reflex sympathetic dystrophy? My daughter has a severe case of rsd(reflex sympathetic dystrophy) of her right hand/arm. We were told no doctors down south here can help her. We are looking for a doctor that is a recognized expert of this condition. Is there any there?

Answer: I have it and yes I go to an orthopedic instute of Ohio mine is in the rt hand and arm and up to my neck the wanted to put pins in my neck to stop it from spreading and mine burns but I get striod shots and cortizone shots seem to help. I went to a nerve dr. first try that to see if he can reffer you to someone but any bone specialist can help you. I will pray for you all and that you find someone