Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD)

[livingwith]

I have been mis diagnosed now for over a year and the finally have said that I RSD. I had a feeling I did have it a 2nd opinion doctor said it was RSD and I looked up the disease and everything matched to what I have.
It started with a small injury to my right thumb and the pain got worse and my wrist stiffened. I went through physical therapy and a shot of cortisone, which made things worse. My RSD has started to spread through my fingers and hand up my forearm. From the beginning the nerve s...Read the full article

[puppyloverof2]

Hi ~ I also have RSD. The RSD developed post left-hand Carpel Tunnel Release surgery May 21, 2008. Let me also say that I have been diagnosed with Raynaud's Syndrome prior to the diagnosis of severe carpel tunnel syndrome in both right & left hand. Two months later, I was still in agonizing pain with the burning, shooting and stabbing pains that were indescribable. My surgeon referred me to a pain clinic with an rx for Lyrica & another rx for a Sympathetic Cervical Block and told me that he suspects I have RSD. Well, the pain clinic he referred me to told me they couldn't help me when I called them 4 weeks later to find out when my appt. was (my file sat on their desk until I called, didn't bother to call me so I lost over 1 month in precious time). That office referred me to another pain clinic and they also said they couldn't help me. I finally found my own pain management clinic that was covered under my husbands insurance but it was a 2 hour drive away. I finally got an appt. for Sept. 5th. Unfortunately, all the time wasted turned out to be more damaging than I thought. It is imperative that a new diagnosis of RSD be treated immediately with the Sympathetic Cervical Block (most effective if done in first 4-6 weeks after diagnosis) however, my pain specialist (a FNP & better than any doctor or surgeon I have seen) prescribed Nortryptoline 25mg with instructions to increase the dosage by 25mg every 7 days until the stabbing, shooting pain weakens or is gone, up to 150 mg. per night. I have stabilized x 100 mg. per night. I am still in constant pain, but it is not the shooting, burning, stabbing pain and that pain relief is a GOD send. I still have to take 60 mg. of Oxycontin every 12 hours and Percoset every 6 hours. I am still pretty miserable but I can honestly say if I still had the burning to contend with, I don't know if I would be hear typing this to you right now. PLEASE ask your doctor to prescribe NORTRYPTOLINE. I hope this helps and I do hope you get some relief soon. God Bless you, Terri.
P.S. If you need to talk or if I can help in any way you may email me at [moderator note: e-mail address has been removed]