Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD)

[livingwith]

On Nov 8th 2007,I fell and broke my 5th metatarsal.
The usual treatment, boot and crutches. However around Christmas time I felt a new and very different pain. Now my foot was burning.Out of the boot now,but still in pain in Jan of 2008. By Feb of 2008 my friend and doctor diagnosed me with RSD after seeing 2 of the most prominent ortho guys in the country! I had told them about the pain,color change etc. I have had 2 nerve blocks.I am also taking Lyrica and Cymbalta and Lidocaine patches.
My q...Read the full article

[wrklu]

In 2004, my husband broke a bone in his foot. Within a couple days, he developed a blood clot in the calf, so they couldnt cast it. After he got out of the hospital in a few days, he went back to the doctor and he had him wear a boot instead of a cast. Within a couple weeks, the ankle and calf were changing color and getting hot and cold. When we showed the doctor and told him about it, he immediately suspected RSD. We had never heard of it before. It started moving up to the knee and just above. The doctor got him into Physical therapy 3-4 times a week and started him on a drug called Neurontin (Gabapentin). It took several months, but he slowly could put more weight on it, and within a year it was almost normal. He was really lucky, in that his ortho doctor new what it was while it was in stage 1.

[too long]

I have had RSD for 10 years now, after a stress fracture in my lower right leg from playing high school volleyball, however I have only been diagnosed for 2. I was diagnosed at 21, my junior year of college, after 10 different doctors and the pain suddenly jumping into my left leg as well, I was placed on Cymbalta. This medicine is TERRIBLE. I cannot say enough horrible things about it. I strongly urge you to stop taking it!!!! It worked fantastic for about 6 months, increasing my doseage every 3 weeks or so until I was up to 120 mg per day. At the 6 month point, just before spring finals, I started having weird side effects. I was incredibly sick, and couldn't focus on anything. I couldn't read more than 2 sentences without forgetting what I had read and having to start all over again. My entire face went numb and I couldn't hold a conversation without forgetting what I was talking about. This drug is very dangerous. It took me about 2 months to completely stop taking it, because if you just stop the withdrawal symptoms are worse than the initial side effects. I still have trouble collecting my thoughts and retelling stories. I have tried many other drugs and physical therapy. I have found that it is easier to live with the pain and struggle through therapy drug-free. To each their own, however, PLEASE take my advice and STAY AWAY FROM CYMBALTA!!!!!!!!!!!

[BStack]

I'm sorry to hear you have RSD. It is not something that is easy to deal with physically or mentally.

I had my left knee scoped and a lateral release done in June of 1999. About 3 weeks after my surgery my knee just exploded in pain. It was hot (thought it was from swelling/normal), I would ice it and then it would be cold but I thought the cold was from so much ice. I went back to the dr. who said I would need another surgery. Fortunately I didn't believe him and went to other doctors. Long story, after 6 months on crutches I was finally diagnosed and sent to a pain clinic. I got 7 nerve blocks, lots of meds, and lots and lots of pt trying to be able to walk again. The rsd went away. For three years I was great. I went skiing, climbing, hiking etc. Then in 2003 after a big hiking trip my knee started hurting again and I had the same symptoms. I went through the blocks again but this time they didn't help. Since then I have had periods of remission and then long periods of pain. I definitely will never do any risky things things anymore. I am on four different medications that help. I'm able to work and have a pretty normal life. I see my pain management doctor regularly. I hope that eventually the rsd will go away again and maybe forever. I've heard that lots of people, if treated early, totally recover. I would say it's more of a remission and to be careful! Good Luck to you!!!

[plt405]

Hello! Sorry to hear about your RSD. But you are doing a good thing by getting the nerve blocks and doing PT. I have RSD myself in my right leg. It all started back in 2002, when I had surgery on my leg. And they took the stiches out and it hurt like all bloody hell. That is when my doctor came back into the room and touched my leg which hurt and I pushed his hand away, but he insisted to touch and felt that my leg was hot and red in color and gave me a Doctor's name for Pain Management. And that is when it really all started yet again. Two years of Nerve Blocks and two years of PT. I'm on Med. which is called Gabapentin and that is the only one that I take. It is also used in patients that have seizures. It calmes the nerves down, so they are not going hay wire. And I will be on this till the day I die. There are alot of things that I still can't do but I still try to do them I will never give up at least I can say to everyone I tried! See what was told to me was our nerves are like and extension cord in a fine line and then for some on known reason with surgery they are messed with. People who have Arm, Leg and Heart Surgeries may or may not come down with RSD. It is a very complex disease. So that is why I say it is a good thing that you are going thought the Nerve Blocks and the PT and Trust me I know how painful alone that is. As far as RSD ever going away no it doesn't. You will have some pain for the rest of your life, but hang in there it will get better. Hope this will help you somewhat and one other thing talk to your Doctor about this Med. that I'm taking it just might be the one for you as well.
My Prayers are with you and anyone else out there that has RSD. Best of Luck to All!