Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD)

[Mommy Peach]

Well, today was my first appointment w/pain manager... Dr. Nicholson at LVH (PA) he tells me i DO NOT HAVE RSD but he feels that i have CRSP type 1... i nearly fell off the table as i thought they are synonomous, i asked him, are they not the same?? he tells me,well... RSD is more "progressive" and he wants me to start LYRICA then in 3 weeks, he wants to schedule me for a gangllian (sp?) nerve block... i want to scream!! i am not getting the impression that he really "understands" my pain and my symptoms. He said i never had an "injury/major trauma" to create the RDS so it "has" to be CRPS.. i am thinking he is off base?? He gave me NO pain meds, and wants me to take this "LYRICA" which in reading the s/effects and results do not look good. I am reluctant to take this drug. I have not slept due to severe pain and this Dr feels Lyrica will resolve this w/in weeks??? Thank goodness i have some Percocet to hold me for a few days but then what, back to the ER at 3AM with my little girl?? i can't do that to her, i would rather be cradled in pain....

thanks for listening to me vent, if anyone has any experience w/Dr. Nicholson i would love to hear your thoughts, or if anyone has a better avenue for me to take, let me know... oh, i have an appt w/Dr. Swartsman MARCH 29, 2010 (No Joke) he has a 2 yr wait list and a 1 Yr cancelation lists... UGH

Needless to say, i am angry, guess i am going to watch TV to think about our Economic Crisis and feel better (hehe) - well, thanks everyone for reading to allow my frustration to surface.

-Mommy Peach

[Layla]

Lyrica is being used for pain for rsd or crps the same - stellate ganglion blocks are common and when rsd is caught early a lot of times these blocks do work. As for Schwartzman and some of the other well-known drs. the waiting time is very low and even longer than that! Keep your appt with Dr. S. Should you find someone else that fits your bill better then cancel - but keep your appt. Be aware that even though you have that appt it also can be cancelled the day before or the day of and then the wait continues. Good luck

[Mommy Peach]

Thanks for the info... i am going to continue to search for a doctor that is willing to "listen" and treat me... i am going to keep my apt w/Dr S and hope for the best, if it takes me 2 more years to find a doctor, i will simply go crazy. I have had this problem since 2005. I am still debating on the Lyrica, i can't imagine being worse that i am now, so i guess i have nothing to loose... thanks for the response - G'night!

[Layla]

There are other meds that are being used i.e. kadian, avinza, topamax to name a few. When consulting with your pain mgt dr. let him give you the background of each and what may be best for you. These can be used in conjunction with other meds and with the results of blood tests determine what is right for you. Keep me posted I care. You can contact me directly also.