Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD)

[Alex2189]

I am 20 years old and I was diagnosed with RSD when I was 17. i was going through a lot of stress in my life and i was in pain/couldn't walk or sleep for 5 months my junior year in high school and trough the summer. I had to finish my schooling at home with a tudor while sitting in a wheel chair after being in the hospital for 2 weeks. I was in non stop pain for three months, my feet swollen and screaming with pain i couldnt sleep or anything.. the only thing i could do was soak my feet in cold water or ice.. it was a task to do ANYTHING. finally after three months of my doctor not knowing what to do and pretty much saying it was all in my head they sent me to children's mercy in KC. when i first arrived no one had any idea what was wrong with me, they thought i had guiallme barre (sp?) and had to go through 4 plasma transfusions with no luck. still screaminin in pain and crying every night. they put me on sooo many drugs you couldn't believe. finally someone piped up with the RSD thing and to this day im not sure if thats what it is. they had to give me an epidural to stop the pain (the best nap ever i would have to say!!) and i had to learn to walk again, i had lost all my muscle in my legs i couldnt stand on my toes, or wiggle my toes as a matter of fact. I tried to shorten the story a little but the main thing i was wondering is will it ever come back?? i lead a normal life and sometimes my feet feel a lil tingly when i have been on them all day but no pain like before.. is there any preventative measures i should take to not letting it come back again??? feel free to to e-mail me at [moderator note: e-mail address has been removed] if i dont respond to this, idk how often i would get on here.. thank you and i would appreciate any input :)

[reruho]

Alex,
I am so sorry that you had to suffer so badly. I was just reading an article about RSD in Children. I was interesting and I will look for the link to post. One of the most interesting things was the statement that the symptoms presented by children are different from adults. It also stated that one thing that helped children was the growth hormones in your bodies helped repair some of the damage done by the RSD.

I recommend that you go to great lengths to take care of your health and try to avoid injury. Don't stop living, but be very careful.

Reta

[reruho]

Alex,
It took a while and a couple of phone calls to figure out how to access my history, but I found it. This is from an Advanced Nursing Journal. I hope it is helpful.
Reta

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: Comparing Adults and Adolescents
Lorraine M. Taylor, MSN, CFNP

Introduction
CRPS, formerly known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), refers to a debilitating neuropathic pain disorder. Continuous severe burning pain and vasomotor instability that has been attributed to autonomic nervous system dysfunction are the primary manifestations of the syndrome. CRPS usually affects an extremity, but can affect any part of the body.[1] It has been recognized and reported in adults since the days of the American Civil War, but it was not until the 1970s that it was acknowledged as an entity in children.[2,3] Currently, CRPS is defined as a syndrome because it may include more than 1 disease entity.[4] The diagnostic criteria and treatment modalities of CRPS have long been a matter of controversy and debate due to the poorly understood pathophysiology. It has, however, been recognized that this syndrome differs significantly in adolescents in its presentation and its response to treatment as compared with adults.[3,5-12] Although uncommon in the pediatric population, CRPS is not rare. Left untreated, the symptoms can become chronic, spread to other parts of the body, and persist for years.The earlier it is recognized and treated, the better the prognosis.[1]
The purpose of this paper is to highlight some known differences between the adult and childhood forms of CRPS in an attempt to educate healthcare providers who often see these cases early in the course of the disease. Nurse practitioners and other advanced practice nurses are in an ideal position to affect the outcome of this disease by early diagnosis and proper treatment. CRPS may even be prevented by early recognition of key signs and symptoms and appropriate early intervention.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/430537

[Alex2189]

thanks for the input. I take care of myself a lot better after the whole deal, mainly because i lost 50 lbs and i dont wanna gain it back.. but i work out regularly and eat sami-healthy. :)