Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD)

[reruho]

Thanks for the quick response Tim. One thing I forgot to mention is the texture and appearance of the excema skin. Mine has finally settle down but it is different. One of the reasons I freaked out was my mother has severe psoriasis which is an autoimmune disease. I kept thinking to myself, "What else can happen????"

Did you ever figure out what triggered your outbreak?

[ttuck]

Hey reruhu:
Autoimmune diseases are exactly that, automatic responses by the body to what your brain thinks is a foreign body attacking it. The immune system is fooled by a genetic marker or anomoly and it kicks into overdrive.
The sympathetic nervous system does the same thing in regards to our RSD. It overreacts to pain stimuli and then continues to replicate the response because of an anomoly in the nerve pathways.
Thats why we feel pain past the usual date of healing at the afflicted area and why the pain can travel to the opposite limb, tranversly or envelop the entire region.
Trouble is....Doctors can't explain the occurrence....nor predict which person is going to be affected.
Anyway Reta....mine appeared two years into the disease, third stage. Looked a lot like ringworm or rosecia. It was hellishly itchy and spread quickly. Hence the reason I bolstored my immuno reponse through the multivitamins and salmon oil. I don't think any one incident triggered it, but knew it was linked after much research through actual medical documentation and clinical trial literature. It helped that I was a nurse and could see through the pats the doctors were busy giving themselves.
Plus, my pain specialist is a thoughtful researcher of the condition, and keeps himself on the forefront of all treatments.
It almost sounded like you had a "cradel cap" type of excema....but IT IS a form of dermatitis. Which after all is inflammation, a symptom of RSD, a sympathetic response.
There are people I know that have tried a concoction I made for them for psoriasis. Read up on NEEM OIL and its properties. It is very pungent, so I simply mixed the oil with beeswax, added eucalyptus oil and lavender, making a salve. This oil has a lot of good uses.
Hope this helps a little....Peace be with you and yours ....Tim

[reruho]

Thanks for the quick response. I used cortisol cream to help with the itching and then was putting Vitamin E oil to help heal the redness. I used the Vit E from a capsule and I thought I was never going to get that stuff out of my hair. I later found my bottle of Vit. E.

Like you, I started researching this and found a couple of referrences but very little information.

[Shianne]

Thanks Tim,for your description of this horrid condition. I feel exactly that. My whole system is on overdrive, completely hypersensitive to everything in my environment. It makes you feel like you're fighting for your life and the doctors only add to that.  I too switched to all natural cleaning poducts and cosmetics all except for my makeup which I amm still trying to find.(I don't want to look as bad as I feel!)

[ttuck]

Hey reruho & Shianne;
Shianne..in regards to makeup..my friends use a product called "Marcelle", completely hypoallergenic. One of them uses a mineral oil based cosmetic line...don't ask me the name...we males are kinda wishy washy with that. Besides there is nothing prettier than an Au Natural girl.
I have to really warn of the overuse of steroidal creams, they affect the dermis after prolonged use, and can actually thin it causing an accerbation of the dermatitis (excema).
If you can stick to natural soaps (neem oil based, coal tar based) and natural moisturizers (olive oil) you are far better off, even using calamine to relieve the itch.
Truly though Wild Salmon Oil supplements work best, with the added benefits of aiding in heart, circulatory and brain health.
Once again I'm off....have a peaceful, pain free day....Tim

[ttuck]

Hey folks;
Just having a real couple of bad days. Full blown attack can't mitigate the pain. Still out there GOJOGO?

[lschlege]

I too have RSD in my ankle. I have only had it for a month, but I feel as strong as you...How do I live like this. I did here a story you might like...a guy had it in his leg after a simple surgery. Years later he fell down some stairs and it went away. I don't suggest throwing yourself down the stairs. But It is a simple sign of hope that something can make it go away. So hopefully the RSD researchers are working on this.
I am going to try to be as active and stimulate the area as much as possible. I am not known as a "Can Do" kind of person, but I have to try. A person can only cry so much!!
My best to you....

[nursenine]

Hi, I am new here and have not been "totally" dx with this monster yet. My hand surgeon says..possible, but all the signposts are there. As stated in my first thread, I am scared, but I am so happy that I found this forum!
I am 52 and a nurse. I injured my right wrist last March and have had 3 surgeries the last being a total wrist fusion. The pain, swelling and temp changes are for now in my first 3 fingers and thumb. I have some pain in the palm. So far, my hand surgeon has been fairly aggressive with my meds and treatment plan. I am taking neurontin and lortab. I am also in a therapy (certified hand therapist) that is designed for treating this.
Does anyone have cold sweats? It is more like being excessively calmy....all over. I can saturate my clothing in just a few minutes.

Thanks for all of everyone's great comments!

May you be as I am, under His wings,

Vickie

[G0J0G0]

[quote="ttuck"]Hey folks;
Just having a real couple of bad days. Full blown attack can't mitigate the pain. Still out there GOJOGO?[/quote]
Yeah I'm here how 'bout you? let's talk [moderator note: e-mail address has been removed]

[G0J0G0]

[quote="ttuck"]Hey folks;
Just having a real couple of bad days. Full blown attack can't mitigate the pain. Still out there GOJOGO?[/quote]

oops I forgot where I was, and I know the email address is to be removed, sorry moderators. gojogo