Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD)

[Linn]

Hello...I am dealing with Plantar Fasciitis in my arch (not heel) and wonder if the severe pain I feel at times could be RSD/CRPS. I had ultrasound Therapy and Electrical Stimualtion as part of my Physical Therapy (4 times only)

My pain is not all the time....just with weight bearing activities...so , with RSD/CRPS.......is the pain ALL THE TIME? Even at night?

I do not have any other symptoms such as skin color changes, etc. My skin is also not tender to the touch...it is just painful when one presses hard on the bottom of my foot. I have no sweating or other weird changes and my Bone Scan shows normal bones, as do my x-rays. MRI only shows thickening of my plantar fascia.\

Does RSD/CRPS ever get better on its own? With time and healing?

Please let me know your thoughts......

[G0J0G0]

Hi Linn,
No way to know if this is RSD, it sounds like it could be. Check with a neurologist or and orthopedic specialist. You don't have to have all of the physical symptoms for RSD to be present. The way you describe the pain it does sound like it especially with the pain being present all of the time. This is a character of this monster. Don't stop looking 'till you get a definite answer of yes or no, for if it is you need to treat it very aggresively... Here is hoping your questions are answered quickly to your satisfaction, and be blessed, g0j0g0

[reruho]

Pain with RSD can be both constant and intermittant. This is one syndrome that is unique with each indidvidual. My pain is constant but at different levels during the day. The nights are some of the highest levels of pain. My pain has changed and evolved over the last few months. My pain has spread from my wrist (injury site) up my arm to shoulder. It aches and burns. I am very sensitive to the cold and weather changes. Air conditioning is one of my worst enemies and causes me the most pain. My skin at one time was hypersensitive to touch and could not even stand the weight of a bedsheet. My lower arm would be on fire and my upper arm would be freezing cold, so cold that it ached.

I don't have any skin color changes or swelling. I actually look quite normal. You can touch my arm, but I don't really let people do it. The hair on my lower arm did grow in darker and longer than the other but that has gone away. I had a PT tell me I could not have RSD because I did not have all these other symptoms. (I have had 2 doctors tell me otherwise.)

The best advice is learn as much as you can about RSD. Ask questions of your doctors. (I keep a note book with copies of my questions I have asked.) Why do I still hurt? What else could it be? What can I do to help? Keep records of your pain and what increases or decreases your pain. Is the pain the same or is different at different times? Don't let them write you off.

[G0J0G0]

Hi there,
Great advise Reruho, for you are exactly right, RSD is different in every patient and symptoms are varying in degree and the symptoms you are experiencing may not show up on my leg. So the best thing to do is research, take notes and make sure your doc treats you, the complete person. Also if you aren't being cared for sufficiently find a doc that will... Be blessed in your efforts and may your days be pain free... g0j0g0

[G0J0G0]

Hi there,
Great advise Reruho, for you are exactly right, RSD is different in every patient and symptoms are varying in degree and the symptoms you are experiencing may not show up on my leg. So the best thing to do is research, take notes and make sure your doc treats you, the complete person. Also if you aren't being cared for sufficiently find a doc that will... Be blessed in your efforts and may your days be pain free... g0j0g0