Christmas flare-up! - Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Message Board

Lindaa · 12-27-2003, 05:45 PM

I did too much & had too much stress! I went to my son-in-law’s mother’s house Christmas Eve (I didn’t want to go but figured my daughter would be upset if I didn’t) & had to leave right after dinner because the activity and noise was really getting to me. I didn ‘t sleep well Christmas Eve after that. (I can still hear those damn bells from that Santa thing that is banging on chimes.) But I felt okay Christmas morning. My daughter, son-in-law & grandson came over & we opened gifts. After that we went to my sister-in-law’s house. It rained off and on while we were driving there & got really foggy as we were going up the hill to their house. When we got there, we told them we couldn’t stay long because we had to go to my daughter’s house (I did not know about my daughter’s plans until she called me a few days before Christmas. I told her that we had already made plans but she insisted & said we had to go to her house because it was Christmas. I told her I couldn’t handle it but she wouldn’t take no for an answer) for dinner. I think this rushed them to have dinner earlier so we could join them. The visit was nice since I don’t get to see them very often. Even with all of the people there the activity and noise level didn’t bother me really bad. Maybe it’s because they have a really big house and people were spread out. After dinner, we gave out our gifts. I’m afraid that this started the gift giving earlier that they had planned, but we didn’t stay until all the gifts were open because we had to get to my daughter’s house. When we left it was pouring down rain side-ways and the wind was blowing like crazy. Even though we parked in front of the house, we got soaked. When we finally got in the car and got the doors closed, my husband looked at me and laughed. I asked him what he was laughing at and he said it was such an experience just getting in the car. I looked in the mirror and my hair was plastered to my head. It was still foggy but we thought it would be better once we got down off the hill. The fog wasn’t much better and the rain continued to pound down on the car the whole trip home. (This is So. Cal.) I called my daughter’s to let them know that we would be late. We had to go home & change clothes before we could go to their house. Had it been any other day, I would have called to tell them that we were not coming. I was very tired at this point. When we got to their house, I felt like I had disappointed everyone by not getting there sooner. I couldn’t please everyone on Christmas & by trying to do too much even for a ‘normal’ person, I hurt myself. I had a terrible flare-up. I woke up at 4 the next morning with my hand swollen and more pain than I had in months. This was even with taking my medications. My husband kept asking me if I wanted to go to the ER. The morphine would have helped but by now I know it won’t kill the pain. It’s like all the nerve blocks and physical therapy that I have done were for nothing. I have never been so depressed in my life. I really thought I had a chance of putting this disease into remission because I was getting more movement in my hand and having less pain. Now it has been 4 ½ months and I am starting over. I am in PAIN! The window of opportunity is closing on me. To top all of this off, my daughter who knew I was in pain Christmas night, has not called once to ask how I am.
Hugs and prayers for all of you,
Linda

samgm2 · 12-27-2003, 07:00 PM

Sounds like quite an ordeal. I don't think much of christmas. Six years ago, I stopped getting caught up in it. No more gifts. No more nonsense. Not what I wanted to teach my kids.

I am 43 years old. I am male, 5'-9", 170 pounds, muscular. I was diagnosed with RSD last week. Thus far I am in shock. I have always maintained myself in good physical condition. Three months ago, I cut a finger tendon on a piece of sheet metal. A week after that, I had surgery and I have been in horrible pain since. My hand has grown a ton of hair. It sweats constantly. It is very discolored (red). In addition, the finger tips are numb and tingly. Things feel very rough with that hand.

I seem to finally have a handle on the swelling. I have been taking 500 mg of neproxin twice a day. Despite the pain, I have been exercising the hand daily and have managed to gain back some of the mobility. The wrist is still killing me. I am able to type again tho... I am able to use my hand again and am greatful for that. I can't say that I am not concerned having read the nightmare that RSD sufferers seem to experience.

My surgeon made two appointments for me. One to get a block and another to do a nerve conduction study. I was shocked to find out what the nerve block was and refused treatment.

He also scheduled a nerve conduction study.
I called his office and asked him to what end he wanted to do the study. Did he have a treatment to reverse nerve damage? I received no call back.

I called and cancelled the appointment for the "study." An arrogant Doctor called me back to tell me that if I missed my appointment, it would be at least six weeks before he could reschedule me. To that I asked him if he knew why I was getting the study done... He respondent that he only had a prescription and that I should discuss this with my doctor. I informed him that "his highness" the surgeon was not available. I cancelled the appointment anyway.

These doctors are amazing, aren't they? As little as they know about this condition and they have the nerve to be arrogant. I would have taken severed tendon on one finger over over this pain that that miserable surgery caused!

Too upset. Still too early for me I guess. Maybe time will decrease some of this anger...

I have been doing some research on the net. I have come across some information regarding NAC and DSMO. I went to the local vitamine cottage and purchase both. Have you tried either of these treatments? DSMO is a required treatment in Holland for RSD. It is REQUIRED treatment by law! Just curious if you have or know of others who have on this list...

Hope you feel better.

I am going to call my mother now...

Sam.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lindaa

I did too much & had too much stress! I went to my son-in-law’s mother’s house Christmas Eve (I didn’t want to go but figured my daughter would be upset if I didn’t) & had to leave right after dinner because the activity and noise was really getting to me. I didn ‘t sleep well Christmas Eve after that. (I can still hear those damn bells from that Santa thing that is banging on chimes.) But I felt okay Christmas morning. My daughter, son-in-law & grandson came over & we opened gifts. After that we went to my sister-in-law’s house. It rained off and on while we were driving there & got really foggy as we were going up the hill to their house. When we got there, we told them we couldn’t stay long because we had to go to my daughter’s house (I did not know about my daughter’s plans until she called me a few days before Christmas. I told her that we had already made plans but she insisted & said we had to go to her house because it was Christmas. I told her I couldn’t handle it but she wouldn’t take no for an answer) for dinner. I think this rushed them to have dinner earlier so we could join them. The visit was nice since I don’t get to see them very often. Even with all of the people there the activity and noise level didn’t bother me really bad. Maybe it’s because they have a really big house and people were spread out. After dinner, we gave out our gifts. I’m afraid that this started the gift giving earlier that they had planned, but we didn’t stay until all the gifts were open because we had to get to my daughter’s house. When we left it was pouring down rain side-ways and the wind was blowing like crazy. Even though we parked in front of the house, we got soaked. When we finally got in the car and got the doors closed, my husband looked at me and laughed. I asked him what he was laughing at and he said it was such an experience just getting in the car. I looked in the mirror and my hair was plastered to my head. It was still foggy but we thought it would be better once we got down off the hill. The fog wasn’t much better and the rain continued to pound down on the car the whole trip home. (This is So. Cal.) I called my daughter’s to let them know that we would be late. We had to go home & change clothes before we could go to their house. Had it been any other day, I would have called to tell them that we were not coming. I was very tired at this point. When we got to their house, I felt like I had disappointed everyone by not getting there sooner. I couldn’t please everyone on Christmas & by trying to do too much even for a ‘normal’ person, I hurt myself. I had a terrible flare-up. I woke up at 4 the next morning with my hand swollen and more pain than I had in months. This was even with taking my medications. My husband kept asking me if I wanted to go to the ER. The morphine would have helped but by now I know it won’t kill the pain. It’s like all the nerve blocks and physical therapy that I have done were for nothing. I have never been so depressed in my life. I really thought I had a chance of putting this disease into remission because I was getting more movement in my hand and having less pain. Now it has been 4 ½ months and I am starting over. I am in PAIN! The window of opportunity is closing on me. To top all of this off, my daughter who knew I was in pain Christmas night, has not called once to ask how I am.
Hugs and prayers for all of you,
Linda

dayton · 12-27-2003, 07:04 PM

Linda, I'm so sorry to hear about your Christmas. Sounds like you were doing ok, and then bam!! I wonder if the rain and damp too contributed to it.

All my family and his are in Ohio so it's just the two of us and a dog.

I understand about the phone calls too. I try to discuss this with my family and they just poo-poo it and change the subject. I've learned to just put up and then go cry somewhere.

Maybe she is just busy and will call you later. I hope so. Meantime just lay back and take your meds if you have any and relax.

Stay home for New Year's Eve. After we got almost creamed by a drunk driver, we quit going out. I hope the New Year brings a lessening of the pain and maybe with God's grace, a cure for this crap.

brighteyes_007 · 12-28-2003, 05:10 PM

I also had a Christmas flareup and ended up taking pain pills Christmas day.

I was doing really good and just plain did to much. It wasnt an ordeal like you

had but still was too much and I paid for it dearly. Christmas morning pain woke

me and continued all day and that night luckily today I am better.

It is very frustrating not to be able to do as much as you are capable of doing
and then you pay even more for it.

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and will have a Happy New Year!!

Brighteyes

Lindaa · 12-28-2003, 06:53 PM

Thanks for your responses.
Sam, these doctors are amazing. I've seen so many & will not go back to some. You have to take your treatment in your hands. Too bad we have one hand that is hurting. Keep up the research & keep us posted.
Dayton, Where in Ohio does your family live? I was born in Barberton. I still haven't heard from my daughter. I wrote her a letter & got it out of my system. Yeah, people just don't understand. That's why I'm trying to raise the awareness of rsd. I have found out that people will try to understand or they won't but I'm going to keep trying.
Brighteyes, I hope you are feeling better now. I'm still in alot of pain & take lortab every day. I've been using the TENS alot & doing parafin to try & get the pain down. It's really tough not to be able to do as much as we could & when we try we pay for it & other people don't understand that.
I hope you all have a really GOOD New Year!
Hugs & prayers,

Linda