Sam: This might interest you - Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Message Board

saluki · 01-01-2004, 10:51 AM

Hi Sam,
First off -A happy and better year for all of us.
I've been thinking alot about what you have said since I really didn't want to go the block route And I was scared into
"giving it a shot" but it set me back with my physical therapy
so badly that it would really take alot to get me back to an anesthesiologist. Furthermore, the full implications didn't really occur to me until during the block they said wiggle your toes. Dang, I knew I was in trouble. And they set me back weeks in .the therapy which was really helping. The EMG also set me back. So no one ever does that to me again especially to see my progress.

In this vein ,Linda was asking you if you had heard of "stress
loading". If you are pursuing this alternate route this would probably be of much interest to you. Especially since the author had used this means as the ONLY treatment he had prescribed over 20 years. It's simple and non-invasive.
the only "drawback is patient compliance". I'm giving the site
I don't think from your resolve and the fact that exercise has been a part of your life that this would be an issue.
[url]http://www.********/pdf/articlearchive/Carlson_Watson.pdf[/url]

Its a pain to read because its in an adobe format but would be worth printing out. Keep us abreast of your progress.
fondly, Susie L

saluki · 01-01-2004, 11:37 AM

Me again,
Knowing how this would make your day--I just had to tell you
knowing your feelings about blocks- This treatment has to be the topper. I feel a soapbox coming.

In Europe they have a new treatment they are trying.
They give you intravenious Ketamine and then put you into a coma for a few days. You hopefully come out of the coma and viola! No RSD! Thought you'd be the first volunteer.
Ha! Sorry, Just can't help myself--It's just my brand of humor.

P.S. Edna --Dr. Shwartzman is very interested in this ;as well as a treatment in Israel using amantadine which he is going to incorporate into his own treatments soon.--Susie L

samgm2 · 01-02-2004, 09:08 AM

Thanks for the article Susie.

Very interesting. It is also similar to the exercises that I am doing. It is clear to me that stressing the joint is key to treating it. It was very painful to perform a bench press initially. However, I am now "loading" the joint with significant weights. Yesterday, I applied an inclined rowing machine to the exercise regiment. Hand is a bit sore today but that seems the nature of exercises when it comes to this condition. Pain followed by improvement.

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Sorry about the results of your block.

Sam.

Lindaa · 01-02-2004, 10:39 AM

Susie,
Thanks for the article. I had not seen any articles on stress loading. Only been doing it since my PT told me too & it made since when she describled why it would help. I was very excited to read it & printed it out for my PT. According to the article I was not doing enough. I am doing more now. I think that not being able to do it while I was trying to work contributed to my flair-up (along with not taking the meds, the stress of the holidays & denial by my family that I have a problem).
Sam,
When I first got rsd, none of the doctors I saw diagnosed it. I was put in a splint for two months & told to 'rest' the thumb not even move it, let alone exercise it. Had I started exercising it sooner I think I would have been better off & that it would not have spread to the rest of my hand. (then again, I think my first PT contributed to the spread)
Anyways, I have a problem loading my hand with weights. I tried putting 5 lbs. in my carry bag yesterday & it hurts my hand to carry that much, so I reduced it to 3 lbs. Any suggestions?
Linda