Heres to you all!!! - Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Message Board

Porter107 · 02-10-2007, 01:51 PM

I recently had a level 2 fusion (L4/L5/S1) on Jan 10th. When I woke from surgery, I had terrible burning pain in my left leg and foot. My Surgeon said that it was normal and would go away soon. 5 days later I left the hospital still in terrible pain but was assured it would ease up and go away. 2 weeks later on my first follow up, I am still in terrible pain. Doc gives me a Medrol Pack and says it will go away now. 6 days later, medrol pack complete, terrible pain still there, Doc says "wait a few days for steroids to work, it takes awhile". A week later my wife takes me to ER because my pain is horrible and I cant stand it no more, I even consider life without my leg. ER doc gives me Morphine shot and prednisone(sp) and says "now it should get better". 5 days later I am admitted to the hospital in severe pain and incontinent(sp). Muscle spasms are normal for just having fusion surgery so that can also be explained. I have noticed that my neck muscles have been getting rather sore as well (of course this could be from my now awkward way of sleeping) and the sweating could be from the medications I am taking as well. My left foot becomes swollen and turns colors (red, purple), it is Always painful to touch! I cant stand to have a sock on it. It is becoming more and more difficult to bring my leg forward when walking, its like I must give extra effort to get it to move? its almost like its attached to a string and the string is under tension? I really cant explain it. I have read a lot about RSD and its truly frightening. I know that its far too soon for me get nervous, but some of the symptoms of RSD, are the symptoms I am experiancing and my Drs do not seem to have a clue of whats going on, I keep getting the same "it should be better by next week" crap. I now have a fentanyl patch which helps a great deal, I still feel the pain, but I tolerate it much better. Without the patch I was crying like a baby. I have lost so many nights of sleep because of this pain, I could never get comfortable no matter how hard I tried.
To those of you who have been diagnosed with RSD, my heart goes out to you, from what I have read, this is a painful and sometimes dibilitating disease. I pray that each of you are doing well and are pain free.

Porter

sharon1030 · 02-10-2007, 05:58 PM

Hi Porter,

That's very sweet of you. I hope you can find some relief soon too. I'm glad the fentanyl is helping a bit. Good luck.

Sharon

rayefaye · 02-11-2007, 09:23 AM

Hi Portor

I know how you feel. My right arm was broke into and it severe my sensatory nerve and the doctor told me the same thing. He told me I would regain the feelings back in my arm in about 2 to 3 yrs. It's been over 20 yrs now and guess what the feelings never came back. Before I got diagnosed with RSD a neurologist did a nerve conductor test on my left arm and boy do that hurt. She found two nerves that were dead and she told me I might have a virus in my nerves and they would recover in two yrs. That never happened either so what they told you doesn't surpise me. But keep telling these doctors and they don't listen find you one that will. Check to see if they have a RSD foudation in your state, if so they should give you a list of doctors to check out. Even if isn't that at least you'll know for sure and it always best to find out before it has a chance to spread so you'll have a better chance of fighting it.

Nertz · 02-12-2007, 11:15 AM

Sorry to hear of all the trouble you are having. I'm on a Fentyal patch as well. I just started on it not long ago.I'm not sure if it's helping or not because I was started on other meds as well at the same time. What dose are you taking each day? I pray that it will help you. I'm feeling better and hoping it is the patch that is making the difference.

Nertz

luvmybeagle · 02-12-2007, 02:02 PM

Hi Porter, I had the same surgery as you on July 19th. I had the same pain in my foot the very next day when they started me walking. I too had the steroids. Had another Mri to show an abnormal amout of scar tissue. Tried epidural injection. October 24 had second surgery to remove scar tissue. Doc could not get it all. Sent to a neuroligist. Did a very painful test with needles and elictirictiy, sorry don't remember name. Show somthing wrong with the L4/5-l5/s1 nerve. Went for another injection bypain mgmt dr. did not work, went for a lumbar sympathetic block, i was told that if it worked i would not have rsd, did not work made my back pain worse....oh forgot to mention back is worse than before surgery. I had one more sympathetic block that worked a little. I was told that the only thing that might help is neurontin or lyrica. I tried lyrica and it did not work. I am on 600 mg of neurontin 3 times a day. I am also on oxycodone 40mg in am 20 in pm. So i have rsd in myright foot and calf, and nerve damage that causes sever right leg pain. I have not returned to work since this all started.
It is best to get diagonsed and treated as soon as possible. You may have a better outcome. I have also been told that a counselor may help I have not done that yet but may very soon.
Everyone that I have talked to on this board is very helpful and nice. I wish you the best of luck and will pray that you do not have this terrible thing.

Barbara
PSsorry for so long of post...Ihave more but my neck is hurting...