Should This Happen?? - Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Message Board

jam77 · 08-10-2001, 09:17 AM

Hi, I am 14 almost 15yrs old and I was diagnosed when I was 13. I didn't have any injuries that I can recall, but I got a sharp pain through my right arm and it swelled up. My mom took me to the doctor, and he took a blood test and X-rays. He said that I have RSD and sent me home with Naproxen(some pills) to take. It's now been 2yrs, and that's all that my doctor has done for me. Should he have done more to help me?? Could I have been misdiagnosed?? I think this because I only get the symptons when over working my arm (i.e writing for more than 2min, playing volleyball, even stirring batter), or when I don't do anything to my arm. No one can understand my pain when I do get it. My doctor told me this RSD is rare and I had to go to 3 other doctors before I was diagnosed. Will it get worse??

Thnx for your help in advance

Bablr · 08-14-2001, 02:26 AM

Yes, rsds can get worse as you get older. it can also spread i am afraid. i had carpal tunnel surgery back in 1987. now i have rsd not only in my hands and arms but in my legs. the best dr to see is in vero beach florida. his name is dr. hooshman. do u have burning skin, crushing pain, and other types of severe pain? also they could have done blocks right away. they should have done something then when first dianosed.. u must have done something to cause rsd. hit your elbow. surgery can also do it. or just a twist or sprain can trigger it. i hate to see someone so young with rsds or crps. good luck....

[This message has been edited by moderator1 (edited 09-07-2001).]

theck · 08-22-2001, 06:00 PM

HEY BABLR.......I had a ctr in March of 99....My median nerve was severed half way thru and I now have rsd from a result of this botched surgery........Was yours the result of a botched surgery also?????I would be interested in talking to you......

[This message has been edited by moderator1 (edited 09-07-2001).]

ivonly · 09-10-2001, 05:40 PM

Yes, unfortunately RSD/CRPS can get worse with age (or it may spread) but that does not necessarily mean it will. There are cases of "cures" or "remission".

There are many ways to treat RSD...all depending on the individual. Medicines, pain blocks, spinal stimulators, etc are just some of the ways. You definitely want to see another doctor...a pain specialist if one's available. It may be that your RSD can be treated with medication alone. However, you do not want to let it continue to go untreated...that can definitely cause future problems. Ask your mom or dad to take you to see a pain specialist....they are trained to understand your pain. You may also want to look into a pain clinic that has a psychologist on the premises. Yes, RSD is very hard to understand for people who don't have it, and those of us that do tend to feel like we're crazy or it's "all in our head". It helps to know that there are people out there that understand...and they can help your family understand as well.

Hope that helps.