Some Specialist dude - Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Message Board

Percussionist · 08-06-2003, 09:10 PM

It's kind of weird with my pain...it's like Im so stuburn, the only people who ever see me crack with my pain is family or percussion ppl (my second family)....and at school I just withdrawl so I can just walk it off...And I have two good legs and one arm so I suck it too my side and work at school and at work work

With some people thinking Im faking it I don't show doctors no more my pain...this came to a problem last summer I saw a specialist...I got withdrawn from the person, kept quiet and didn't say much at all, red in the face hand shakey and discoloured he told me and and my mom that I was Obviously not in enough pain to get more help...I liked it that way because I don't want a nerve block...I don't really know what they do. Will I loose the use of my arm

I would rather be in pain and play percussion....I know it sounds aweful but...

Now this summer again Im going back to see him because it's flaring bad and Im taking my Amitriptyline (Elavil)...but even with the increasing dosage Im up at 4am not sleeping

...so yeah :s anyways Im nervous going back to him because Im not sure what to expect or tell him...but I guess he's the one that wont think Im a looney since he's seen so many of these cases...I hopw this makes sense

zim · 08-06-2003, 09:28 PM

Hang in there. Don't be afraid of showing your pain. No doctor will judge you for crying or screaming if they do something to make it hurt. You need to be honest with them and tell them exactly whats going on. The sooner you get proper treatment the better luck you have of beating rsd. I know it's hard because I am very stuborn too, but I have learned that holding back emotions and pain will get you nowhere with recovery or treatment.
We are all hear if you need us.
Take care,
Zim

cattys · 08-06-2003, 09:32 PM

Hello!

Don't be afraid to get a nerve block. It will do you more harm to not get it. I have had plenty of them for my arm and I would get relief with them.

you might really benefit from the block just think it could give you days or maybe even weeks with pain relief. Blocks are also very important to try and stop it from spreading and having the RSD do more damage.

The nerve blocks are meant to give the sympathetic nerve some rest, so you can use the limb more without so much discomfort.

Symathetic nerve blocks are a very important part of RSD treatment.

It won't make you loose use of your arm. You are in more danger of loosing use of your arm without the blocks.

I have had plenty and nothing bad has ever happened as long as you are going to a dr. who is experienced with giving blocks, dont even worry about it.

Best of luck,

Cattys

Horsie Nutt · 08-07-2003, 11:38 PM

Hey Perc, please listen to what these people have told you. RSD spreads to another part of the body in about 70% of the cases, so if you don't find a good pain management doctor, preferrably an anestheiologist(!), you might end up like several people on this board, with multiple limbs affected, sometimes your entire body can be affected. It's so important that you get proper treatment as soon as possible, the sooner you start, the better your chance of remission (no more pain!).

There is no cure for RSD, but there are several treatments that can help tremendously. You're too young to not get help. Talk to Sharon1030, she's had rsd for 17 years, and she was about 15 or so when she was diagnosed too. So many things in the medical field and the treatment of rsd have changed since Sharon was diagnosed, please don't be afraid to try to help yourself! The blocks are not bad, ask for sedation if you are nervous. I've had 10. The last series just wasn't helping so I just had an epidural infusion, and I am so much better now! My pain and such has been cut by about 75 80% at least.

God bless you Perc, you're so young to have such a horrible condition. Please come here more often, and listen to the people here. They only want to help you. Please go find a good pain management doctor now.
Sincerely,
cathy

Soxy · 08-09-2003, 11:06 AM

Perc, I was afraid of having blocks at first too. Please believe me and the others that they are nothing to be feared. RSD is a disorder that you can't "tough out". You have to fight it. One of the tools is the nerve block. They can be very successful. I know they seem scary. All of us here know what the pain of RSD is and it is like no other. It doesn't mean we are weak because we have pain. Please believe me. You are young and strong. I sense that about you. Please be honest with this doc and have the block if advised to do so. If you have questions, ask us. We are here for you. You matter. We care.
Soxy

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There is always hope....