RSD and Carpal Tunnel Advice pls - Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Message Board

nykka · 09-12-2003, 12:48 PM

I have Rsd in my right hand arm...My doctor now Believes that i have Carpal tunnel in my right wirst and believes that i need surgery.....he says that there is a risk of the rsd getting worse but with a block during the surgery it should be ok...Anybody have any advice on this?

[This message has been edited by nykka (edited 09-12-2003).]

[This message has been edited by nykka (edited 09-12-2003).]

sltanner · 09-12-2003, 02:20 PM

Well....I don't know about carpal tunnel. But I just had shoulder surgery in June (my RSD in in the opposite hand). I was given a block along with general anethesia to lessen the chances of the RSD spreading. The idea is to keep the nerves from getting the message that they've been interrupted. The first couple of weeks following the surgery I had a lot of "referred" pain from the RSD on the same arm as the surgery. My dr put me on oxycontin temporarily and gradually the pain subsided. It has been a very painful process - but pain is no stranger to me. I'm better off having the surgery than not. I hope that helps! - Shelley

sharon1030 · 09-12-2003, 07:45 PM

Hi nykka,

I've had RSD for 17 years and have had many surgeries since the diagnosis. For many of the surgeries, they left the epidural in for a few days after the surgery and I did pretty well with that. Hopefully, the block will do the same for you. Good luck.

Sharon

ahaught79 · 09-12-2003, 09:24 PM

i have rsd in my left hand, after a injury to it, i have only had it 7 months but at first they thought i had carpel tunnel due to all the swelling from the injury, so they waited to do the surgery, plus on top of that i am a diabetic. after my doctor confirmed that i have rsd, he said they will not attempt to do anything to fix my hand until the rsd is undercontrol or gone. maybe it has to do some wiht my diabeties too, but my pain managment dr. said the same thing. i have had 3 stallete ganglion blocks, and go for 3 more next week then we are moving on to the spinal cord stimulator, the first 3 shots did nothing but numb my arm for about 6 hours, i would go into deep detail with your doctor and see if they think it could be better to wait a bit longer if the circumstances allowed it.

amanda

sharon1030 · 09-12-2003, 09:39 PM

Hi Amanda,

Welcome to the boards. I also have diabetes. Do you have Type I or II? I have had Type I for the past 20 years. The last time I asked, my docs didn't have any patients who have both. Just curious. Hope to talk to you again.

Sharon