Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy :: RSD, CRPS, Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
Yes, I successfully cured/healed RSD! It is possible!
I effectively "cured" RSD with holistic treatments. I encourage anyone who suffers with RSD consider the holistic regime I created for myself. You can do it too.
Brief explanation of my RSD journey:
Once, I, too, suffered severe Type II Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy to my right foot and entire right leg up to my hip which presented itself after auto accident injuries stemming from both fractures and a ruptured plantar fascia in my right foot.
I was fortunate I had an early diagnosis (from my Chinese Doctor, who called it "nerve damage" and was first to diagnose RSD. Only because I was "pro-active" and pursued another opinion regarding my symptoms outside the closed box of conventional/allopathic medicine, which was the only treatment medical insurance will pay for.
After my initial nerve damage diagnosis, I brought this vital diagnosis to my allopathic doctors (who actually missed diagnosing it despite my detailed description of the pain and symptoms) who then concurred with my Chinese doctor's diagnosis and for the first time in my life I heard the words Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy or RSD.
I refused allopathic treatment of RSD (4-6 "nerve block" treatments were recommended to begin by several MDs, including anesthesiologists, sports medicine doctors and Podiatrists). Why? Intuitively speaking, I considered the nerve block procedures to be far too invasive and risky, and which required general anesthesia (additional risks), the use of a fluoroscope (unhealthy exposure of radiation), injections of cortisone and a long acting local anesthetic marcaine, and worse, the end results were NOT at all promising.
Instead, I committed myself to a more holistic approach toward healing because I trusted the wisdom of the body's ability to heal.
Immediately upon my nerve damage diagnosis, about 6 weeks after the auto accident, I began my daily regime of holistic treatments, which included acupuncture, naprapathy, osteopathy, physical therapy, physical exercise physiotherapy which I did for the next 6 months. (As a precaution, in case I did not gain immediate results from my holistic regime, I did arrange advanced appointments with an anesthesiologist to perform nerve blocks. However, I later canceled these appointments because I began to gain positive results relatively soon after I began my holistic regime to heal RSD.
After the first six months of intense daily regime of holistic treatments, my acute and horrible symptoms slowly began to disappear. Gradually, the dark reddish-brown discoloration of my foot and leg began to fade, the inflammation/swelling slowly began to reduce, and the distorted and abnormal shape of my right leg and foot improved (which my husband likened to a "slab of red meat" that "looked like something hanging in a butcher shop"). The over the top excruciating nerve pain (which was off the charts, not in the 1 to 10 range, when asked I rated it "100+++!") to the slightest touch or even a sheet touching my foot was far too painful to bear, slowly began to dissipate into the 1 to 10 range. The complete loss of normal ambulatory function with my right leg and foot (I required a wheelchair or crutches to hobble around on my left leg) began to slowly improve after much treatment and with my determination to be pain free, to walk, run and dance again, I "pushed through the pain" with the physiotherapy machines and "re-learn" how to walk again. I literally reprogrammed my brain to walk again.
About six months into my holistic regime, I was again able to walk on my right leg and foot without the aid of a cane or crutches. However, each time I flexed my right foot to walk, it was painful, far too painful to walk long distances. I rated it an 8 on the 1 to 10 scale when asked by an anesthesiologist which I deemed completely unacceptable live with the rest of my life.
This anesthesiologist, with whom I had a 6 months post-RSD diagnosis exam (for medical insurance purposes) was the director of the pain clinic at Kaiser Hospital in Sacramento, CA. This anesthesiologist, who would have otherwise performed nerve block treatments on me had I surrendered to them, wrote in my medical records, "patient sought alternative treatments with acupuncture, osteopathy, naprpathy for treatment for RSD and achieved remarkable results..." My Kaiser podiatrist wrote, "patient had miraculous recovery from RSD with holistic treatments..." My Kaiser internist, my private St. Francis Sports Medicine, a medical doctor, my Kaiser physical therapist all wrote similar comments in my medical records which not only validated my intuition to take the risk to explore holistic treatments but provided substantiation that they were effective and beneficial which forced my Farmer's Auto insurance company to eventually pay for my holistic treatments which were all rejected. Two years later I was reimbursed for all my holistic treatment costs.
I want to offer another perspective into the closed, blocked mindset dogma of allopathic medicine and doctors. During my final exam with the anesthesiologist(as previously mentioned), although this doctor was quite expressive about her amazement of my then-recovery with RSD, she still remained stuck in her dogma when we discussed my pain level. She actually told me that I had reached the limitations of any more recovery because I had passed the 6 months window of time for nerve damage. She said, "I am sorry but I am afraid you will have to learn to live with the pain."
This director of Kaiser's Pain Clinic which treats RSD patients continued to reinforce her assessment that I would not improve, that I reached the limits of any possible recovery. She told me how lucky I was, how much better off I am than most of RSD patients who never get better and only worsen, etc., and I assumed she meant that I would waste my time and money if I continued with holistic treatment.
She shook her head when I told her I wanted to continue with acupuncture treatments until I was completely pain free. She may have meant well and didn't want me to have high hopes of recovery and then experience failure, or whatever. This anesthesiologist, who performs nerve block treatments, gave me all the information of what she knew based upon her 20+ years of experiences with RSD patients.
Fortunately, I did NOT accept her prognosis. Instead, I passionately said, "Doctor, I trust the wisdom of the body to heal and I shall continue with acupuncture treatments until I am completely 100% pain-free. I'll be damned if I willing to live with this pain and can't go for long walks, run or dance the rest of my life because a jerk ran a stop sign and plowed into me!"
Her expression spoke volumes. She was a bit astounded by what I said but not one word of encouragement was spoken. There was a long uncomfortable pause between us. Finally, I said, "One day I will return and prove to you that I am pain free and then you can bring in an acupuncturist, a naprapath, and an osteopath into your pain clinic to help RSD patients.
It took another six months of treatment before I was completely pain free and before my right leg matched the color and size of my left leg. My internist/primary doctor was thrilled by my recovery and accredited it primarily to my "positive attitude and determination." Kaiser wasn't interested in accepting my recovery was due to holistic treatments. Instead, it was just considered "miraculous" remission of RSD which, of course, does NOT give any credit to all the beneficial holistic treatments I had.
I am still pain free after 11 years and walk miles daily and go dancing twice every week. I am grateful for all of my holistic doctors, I hope my allopathic doctor learned from my experiences and success with curing RSD.
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy And Sedation
I wanted to get feedback on sedation , I get procedures every 10 days for the pain I have my doctors so SGBs on one foot then the other for I have RSD in both feet and the surgeon uses versed to sedate me and I now I've built up a tolerance , they use 4 doses where as when I first started I only received 1 dose but now this last procedure I felt no relief so the sedation is not working and it's very painful to do these nerve blocks without sedation so I'm lost as to what to do I'm considering stopping the injections because of this has anyone experienced the sedation not working anymore and if so what did you do?
View 6 RepliesReflex Sympathetic Dystrophy :: RSD Or Nerve Pain?
In pain after botched bunion surgeries by podiatrist, underwent reconstructive surgeries with OS. Still in pain, now was diagnosed by OS with RSD. 3 phase bone scan showed "increased blood flow and soft tissue uptake in the right ankle and foot. There is intense increased uptake in the right first metatarsophalangeal joint likely represent reactive postoperative change and consistent with postsurgical changes and reflex sympathetic dystrophy in the right lower extremely". Pain management said that as I DO NOT have swelling, change in color and temperature, it is not RSD and sent me back to OS, who already told me that there is nothing else he can do surgically. So I have terrible burning and stabbing pain and muscle spasms. I just want to understand if RSD is a nerve pain or is the result of some abnormal process in bones as was indicated in my test?
View 5 RepliesReflex Sympathetic Dystrophy :: Laser Hair Removal
I have RSD in my right leg, hip, & lower back. I hate the days that I have to shave my legs because it causes me a lot of pain and makes me extremely grumpy, especially since I always have hair on my legs again within 24 hrs. I am considering laser hair removal so that I don't have to go through this painful process, has anyone had it done?
View 2 RepliesChronic Pain Syndrome Developed Due To Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
I've had RSD now for 2 years and now my doctors say I have unfortunately developed chronic pain syndrome and its to my understanding it's creating more pain that is feeding on the pain that is a viscous cycle and very hard to break my question is does anyone have CPS on top of RSD for just when I thought this is enough there's more .
View 14 RepliesReflex Sympathetic Dystrophy :: Opana Helpng Pain But Destroying My Mind?
I am at the end of my rope!!!!!! I have crps following botched surgery almost 5 years ago. I was on percocet for the first 2.5 years until a new pm doc told me it was bad for my liver and changed me to opana - 5 mg, 3 times a day with oxymorphone 5 mg times a day for breakthrough pain. About a yr and a half ago I developed horrible anxiety which has stayed with me since. The doc said maybe the new formulation didn't agree with me but made no changes. I wake up from sleep in the morning screaming and crying, so agitated. The pain docs don't care as long as your pain is under control. the doc added methadone at my last appt to curb the anxiety in the mornings but I'm to scared to take it. I've read it's more addictive than all of them. I don't function anymore, don't leave the house, cry several times a day. Has anyone experienced this? I feel insane and these docs don't seem to care. Last year I went to a psychiatrist and spent the entire year trying every anti-depressant int the book but none worked. They just raised my anxiety. I really think it's these pills.
View 6 RepliesExperiences? Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy / Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
I am interested in anyone who has been diagnosed with RSD if you wouldn't mind sharing your story. How soon after injury you were diagnosed, who diagnosed you and what changes you saw and when. Do you have all symptoms like skin and nail changes and when did this happen ? My dr recons I have it but I'm still not convinced though I do have signs of it and no other explanation as to why I still can't walk five months post ankle break.
View 35 RepliesMultiple Sclerosis :: Babinski Reflex, Hoffmann Reflex, Brisk Reflexes Symmetrical On Both Sides
I am a 42 year old mom of 2 boys. I have been healthy most of my life. In 2011, I noticed some numbness in my left hand and it seemed to be "clumsy". My mom has MS so it scared me. Considering my family history, my family doc sent me to neuro and to have an MRI. The MRI and my exam turned out to be normal. The neuro said it could be my ulnar nerve. 2012, another episode and this time with worst headache ever and blurred vision. Once again I checked out fine. Then in July 2014 while on vacation, I became dizzy and started to stagger. I went to an urgent care and they told me I had vertigo. After that the vertigo/clumsy remained, and I started having myoclonic jerking of my muscles and headache. I was checked by neuro when I got back from vacation. The vertigo went away but muscle jerking remained. Normal exam and bloodwork. August 21, it came back the vertigo/clumsy feeling, headache, my legs being sensitive to touch, and I occasionally repeat things when speaking like my brain can't remember. I went to a recommended neurosurgeon. His exam revealed Babinski reflex, Hoffmann reflex and brisk reflexes. It was symmetrical on both sides He ordered an MRI. I couldn't get in for almost 2 weeks. The waiting is making me crazy.
View 3 RepliesTemporomandibular Joint :: Bottom Front Teeth Hitting Back Of Top Front Teeth?
I am hoping to get as much information about an issue I start experiencing this week. I woke up Monday and noticed my bottom front teeth are now hitting the back side of my top front teeth, when I close my mouth fully (teeth clenched or chewing). Prior to this I could clench my teeth without issue and this unusual touching did not occur. That said, this is freaking me out.
I have an appointment with a Dentist next week but want to educate myself as much as humanly possible. I have spent considerable time researching this but am getting tired of the same links appearing in my searches. While not getting all the answer I seek.
I have read here that this is the first sign of TMJ. I have gone through listing of the symptoms and I quite literally have next to none. I have no headaches, no migraines, no tight or painful jaw, no loss in range of motion, no jaw popping when eating or opening and closing mouth (I can make it pop if I move my jaw from side to side. I have been able to do this since I was a kid though). I also don't grind my teeth, though I have always had a habit of clenching a few times throughout the day.
I have had tinnitus for a couple years now due to loud music, so I guess this is the only listed symptom I have. But like I said, the tinnitus has been caused by hearing damage and been around for some time.
Has anyone here experienced what I am currently?
If so, what was the treatment?
How did you fix this?
Is this TMJ?
Are there any self administered treatments I could start trying?
Thyroid :: TSH With Reflex To FT4 - 19 ... How Bad Is This?
My latest lab results read:
TSH with reflex to FT4 - 19.825
T4 free 0.4
I keep seeing a lot lower numbers on this board and cannot find anywhere that shows more info on my numbers.
How bad are those numbers? My Dr just upped my levothyroxine but acted like it was no big deal.
General :: Sensitive Gag Reflex
Ok I'm 19 years old and I think my health is good. Anyways, my gag reflex started one day after I was eating and I just looked at the food I was eating and suddenly didn't want it. At first it was just when I would brush my teeth and after using mouthwash, I would usually cough and heave or spit out water. And now I have noticed that after I eat, I can feel my gag reflex. Like I can feel that there is food stuck there (it's probably not, but I can feel something nasty there), and one time I touched my throat (outside neck area) and I wanted to vomit. Now I have an issue sometimes with the front of my shirt collar touching my neck area, because I feel suffocated and it makes the food feeling even worse.
I do salt gargling sometimes, but I still have it! Any help? I also get stomach aches more frequently now (I have gotten 3 so far in these past months and have thrown up.)
Multiple Sclerosis :: Foot Without Reflex
The neuro scrapped the bottom of my foot and could not get it to jump like it used to. he kept trying but nothing happened. I thought this was important but nothing was said and when I asked my physician, he said this was normal. what's it mean if the foot doesn't react?
View 2 RepliesThyroid Disorders :: TSH , 3RD Generation With Reflex To FT4?
What is this test? I had this test done last month among others and this one came back as 7.46 mIU/L and the reference range is 0.40-4.50 . Dr. Wrote "elevated-over 7."
Also my calcium was high at 10.6 mg/dL and reference range from 8.6-10.2
Free T3- 4.3 ph/mL reference range from 2.3-4.2 , slightly elevated.
T-4, free- 1.5 B&G/dL reference range from 0.8-1.8
My main question is what is the tsh 3rd generation with reflex to ft4?
Multiple Sclerosis :: Abnormal Acoustic Reflex
Anyone else with MS have this? I developed pulsatile tinnitus over the summer and saw an ENT recently to look into it further. It's only in one ear, which is coincidentally on the side where I have the majority of my dysesthesia. My hearing was fine, but acoustic reflex came back abnormal and there were no ear issues found, so he ran a CT scan to look for tumors. None turned up, so they are saying this could all be from MS. Seems strange to me, but many things are with this disease. Anyone think this sounds right or should I push a little more for answers?
View 5 RepliesSciatica But Knee Jerk Reflex Is Normal?
l went to a hospital appointment and my Consultant checked my reflexes, my knee jerk reflex was normal. Can anyone help me out?
View 6 RepliesMultiple Sclerosis :: Crazy Knee Reflex On Left Leg
Saw my workplace dr today for my periodic health assessment. He asked about my symptoms, I did the required weeping followed by feeling like an idiot for weeping...
He gave me a prescription for my sinuses, but was rather interested in my reflexes. He didn't say anything but I've had the Babinski thing done enough times to know that one foot was normal, the other was not.
Also, when he did my knee reflexes, my left leg shot out in an exaggerated manner. He repeated it several times, same results. My right leg seems like the usual response, the left was crazy. The left leg has been my 'bad leg' with spasticity etc. He asked me if this was usual, and I said I didn't think so.
He was kind, gave me the usual spiel about neurological issues taking a long time to present, bladdy blah blah blah.
So there you have it, one more 'symptom'.
Dreading the Spring, but trying to stay positive.
Reflex Anoxic Seizure Or Breath Holding Spell?
I think this is what is happening to my 15 month old child. The first time it happened, I took him to the doctor and they said it was a breath holding spell due to the fact that it always happens when we he is hurt and about to scream but cant seem to catch his breath. But after several other events, I noticed that his back arches, his hands curl up and his arms and legs stiffen and sometimes foams a little at the mouth. I think this is a seizure, although he has never convulsed. He is going back to the doctor tomorrow, but I guess the treatment is the same... nothing. I wish there was something I could do. It's so scary.
View 1 RepliesEar Problems :: Stapedial Reflex Muscles - Pain From Normal Sounds
After numerous medical consultations and exams I finally was referred to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge to a specialist in the audiologist department.
It appears that I have an issue with the Stapedial reflex muscles. This causes me pain resulting from normal level sounds.
They have prescribed relaxation and sound therapy rather than surgical treatment at this stage.
Anxiety :: Constant Pooping, Acid Reflex, Chest Pain, And Headache, And 9 Months Insomnia?
Constant pooping, acid reflux, chest pain, and headache, and 9 months insomnia.
How to cure without sleeping pills?