Active Duty Military need help on diagnosis

[Buffusn]

Hi , I am a 20 yr old male currently active duty in the navy. Upon entering the service into bootcamp, I had a problem wearing too small of a boot and was told that i would be able to grow into them, or the leather would soften up. Now its been 2 yrs since this problem. Upon my deployment shortly after that I was on my feet alot and walking for at least 6 hrs on out. I have went to medical personnel and told them of foot pain, swelling, and numbness within the area. I have seen a podiatrist and has brought up Morton's Neuroma yet upon doing MRI's and X-RAYS the results only came back as showing a small tissue edema within the 3rd and fourth metatarsels. Yet my toes and whole foot have experienced tingling and temperature change with constant pain. I have recieved sclerosing injections within the 3rd and 4th metatarsel region twice. I have recently went to a neurologist and have spoken with another podiatrist outside of the military and he has brought of the possibility of RSD or Causalgia. The only problem i have is the pain i experience sometimes is burning sensation but very slight , sweating yes and swelling as well on a 3 month or 2 month basis. Constant tingling and pressure on foot causes pain if pressure is applied all day.. I Have been on cruches for a yr now and need help. Could I possibly have Causalgia with just the constant temp change red swelling and slight burning sensation but constant dull pain and sharp pain? If you would like to see photos i could try to figure a way to make that happen.

[Buffusn]

I appreciate your help and definately ahve thought about the swimming ordeal as well it would be nice to work out again without people breathing down my neck thinking there isnt a problem with my foot. Thanks alot for your time and help it was much appreciated and once again I thank you.

[ggreg]

Dear Buff,
See, I personally DO think it's RSD.  Causalgia, RSD, CRPS, they're all the same thing.  In fact, "military causalgia" is the original phrasing, Civil War people had it.  Your symptoms match up, like even the sweating, which is why I referred you to the gov website, to see for yourself.  Also, the links there will connect you to people who know more about the GENERAL type of problems you are having, not necessarily the exact condition, where you might find someone more knowledgable than here.  

The electromyography really ought to be done, becuz if it's gone to your nerves, that puts you in a different stage for treatment options. The back massage I mentioned is because sometimes that will bring relief via the nerves in the spinal cord, and the swimming is because nonbearing exercise also can bring relief.  Cortisone is a rather better anti-inflammatory than what you're getting, makes you feel better all round.

Since you apparently are not on medical leave, buy some jell soles with arch support for your military shoes, and wear those soft socks I told you about underneath your regular ones.  You could put in for desk work, keep your legs propped up.  Also, you can take cortisone while on duty, doesn't dope you up.  And in your time off, like I suggested, you can swim and get the massages, wear slippers.  The condition you have can actually get better and go away with proper treatment.  The military really should be the most familiar with RSD type problems, they are complex, but you can always try a rheumatologist, as I said.

But I do hope someone else who has the same problem will respond, to coach you better than me, maybe knows a cure-all or something.  I just tried to suggest stuff that might help, from what little I do know about the condition, that I personally think you have.  Sorry if I may have missed the mark.  Just give some of my ideas a shot, can't hurt.    
GG

[Buffusn]

Also i have taken meloxicam (anti-inflammatory) and the neurologists has started me on amitryptaline and capsaicain cream for treatment. This was for the causalgia. Yet i went back again and they still are iffy on what it is.... I have been referred to a Pain Management Specialist... Yet it sucks so bad and its hard on me for the fact of somedays i stay home from training and my chain of command gives me a hard time... This is the reason why i would like some kind of person to help me figure out or other ways to cope with it so as to get aorund this problem. Also to heal the problem.

[Buffusn]

Problem is I don't know if its RSD or not. The military personnel cant really put their finger on it and have told me that they can't exactly diagnose it ... also months ago i also started having the constant muscle spasms which occur i believe between the 3 and 6 month period.

[ggreg]

For your CRPS, they should be giving you at least a few rounds of cortisone (really good prescription anti-inflammatory pills), and possibly beta blockers and/or Lyrica short-term.  You could have an electromyography to see how your nerves are doing in your foot.  Also, you could consider seeing a Rheumatologist.  I personally think your uncomfortable military-issue boots goofed up your feet.

Vitamin C is good for RPS (RSD is same thing).  It would also be good to sign up for some deep massage therapy for a few weeks of your back, and get thee to an indoor swimming pool and exercise in the water regularly, wear flip-flops there and keep some athletes foot powder in the locker.  It goes without saying when you are out, you should have arch support in some soft, roomy "walking shoes."  Me, I have bad feet from a different condition, around the house I always wear thick cushy slippers and MediPeds socks (they're very soft).

Here is a government website concerning your condition, has some good links too:

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/reflex_sympathetic_dystrophy/reflex_sympathetic_dystrophy.htm

And for a list of interesting articles about it, Google this:  RSD foot