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Neurology (Expert Forum)
I don't know where to turn.
This forum is for questions and support regarding neurology issues such as: Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, Autism, Brain Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Pain, Epilepsy, Fibromyalgia, Headaches, MS, Neuralgia, Neuropathy, Parkinson's Disease, RSD, Sleep Disorders, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury.
I don't know where to turn.
by stephanie__0__0, Dec 14, 1998 12:00AM
I am writing because at this point I don't know where else to turn. I am a 25 yr old female. 9 months ago I fell on my left knee and was diagnosed with RSD. The RSD has progressed from my left knee to my entire left leg, back and left arm. I have gone through approximately 8 epidorals in my spine, 10 Lumbar Sympathetic Blocks, and daily doses of 1500mg of neurontin and 8000mg of viacadin just to walk. None of the treatment seems to be working. I have given up a lucrative career as a stockbroker, and spend the majority of the time in a state of depression. The doctors want to try Lidocaine Infusion but as with any experimental testing, there are no gurantees it will even help. Two weeks ago I also found out I am pregnant. This makes things a little more difficult. Are there treatments for women that are pregnant? what will the pregnancy do to the RSD? What other treatments are there for RSD ptients even without pregnancy? I need help I can't live the rest of my life on pain killers.
Dear Stephanie:
Sorry to hear about your RSD, but congradulations on your pregnancy. As you know, without examining you and with little information it is impossible to tell you what to do. But, with all that you have gone through, you need the expertise of a pain management team, physical therapy, and occupational therapy. We have such a team here at the Cleveland Clinic (1-800-CCF-CARE) but I am sure that there are other teams around the country. You should hook up with such a team. Frankly, it is very hard to completely recover from RSD. It takes alot of strength to go through the PT sessions because of the pain. From our experience, unless you are will to persist through the pain and finish the therapy, most RSD does not resolve well. Now that you are pregnant it will be more difficult. There are many different treatments for RSD but most will not completely resolve the pain. It is a matter of going through the pain to recovery. Let us know if we can help.
Sincerely,
CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS
