CRPS How it AFFECTS My Body

By Janice M Nargi

Right Foot and AnkleComplex Regional Pain Syndrome, CRPS, formerly known as RSD Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, is a progressive disease of the Autonomic Nervous System, and more specifically, the Sympathetic Nervous System. The pain is characterized as constant, extremely intense, and out of proportion to the original injury. The pain is typically accompanied by swelling, skin changes, extreme sensitivity, and can often be debilitating. It usually affects one or more of the four limbs but can occur in any part of the body and in over 70% of the victims it spreads to additional areas. 

CRPS is ranked as the most painful form of chronic pain that exists today by the McGill Pain Index.

CRPS 1 & 2Type 1 is usually from an injury ( mine above)

Tyoe 2 is unknown cause

SymptomsFOUR Main Symptoms/Criteria for a diagnosis of CRPS:•Chronic burning pain - includes allodynia; extreme sensitivity to touch, sound, vibration, wind, and temperature.•Inflammation - this can affect the appearance of the skin; bruising, mottling, shiny appearance, blotchy or pale appearance, and tiny red dots are some examples.•Spasms - in blood vessels and muscles of the extremities, called vasoconstriction, •Insomnia/Emotional Disturbance - (including limbic system changes such as short-term memory problems, concentration difficulties, and irritability). Sometimes have an increase in your pain when your stress level is higher. Or the noise level is higher. Does the simple rustling of a newspaper or the soft touch of your spouse send you through the ceiling in pain? Do you sometimes have trouble finding a certain word? Do you sometimes completely lose track of what you are saying? These are all part of the effects of CRPS on the body.

CRPS PAINThe pain is generally best in the morning and at its

worst at night, along with the muscle spasms. It feels like a thousand red ants biting my foot/ankle 24/7

Treatment OptionsAs with many conditions, if Complex Regional Pain Syndrome is treated in the early stages CRPS can be treated much more effectively than if left for long periods of time untreated. Various treatment medications can be used to treat CRPS symptoms including pain relievers, corticosteroids, bone-loss medication and sympathetic nerve-blocking medication. Hot and cold applications to the site and topical analgesics can be done at home, and physical therapy treatment may be suggested to maintain limb mobility and desensitization therapy. There are a number of pain treatment options that help pain from CRPS, which include:Lumbar Sympathetic BlockStellate Ganglion BlockBiofeedbackNeurostimulation TherapyIntrathecal Pump ImplantKetamine Injections

What I Want You to know1) RSD IS REAL. (the number one answer)2) WE ARE NOT EXAGGERATING THE PAIN.3) WE HATE BEING A BURDEN TO OUR FAMILIES.4) WE NEED YOUR HELP AND SUPPORT TO GET THROUGH THIS.5) I TRY TO SHIELD THEM FROM HOW BAD THE PAIN REALLY IS.6) COPING WITH CHRONIC PAIN LEAVES YOU DRAINED EMOTIONALLY AND PHYSICALLY EVERY DAY.7) PLEASE LEARN WHAT THIS DISEASE IS ALL ABOUT.8) MY FAMILY IS VERY SUPPORTIVE, BUT I WANT THEM TO KNOW IF I SOMETIMES GET IRRITABLE AND SNAP AT THEM, IT’S THE RSD PAIN TALKING AND NOT ME. I LOVE YOU.9) HOW SORRY I AM THAT I HAVE RUINED OUR FAMILY FINANCES.10) I REGRET NOT BEING ABLE TO WORK AND FINANCIALLY PROVIDE FOR MY FAMILY.11) I AM STILL THERE FOR THEM ALWAYS.12) THAT EVEN ON DAYS WHEN I "LOOK GOOD", I still have pain!