RSD/CRPS

Dammit pain

2011-12-27T00:38:00.001-08:00

Okay so a foot injury that happens to be the same leg with my rsd has set off my pain. It happened back in November. I got plantar fasciitis in both feet. But of course the right was worse than the left and now the pain is back.

I need to get myself out and about again. A bike ride today has set the whole thing off like a wildfire. That would explain the post at almost one in the morning, and I have to work in the am. :(

Online registration is now open for the TOP 5K/10K!

2010-03-16T09:17:00.000-07:00

Online registration is now open for the TOP 5K/10K!

http://www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=1837091

We are very excited about the upcoming race on May 8th 2010!!! This is our 2nd Annual event and we are anticipating bigger and better!!! Last year 100% of our funds were sent to RSDSA, a national non-profit group dedicated to RSD Awareness and Research. Triumph Over Pain is now officially a non-profit organization and I wanted to share our mission!

Triumph Over Pain (TOP), a non-profit organization, will work to further education, to raise awareness, and to increase research on Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), also known as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), by teaming with the medical professional community, the general public, and those affected by the disease to bring about awareness, understanding, and cooperation within these communities so that all may strive as one to find a cure.

Come out and join us for our 2nd Annual event. This year we have added a 10K. Both the 5K and 10K courses are USATF certified!!! In addition, we have added a Virtual Walker category for those who wish to participate but are unable to attend due to distance. Each Virtual Walker will receive a free race t-shirt!!!

There are also many sponsorship opportunities for your business. Please take a look at our website for more details.

http://www.triumphoverpain.org

We encourage you to contact us if you have other questions or concerns about the upcoming race in May. On behalf of the TOP Race Committee, we thank you in advance for your consideration in supporting our cause.

Alone we suffer, but together we will Triumph!

Cordially,

Tricia Scott
Triumph Over Pain
Executive Director
(214) 724-7572

Various sections from my website

2010-03-03T20:10:00.003-08:00

Pain

Pain when I move
Pain when I don't
Pain when I stop
and Pain when I won't
my Pain you can't see
my Pain you can't feel
my Pain hurts me
my RSD is real

Christine Leiendecker

X-ray's don't show anything broken. MRI's don't show any ligament damage. I have pain though, LOTS OF PAIN. Extreme in every way. This pain caused me to go from walking around like a healthy human being, to bedridden in almost 9 months.
If you have Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, aka Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, then you know the feeling, the thoughts, and the emotions that my website and blog have attempted to capture.

Here are a couple of excerpts from sites dedicated to providing information for people suffering, including families and friends of those afflicted:

www.RSDS.org - The Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association of America (RSDSA) is a national not-for-profit organization, headquartered in Milford, Connecticut, that promotes greater public and professional awareness of CRPS, a painful neurological syndrome that may affect more than 1.5 million Americans.

We also fund research fellowships and evidence reports on CRPS. We educate those afflicted with the syndrome, their families, friends, insurance and healthcare providers, on the disabling pain it causes. We encourage individuals with CRPS to offer each other emotional support within affiliate groups. And finally, we are committed to raising funds for research into the cause and cure of CRPS.

www.RSDHope.org - The American RSDHope Organization is a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing awareness of RSDS/CRPS. Excellent informational website for those dealing with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy / Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. Includes description of RSD/CRPS, Signs, Symptoms, Etiology, Treatments, Facts, Latest Medical Articles, Coping with Pain Articles, RSD videos, Brochures, information on Ketamine Treatment, Physical Therapy, and Support Groups, etc., as well as raises funds for RSD Research . Over 1.1 Million Hits in 2007!

YOU ARE NOT ALONE - PLEASE DON'T SUFFER ALONE

Me and My Treatment

12/2/06 - Injured

12/3/06 - Emergency Room (Prescribed Vicodin)

12/8/06 - Primary Care

12/14/06 - Physical Therapy - only 3 sessions

1/1/07 - Emergency Room - My knee collapsed and hurt more than EXTREMELY (X-ray, nothing found)

1/2007 - Back to primary - referred to Ortho and for MRI

2/2007 - MRI (nothing found)

2/2007 - Orthopedic (informed me he would like to have my knees, really upset me cause I hurt so badly)

3/2007 - Physical Medicine - prescribed Cymbalta for nerve pain

3/2007 - Water therapy - here I learned about RSD, went home and did LOTS of research (keep in mind, in January I was online frantically looking up why my knee could hurt so badly - I found chondromalacia, I found patella problems, I found ripped tendons, EVERYTHING BUT RSD - guess putting into Google EXTREME KNEE PAIN wasn't enough)

3/2007 - Requested referral to pain management - I wanted to get in quickly so that I could get my problem turned around - to keep it from becoming chronic

3/2007 - Still in water therapy - Hurt like hell - but I could also feel that my muscles were responding well - The water was good for them (then I got a bill for $400.00 out of the blue and couldn't afford to finish or do more (I would love to go back to this, and will one day)

4/2007 - Pain management doctor - GREAT DOCTOR he listened to what I had to say, he asked questions that properly follow process of elimination, etc.

5/23/2007 - Nerve block done - PM called it a diagnostic tool - The relief lasted about 2 days - They were GLORIOUS 2 days

7/2007 - Fitted with Trial Stimulator - it was wonderful, until Friday when I wiped my butt and the lead moved, so I had to turn it off

8/20/2007 - Fitted with permanent stimulator - I started moving around doing things to try and make me stronger - well I moved too much and by Sept/Oct my lead had popped out of place

11/2007 - Saw psychologist and psychiatrist - put on depression medicine

01/08/2008 - Lead revision done to fix lead in spine

1/20/2008 - Scar on upper incision got infected went to Emergency room

04/23/2008 - I was very depressed and was told by many well wishers that the narcotics could be making my depression and my pain worse. So I weaned off all of my medications. HEY I HAD TO KNOW, I had tried most other things. It didn't help make my pain better, I was in LOTS of EXTREME pain. It did, however, help to clear my mind. I still take my Norco, tizanidine, and trazadone. I don't take as much as I once did. I believe it is because my head is more clear AND I am able to fight harder for me.

In July 2008 I suffered an extreme flare that kept me bedridden for 3 weeks. Which only makes me realize more that this fight will be continuous. Stress is definitely a factor with RSD/CRPS. I now try to control how much stress I am actually put under. My family helps with that as they too realize that stress can bring the giant down

July 2008 - November 2008 - Various Acupuncture treatments and Chiropractic treatments.
November 2008 - June 2009 - Got a new pain management doctor and was given a prostate/blood pressure medicine that thoroughly messed with my heart beat. I thought it was going to stop on me. I also now know what people with Restless Leg Syndrome feel like, sorry. He wanted to give me a new medicine, another blood pressure med that could very well mess with my heart and head again, I said no thanks.
Somewhere in all this I started using Medical Marijuana (MMJ) to help me get off all the pills that I was on. It wasn't until my last experience with a non-narcotic medication that I realized that I didn't want to be on any medications anymore. No more vicodin, no more muscle relaxers, no more nothings. Instead I used MMJ.
June 2009 - I started meeting with a hypnotherapist and a Doctor who does High Power Laser Therapy. Between the 2 treatments I have gotten my life back. I started with them the second week of June. About a week after starting with them I started noticing positive things happening. Pain free wasn't right away, but it started showing through. I could get up and do something that was difficult before. I was sleeping better, which we all know helps the body heal and energize itself.
http://www.doctorbarold.com/avicenna.aspx

http://hypnoworks.com

http://www.psychologymatters.org/hypnosis_pain.html
July 2009 - My goal for July is to contact Social Security and get back to work.
I want to live again. I am starting slow and getting back into life.

I hope and pray that you can take from my experience and use it to your benefit.

Conditions that have responded to Laser Therapy

2009-08-21T17:42:00.000-07:00

Conditions that have responded to Laser Therapy
Partial List of Conditions that have Responded to Laser Therapy (given to me by Dr. Barold at his seminar)

Arthritis
Osteoarthritis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Neck/Back Injuries
Whiplash
Low Back Pain
Herniated Lumbar Disc
Sciatica
Neck Pain
Herniated Cervical Disc
Shoulder Pain
Rotator Cuff Injuries/Tears
Headaches
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Knee Pain
Injuries of the Knee Ligaments/Meniscus
TMJ Dysfunction
Repetitive Motion Injuries of the Hand
Hip Bursitis
Patello-femoral Syndrome
Tendonitis (Biceps, Achilles, Elbow, etc)
Tennis/Golfer's Elbow
Plantar Fasciitis
Ankle Sprain
Chronic Non-Healing Wounds
Peripheral Neuropathy
Ankle Sprain
Diabetic Ulcers
Burns
Pinched Nerves
Diabetic Neuropathy
Fibromyalgia
Trigeminal Neuralgia
Muscle Strains/Sprains
Hamstring Pull
Myofascial Trigger Points
Shin Splints
Morton's Neuroma
Stress Fractures
Bunion Pain
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy/Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

2009 – August

2009-08-01T20:10:00.000-07:00

08/21/09 – Conditions that respond to Laser Therapy

Partial List of Conditions that have Responded to Laser Therapy (given to me by Dr. Barold at his seminar)
Arthritis
Osteoarthritis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Neck/Back Injuries
Whiplash
Low Back Pain
Herniated Lumbar Disc
Sciatica
Neck Pain
Herniated Cervical Disc
Shoulder Pain
Rotator Cuff Injuries/Tears
Headaches
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Knee Pain
Injuries of the Knee Ligaments/Meniscus
TMJ Dysfunction
Repetitive Motion Injuries of the Hand
Hip Bursitis
Patello-femoral Syndrome
Tendonitis (Biceps, Achilles, Elbow, etc)
Tennis/Golfer's Elbow
Plantar Fasciitis
Ankle Sprain
Chronic Non-Healing Wounds
Peripheral Neuropathy
Ankle Sprain
Diabetic Ulcers
Burns
Pinched Nerves
Diabetic Neuropathy
Fibromyalgia
Trigeminal Neuralgia
Muscle Strains/Sprains
Hamstring Pull
Myofascial Trigger Points
Shin Splints
Morton's Neuroma
Stress Fractures
Bunion Pain
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy/Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Pain Free...

2009-07-01T17:42:00.000-07:00

I have been receiving 2 new treatments for the last 3 weeks and have seen a great benefit from them.

The 2 treatments I have received are High Power Laser Therapy and Hypnotherapy.

High Power Laser Therapy (HPLT): This is a class IV laser that will go into your body up to 7 layers deep. It goes into your cells energizing them and getting them to heal themselves.

First, the laser, which on high gets warm but not hot, is placed above my main blood vessel for my right lower extremity (right leg) to get the blood flowing again. Which in turn makes my leg warmer.

Second, the laser is ran up and down on the nerves in my leg to get them to energize and open up and not constrict anymore as is the case with RSD/CRPS. Then the laser is ran directly over my initial injury site, my knee, to help energize the cells there to heal damage that has been done as a result of the injury and the result of the RSD/CRPS. Lastly, the laser is placed upon my stomach which reaches through to my back to energize the sympathetic nervous system.

My doctor is Dr. Barold. He has been trained to use the laser on patients with RSD/CRPS. His website is http://www.doctorbarold.com/avicenna.aspx

Hypnotherapy: This is where I am most worried about my readers being offended and confused. This does not mean that RSD/CRPS is in our head. Please continue to read.

I will tell how my CD plays: My hypnotherapist and I came up with a vision of how I see my RSD working through my body and my brain. I came up with a spot in my brain where the "fire alarm was going off, even though there wasn't any smoke/fire" and a suggestion was placed in my head to have little men go and fix the broken alarm system.

Then we talked about how it felt when the pain inmy leg was bad. The way I describe it to her was like on a heartmonitor when the heart beats there is a beep and the little line shootsup to show the heartbeat, well that is how I see my pain acting. Whenit starts it's small lines with time in between them. When the paingets bad the monitor shows many jumps in extreme intensity. The suggestion placed was that the group of little men then went to my legto flatline the nerve that was jumping.

The last suggestion placed wasfor my brain to again act and think like it did before my accident.

The chemistry in my brain changed after that day and she is helping me get it back to straight again.

Here is a site found online to help explain hypnotherapy and pain:
http://www.psychologymatters.org/hypnosis_pain.html

I realize that there will be many people who balk at this form oftreatment because it implies that our problems are mental related; butthat is not the case. Obviously our bodies have been reprogrammed withthis new set of pain facts and maybe some of us can benefit from beingreset.

Here is the example I gave to a friend, Jason with USARSD.org: USA: ... doesn't the premise of hypno...suggest its in the mind? ME: Ina way it is. Cause if nothing is wrong with your limb then where is it being manifested. This is another reason i am afraid to mention it
I have always told people that my nerves turned on and never turned back off well what controls the aspect of pain
Its definitely diff than saying you are mental its more like saying that your brain controls all functions in your body so why not teach it to control differently

I am hopefulthat studies can be done to see if these forms of treatment are beneficial to us sufferers. We have definitely tried everything else under the sun.

Please email, comment, anything to let me know what you think. I am curious if other people have tried this. Is this something you would try?

2009 – May

2009-05-01T20:09:00.000-07:00

05/02/09 – Sex and RSD

How can an act that feels so good, Cause a flare that feels so bad?
How do you handle it? Have you given up the act all together? I refuse. I
have given up so much for this pain (hiking, tent camping, etc) I cannot
give up something that deepens our connection to each other.
Let's just say that last night the pain started, no sleep, and has continued
into today. Hopefully the flare won't last too long.

05/10/09 – Followup on caregiver sites

I recently received a comment from Tigerlily about her Caregiver website.
She too was on the lookout for sites relating to caregiving and was not able
to find what she needed. So she started her own.
Here is her website information:
http://caregiverscove.org
As always I only pass this information on because I feel it's important to.
You must choose for yourself if the information you find is relevant to your needs. I can only pray that you find what you need on the various sites that I have given.

2009 – April

2009-04-01T20:09:00.000-07:00

04/23/09 – A note from Dr. Barold (email)

I had the opportunity to attend this seminar once and am intrigued by the
process/treatment. I plan on having it done and will let everyone know about
my experience afterward.
*CHRONIC PAIN / SPORTS INJURIES*
Breakthrough Advancements for the treatment of Pain
David Barold, MD Board Certified Internist will speak at CLUB LA JOLLA on
the revolutionary advancements being made in the field of pain management.
High Power Laser Therapy (HPLT) has already helped thousands of people get
long term relief WITHOUT drugs, needles, side effects, pain or surgery.
If you are experiencing difficulty with:
Â· Back pain / Sciatica
Â· Neck and shoulder pain
Â· Arthritis / Fibromyalgia
Â· Carpal Tunnel Syndromes
Â· Sports Injuries
Â· TMJ
Â· Peripheral Neuropathy
Â· Non-healing wounds
Â· Failed surgical syndromes Â· Foot pain / Knee pain / Hip pain
Â· Muscle sprains, strains and tears
Â· Ligament sprains, strains and tears
Â· Tendon sprains, strains and tears
Â· Rotator Cuff injuries
Â· Stress Fractures
Â· Tendonitis
Â· Bursitis
Â· Shin Splints
*[image: Club La Jolla]
*
Saturday, May 16th, 2009 at 12pm
Club La Jolla
7580 Fay Ave. (across from Vons)
La Jolla, CA 92037
*RSVP: 858-454-7007 *
Cost: FREE
*Please visit our new website at
www.doctorbarold.com
*
David C Barold MD APC | 3990 Old Town Ave. Ste. A-109 | San Diego | CA |
92110

2009 – March

2009-03-01T20:09:00.000-08:00

03/01/09 – Checking in

This is me checking in. What have I been doing? Not too much. The weather is getting warm again. San Diego it's almost always warm, except for this winter - blah. With the warm weather comes more outdoor time. You know the sun is good for you, right? LOL - It feels good to be out there. It's also garden time. We have had lettuce growing for the last couple of months and are plucking off leaves, washing them and then drying them. They come off bitter but we put them in the fridge for 2 days wrapped in saran wrap and it's not bitter anymore.
Hubby and I had some pictures taken by a friend. I will post one below. We haven't done pictures in a very long time. (Hopefully it fits on the screen okay)

Pain wise I am fighting, hard. I want to garden, so I do. I want to be outside, so I am. In fact, today is the first time I have been online all weekend. I feel that the only extreme suffering I have done is strictly related to the friendships I have made online. So understand my friends, I think about you and pray for your well being and hopefully low pain days.
On another note: At one point I was told I need to give up the crusade I am on with regards to spreading awareness about RSD. I need to respond to this. I feel that I would not be where I am today if not for my crusade. I am apart of RSD/CRPS groups and my heart goes out to the MANY MANY people who are NOT where I am, they are MUCH WORSE. Had they received the treatments and help from the VERY BEGINNING, like I was blessed to have gotten, then maybe they would be better off. That right there is the reason for my crusade. If you are to come across my blog and see what I have been through and are benefited by it, then I have succeeded in my crusade. If you are new to RSD/CRPS and can take my experiences and use them to your benefit, then I have succeeded. If I have, or receive, information that I feel should be passed on, then that is what I am going to do. If you benefit from the information, wonderful, if not, then hopefully the next piece of information I submit will be beneficial. But I refuse to stop.

2009 – February

2009-02-01T20:09:00.000-08:00

02/03/09 – Caregivers and websites for caregivers

Where would you be without your Caregiver? I would be lost, homeless, and possibly even dead. RSD plays such havoc on us and our lives that without the people who support us and take care of us we would be in a "not so nice place." However, upon speaking with new RSD sufferers and their caregivers I realized that there aren't enough options out there for Caregivers. So I am calling on everyone who reads my blog:
WHERE DO THE CAREGIVER'S GO? Please post in the comments if you have links to sites that offer an outlet for Caregiver's. I am taking all suggestions and putting them in a blog and on my website under the "Additional Support" section. So please let the information overload my computer.
Hugs and low pain days.

02/06/09 – Bone scans and other visual signs of rsd

A question recently came up about Bone Scans and if they can "prove" you have RSD/CRPS. The honest answer is not always and not with every person - It's basically just like any and all other tests with RSD - the ONLY proven factor is PAIN. Sucks doesn't it?
Here are some links I have found about bone scans.

http://www.wheelessonline.com/ortho/rsd_role_of_bone_scans

http://www.rsdalert.co.uk/treatments/Bone-Scan.htm

http://www.healthboards.com/boards/archive/index.php/t-420925.html

http://robertgschwartz.homestead.com/page8.html

Now other visual signs. Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging (DITI) is a totally
non-invasive clinical imaging procedure for detecting and monitoring a
number of diseases and physical injuries, by showing the thermal
abnormalities present in the body. Please see the following links with more information on them.
http://eternalhealthclinic.org/diti.aspx
http://eternalhealthclinic.org/pain.aspx

Whether your pain is "Acute" or "Chronic", DITI can
help you, and your healthcare professional to safely get you back to
better health.
Eternal Health Clinic is providing the answers in the diagnosis of pain and unlike most diagnostic test D.I.T.I. is:

Non Invasive
No Radiation
Painless
No Contact With The Body
No Risks or Side Effects
F.D.A Approved
Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging is used in Sports Medicine and Musculoskeletal Disorders.

http://www.cvdinc.org

http://www.medithermclinic.com/RSD/RSD.htm

2009 – January

2009-01-01T20:09:00.000-08:00

1/11/09 – Tender points and trigger points

I wanted to post this information because with my recent feet pain, feels like I am walking on broken glass and future appointment with a podiatrist, also the fact that I have been diagnosed with Myofascial Pain Syndrome, I feel that the following is an important read.

Also, in my next post I will be discussing where I am at now and how I have been fighting my RSD/CRPS.

http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/fibromyalgia-279502-5.html

The Difference Between Tender Points and Trigger Points

by Karen Lee Richards, ChronicPainConnection Expert

When people talk about fibromyalgia, they
sometimes use the terms tender points and trigger points
interchangeably. In actuality, they have quite different meanings. All
accurately diagnosed FM patients have tender points; some may also have
trigger points.

Tender Points

Tender points are used to help diagnosis
fibromyalgia. They are extremely sensitive spots on the body that
elicit pain when four kilograms (or about 10 lbs.) of pressure are
applied. There are 18 specific tender points located at nine bilateral
locations.

Tender points occur on both the right and left sides of the body at these nine locations:

Occiput: bilateral, at the suboccipital muscle insertions. (Where the neck muscles attach at the base of the skull)
Low cervical: bilateral, at the anterior aspects of the intertransverse spaces at C5-C7. (Front lower neck)
Trapezius: bilateral, at the midpoint of the upper border. (Midway between the neck and shoulder)
Supraspinatus: bilateral, at origins, above the scapula spine near the medial border. (Muscle over the upper inner shoulder blade)
Second Rib: bilateral, at the second costochondral junctions, just lateral to the junctions on upper surfaces. (Edge of upper breast bone)
Lateral epicondyle: bilateral, 2 cm distal to the epicondyles. (2 cms below side bone at elbow)
Gluteal: bilateral, in upper outer quadrants of buttocks in anterior fold of muscle. (Upper outer buttock)
Greater trochanter: bilateral, posterior to the trochanteric prominence. (Hip bone)
Knee: bilateral, at the medial fat pad proximal to the joint line. (Just above the knee on the inside)

Pain in at least 11 of the 18 tender points is required for an FM diagnosis.

Trigger Points

A trigger point is a place on the body
that, when pressure is applied, refers (or “triggers”) pain to another
part of the body. The point itself may or may not be sensitive. Trigger
points generally involve taut, ropy bands of muscle fibers. There may
also be hard lumps or nodules in the area.

Trigger points are formed when acute
trauma or repetitive microtrauma leads to the development of stress on
muscle fibers. Although anyone can have trigger points, they are
frequently associated with a form of chronic muscle pain called
myofascial pain syndrome. It’s not unusual for someone with
fibromyalgia to also have MPS, which may be one of the reasons tender
points and trigger points are often confused.

Summarizing the Differences

Tender Points
Trigger Points

The specific point is tender.
The point itself may or may not be tender.

Tender points do not cause referred pain.
Trigger points refer pain to other areas.

There are always multiple points.
There may be a single point or multiple points.

Points occur in specific symmetrical locations.
Points may occur in any skeletal muscle.

___________
Sources:

Alvarez, D.J. and Rockwell, P.G. (2002, February, 15). "Trigger Points: Diagnosis and Management." American Family Physician, 65/No. 4, Retrieved May 25, 2008, from http://www.aafp.org/afp/20020215/653.html

Fibromyalgia Tender Points Identified By
The American College of Rheumatology in 1990. Retrieved May 25, 2008,
from FM Partnership Web site: http://www.fmpartnership.org/tender_points.htm

1/24/09 – Don’t care

I just don't care about much right now. I am just annoyed with life. I am sick of doctor visits but am grateful for them at the same time. It will be nice when this annoyance goes away. So I am not at this time the best person to help, but if you are having problems please let me know. I have met so many people who can help you. Please don't suffer alone. I'm not.

I went grocery shopping today and will NEVER go shopping on a weekend or busy time again. The frustration increased and so did my pain. Too many people, too many rude people, too many people hovering closely in your space worrying me about possibly bumping me. Nope no more shopping in busy shopping times.

Hugs.

2008 – December

2008-12-01T20:08:00.000-08:00

12/25/08 – Thermography is

I personally have not used this facility and do not know a lot about them. Please do research before using any facility. I am sending everyone this information because I do believe it's best to have as many resources as we can get, and this seems like a very good resource to have. Please pass this information around.
http://www.cvdinc.org
I am willing to offer free clinics and free testing to those interested in RSD info, free testing and clinics.
DITI or Thermography Test Detects RSD. Low Cost No Insurance needed
Got Pain but it does not show on CT Scan or MRI? Its NOT all in your head
http://www.meditherm.com/assets/Pain_03.pdf
Thermography is
Digital infrared thermal imaging is a totally non-invasive clinical
imaging procedure for detecting and monitoring a number of diseases and
physical injuries, by showing the thermal abnormalities present in the
body.
It is used as an aid for diagnosis and prognosis, as well as monitoring therapy progress
Unlike most diagnostic tests, D.I.T.I. is non invasive and there are no risks or side effects.
Using the latest digital technology, images, or ’thermograms’, - taken
using an infrared camera. These images can assess the whole body or
just areas of particular concern.
Excellent for those seeking OTHER LOW COST diagnostic tools for Breast Cancer and Mammogram Screening.
Excellent for Pain Detection, RSD / Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, Sciatica, Pre and Post Surgical Monitoring
Thermography Has been approved by the FDA for over 25 years! Read more at
http://www.thermologyonline.org/patients_overview.htm
http://www.thermologyonline.org/Breast/breast_thermography_what.htm
RSD Research and Thermography articles
http://www.medithermclinic.com/RSD/RSD.htm
Have Arthritis, Back/neck pain, deep vein thrombosis, headaches, fibromyalsia, carpal tunnel, digestive disorder
http://www.longevitywi.com/thermal_imaging_brochure_inside_final_.pdf
Supreme Court Speaks up on RSD Testing
http://www.chiroweb.com/archives/18/13/14.html
Diagnostic Testing for RSD
http://www.rsds.org/3/education/thermography.htm
Bought to you by Community Vocational Diagnostic Inc
Carla Johnson CCT CTT
www.cvdinc.org
Need a Clinic?
http://www.thermologyonline.org/Breast/breast_thermography_clinics.htm

2008 – November

2008-11-01T20:08:00.000-07:00

11/30/08 – Thanksgiving, RSD and SCS

So onto the post. Thanksgiving was awesome. It was the best Thanksgiving my family has had EVER. No fighting - which we are so known to do. We invited many people but no-one came. My mom works at a hospital and they have "Travelers" - basically a traveler is someone who goes around the country and works at different hospitals. So on a holiday it is hard because they have no family to celebrate with. Well my mom invited about 8 travelers. One even started crying and told her parents that she had a wonderful place to go to. Not even she showed up. Lame people. Good thing I didn't rely on them for their promised desserts, right?
So in anticipation for extra guests we made extra food.
In the AM we made a 12lb turkey, green bean casserole, and cinnamon roles (vegan-I'll explain soon).
For the afternoon we made a Tofurkey vegetarian/vegan feast. My brother is vegan and we wanted him to have the best Thanksgiving with us. He was told that the tofurkey was gross, but we worked hard to make it edible for him. I will post below on what steps we took to make it more edible.
In the PM we made a 30lb turkey, green bean casserole, roles, cranberry sauce, salad, ham, stuffing (put in bird), 2 pumpkin pies (homemade), cherry pie (store bought) and apple pie (store bought).

AND NOBODY SHOWED UP THAT WAS INVITED. lame
Our normal little group was there though and that made it special. Hubby's dad, hubby's mom and her boyfriend (yes it's still amicable), me, hubby, boy, my mom, and my 2 brothers. A very happy comfortable group of people. It was a nice day.
For the vegan meal, we bought a vegan thanksgiving in a box meal from Henry's. The tofurkey comes pre-stuffed, and with dumplings and gravy for the sides. You have to wrap the tofurkey in foil and put carrots and potatoes in it. We actually put 2 vegetarian vegetables bullioun cubes, zucchini, carrots, sweet potatoes, and white potatoes. Then halfway through we flipped the tofurkey in the foil. My brother said it turned out GREAT.
I have always done the cooking for this holiday. My brother, mother, and son stood in the kitchen and helped when and where I needed it. I refused to let my RSD keep me from this one day. So I hurt myself BADLY. In fact, after talking to my brother today, it turns out that my mom and him had a talk that day about me.
Apparently the way it happened is my tone in my voice changed and I snapped at someone over something. My mom took my brother aside and said, "She is hurting, her tone is changing and she is starting to snap (actually lashing out). Just stay out of her way, don't argue back, and you will be okay." LOL That sounds so bad. However, it is the truth. As the pain gets worse I tend to snap worse. My mom is good and she really looks out for me. Actually to tell you the truth my whole family does. Hubby is very protective when I start getting bad and doesn't allow anyone to come near me or if I start struggling he helps me so much.
I think I would have gone down hill much quicker had it not been for my SCS. I am grateful for it.
I hope your Thanksgiving went well and that your visit with family and friends was what you needed it to be. Because of it being a holiday and the stress we endure to visit with our loved ones I hope that by this day, Sunday, you are able to rest and build your strength back up for the pending month and days to come.
On that note I just wanted to say that my son's birthday is tomorrow and my birthday is on Tuesday. So when I say rest and build strength for the pending month I mean it LOL, mine starts tomorrow and won't end till the end of the month.

2008 – October

2008-10-01T20:08:00.000-07:00

10/06/08 – Depressive State

Sorry I haven't been around and posting lately. I have fallen back into a depressive state. I had really good days about a week and a half ago, no stimulator, no pain. I was thinking: "REMISSION??" Cause as you know, the sooner you receive treatment to fight RSD/CRPS the more likely you are to go into remission, or even keep from becoming a chronic case. Since I am a chronic case, my only other hope is for remission. I thought I was there, starting on my path in remission. I was not. Apparently I was just lucky to get some days off. When the pain started back in full force, I became depressed. I am not taking my medications for depression, 1. because right now I don't have a doctor, and 2. I guess I am hoping that the depressive feelings will eventually stop and I will go back to just being me. Me: the person that has accepted that I live with pain on a daily basis and still try to function by gardening and being with family. Please pray for me.

My next post will be about Fundraiser's. There are many that are associated with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, aka, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, and I feel I need to help spread the word about them. They benefit a cause that is personal to me. So stay tuned.

Always pain free hugs,
Christine

10/15/08 – Treatments

So I signed up for Water Therapy, Chiropractic, and Pain Management, all as a cash patient. It is expensive to start treatment without insurance. Plus insurance doesn't pay for Chiropractic most of the time.

I am waiting to be switched over to a managed health care plan through medi-cal. As soon as I am I will be going to my new primary, who has already informed me that he knows about RSD/CRPS, but can't treat me for it. So I will see him for the referral, and normal doctor appointments, but will see a pain management doctor whom I've chosen. I called and made the appointment for mid-November (it seems silly, but I need to be prepared). I informed the lady on the phone that I would need to do medication reviews about every 2-3 months and that I would like to be able to discuss treatment options as they become available for people (well me) that have RSD.

I was in the pool today. It's crazy when you are in a heated (82 degrees) pool and you feel your leg (or other body part depending on where your RSD is located) start freezing in the pool. One minute it's comfortable, the next it's freezing, all under the warm water.

Then chiropractic is okay. I definitely feel it as my body is put back into alignment after being out from limping so much. In fact, my son is going with me as I am afraid that he might get scoliosis. Back problems apparently run in dad's side of the family (I am on the phone with my Father-In-Law as I type The chiropractor is working around my lead, as he should. Since I don't have the health insurance like I'd like, it would be horrible if he popped out my lead, ya know?

My acupuncturist is coming back from vacation in November. So I will start seeing her again, after 1 month off. It will be good. Great relaxation, well when I don't flare up during the visit that is.

So this is where I am. I am in pain. I am sore. I am hoping that by making myself stronger and putting myself back into alignment I will be better than I am now. Keep praying for me as this extra treatment is hurting me, which means I am purposely causing a flare to see if it helps make me better. I WANT TO BE IN A BETTER SPOT THAN I AM.

10/16/08 – Yep, PAIN PAIN PAIN

At 3 o'clock this morning my significant other woke me asking me if I was okay. I said I hurt but why and he stated that I was "making painful noises." OUCH! Now my honey is a DEEP sleeper, always has been. For him to be awoken by my painful noises means that they must have been bad.

So basically at this point my muscles are aching all over and my knee hurts like an SOB. So medication at 8 am, which is rare unless I do too much in the am, and in bed I remain today.

Hugs. Think good thoughts about me. I need them. Hurting like this makes me not want to continue, but I know I need to.

How are you doing? Please keep me informed, as right now I am not too sociable.

10/22/08 – Chronic pain drains the brain

http://psychcentral.com/news/2008/02/07/chronic-pain-drains-the-brain/1886.html

Chronic Pain Drains the Brain

By Rick Nauert, Ph.D.
Senior News Editor
Reviewed by John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on February 7, 2008

Thursday, Feb 7 (Psych Central) -- The means by which persistent or chronic pain affects an individual’s ability to live a ‘normal’ life has been clarified by investigators at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine.

People with persistent pain live a life that often includes coping with a host of symptoms beyond the non-stop sensation of throbbing pain. They also have trouble sleeping, are often depressed, anxious and even have difficulty making simple decisions.

In the new study, researchers identified a clue that may explain how suffering long-term pain could trigger these other pain-related symptoms.

Scientists found that in a healthy brain all the regions exist in a state of equilibrium. When one region is active, the others quiet down. But in people with chronic pain, a front region of the cortex mostly associated with emotion “never shuts up,” said Dante Chialvo, lead author and associate research professor of physiology at the Feinberg School.

“The areas that are affected fail to deactivate when they should.” They are stuck on full throttle, wearing out neurons and altering their connections to each other.

This is the first demonstration of brain disturbances in chronic pain patients not directly related to the sensation of pain. The study will be published in The Journal of Neuroscience.

Chialvo and colleagues used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to scan the brains of people with chronic low back pain and a group of pain-free volunteers while both groups were tracking a moving bar on a computer screen.

The study showed the pain sufferers performed the task well but “at the expense of using their brain differently than the pain-free group,” Chialvo said.

When certain parts of the cortex were activated in the pain-free group, some others were deactivated, maintaining a cooperative equilibrium between the regions. This equilibrium also is known as the resting state network of the brain. In the chronic pain group, however, one of the nodes of this network did not quiet down as it did in the pain-free subjects.

This constant firing of neurons in these regions of the brain could cause permanent damage, Chialvo said. “We know when neurons fire too much they may change their connections with other neurons and or even die because they can’t sustain high activity for so long,” he explained.

‘If you are a chronic pain patient, you have pain 24 hours a day, seven days a week, every minute of your life,” Chialvo said. “That permanent perception of pain in your brain makes these areas in your brain continuously active. This continuous dysfunction in the equilibrium of the brain can change the wiring forever and could hurt the brain.”

Chialvo hypothesized the subsequent changes in wiring “may make it harder for you to make a decision or be in a good mood to get up in the morning. It could be that pain produces depression and the other reported abnormalities because it disturbs the balance of the brain as a whole.”

He said his findings show it is essential to study new approaches to treat patients not just to control their pain but also to evaluate and prevent the dysfunction that may be generated in the brain by the chronic pain.

Source: Northwestern University

10/28/08 – Social Security Announcement

http://www.ssa.gov/pressoffice/pr/compassionate-allowances-1008-pr.htm

SOCIAL SECURITY

News Release

Social Security Announces Nationwide Launch of Compassionate Allowances

Process Will Fast Track Applications For People with Cancers and Rare Diseases

(Printer
friendly version)

Michael
J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, today announced the
national rollout of the agency’s Compassionate Allowances initiative, a
way to expedite the processing of disability claims for applicants
whose medical conditions are so severe that their conditions obviously
meet Social Security’s standards.

“Getting benefits
quickly to people with the most severe medical conditions is both the
right and the compassionate thing to do,” Commissioner Astrue said.
“This initiative will allow us to make decisions on these cases in a
matter of days, rather than months or years.”

Social
Security is launching this expedited decision process with a total of
50 conditions. Over time, more diseases and conditions will be added.
A list of the first 50 impairments -- 25 rare diseases and 25 cancers
-- can be found at www.socialsecurity.gov/compassionateallowances.

Before
announcing this initiative, Social Security held public hearings to
receive information from experts on rare diseases and cancers. The
agency also enlisted the assistance of the National Institutes of
Health.

Compassionate Allowances is the second
piece of the agency’s two-track, fast-track system for certain
disability claims. When combined with the agency’s Quick Disability
Determination process, and once fully implemented, this two-track
system could result in six to nine percent of disability claims, the
cases for as much as a quarter million people, being decided in an
average of six to eight days.

"This is an
outstanding achievement for the Social Security Administration," said
Peter Saltonstall, President of the National Organization for Rare
Disorders. "It has taken Social Security less than a year to develop
this much-needed program that will benefit those whose claims merit
expedited consideration based on the nature of their disease.
Disability backlogs cause a hardship for patients and their families.
Commissioner Astrue and his staff deserve our thanks for a job well
done.”

“Unfortunately, many hardworking people with
cancer may not only face intensive treatment to save their lives, but
they may also find themselves truly unable to perform their daily
work-related activities and as result, may face serious financial
concerns, such as the loss of income and the cost of treatment,” said
Daniel E. Smith, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action
Network. “The Social Security Administration’s Compassionate Allowances
program will help streamline the disability benefits application
process so that benefits are quickly provided to those who need them
most.”

“This is America, and it simply is not
acceptable for people to wait years for a final decision on a
disability claim,” Commissioner Astrue said. “I am committed to a
process that is as fair and speedy as possible. The launch of
Compassionate Allowances is another step to ensuring Americans with
disabilities, especially those with certain cancers and rare diseases,
get the benefits they need quickly.”

# # #

SSA Press Office 440 Altmeyer Building 6401 Security Blvd. Baltimore, MD 21235
410-965-8904 FAX 410-966-9973

2008 - September

2008-09-01T20:08:00.000-07:00

09/11/08 – Update and recap on me

UPDATE: Let me at least give this synopsis of my life since my injury, treatments and medications: