CRPS is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, it can also been known as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD). It is a pain disorder in the central nervous system that causes extremely painful, long term, neuropathic pain within affected parts of the body. It rates at a high 42/50 on the McGill Pain Scale, that's higher than childbirth - and it's long term, chronic pain, everyday!!! It cause extreme swelling, colour changes in the skin of the affected areas, hypersenstivity, extreme burning and extreme cold effects to the affected areas, muscle spasms and it is known to spread as well. Due to Neuropathic pain starting within the central nervous system and affecting the brain, it can also affect your short term memory, fine motor skills and your ability to function normally. CRPS is known to cause similar symptoms like Chronic Fatigue, with the pain exhausting the body and causing whole body pain and exhaustion, just wanting to sleep and not able to function correctly - medication can also cause this. It is a non-curable disease, but it can be managed!
For more information, please have a read through the links below!
http://www.bodyinmind.org/what-is-complex-regional-pain-syndrome-in-plain-english/
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/reflex_sympathetic_dystrophy/detail_reflex_sympathetic_dystrophy.htm
http://www.rsds.org/2/what_is_rsd_crps/
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Complex_regional_pain_syndrome
There is so little knowledge and understanding of CRPS that is often misdiagnosed for many months between different medical professionals before it is diagnosed - this is what happened to me.
Well, so with a diagnosis, you can get treatment and heal it right? Well no, not always with CRPS!! Medication is often a first port of call in trying to get some relief, but they all bring nasty side effects. Often finding a correct medication and amount can take months. Then there are different treatments, some still in trial situation, some without guarantee of any success. While there is no clear cure for CRPS, there is hope for treatments as they develop with current research! Pain medication can only help reduce the effects to help manage, but let's face it: NO ONE wants to be on full time medication!!
Getting into a local chronic/persistent pain clinic can be essential getting the help needed. Including Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Psychologist and Pain Specialists and others depending on the services.
Since I don't want to share others photos without permission, I'll share a few of my leg where it all started, just a few that are all okay to share, not too squeamish!! Swelling, discolouration and it means I am usually on my crutches fulltime, as well as on medications full time!!
Stay tuned for more, I'm determined to educated as many as possible!!!
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