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DiscussionSeeking info on use of parasympathetic block for complex regional pain
Chronic Pain | Last Active: Apr 14 5:05am | Replies (35)Comment receiving replies
Replies to "@bebold and @delia74, if you are not already familiar with. I would encourage you to evaluate..."
Thank you for posting this information. I most certainly will be examining the sites that you provided there.
An update on my CRPS:
Both my Pain Management and podiatry doctors emphasized that PT is what they highly recommend to patients but gave this advice: Best to take time to inquire about the qualifications, training, experience of therapists before embarking on the cost of my time and money. They each also said that "misguided therapy" could exacerbated the problem rather than ameliorate it. I definitely did not want any added problems to what I already dealt with. I employed their advice, first researching more info on CRPS, and adding to what I already had learned. I gleaned a great deal from reputable sites offering medical journal research data. I created a list of criteria that had to be met and what should be avoided. Then I googled for therapy centers within a 10 mile radius of our home. This was important to me because I do drive but don't welcome having to spend much time on the road, especially highways and busy corridors. I read available info on each center, then created a listing of those that seemed plausible. One by one, I called and asked to speak with whoever was director of the facility, explaining what I needed: a physical therapist with experience dealing with clients with the pain factors of CRPS. That always brought questions which told me that they had no knowledge of CRPS, but that did not deter me. I called 8 facilities. The directors were honest in their responses:
• "No, none of our therapists have had training in the specific needs of CRPS clients."
OR
• "None have had the training BUT they are highly skilled and would work with you in order to help with specific needs."
OR
• "Have never heard of that pain syndrome, and have never had a client express needing specific therapy requirements. BUT we can provide PT."
I gave up due to how exhausting and discouraging it was engaging in all those calls, etc. Determined to obtain MEANINGFUL physical therapy for my ever-painful problem, I brainstormed and came up with this idea: My knee therapist had helped me so much with regaining mobility and strength in the leg muscles which in turn helped relieve much of the knee pain. I trusted him: he was kind, careful to not inflict pain, had incredibly gifted hands, and had given me back increased mobility . I knew that he had no knowledge about CRPS from brief conversations we had had. I decided to ask Jacek if he would use his skills on my ankle, fully explaining how the foot/ankle/lower leg had been impacted by the same horrific fall that had damaged my left knee. He was receptive to reading the CRPS material that I had compiled. I told him how we would both benefit:
•I would have relief of pain, or at least reduction of the burning nerve pain. (The goal would be to bring it down from what I was experiencing 24/7: at Pain Levels 7 to 9 (out of 10), and sometimes felt like a 15 out of 10!)
• And he would be able to include in his resumé that he had indeed worked with a CRPS client, giving him "one up" over all the facilities within a 10 mile radius. THAT put a gleam in his eyes and a smile!
Jacek and I were actually excited by it all as we started our twice weekly sessions. At first, it was indeed so uncomfortable (yes, painful) but it was a "good" kind of pain because, as Jacek explained, the areas around that ankle had become rather "tight" and resistant to movement. (That tightness had contributed to my already unsteady gait and balance issues.) While he gently stretched and manipulated the entire foot, I would engage in relaxation exercises to focus away from what was being done to my CRPS affected areas. Between ultrasound, heat, his amazing therapeutic massage techniques, TENS, the recumbent bike, and stretching activities with various equipment, the ankle began to improve. Of course, I performed the movement exercises at home, including the muscle stretches, and I would perform them on the right leg also. I felt my lower body gaining strength, resulting in better mobility. At the end of the 12 weeks, I had gained release from the 24/7 high pain levels that had been gripping my ankle, foot, and leading up the leg.
The CRPS is still with me. But it does not OWN me.
The "burn" of the nerve pain is still present but at P.Level of 6 and at times 7 (generally on days that I've had to run errands or stand a lot more while doing house cleaning or cooking activities).
BUT that is so much better than the INTENSE hot burn of NON STOP Pain Levels 8 to 9. The ankle/foot is so much more flexible, having been released from the tightness that had settled in like a tight vise. Mobility has improved (although balance an gait problems are still with me, but the ataxia has plagued me for a decade). I still elevate my legs, do the learned exercises (I invested in a few of the items used at the PT center), apply heat when needed. I also have a pain salve compounded by my amazing podiatrist, which I use when needed.
Do I still live with pain? Of course I do, but there is no way to erase the damage inflicted by the shattering fall against the concrete floor of that store in 2021. The entire left side of my body was affected, but I'm grateful that the areas of the shoulder/the entire arm/wrist and hand have all recovered via lots of PT, OT, and shots.
I can function much better now as compared to before the help from my much appreciated therapist.
It's hard to believe that it will be 3 yrs come June 7 since the entire left side of my body was seriously damaged, three long years of pain, therapies, injections....and sleepless nights, emotional distress, mental anguish bought upon by the anger of how my life was affected. But I have come to terms with it since I have other health issues with which to contend. I've learned to adjust and adapt. CRPS and its components might never totally "go away" but the syndrome is more manageable now, and I have Jacek to thank for that.
I have crps in my neck and coccyx along with fibromyalgia and multiple other forms that osteo arthritis. I Also have a spinal cord injury thanks to a surgeons mistake blowing out all the nerve branch of T9. -T10. Pain is nuts. I take memantine which is an hydrocoloace to glutamate in the brain. It really helps. See studies for nerve pain.