What Type of Doctor Diagnoses CRPS/Resource re: Treatment

George's Wufe: Thank you for post on Xanex. I have CRPS and been on Xanex for a long time. I was always told never to just stop. It is one of those people who will be on it for the restcof my life. Tried to go down on the dose and did not do well!!! I pay a small co-pay and have no plans to go off. I also found THC gummies that work well on pain. I am off all of my pain meds except 3 day Fentanyl patch which I also will continue to use. I live in NJ and happy to have found them. Gentle hugs

@tgbcolorado Do not go on the SCS!! I know so many that have and works GREAT in the beginning (1 year) and then it stops working 💪. Do research on a web site called "Stuff That Works"!! Great site for support and help. Gentle hugs

Thanks for the heads-up--and for taking the time to share this tip.

Bear hugs back to you.

An appreciative George's Wife

@rmshackelton Thank you for the response! I appreciate your feedback! tgb

@carol1024
Hi Carol, I am sorry to hear about your pain and I wish I would of held off on surgery. The only way I control my pain is to do nothing but sit and work in a lounger or bed. I am considering the trial SCS because I HAVE to get moving, at least walk a couple of miles a day. I am so used to being active it depresses me. I have a wonderful partner, met him 3 years ago after being single living on my own. That was after a 25 year horrible marriage but two incredible kids who live close by and 3 grandchildren. That is what keep me going. I take 600mg Ibuprofen when I am going someplace, and were a back brace, usually a family function. Could not do it with my partner to hold on to. We all find our coping skills. Happy Holidays! tgb

@tgbcolorado thanks for reply. I'm sorry for your pain too. Isn't it awful to get older. My bone pain starts today from a shot I get with cancer treatments. Not looking forward to these 4 or 5 days either. It stimulates my bone marrow to produce white blood cells to help immune system fight the cancer. I'll take it if there's a chance to survive though. My grandchildren and great grandchildren, just found out going to have 7th great 😳, live in Georgia 3 hours away. Not too bad of a drive. I've been single for over 20 years now and have 3 cats to keep me company. Lol
Who knows, maybe someone interesting might show up before long. 😉
Have yourself a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. God Bless 😇

@rmshackelton I had same issue with xanax when confusion about script with substitute doctor. I was taking just 1 mg daily but they were 1/2 mg tablets. When I went through withdrawals, which was terrible, I decided to taper down. I started doing the whole tablet in the morning and 1/2 in the evening. I did this for about 2 MONTHS. Then I went to just one tablet daily but I'd take 1/2 in morning and 1/2 in evening. I did this for about 2 or 3 months. I have been on a half tablet, which is 1/4 mg, for over 6 months. I could quit if I wanted but got too much going on. I live in Florida and they really come in handy during a hurricane. I don't like being on stuff that when there's the possibility you must do without, it's really torture. The 1/4 mg daily really takes the edge off. It's enough. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

I have CRPS and have myofascial pain as well as spinal issues from severe injury 26 years ago. I have had a spinal cord stimulator for 13 years. It is very helpful to me pain wise. It allows for me to still walk. I am allergic to many meds including pain meds. I can use pain patches, lidocaine cream, and biofreeze. I also have an incredible pain management doctor who gets rid of pain areas one at a time for as long as a year in some cases. Because of my allergy to anesthesias most surgeries have now been denied. I feel good about not having surgery as I witness both parents and only sibling have more than one back surgery and didn't end up much better than when they started.

First off, I want you to stop using ice bags on your affected crps limb. As a general rule of thumb heat is good and cold is very bad for CRPS. Ice bags will cause vasoconstriction which already is a predominant feature of crps. I would try to use far infrared heat on your affected limb instead, this will increase blood flow and that again decreases your pain. Second, to answer your question, it typically will be a pain management specialist who will diagnose you. I have also heard stories of physical therapist who know about CRPS and catch the symptoms before a physician sees it. As others here say a neurologist should be able
to see the symptoms of
crps if you have them. I truly hope for your sake you don’t have crps. I’ve have dealt with it since 2020 and it absolute HELL, it has completely destroyed my life. I wish you all the best and I hope you find a sound pain specialist who can help you, early aggressive intervention is always recommended.