What Type of Doctor Diagnoses CRPS/Resource re: Treatment
Two Sundays ago, I went to the ER because my right knee, lower right leg, ankle and foot swelled up like a club. I was in so much pain that I was unable to walk. At the ER, the focus was on ruling out a blood clot.
Last night, my left knee and foot swelled up again, and the pain (and my husband's pain) kept me up most of the night. This morning, I read the post by @songfamily2025 about CRPS, which I had never heard or read about. I looked up CRPS and noticed that I have most of the symptoms of that syndrome but have not yet been diagnosed. What specialist do I need to see?
I am so sorry for all of you who have been diagnosed with CRPS and who have been unable to find a solution to make your pain tolerable.
(I elevated my leg all night with pillows and moved an ice pack around to whichever part of my leg and foot was aching the most; and I alternated the use of the ice pack with the application of a heating pad. I also took several CBD capsules, which helped me sleep for short intervals.)
This morning, I found this website and want to share the link with those of you with CRPS:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
I haven't looked at any of the articles yet. Please let me know if the website is of any help to you. Hope so.
Blessings and best of luck to those of you who susffer from CRPS.
George's Wife
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@anniesezu812 You're SO right!! I've been following Dr. John Deloni for the same reasons - and, boy have I already noticed a difference in the level of joy I have. It might not change my physical circumstances (it can tho, like you said - I'm a firm believer in retraining our brains), but I do believe in "mind over matter," a powerful lesson one of my friends taught me back in my middle school days. It really works! Amen, friend. You couldn't have said it better, and I appreciate the feedback and suggestions. You are one of many rare gems here that deeply cares! ♥ Back atcha!
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1 Reaction@rivermaya34 Hi my friend, I am very glad to read each letter I have receive from you. Your age can be my daughter age if I had one. Lately, I am not doing well. I am very much disturbed by someone who I care so much but he is sick. So please forgive me that I will write to you when I have passed this very tough and unusual period. May hope be with us forever.
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1 Reaction@songfamily2025 Please don't EVER feel the need to apologize to me - for anything - especially for enduring hard times and deeply caring. You are a vibrant piece of this beautiful puzzle that is allowed the grace to take time out for you. You don't owe anyone an explanation, not even me. So, no worries! 🙂 I am SO deeply sorry to hear about your dear friend ... I am grieving alongside you 😓 and you have my empathy 🌺 I will be remembering you in my thoughts and sending care your way. I hope you will be able to rest, as you are able, during this time. Yes, we must keep hope alive! *hugs*
@rivermaya34 Hi ,Thank you for your understanding. I am very encouraged by your kind words. You are so beautiful inside out. I am so pleased to have you as my friend and hope you are getting better day by day. I must feel better when my loved one getting better. Thank you again for being on my side and support me to go through the this very hard time in my life.
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1 ReactionHello fellow CRPS warriors. I was diagnosed with CRPS in 2021 after a year of trying to find out what was causing the burning and pain. I had 3 surgeries back to back and a biopsy and then 3 days post op from the 4th surgery I felt like my upper left back and arm was being burned alive or like someone had thrown acid on my skin and knew something was wrong. I went back to my surgeon and he basically blamed me and told me that I was too skinny and I needed more time to recover for the surgery but I knew something was wrong. I had had bigger surgeries with less pain so I began searching for answers and stopped going to him after him blaming me over and over again even after I “healed” from that surgery and between 2020 - now I have seen around 40 doctors. About a year year after that surgery I went to to my neurologist and him at first they they said I had allodynia and put me on some maxalt medication but after an EMG and a couple more follow up visits 2 partners came in and broke the news that I had what they called RSD and referred me to a pain management specialist who confirmed that it was CRPS. I had just turned 35 years old and was told that there was no cure for it and I would have to navigate this for the rest of my life. The thought of having to deal with it felt like a death sentence and still does if I am being honest. I began researching it and every treatment that I could find. Creams,Medication,ganglion block, peripheral stimulator, lidocaine, ketamine infusions and pills, therapy, medical marijuana and gummies, meditation, prayer and any option available except morphine and fentanyl because I was too scared to go go down that road but unfortunately for me with nothing really helped longer than a few days maybe a week or two if I got lucky. I am on a pretty high dose of ketamine for being 120 pounds (1250 mg now) and have even gotten so depressed that I looked for and paid for MAID. This diagnosis takes everything out of you and unfortunately for me I also have Sjögren’s Syndrome, Chronic ITP,masses in my breast, axilla and thyroid, sores from head to toe that often open up and bleed, bulging disc from c3-c5 from an old car accident but made worse since I have to “sleep” rather more like naps sitting up so my skin doesn’t touch anything. I am limited to bathrobes at home or hoodies even if it’s 100 degrees outside or have to put surgical gauze for like people with severe burns just to wear clothes that fit loosely or to feel semi normal. I have been to maybe 5 functions with family and friends since 2020 and have been outside of NY maybe twice but only for doctors. I used to travel with my friends or go to family gatherings, always wanted to be a mom but I am too high risk so I had to end a 15 year relationship because he wanted kids and I knew I couldn’t give him it and I knew he would stay because he loved me and was willing to stay even when I was diagnosed… CRPS takes everything from you and finding help in NY is extremely difficult which shocked me since we have great hospitals but most doctors don’t want to take on the liability of a patient with CRPS. I just found a neurosurgeon that is willing to do a SCS but only does permanent implant and the neurosurgeon he referred to to get the trial doesn’t seem interested, maybe he is overworked or too cocky but he’s doesn’t have a friendly attitude or demeanor or interest…. It’s hard to even get his office to respond so I don’t think he’s a fit for me. Plus insurance has changed since 2026 and is giving me a hard time even though I am disabled. It’s an uphill battle every day sometimes every hour to deal with the pain of CRPS and it’s an emotional and mental roller coaster as well. It’s like watching your life pass you by and being unable to do anything to actually live again even though you’re fighting as hard as you can and try to do it and still smile when you’re on fire. If there’s anyone out there that can help me with advice or guidance or that have value overcome some of CRPS obviously since there’s no cure but maybe come out the other side a little please let me know how and where you were able to get help from. While I would appreciate any advice, I would appreciate more so what I can do that maybe I haven’t done. I have no idea how I can make it 10-20 years with CRPS.
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3 Reactions@no1likemo om going g to try to private message you.
@no1likemo Hey there friend, your post just caught my attention. Like you, I am also 35 yo and have been through a traumatic journey full of surgeries, doctors, questions, depression, SCS, depression, allodynia, etc etc. I am also going to send you a dm about this. The short answer to your heartfelt question about CRPS is this: yes, you absolutely can handle crps in the long-term. I know it might seem the complete opposite, but I am a living testament to that truth. Like Winston Churchill once said, "If you're walking through Hell, keep going." You are not alone in this. There is help out there and doctors who care. MAID is not the answer, but I can understand how one might see that as an end to a means (I say that w/o any judgment, only grief). Please reach out to me anytime you need. In the meantime, keep your eye out for a dm I will send you with lots more info. 🙂 *sending hugs*
@no1likemo
Please know that all of us in the community are here to support you. I reached out to @rivermaya34 about your heart-breaking saga, and she responded right away to your post. Have heart.
George's Wife
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1 ReactionFor folks living in New York, you might wish to check out this therapist, who is the author of "The Truth About Chronic Pain Treatments: The Best and Worst Strategies for Becoming Pain Free":
https://cindyperlin.com/
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/cindy-perlin-delmar-ny/726970
Best,
George's Wife
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2 Reactions@no1likemo have you heard of the Spero Clinic in Fayetteville AR they have a treatment program for CRPS