Our Stories & Introductions

[WilliamIOD]

Hello to all. Just found this site and wanted to contribute.

A little history on my condition-

In summer of 2011 I was involved in a minor mva(rear ended). I struck my left shoulder on door frame, left elbow struck arm rest. Might have hit head on door as well (no bruising or bumps). Originally diagnosed with sprain of pinkie and ulnar nerve neuropathy.

After about 9-10 months of cortisone shots to little finger and elbow (no improvement), a PRP shot in pinkie (no improvement), months of 2 different courses of physical therapy, couple of MRIs, and an EMG (which showed a compression of te nerve through the cubital tunnel I had a submuscular ulnar nerve transposition in Spring of 2012.

I have since had a couple more courses of OT including a session of work hardening that actually caused me to re-injure my elbow (as evident by another MRI) and was demote back to OT. Just recently the doctor sent me to a pain clinic to rule out CRPS. Well what do you know, it wasn't ruled out but added to my growing list of diagnosises (to include medial encondelytiyis(sp)).
My symptoms for CPRS are: swelling from basically elbow to fingertips during night time (will wake up swollen and then it takes about 2 days for swelling to go down-sometimes longer), change in skin colour, pain in elbow and fingers, numbness in pinkie and ring finger (alternates between pain and numbness), pins and needles in forearm, changes in tempatures to touch (elbow and forearm burning hot fingers ice cold).
Now have a stellate ganglion block scheduled for next week.

I have been out of work since the original accident.

It's nice to know I'm not crazy and there is actually something wrong with me that others are going through. Turns out a friend has this and is so bad they were talking about a spinal cord stimulator or drug pump.

[KimA]

Hi

I developed CRPS following wrist surgery in December 2012. Unfortunately, the surgery was on my dominant side. I have been going to seeing the surgeon and a pain specialist and going to physio.

I had a steroid injection in my shoulder. That resulted in one magical day during which I could make a nearly normal fist. I also had a stellate ganglion block which doesn't seem to have done much of anything.

I am slowly getting some range of motion back in my hand and wrist. However, I still have pain in my entire arm - well, basically from my neck through to my fingers.

I have been trying to stay positive and keep up with things at work despite the disruption of the doctor and physio appointments. Strangely, I am finding the increase in the range of motion discouraging because the pain is still the same. I guess I just thought the pain would start to go away when the mobility improved and seeing the mobility come back is making the pain seem more permanent.

So, I am struggling a bit with my motivation at the moment and trying to work up the energy to tackle the pile of work I brought home with me. Of course, I know I shouldn't complain. I haven't been dealing with this for very long.

[WilliamIOD]

Originally Posted by KimA

Hi

I developed CRPS following wrist surgery in December 2012. Unfortunately, the surgery was on my dominant side. I have been going to seeing the surgeon and a pain specialist and going to physio.

I had a steroid injection in my shoulder. That resulted in one magical day during which I could make a nearly normal fist. I also had a stellate ganglion block which doesn't seem to have done much of anything.

I am slowly getting some range of motion back in my hand and wrist. However, I still have pain in my entire arm - well, basically from my neck through to my fingers.

I have been trying to stay positive and keep up with things at work despite the disruption of the doctor and physio appointments. Strangely, I am finding the increase in the range of motion discouraging because the pain is still the same. I guess I just thought the pain would start to go away when the mobility improved and seeing the mobility come back is making the pain seem more permanent.

So, I am struggling a bit with my motivation at the moment and trying to work up the energy to tackle the pile of work I brought home with me. Of course, I know I shouldn't complain. I haven't been dealing with this for very long.

I feel your frustration. I am in the same boat (except my injury is my non-dominant side. I go for my stellate ganglion block Monday morning.

[KimA]

Good luck with the block. My advice would be if they offer you sedation, take it. I don't like sedation so I did it with just a local. If I have to do it again, I will definitely use light sedation.

I hope the block works for you.