Crps/rsd And Trauma

[Upside Down Eagle]

I was wondering about the connection between CRPS (complex regional pain syndrome) and PTSD. From what I understand, a lot of people develop CRPS while they´re in a negative (traumatic or depressive) state. It happened for me.

I developed CRPS in both my feet (first the right one, now left one too) and I´m not sure that doctors take PTSD into account at all when dealing with CRPS. I wish I could find a more ingretative approach where both are dealth with simultaneaously. If I don´t deal with the cause, how will I ever really be cured? CRPS can come back even after it´s cured.

Personally I can directly feel the relationship between CRPS and trauma, because every time I deal with anger or pain, I can feel it in my nerves. They react with the same electrical pain that they do during a flare up. Also, any PTSD flare up automatically causes a flare up in my feet.

Does anyone have more info that maybe I can show to my doc? I would also like to just get to know more about the topic and whether there is any research.

Regards,
Rad

 

[Broken Dahlia]

I was wondering about the connection between CRPS (complex regional pain syndrome) and PTSD. From what I...

Are you taking anything for the nerve pain? I was put on lyrica because the shocks from my foot were preventing me from walking again. I have CRPS after an accident that broke my knee. My primary has kept prescribing lyrica and vicoden but hasn't really helped otherwise; CRPS was only diagnosed by a podiatrist I saw. It was nice to be validated finally, as I knew the problem with my foot was related to PTSD.

Acupuncture has helped a lot with the swelling, edema, and especially the temperature- my foot doesn't feel dead anymore.

Physical therapy is where I have learned the most about dealing with CRPS, as my PT said they spend the most time with their patients, are more hands-on, and learn the latest research. My PT has really emphasized the mind-body connection and told me I needed to stop dissociating from my foot, we used mirrorbox therapy for this. He also told me about a good TED Talk on CRPS.
I'm just starting somatic experiencing, hoping that will help my body release some of the trauma. EMDR is also helpful according to @Justmehere. Hope you find the information you are looking for, good luck!

 

[Upside Down Eagle]

At the moment, no.

Thus far it has been sort-of manageable... I think. I tend to forget very quickly so I don´t exactly remember how much pain I was in with the other foot. I was on tamadol for a while but I found that my forgetfulness got way worse. I started forgetting important items all over the place...

I´m not sure if I am dissociating from my feet but it is possible. It´s so easy to see them as this "diseased" thing instead of my feet. I do exercises with it from time to time and next week I´ll have my intake for physio.

I´m also thinking about trying somatic experiencing when my fracture is healed. I have tried EMDR but so far it doesn´t seem like a good technique for me. I got too much "bottled up" that might be too overwhelming.

 

[Broken Dahlia]

At the moment, no.

Thus far it has been sort-of manageable... I think. I tend to forget very quickly so...

I understand. I was referring to my leg as a block of wood that I had to haul around with me, didn't feel like mine, like me.

The lyrica helped overnight; I didn't even realize that my palms and the soles of my feet were buzzing every morning when I awoke until it stopped. Tramadol gave me serotonin syndrome, not fun like it sounds.

I tried EMDR but had an adverse reaction and somatic experiencing is supposedly gentler. I still don't really understand the process but I appreciate a therapist that doesn't just want me to cry and dredge up my worst memories. Like you said, a lot bottled up and with everything else going on it was overwhelming.

Dr.Scaer's work might be helpful- google trauma soma for more information for your doctor.

One of the exercises that I do (from PT) is rubbing different textures on my healthy leg and then on my healing leg. You start with something soft, like a cotton ball, then a soft cloth, then a paper towel. Back and forth, training yourself to identify the sensations so they don't register as pain. I've also started talking to my leg, encouraging it when I exercise, thanking it for trying so hard. Sounds weird, but I seem to calm down faster. I've finally made enough progress that my physical therapist wants me to tell my story to another patient who seems stuck like I was. I hope you recover quickly as well. How long ago did you break your foot?

 

[Upside Down Eagle]

Maybe I should discuss more medication options with the doc. I´ve heard a lot of CRPS sufferers say that they had benefits from Lyrica.

I also do the rubbing thing. I usually put my slightly-okay foot in a tub with lukewarm water, then massage it with warming oil, and do the small exercises I can. I walk, but not a lot. It hurts too much.

My first fracture was back in February, and the second fracture (when I already had CRPS) four weeks ago. I had several major anxiety/rage attacks and both these attacks caused the fractures, and also the CRPS to spread.

 

[ShodokanJenn]

I don't have any resources, but I DO understand your pain. I have CRPS in my right leg. It is definitely worse when I'm triggered. But a flare of the CRPS can cause flashbacks for me, too. I've had surgery on my leg 23 times in the last five and a half years. I'm now 18 months out from my most recent surgery, and I'm finally starting to be hopeful that maybe the surgeries are a thing of the past. I started physical therapy just this last week to address the muscle weakness/wasting and the pain I feel all the time. I take gabapentin and hydrocodone for the pain. It's never remotely gone - the lowest it gets is a 4 or 5 on a scale from 1-10. But the meds keep it from spiking too high.

I hope you are able to find some relief some how.