Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Support Group

well this is hard to find out. some ppl claim nerve conduction testing and themorgraphy can confirm RSD. The only way to define RSD is unrelenting type burning, sharp, stabbing pain that exaggerates the original injury. In my case it began from month to month. Nail growth that has been overgrown and brittle. Most recently I have sweating that is excessive in the arms and hands. Now im having muscle twitching, and blue-ish shining skin at the injury site, sometimes in like a goose pimple type look, abnormal hair growth in the inside of the arm (or any injury site). The most disturbing for me is that i am having pain in the arm that was never injured. Other symtoms include, dropping objects, lack of strength but mostly pain that never,never ends. The stiffness of the joints can be mentally disturbing because you trying to figure out why you can't do what you are used to doing. Unfortunately I am having all of these symptoms that i have discribed to you. I have been warned that RSD goes into stages, the earlier treated the better the outcome. It has been four yrs so I don't know how it will go for you. But good luck and keep me posted. Happy New Year!!

yes I think u should have your doctor have it ruled out. I have all the symtoms of RSD,but my doctor said I dont have it. I dont know what to believe. I feel like everyone with RSD. So please make sure doctor rules it out.
Good Luck to you. I wish you painfree days.

This is one of the most frustrating aspects of RSD/CRPS: There is no exact or singular test they can do that gives a result of RSD.

Many smaller tests, scans, readings, and intakes are done when trying to rule if a patient has RSD/CRPS or not. Some of the more common one are bone scans, MRIs, intakes and inquiries on history, physical changes to the affected area and bloodpressure.

For most doctors it tends to be ruling everything else out before saying definite RSD/CRPS sheerly due to the fact that the symptoms can mimic other disorders and their symptoms and soft tissue injuries.

I had never even heard of RSD till a few months ago when my new pain docotr thought that's what I had...because of the very long history of surgeries & injuries that included a staph infection it seems no doctor wanted to even try to help me even if I was in constant pain. I do not have the sensitivity to touch that many do, because it's the knee I do not have the hair growth but the stiffness & redness & hot knife stabbing pain was there...my new doc started me on neurotin & it was like a mirical drug to me! But it didn't help with all of the pain. I had a nerve block a few weeks ago & that then too seems to have helped so much it is a mirical & gives me hope again. I too though at times wonder if it really is RSD since I don't have a lot of the symptoms...funny maybe but it scares me to not have that diagnosis & go back to the general "chronic pain syndrom" that all the other docs came up with , even a Mayo clinic doctor who didn't seem to want to help me at all! Suggested it was in my head!

Dear chisel,

I was disagnosed with RSD 15 yrs ago. I had all the classic symptoms, (severe pain, skin feeling hot & cold, skin looking pink & shiney). After reviewing my symptoms, the specialist I saw told me she suspected RSD, however, sent me to have a "bone scan" that confirmed the diagnosis of RSD in both of my arms and hands.

I wish you all the best!

Hugs & Blessings! ~Carrie