Hi, Dr. Ferguson,
Thanks so much to you and Dr. Stoll for your responses.
My husband and I had a vegetarian "hippie" psychology major friend (no offense but it's funny to compare him then and now! )back in the 1960's who is now a chiropractor/nutritionist-so I will give him a call.
A few questions:
1. what tipped you off as to that diagnosis?
2. Why do I appear to have a "variation" of it?
3. after looking on the "web" I'm uncertain as to any injury that would have caused it unless it's related to my possible carpal tunnel? That could effect my toes?
4. Should I hold off on EMG, etc tests from neuro doc and go to chiropractor instead?
Thanks again-you guys are a breath of fresh air!!!!
Pam
Follow Ups:
Re: RSD-Dr. Ferguson
Posted by David Ferguson, D.C. on November 06, 1998 at 01:06:15:
In Reply to: RSD-Dr. Ferguson posted by Pam on November 05, 1998 at 22:16:31:
"What tipped you off as to that diagnosis?"
1. The list of negative tests, the diversity of the symptoms, characterizations of pain, autonomic dysfunction, sensory changes, etc. are all signs and symptoms of RSD.
"Why do I appear to have a "variation" of it?"
2. Because most people only seem to have one or two parts. Many just have a "shoulder-hand" syndrome or some other such thing that is limited to one system or area. Again, I don't know for sure that you have RSD for sure, that's part of the reason I think you need to find someone to see you who can identify, and more importantly, deal with such things.
"After looking on the "web" I'm uncertain as to any injury that would have caused it unless it's related to my possible carpal
tunnel? That could effect my toes?"
3. Contrary to some literature, it doesn't always take some obvious trauma to start it up. That's generally where the whole Mind-Body thing comes into play and why skilled relaxation is essential. The RSD would be causing the hand and toes problem more than being the result of thos problems. Small strains and sprains can be enough to get the RSD going, according to Mandel S, Rothrock RW, "Sympathetic dystrophies: recognizing and managing a puzzling group of syndromes." Postgrad Med 1990;87:213-218
"Should I hold off on EMG, etc tests from neuro doc and go to chiropractor instead?"
4. Again, I haven't seen you and my advice is for you to be seen. Regardless of whether or not you have the EMG I still think you should be evaluated by the chiropractor. Whether or not you have the EMG is between you, the neuro, and the chiro you see. I'd hate for you to pass on some test and then have that be the one thing you should have done. I don't doubt that the EMG would show some positive signs if it is RSD.
A patient I saw this week came in and could not move his wrist which was extremely painful to the touch. All the symptoms pointed to a wrist problem and many of the orthopedic and neurologic test were positive in the wrist area. However, having treated him 2 years ago, up until about 1 year ago, for a shoulder girdle and spine problem after a car accident I made sure to look at those areas as well. Finding a problem there I explained to him that, to his suprise, I was only going to treat his spine and shoulder girdle that day. On his return visit he was less skeptical because the pain, that had been coming on gradually for weeks, was now "75% better" after just the one treatment. I adjusted him again today and he is to return on Sat morning. Hopefully he will be even better. Now, why did this come on two years after a car accident? 1. Because he didn't follow my repeated advice for maintenance of the spine and shoulder problem. 2. Because he is over 65 and just went from taking care of one child by himself to taking care of 4 children by himself.(part of the very reason he was less able to come in for regular check ups + a long drive) What did this guy have? RSD, or you could call it Scapulo-costal syndrome, or shoulder-hand, or on and on. When it comes to something like RSD there are lots of things that fit under the name. Don't be suprised if your chiro whittles it down to an even more specific diagnosis that doesn't even have RSD in it.
MIND & BODY
Best of luck!