What is CRPS?

"Completely Ridiculous & Perpetual Shit" No, that's not what it stands for, but it should be.

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome is basically a malfunction of the Central Nervous System. Yes, the system that tells you "ouch" when you touch a hot pan. Well, that same system in my body basically tells me I was hit by a freaking bus every, single day. Currently, I am not injured. I did have a should strain/sprain that caused all this, but that was over two and a half years ago and has completely healed. However, my brain thinks that it happened this morning.

Patients with CRPS (formerly known as Regional Sympathetic Disorder - RSD) feel a severe burning pain, numbness, tingling, shooting pains, sensitivity to touch, experience skin changes, temperature changes, and hair changes. And, the worst part, this horrible pain can spread to anywhere in your body with nerve endings, including organs. For me, my shoulder pain has become full body and considered "systemic". I do my best to keep it from spreading any further, so that my organs don't get affected.

Treatment basically is a cocktail of medications limiting the communication of neurons to the brain, nerve blocks injections, spinal cord stimulators, ketamine infusions, drg stimulation, physical therapy, nutritional adjustments, meditation, pain psychology, prayer, and whatever else can be added to the mix. For example, I just recently started rolling my skin with needles for relief. It's like pushing on a bruise - it feel good, but it hurts. We will see how it helps in the long run.

There is no cure, but it is possible to go into remission. The severity of this pain is on a whole different spectrum than most people. Someone having their worst day with fibromyalgia, is only at a 5 on the pain scale for CRPS. And, most people with CRPS will go to work at a 5. In another post, I will tell you about how my leg hurt so badly, I had no clue I was in labor with my baby. There is a McGill Pain scale that doctors use and it gives others a visual as to how severe CRPS really is. Note: Primiparas and Multiparas are childbirths!

It is no wonder why some patients reach unbearable extremes by amputating their own fingers, or even worse, turn to taking their own life. This horrific disorder has been morbidly nicknamed the "suicide disease", because although it is not necessarily a fatal disease, patients see no other option to ending their pain. If you or someone you love shows signs of depression or suicidal tendencies, please get help. Do not wait to see if it will pass or get better on its own.

Thee following information is from mentalhealth.gov:

Emergency Medical Services—911

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

SAMHSA Treatment Referral Helpline, 1-877-SAMHSA7 (1-877-726-4727)

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