Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy?

[Silverfox]

To any IC experts, :help:

Please, has anyone knowledge about what is the condition called "Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy"? How is this a related conditon to IC? Has anyone else at this site been told they have this. My Dr. mentioned this today, but I forgot to ask him what it was and how it is related to IC of the bladder.

I can't remember anyone here discussing this ever.

Thanks for any info about this condition.

[ISONormal]

Yes, a young friend of mine got that after she injured her wrist. There are some great websites around on that. Check Google. Here's one: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/reflex_sympathetic_dystrophy/detail_reflex_sympathetic_dystrophy.htm

The key with this condition is to treat it aggressively as soon as possible, so it will go away permanently. If the person who has it waits too long, the treatment is harder and it can spread. Both IC pain and RSD pain are (I believe) neuropathic pain. Maybe that's what he meant....?

[Silverfox]

Thank you IsoNormal, for that great website. I find it difficult to understand, but I do myself believe that IC is due to neuropathic pain. If RSD is also a neuropathic pain then maybe the cause is very similar for both these miserys. Perhaps fibromyalgia is a neurological condition that is due to the same cause going on in the body. It seems better for patients with IC to be diagnosed very early and agressively, but they seldom do. I had this over 30 years before I heard about IC, and that was because my husband and I went to a medical library. Now, I find myself just trying to cover up the symptoms so I can sleep and could raise my kids. Now they are out and grown up, I am still looking for pills and things to cover up the neuropathic pains.

In my case, I also have the same neuropathic pain in my hands, fingers and soles of my feet. I always told my family that my neuropathic pain will get worse before I can get better. That is my goal, but I am getting older and worry that because young people heal better, I have little time.

My Dr. tells me its my sensory nerve endings that are fireing off searing pain. In a sense the same thing that caused my IC in my bladder also caused my hands and feet pains. The pain sensations that I have are now of equal intensity in all of my hands, feet and bladder urethra.

Finding the cause and treating early is what we are needing with this.

My pain Dr. at first used to tell me that I was a very "rare case" but I have always replied "Nope" to that statement.

thanks, I will keep trying to understand.

[Babs RN]

Silverfox,
I suffered with RSD in my right ankle for almost 4 years--blocks, meds, PT--you name it. My injury was a measly ankle sprain. I had surgery to remove the sympathetic ganglion at L2-L4(where I got relief from the blocks)and have been symptom free ever since. Please email me, PM me, or post. I would be glad to help in any way that I can.

Hugs,
Barb :grouphug: