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How Should Extreme Sensitivity To Change In Temperatures While Having RSD Be Managed?
Question: My RSD is a result of spinal surgery in 1995. My systems are getting worse. I have Bi_polar ,PTSD which I had before the RSD. All my stimuli's are exzaggerated. When it's cold. I feel like my muscles and bones stiffens and it's hard to move my limbs. I have to warm myself asap. When I get hot, my body from head to toe feel like it's on fire. My head burns and I have to get cool cloths to bring the temp down. Certain clothes feel like hot pins in my flesh. When I am startled. My brain goes into a fight or flee mode and the burning pain is especially felt in every place I have had past surgeries, especially my neck and down my spinal cord. One doctor said I may have reflex neurovascular dystophy and peripheral nerve disorder. I feel l will have a stroke or heart attack because l can no longer control how the change in temperature affect my body. I have been on gabapentin but it doesn't help much. I take pain medicine only when I can't stand it. Sometimes my PTSD brings this reaction on and other times it feels like it's the RSD by itself.when l go into a pain mode, l have to put on and put off clothes every three to five minutes. What questions should l ask my doctor?
Brief Answer:
Management of RSD.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
RSD is a chronic condition which can cause much difficulty. I understand your concern.
You need to follow up with a neurologist and psychiatrist for proper management of RSD and PTSD.
While consulting with your physician make sure that you describe the symptoms.
Also, explore other treatment options for RSD like physical therapy, acupuncture, and anti-hypertensive medications (beta blocker).
If a current dose of Gabapentin is inadequate, discuss with your doctor regarding the increasing dose of Gabapentin or adding another nerve pain medication like Duloxetine.
It is also important that you discuss the pain medications and how to use them. Pain management is very critical.
For appropriate management of PTSD, the medication of choice is high dose SSRI (like Sertraline) in combination with psychotherapy.
You can find more information on RSD at the national website XXXXXXX RSDHope.
Hope I have answered your query.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Lekshmi Rita Venugopal, General & Family Physician
Management of RSD.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
RSD is a chronic condition which can cause much difficulty. I understand your concern.
You need to follow up with a neurologist and psychiatrist for proper management of RSD and PTSD.
While consulting with your physician make sure that you describe the symptoms.
Also, explore other treatment options for RSD like physical therapy, acupuncture, and anti-hypertensive medications (beta blocker).
If a current dose of Gabapentin is inadequate, discuss with your doctor regarding the increasing dose of Gabapentin or adding another nerve pain medication like Duloxetine.
It is also important that you discuss the pain medications and how to use them. Pain management is very critical.
For appropriate management of PTSD, the medication of choice is high dose SSRI (like Sertraline) in combination with psychotherapy.
You can find more information on RSD at the national website XXXXXXX RSDHope.
Hope I have answered your query.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Lekshmi Rita Venugopal, General & Family Physician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
Answered by
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