RSDS Symptoms

FOUR Main Symptoms/Criteria
There are FOUR Main Symptoms/Criteria for a diagnosis of RSDS:

1.Constant chronic burning pain.
2.Inflammation
3.Spasms-in blood vessels and muscles of the extremities  
4.Insomnia/Emotional Disturbance.

The CONSTANT PAIN is described as burning pain as if a red hot 
poker were inserted into the affected area, also throbbing, 
aching stabbing, sharp, tingling, and/or crushing in the affected 
area (this is not always the site of the trauma). The affected 
area is usually hot or cold to the touch. The pain will be more 
severe than expected for the type of injury sustained.
Allodynia is usually present as well (extreme sensitivity to touch). 
Something as simple as a slight touch, clothing, sheets, even a 
breeze across the skin on the affected area can cause an extreme 
amount of pain to the patient. Pain can also be increased by sounds 
and vibrations, especially sharp sudden sounds and deep vibrations.

This makes it especially difficult on the spouses, children, and
other family members also; as their softest touch can now cause 
pain instead of pleasure. If the patient has not been properly 
diagnosed yet and these sensations properly. explained, these 
symptoms can cause extreme duress and confusion to all involved.

The INFLAMMATION is not always present. It takes various forms, 
the skin may appear mottled, become easily bruised, have a shiny, 
dry, red, and tight look to it. An increase in sweating usually 
occurs as well.

The SPASMS result in a feeling of coldness in the affected 
extremity as well as body fatigue, skin rashes, low-grade fever, 
swelling (edema), sores, dystonia, and tremors. The spasms can be 
confined to one area or be rolling in nature; moving up and down 
the leg, arm, or back.

The fourth part of this square is INSOMNIA and EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCE. 
RSD affects the limbic system of the brain. This causes many problems 
that might not initially be linked to a disease
like RSD. Chief among them are Depression, Insomnia and 
short-term memory problems.

RSD CAUSES Depression, NOT the other way around. 
RSD causes insomnia by not allowing the body to drift into REM, 
or rapid eye movement, sleep. This is the sleep that allows the 
body to use its own healing abilities. Without it, the patients 
pain cycle continues and becomes more entrenched. As the body 
cannot heal itself, it becomes harder to achieve that sleep which 
makes the pain worse and so the cycle continues.

Many patients can feel they are losing their mind as their ability 
to remember things, short-term, greatly decreases. Things like, 
what someone told you an hour ago, what you had for lunch yesterday, 
whether you took your pills this morning, what you were just talking 
about etc. You are NOT losing your mind. Loss of short-term memory 
is part and parcel of RSD.

Other signs of problems here would include the inability to think of, 
um, well, ah, hmm, just the right word. The patients ability to 
concentrate is also lessened while their level of irritability is 
increased. These problems get even worse as the sleep cycle 
continues.

Do these symptoms sound familiar to you? Do you also sometimes 
have an increase in your pain when your stress level is higher? 
Or the noise level is higher? Do you want to crawl into a hole by
yourself and pull it in after you? Does the simple rustling of a 
newspaper or the soft touch of your spouse send you through the 
ceiling in pain?

Do you sometimes have trouble finding a word? Do you sometimes 
completely lose track of what you are saying? If these symptoms 
sound familiar, know this; you are NOT crazy and you are NOT losing 
your mind. You are also not alone, not anymore.

Other Possible Symptoms
Movement Disorders --- difficulty in beginning movement of the
injured part or moving it in general.
Increased Tone --- Muscle and skin tightness
Increased Reflexes --- Tremors of the extremity and muscle
spasms
General Weakness --- Increased body fatigue, fever, rashes,
sores, swelling also possible

Color/Skin Changes --- Skin may turn shiny, red, dry and
tightened; increased sweating, temperature.

Nails/Hair --- On affected extremity they may grow at an
increased rate, nails become grooved brittle.

Bone Changes --- Softening of the bones, Osteoarthritis,
Osteoporosis, joint stiffness/tenderness.

Sleep Patterns --- Insomnia is often seen, also disrupted sleep
pattern. Some Medications help this.

Miscellaneous --- Dizziness, Tinnitus, Agitation, Irritability, 
Visual disturbances such as blurriness, dry eyes and others. 
Also, sounds/vibrations even strong winds can exacerbate the 
pain as well.

The List can go on for other pain and discomfort that the patient 
feels and many can be attributed to the RSDS. But we can and will 
learn to cope with it. It is not, and will not, be easy; that is why 
a support system is so necessary for RSDS patients. This support system 
can take the form of your family, friends, a Support Group such as 
ours, and On-Line Support Group etc. 

RSDS may follow other conditions besides a fall or an accident; 
such as ... infections, radiation therapy, heat or electrical burns, 
heart diseases due to constriction of coronary arteries, surgery, 
and broken bones.