If you’ve been following along with my patient journey, you might recall that I’ve had a number of nerve blocks since my diagnosis 3 years ago: Stellate ganglion blocks Axillary brachial plexus blocks Some chronic pain specialists and researchers feel that these nerve blocks are Read More …
Yesterday was something of a milestone in my patient journey. Three years since being diagnosed with CRPS, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. Or RSD, Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, as it used to be known. Whatever the name, it’s a horrible disease. Not well understood even within the Read More …
Back in October, I experienced something of a role reversal. After years of working in bioethics and managing a Research Ethics Board (REB), I was asked to consider participating in a clinical trial – as a patient. As a research participant. If you’re in the US, Read More …
It’s New Year’s Eve, and we’ve hunkered down at home for the night because my poor sweetheart has the flu. It’s not a cold, not a man cold, it’s the flu. High fever, headache, bad cough, fatigue, aching bones. He’s very weak, and says that Read More …
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a mostly invisible neuro-inflammatory disease, which causes horrific pain. Many different types of pain, including neuropathic (nerve) pain and joint pain. It’s also responsible for reductions in joint mobility and range of motion, although the reasons for this remain unclear. In its early phase, “CRPS Read More …
Earlier today I had a follow-up appointment with my treating physician, at the university-hospital pain management unit (PMU) at which I receive treatment for CRPS. Complex Regional Pain Syndrome is an autoimmune and neuro-inflammatory disease, which carries a long and diverse list of symptoms. Any Read More …
