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SYMPTOMS

The onset of symptoms may be rapid or gradual.

The condition may not display all features as the symptoms tend to be fluid in nature.

Pain-

• Aching, Burning, Crushing, Dull, Electric, Feeling as if your on fire, Sharp, Stabbing, Throbbing, Tingling are some ways to describe our pain.
• The pain can be anywhere around the affected area , not always right where the trauma was.
• 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
• Lowered threshold to pain from external stimuli

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.

Hearing/Vision-

• Pain can also be increased by sounds and vibrations, especially sharp sudden sounds and deep vibrations.
• The softest touch can now cause pain instead of pleasure.
• Horner's syndrome

Swelling-

• It takes various forms, the skin may appear mottled, become easily bruised, have a shiny, dry, red, and tight look to it.
• Swelling is not always present.
• Swelling can spread to involve a larger area and becomes brawny (hard).

Sweating-

• An increase usually occurs

Spasms-

• The spasms can be confined to one area or be rolling in nature; moving up and down the leg, arm, or back.
• Body fatigue
• Coldness in the affected extremity
• Dystonia
• Low-grade fever
• Skin rashes/Sores
• Tremors

Emotional Disturbances-

• Depression
• RSD CAUSES Depression, NOT the other way around

Short-term memory problems-

• Many patients think they are losing their mind as their ability to remember things, greatly decreases.
• Things like whether you took your pills this morning and 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 patient’s ability to concentrate is also lessened while their level of irritability is increased.
• These problems get even worse as the sleep cycle continues.

Sleep Disorder/Insomnia-

• Not allowing the body to drift into REM, or rapid eye movement, sleep.
• REM sleep allows the body to use its own healing abilities. Without it, the patient’s 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.
• Limbic system of the brain.
• This causes many problems that might not initially be linked to a disease like RSD.

OTHER POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS

Bone Changes-

• Softening of the bones, Osteoarthritis, Osteoporosis, joint stiffness/ tenderness.
• Thinning and weakness of your bones become more evident
• At risk for more fractures

Color/Skin Changes-

• Skin may turn shiny, red, dry and tightened; increased sweating, temperature.
• Skin may atrophy

General Weakness-

• Increased body fatigue, fever, rashes, sores, swelling also possible

Increased Reflexes-

• Tremors of the extremity and muscle spasms

Increased Tone-

• Muscle and skin tightness
• Edema - swelling that is usually localized to the affected limb and may have a well demarcated edge
• Muscle cramps

Movement Disorders-

• Difficulty in beginning movement of the injured part or moving it in general
• Joint stiffness resulting in limited range of motion

Sleep Patterns-

• Insomnia is often seen, also disrupted sleep pattern. Some Medications help this

Nails/Hair-

• On affected extremity, they may grow at an increased or slower rate become grooved and brittle.
• Hair may become coarse and may be followed by hair loss

Miscellaneous-

• Dizziness
• Tinnitus
• Agitation
• Irritability
• Visual disturbances such as blurriness, dry eyes and others
• Sounds/vibrations even strong winds can exacerbate the pain as well.
• Permanent damage to muscles and joints

Do not use information on this site to treat or make judgments on Neuropathy conditions, medications and treatments. The material on the Power of Pain Foundation's website and all it's associated, linked or reference pages is for informational and education purposes. The Power of Pain Foundation and all of its associates will not be held liable for any damages because of information provided on this site. This site should not take the place of your medical doctors. Before starting, changing, or stopping any treatments or medicines consult with your healthcare professionals.