United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I do not know how many if any of you have been diagnosed with RSD as well as you BPI.

What is RSD?

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome (RSD) - also known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) - is a chronic neurological syndrome characterized by:

* severe burning pain
* pathological changes in bone and skin
* excessive sweating
* tissue swelling
* extreme sensitivity to touch

(http://www.rsds.org/)

My phsiatrist and I have been talking about this for some time and trying to see what is best for me, the BPI makes it a bit more complicated. Monday I got my first Botox injection for sweating.... My BPI armpit and hand are horibly wet all the time and personall I find it a bit embarrassing, especially being a chic!! He said that it takes about two weeks to see results so I am waiting now... its Wednesday and I already have noticed decreased sweating in my palm!! WOW! I am excited about this! If I set my hand down say to hold a piece of paper steady and write a sentence, I will elave a hand print.... GROSS!!!

I also got a nice injection of Botox for my triceps... let them sleep for a bit and try to get the biceps working and doing what they need to be doing!

I will keep you all posted. If anyone has tried this, let me know what you thought of it please..........

COurt xx

Court

I am robpi and I have some of these symptoms. I can relate to the excessive sweating, bpi armpit reaks of body odor. It is very embarassing. My neuro told me I would have chronic pain from bpi, but also said he could not figure out what was causing pain even though he had not seen results of MRI(BPI shoulder and head). He told me he would refer me to internal medicine/professor of neurology(as he was only taught the basics). After reading your post it makes me wander if this is my problem. I will bring this to GP attention. Thanks so much for sharing.

Tracy ROBPI

I was diagnosed with RSD by my nueroligist last Thursday. I am Rtbpi since aug99. I have had a bad pain spell last 2 weeks so he is trying clonodine in very low doses. I am kinda depressed since i have been completely off drugs for my bpi for nearly 4 years. I hate to get back into that but i guess if I have to try something since the pain is starting to effect my work. I go back in 2 weeks to evaluate its effects and see where my pain is then.

I dont seem to notice the sweating but i do have tremors or shaking in my non bpi arm that effescts my fine motor skills. It is much better that it was at first but still very frustrating sometimes.

John K

Hi John,

I don't have RSD, but like you, I have tremors in my non-BPI hand. I never had them before my accident. When my hand is relaxed, it doesn't shake. Only when I'm trying to use it. You are the 1st one I have heard say they have these tremors. I have always wondered if they are related to the injuries from my accident. They can be very annoying.

Susie

Susie

Yes they are pretty frustrating at times. I used to do a lot of mechanical work but its pretty difficult anymore. Just not being able to use bpi arm is bad enough without the shaking. I like you havent heard of anyone else with bpi speak of it. Drs have told me it is from hitting my head from the accident. I was in a comma for 3 weeks so probably related to that more than directly to the bpi. It has gotten better with time but somethings(like drinking or some presciptions) aggravate it.

John