Complex Regional Pain Syndrome is a stressful and sometimes debilitating disease. Its emotional effects can even interfere with one regular daily routine. Knowing and understanding these effects can help a person with CRPS cope with each change and help them continue living a fruitful and happy life.

The Physical Cause

Research has shown that among CRPS patients, limbic system dysfunctions are prevalent. The limbic system, also called the “emotion center” of the brain, is responsible for storing memories, hormone regulations, and emotions among others. It is located between the brain stem and the brain hemispheres. The conditions found among the patients who were tested were insomnia, irritability, agitation and anxiety, depression, poor memory and concentration, poor judgment, and panic attacks.
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It’s very hard to diagnose Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (or CRPS for short), simply because the symptoms are usually far apart, and do not appear connected. It’s harder still when they do not manifest at the same time. It’s very hard to pinpoint a particular sickness when you’re looking at the bits and pieces of it, rather than the large picture. However, there are clues that can help guide you towards a correct CRPS diagnosis, and here are some of them. Warning! Once you feel these symptoms in your body, go and see your doctor immediately! (more…)

People are afflicted with this disease know how painful the situation really is. It is a neurological disorder and goes by the name of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy or RSD. It is also called by several names: Sudeck’s atrophy, Reflex Neurovascular Dystropgy or RND and Algoneurodystrophy. The affected region shows no visible nerve damages even if it is a neurological disorder. RSD is one form of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome or CPRS.

The following are the reported symptoms of RSD; severe burning pain, stiff joints, rapid and abnormal growth of nail and hair, plus muscle spasms. Another effect of RSD is the constriction of blood vessels which in turn causes vasospasm. (more…)

If it wasn’t bad enough, Complex Region Pain Syndrome also brings another complication into the mix: skin issues. They again range from mild to very severe. Mild conditions simply cause discoloration, itchiness or rashes, while the more severe ones can actually become infected and life threatening.

Skin disorders are also considered as symptoms of Complex Region Pain Syndrome. At the very least, they are aggravating. However, another life threatening complication is the ulcers, which can become very dangerous if they become more severe. Many sufferers of CRPS experience these daily, but with a little care and a little maintenance, some of them are manageable.
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Complex Regional Pain Syndrome may be treated with a variety of techniques and procedures. There are different choices and methods that can be made available to each patient. One only has to find a treatment regime that fits and solves his/her own particular problem and case. Standard treatments include medications, physical therapy, and nerve blocks.

A plethora of options for medications exist for pain control and other symptoms associated with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. Medications that are given are classified as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, antidepressants, anti-convulsions, and muscle relaxers. (more…)