For the benefit of our readers, CPRS stands for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. The cause of CRPS is not known. The condition likely results from several factors. It may involve overactivity of the sympathetic nervous system, which directs automatic body functions that a person cannot control. Inflammation also may play a role in the disorder.
In some cases, it may go away on it's own or there are many courses of treatment options.
Anecdotal evidence suggests early treatment, particularly rehabilitation, is helpful in limiting the disorder, but this benefit has not yet been proven in clinical studies. More research is needed to understand the causes of CRPS, how it progresses, and the role of early treatment.
Minor or severe trauma increases the risk of CRPS:
Trauma
Fractures
Lacerations
Burns
Frostbite
Surgery
Penetrating injury
Crush injury
An injection into the muscle
Blood draws
Diabetic neuropathy
Multiple sclerosis
Stroke
Treatment aims to relieve pain and improve function. Visit the doctor as soon as possible. Early therapy may lead to better outcomes. In some cases, the condition goes away on its own; this is more common in children.
Treatment options include:
Biofeedback
Acupuncture
Physical therapy—Active and passive exercises help maintain function. Exercising in a warm pool may feel better than exercising on land.
Mirror box therapy—With this therapy, you place your affected hand or foot in a box, which has a mirror on one side. While moving your limb inside of the box, you move your unaffected limb in front of the mirror. To your brain, it appears that you are moving your painful limb easily and without discomfort. Mirror therapy may help to reduce pain and improve motor function in people who have CRPS due to stroke.
Transcutaneous nerve stimulation (TENS)—A device worn on the skin surface creates a tingling sensation and may relieve pain in some cases.
Medication
Anti-anxiety medications, low-dose antidepressants, and drugs used to treat epilepsy
Pain medications, such as narcotics
Other drugs to control symptoms
Sympathetic nerve block—The injection of drugs that prevent the transmission of signals along sympathetic nerves may temporarily relieve pain in some cases.
Sympathectomy—If the nerve block is successful, a surgeon can permanently destroy sympathetic nerves. In some cases, surgery can worsen symptoms.
Psychological support— Long-term pain often leads to depression or anxiety . Counseling is often required to help patients deal with chronic pain and loss of function.
As to inappropriate laughing or crying - this may be Pseudobulbar affect (PBA). According to the Mayo Clinic, "is a condition that's characterized by episodes of sudden uncontrollable and inappropriate laughing or crying. Pseudobulbar affect typically occurs in people with certain neurological conditions or injuries, which might affect the way the brain controls emotion.
If you have pseudobulbar affect you'll experience emotions normally, but you'll sometimes express them in an exaggerated or inappropriate way. As a result, the condition can be embarrassing and disruptive to your daily life.
Pseudobulbar affect often goes undiagnosed or is mistaken for mood disorders. Once diagnosed, however, pseudobulbar affect can be managed with medication."
As to your head pain and vision issues (these can be connected), you need to speak with your doctor about this - we can't say why this may be going on.
Anon, you have a lot of health issues going on. You need a team of health care professionals to help you. Please initiate an appointment.
Best,
Susan
Comment Reply
Hello Anon
Thank you for writing!
For the benefit of our readers, CPRS stands for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. The cause of CRPS is not known. The condition likely results from several factors. It may involve overactivity of the sympathetic nervous system, which directs automatic body functions that a person cannot control. Inflammation also may play a role in the disorder.
In some cases, it may go away on it's own or there are many courses of treatment options.
Anecdotal evidence suggests early treatment, particularly rehabilitation, is helpful in limiting the disorder, but this benefit has not yet been proven in clinical studies. More research is needed to understand the causes of CRPS, how it progresses, and the role of early treatment.
Minor or severe trauma increases the risk of CRPS:
Trauma
Fractures
Lacerations
Burns
Frostbite
Surgery
Penetrating injury
Crush injury
An injection into the muscle
Blood draws
Diabetic neuropathy
Multiple sclerosis
Stroke
Treatment aims to relieve pain and improve function. Visit the doctor as soon as possible. Early therapy may lead to better outcomes. In some cases, the condition goes away on its own; this is more common in children.
Treatment options include:
Biofeedback
Acupuncture
Physical therapy—Active and passive exercises help maintain function. Exercising in a warm pool may feel better than exercising on land.
Mirror box therapy—With this therapy, you place your affected hand or foot in a box, which has a mirror on one side. While moving your limb inside of the box, you move your unaffected limb in front of the mirror. To your brain, it appears that you are moving your painful limb easily and without discomfort. Mirror therapy may help to reduce pain and improve motor function in people who have CRPS due to stroke.
Transcutaneous nerve stimulation (TENS)—A device worn on the skin surface creates a tingling sensation and may relieve pain in some cases.
Medication
Anti-anxiety medications, low-dose antidepressants, and drugs used to treat epilepsy
Pain medications, such as narcotics
Other drugs to control symptoms
Sympathetic nerve block—The injection of drugs that prevent the transmission of signals along sympathetic nerves may temporarily relieve pain in some cases.
Sympathectomy—If the nerve block is successful, a surgeon can permanently destroy sympathetic nerves. In some cases, surgery can worsen symptoms.
Psychological support— Long-term pain often leads to depression or anxiety . Counseling is often required to help patients deal with chronic pain and loss of function.
As to inappropriate laughing or crying - this may be Pseudobulbar affect (PBA). According to the Mayo Clinic, "is a condition that's characterized by episodes of sudden uncontrollable and inappropriate laughing or crying. Pseudobulbar affect typically occurs in people with certain neurological conditions or injuries, which might affect the way the brain controls emotion.
If you have pseudobulbar affect you'll experience emotions normally, but you'll sometimes express them in an exaggerated or inappropriate way. As a result, the condition can be embarrassing and disruptive to your daily life.
Pseudobulbar affect often goes undiagnosed or is mistaken for mood disorders. Once diagnosed, however, pseudobulbar affect can be managed with medication."
As to your head pain and vision issues (these can be connected), you need to speak with your doctor about this - we can't say why this may be going on.
Anon, you have a lot of health issues going on. You need a team of health care professionals to help you. Please initiate an appointment.
August 13, 2018 - 4:28pmBest,
Susan
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