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Posted 1/29/2013 12:56 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Getting there

What does Ketamine do? Suppose to do? Did you have a bad experience with nerve blocks? I'm just starting the pain clinic on Wednesday and it may be an option.

Hope you're making out ok.

Thank you
Posted 1/29/2013 9:59 AM (GMT 0)
Hi getting_there,

Although spread is a risk with any procedure, nerve blocks do not "make it spread". I'm so very sorry if this was the case for you, but there are any number of peer reviewed, controlled studies supporting the efficacy of blocks.

I've not had sustained relief from them myself - but certainly had some pain relief and quite obvious change in colour and temperature.

It's not approved here in Australia yet, but as you're in the UK, keep an eye out on research/trials with immunoglobulin therapy ('IVIG'). There is a pain doctor in your part of the world who has done some very promising work on it and he is very pleasant to deal with - he was more than happy to email with me and then have a discussion with my PM.

Laura
Posted 1/29/2013 10:13 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Kym,

We must have posted round the same time! Snowbunny or someone else will probably have a clearer explanation than mine, but Ketamine acts against certain nerve receptors in the central nervous system called NMDA receptors. These are involved in a transmission of pain information and one theory with CRPS is that process gets hugely amplified and those little receptors get super active. After that, each new signal going through, whether it's pain or ordinary touch, increases the activity further and further until EVERYTHING hurts. I guess an analogy would be the little hyperactive little kid who's got into the red cordial - and everything that happens around him just winds him up further...does that make some sort of sense?

Anyhow - ketamine BLOCKS the receptors involved in that process, and it's thought it can reset the high level of activity. Some people do achieve months or even longer pain free after ketamine infusion. Personally I've had limited pain relief and more recently some serious side effects with it.
Posted 1/29/2013 1:32 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Laura

I don't think it's a treatment approved in Canada. It looks like everything comes at a very high risk. However, I am excited to start the pain clinic tomorrow in Kingston. My family doctor just changed up my meds to include long-lasting hydromorphone and Cymbalta with 2mg hydromorphone for breakthrough pain. Not feeling too bad this morning smilewinkgrin

I feel like I'm going to be a test-and-see guinea pig for awhile. It looks like there's a lot of things to try to find relief. I certainly don't want the CRPS to become amplified by things like Ketamine or the transposition of my elbow nerve.

I sincerely hope you have a good day
Posted 1/29/2013 2:51 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Dizzy

Just wanted to let you know that ketamine is available in Canada as I have had it.

Hope you get some answers at your appt tomorrow.

suzane

Posted 1/29/2013 2:56 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Suzane, did it work for you?
Posted 1/29/2013 2:58 PM (GMT 0)
Unfortunately it did not help my pain. I had two cycles as an infusion at home.

It is certainly something you can ask about. Keep us posted.

suzane

Posted 1/31/2013 3:14 PM (GMT 0)
Hi dear friends

The pain institute is going to try stellate ganglion blocks in March. Just wondering if anyone has had them, if they worked, how long they worked, etc.

They do not recommend the transposition and partial hardware removal I've been booked for.

Thanks in advance friends,
Dizzy Kym
Posted 11/9/2013 1:26 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Dizzy Girl,

I sincerely apologize for the very delayed response. A medication I was on took all my memory and it took me a while to find which forum I was signed with. For this, I'm sorry.

Regarding surgery for CRPS, any elective surgery is a no-go. If your doctor thinks it may be a nerve causing more pain and can be fixed, I'd say anything is worth less pain.

As for myself, I haven't given an official introduction yet, so I'll just give you a brief on me, as I will post my Introducing myself right after this. I had a slip and fall on a water tile floor in 2011, it was said to be a severe sprain. I fell in the summer, but by fall I started noticing pain with the cold. I have CRPS in my right arm, fingers-to-neck. I have to say that I have a very amazing Chronic Pain Specialist, who has me on a good medication regime. Though, I'm still in pain, I can do more things in my life because of it.

ALSO Infra-red heat therapy lamps are your best friend, for increased circulation, Infra Red rays that penetrate deep giving greater pain relief than normal heat pads.

As for maintaining my ability to work, I developed the ability of being ambidextrous. So I now use my left hand for typing at work, and for any typing/writing. I hope I've answered your questions, again, I'm sorry this is so late.

Hope your day is well

Bionica
Posted 11/9/2013 3:36 AM (GMT 0)
Given that this thread is almost a year old, I'm going to lock it.... but feel free to start a new thread if you would like to keep the conversation going.

Thank you! --Tina
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