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Posted 1/18/2016 10:26 AM (GMT 0)
I have CRPS type ll in my right hand/wrist. My CRPS comes and goes throughout the day. My question is does anyone use a splint or anything like that for their hand? I've read it can help, but also may make the pain and such worse. Just wondering If anyone wears a splint or anything on their hand when the CRPS kicks in. Just trying to find something that may possibly help a little. On meds for, tried nerve blocks, etc, but wasn't sure about a splint or glove or something to that nature. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
Posted 1/18/2016 3:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hello renegaderob.Welcome to HW.

I don't know the answer.I'm sure someone here will.

Just wanted to say hello.

Take care and God Bless.

Rick
Posted 1/18/2016 7:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hello & welcome to the forum. We have had some members with CRPS but I don't remember any of them having it in their hands/wrists. In all honesty, most of the people I have seen with CRPS could not stand for anything to touch the area of skin with as much as a bed sheet or sometimes even wearing long pants. So I am a little surprised at you asking about wearing gloves. I can certainly see where it could make it worse if the area afflicted is super sensitive.

I hope you can get an answer to your question. Have you by chance discussed this with your treating dr that takes care of the CRPS? That may be a place to start. Take care.
Posted 1/19/2016 12:28 PM (GMT 0)
We have discussed things like meds, did the nerve block, and things like that. The only reason I asked about a glove or something to that nature is over the weekend I was looking at forum sites before I found this one and wanted to see what things people were saying they have tried. In one of the sites a few people brought up that they tried the glove or splint for the hand/wrist area and it helped slightly, and it also showed the people around u to be careful with your hand so it doesn't get bumped/touched by anyone. I was surprised that it didn't make things worse, so that's why I brought it up here. I know when my CRPS acts up, I don't want anyone around me, because I'm literally screaming on the inside due to the pain. Yes, I'm on hydrocodone, lyrica, xanax, tizanidine, and last visit pain management wrote me a prescription for lidocain 5% oinment. I'm just trying to see If there is anything else I can try that may help and that I can talk to pain management when I see them tomorrow. Figured since others have CRPS that maybe they have tried something that may have helped them that I haven't tried yet.
Posted 1/19/2016 4:42 PM (GMT 0)
I am not aware of anything new out there being tried, or I will say this, no one has come through this forum talking about it. You may want to talk to your PM dr about this & see what he/she thinks of this idea. I am guessing this glove or splint would only be worn when the CRPS is not bothering you right? How has the Lidocaine worked, any relief with it? Its a tough animal to deal with but the people I know that have it not only on this forum but know personally theirs is constant all the time. They don't have periods where its not going on all the time. Getting the combo of the right medications for treatment is the key.

Take care.
Posted 1/19/2016 6:28 PM (GMT 0)
The lidocaine is a minor help, but it's better then not helping at all. I'm just afraid one night when the pain kicks in and it wakes me and I put on the lidocaine, I hope I don't fall asleep and rub my eye with that hand. My CRPS comes 2-3 times a day. It feels like I'm in hell when it comes is the best way to explain it.
Posted 1/19/2016 9:53 PM (GMT 0)
lidocanine can come as a patch. The patches can be cut if needed.

How to use Lidocaine Patch:
Use Lidocaine Patch as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

Lidocaine Patch is only to be used on intact, clean, dry skin. Do not apply Lidocaine Patch to broken, damaged, or inflamed skin.
Wash your hands before and immediately after using Lidocaine Patch.
Remove the liner on the patch. Apply the patch so that it covers the painful area. If the painful area is larger than the patch, apply the patch over the most painful area. Patches may also be cut into smaller sizes before removing the liner if desired. Be sure to discard the unused pieces of cut patches out of the reach of children and away from pets.
If irritation or burning occurs when you apply the patch, remove it. Do not reapply any patches until the irritation stops.
Patches may be worn for up to 12 hours within a 24-hour period as directed by your doctor. Clothing may be worn over the area where the patch is applied.
After removing a patch, fold it in half with the sticky sides together. Discard the patch out of reach of children and away from pets. Do not apply another patch to the same area of skin for 12 hours.
If you miss a dose of Lidocaine Patch, use the dose when you remember. Continue to use it as directed by your doctor. Do not use Lidocaine Patch for more than 12 hours in a 24-hour period. Do not use 2 doses sooner than 12 hours apart.
Posted 1/20/2016 4:18 AM (GMT 0)
My insurance would not approve prior authorization for the patches. They said the FDA does not approve the patch for CRPS. Even after my appeal and Pain Management sending in all information, they still denied the prior auth, due to the FDA not approving it for CRPS. However the lidocaine ointment did not require PA, so that is why we went with the ointment. If there is a secret to getting PA approval for the patches, I'm definitely listening.
Posted 1/20/2016 5:56 AM (GMT 0)
I know that I've been prescribed many meds that are off-label. I know for some it was a Dr to Dr conference call.

Not sure if that helps or not.

Hopefully someone who is more knowledgeable will come along.
Posted 1/20/2016 11:03 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Rob,

I don't check in here much these days but happened in just now and noticed your post. I've got "full body" CRPS - though worse in my legs & feet than anywhere else.

Splints are kind of controversial... CRPS really is a "use it or lose it" kind of situation - the more abnormal your movements are (whether through guarding because you're trying to protect yourself from contact that will cause pain, splinting or whatever), the more it seems to reinforce abnormal nerve signalling - not just with regards to pain, but also things like proprioception (having the sense of where your limbs are in space, normal limb movement/placement, etc.) That said, a large number of CRPS-ers I know (myself included) use things like Tubigrip bandages on our limbs...I'm not sure what you find, but for many of us it's less painful to have something in constant close contact with the skin, rather than having the movement of air or clothes.

I do wear splints too... I've got severe dystonia & resultant contractures in my legs & feet due to the CRPS, so I have custom made AFOs that I wear as much as possible during the day. These let me do a small amount of walking - and prevent me weightbearing on the tops of my feet as I'd do otherwise. I also wear wrist splints at night because I clench my hands/wrists a lot - particularly at night - and it's now causing carpal tunnel issues (which in turn exacerbates my CRPS symptoms).

What "comes and goes"? Pain, or other signs/symptoms? My experience is much as Susie said - while my pain might vary in intensity and character, it is a constant. Only time I've no pain is when I'm unconscious. Even normal sleep it's there in the background and is forever waking me - if indeed I get to sleep in the first place.

Laura
Posted 1/20/2016 2:03 PM (GMT 0)
The pain, changing color of the hand, the hand becoming ice cold, the hand locking up, the spasms, etc is what comes and goes in the hand/wrist. Like last night it woke me up at 4am and the pain and the rest of the symptoms lasted til a little after 6am. It seems to interrupt my sleep 2-3 times a week. CRPS usually happens to me 2-3 times a day and last 2-4 hours each time it acts up. Like I said I don't want anyone to touch me or more or less be around me, because I'm screaming on inside from pain. I have a lot of other physical disabilities as well at age 38 which is why I'm on disability. I just miss my normal life. I hate not knowing when the CRPS will act up, because it's done it when I've just moved my hand without anything in. It's happened sleeping, doing dishes. That's the worst part of it not knowing when it will start up each day. I am having trouble with it especially since it's my right hand and I'm right handed.
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