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This is as complete a list as was known by the author at the time
of its writing. As always before having any treatment, please consult
a doctor who understand RSD and understands the treatment very well.
Also, before having a treatment, make sure you research it on your own
so that you fully understand the possible positive and negative results.
- Amputation: While it was once used, amputation
is not and should not be used under any circumstances as a treatment
to alleviate RSD. Unfortunately, however, there are still doctors out
there who will do this.
- Analgesics: Medications that are used to alleviate
pain. Most patients use these, but they are a small part of a larger
picture when treating RSD.
- Antidepressants: While it used to be that all
doctors believed RSD was a psychological disease, it is now known that
RSD is a physiological disorder. Antidepressants, however, can be used
to alleviate the emotional pain that can come from having RSD.
- Bier Block: An injection is made into the affected
area, and a tourniquet is then wrapped around the affected area in an
attempt to keep the medication in the area for a longer period of time.
- Bio-feed back: A treatment that is taught by
a psychologist where the RSDer will learn to control some of the inter-workings
of the body like its own temperature.
- Calcium channel blocker: Drugs that dilate the
coronary arteries and increase blood flow through those same arteries.
It is useful for high blood pressure, which can be a problem among RSD
sufferers.
- Capsaicin, Tropical large dose: Large doses
of tropical capsaicin, administered intermittently. This treatment may
provide significant pain relief and decreased chronic analgesic dependence.
- Diet: For information on the RSD diet, see Dr.
Hooshmand’s Web site at http://www.rsdrx.com and click on puzzle
number one.
- Duragesic (Fentynal) Patches: Used for patients
who can not tolerate oral medications like morphine, anesthetists have
been using this in surgeries for years.
10) Heat: How helpful this is depends on each individual
person. However an RSD sufferer should never use ice, as it will constrict
blood vessels, making the pain worse.
- Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Originally prescribed
to treat underwater divers with the bends, this treatment is providing
beneficial help to RSD patients. More studies are being done on this
treatment everyday. This treatment is looking more promising with each
patient.
- Indwelling SNB - Continuous Drip: A continuous
Sympathetic nerve block usually performed by using an epidural catheter
and dripping the medication into the body for hours or even days.
13) Lidocane Patch: Helps to end extreme sensitivity
and calms the central nervous system when it is hyper-excited.
- Narcotics: While extremely controversial, these
medications are known to help numb extreme pain. For a conversation
on the controversy surrounding narcotics, please click here.
- Occupational Therapy (OT): Therapists work
with disabled people to find a way to go back to work comfortably. Occupational
therapy works especially for those who are suffering with RSD in the
upper extremities.
- Pain Clinics or Centers: Directed by a physician,
these places specialize in pain treatment by using other doctors, nurses,
and therapists who understand pain disorders. While they offer a variety
of treatments, make sure that the clinic you are going to understands
RSD very well.
- Physical Observations: One of the most affective
tools an RSD sufferer can have is a well informed doctor, or team of
doctors and specialists who work closely with the patient to find the
best treatment or treatments possible.
- Physical Therapy: One important aspect of keeping
RSD under control is to keep all of the sufferers limbs in as good a
shape as possible. When working with a therapist, it is best to work
with one who understands RSD and who will not do anything that would
further harm the affected area.
- Psychiatric Care: While RSD is a physiological
disorder, many patients find it helpful to talk to a psychologist or
psychiatrist. This can help the sufferer deal with the changes that
come naturally with having RSD and help to learn to cope with the pain.
- Intrathecal Drug Therapy or Morphine Pump:
A small pump which delivers a predetermined amount of a drug or combination
of drugs. Pain medications are delivered around the clock, which can
significantly decrease or eliminate the amount of drugs that the sufferer
takes to take care of their pain. Even medication that is given for
break-through pain is not always needed. The pump is place in the body
permanently but only after a trial run of the pump is put in to see
if the medication works, and if so, how much of that medication is needed.
- Rhizotomy: Surgical deconstruction of a nerve
root or the root itself in a certain place such as around the intervertebral
joints in order to relieve pain. This procedure is not recommended by
this organization as it is both extremely dangerous and irreversible.
- Specialized medications for RSD: There are
many types of these medications and are discussed here.
- Spinal Column Stimulators or Neurostimulators:
Planted under the skin, these devises send out electric signals to “block” the
signals the RSD sends toward the brain.
- Sympathectomy: There are a couple different
types of this treatment, including where the nerve is cut or burned
with chemicals. These treatments have extremely limited good results.
On the negative side, this treatment can have very damaging results.
The treatment is, however, reversible.
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