My name is Lauren Zappa. I am a twenty-three year old who was diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome when I was fourteen years old. On April 6th, 2009, I injured myself lifting weights for basketball and four months later, after having surgery to repair the joint that I tore, I was diagnosed with CRPS by my orthopaedic surgeon. It took us two more months to get into a Pain Specialist, because no one would see a minor. When I finally got into see the Pain Specialist, who I continue to see seven years later, he confirmed the diagnosis and I had my first spinal block that day. At this point, the CRPS was only affecting my right foot. Flash forward to seven years later, I have had three foot surgeries (joint repair, osteotomy, and removal of hardware), roughly 47 spinal blocks, both lumbar and cervical, two spinal cord stimulators implanted (both which got infected, having to be removed and replaced months later leading to 8 back surgeries in 10 months), and now my CRPS affects both my legs up to my hips and both my hands. I was in remission for about 6 months in 2012 and it was wonderful, so my ultimate goal is to get back to that! I am making this blog to share my experiences and it is to reach out to other who have this diagnosis as well as to their support systems, because my support system has been the most important part of my diagnosis.
All about CRPS: (Taken from Mayo Clinic)
Complex regional pain syndrome is an uncommon form of chronic pain that usually affects an arm or a leg. Complex regional pain syndrome typically develops after an injury, surgery, stroke or heart attack, but the pain is out of proportion to the severity of the initial injury.
Signs and symptoms of complex regional pain syndrome include:
Over time, the affected limb can become cold and pale and undergo skin and nail changes as well as muscle spasms and tightening. Once these changes occur, the condition is often irreversible.
Complex regional pain syndrome occasionally may spread from its source to elsewhere in your body, such as the opposite limb. The pain may be worsened by emotional stress.
In some people, signs and symptoms of complex regional pain syndrome go away on their own. In others, signs and symptoms may persist for months to years. Treatment is likely to be most effective when started early in the course of the illness.
There are two different types of CRPS:
All about CRPS: (Taken from Mayo Clinic)
Complex regional pain syndrome is an uncommon form of chronic pain that usually affects an arm or a leg. Complex regional pain syndrome typically develops after an injury, surgery, stroke or heart attack, but the pain is out of proportion to the severity of the initial injury.
Signs and symptoms of complex regional pain syndrome include:
- Continuous burning or throbbing pain, usually in your arm, leg, hand or foot
- Sensitivity to touch or cold
- Swelling of the painful area
- Changes in skin temperature — at times your skin may be sweaty; at other times it may be cold
- Changes in skin color, which can range from white and mottled to red or blue
- Changes in skin texture, which may become tender, thin or shiny in the affected area
- Changes in hair and nail growth
- Joint stiffness, swelling and damage
- Muscle spasms, weakness and loss (atrophy)
- Decreased ability to move the affected body part
Over time, the affected limb can become cold and pale and undergo skin and nail changes as well as muscle spasms and tightening. Once these changes occur, the condition is often irreversible.
Complex regional pain syndrome occasionally may spread from its source to elsewhere in your body, such as the opposite limb. The pain may be worsened by emotional stress.
In some people, signs and symptoms of complex regional pain syndrome go away on their own. In others, signs and symptoms may persist for months to years. Treatment is likely to be most effective when started early in the course of the illness.
There are two different types of CRPS:
- Type 1. Also known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome, this type occurs after an illness or injury that didn't directly damage the nerves in your affected limb. About 90 percent of people with complex regional pain syndrome have type 1.
- Type 2. Once referred to as causalgia, this type follows a distinct nerve injury.