RSD FACTS
PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH RSD/CRPS:
Depression;
Sleep disturbance; Suicidal Tendencies; Anxiety; Loss of Libido; Reduced Memory Retention; Mood Swings; Isolation; Despair;
Reduced Quality of Life.
'DEPRESSION AND RSD'
It has been documented that depression and anxiety can often
occur with persistent pain disorders. RSD/CRPS sufferers are no exception. Moreover, over recent years there has been an increase
in pain clinics offering psychological help. This is due to the fact that; "Recognition that chronic pain is a complex
neurophysiological, behavioral and psychological phenomenon has led to the development of innovative treatment programs. The
programs share one common assumption: If chronic pain is complex, then a combination of treatment techniques are required
to successfully treat patients." (Keefe 1982)
Depression can add to to the disability of RSD. Depression should
be treated by way of therapy or/and drug prescription.
'SOCIAL PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH RSD'
Depression
associated with RSD cannot be attributable to only the pain; the changes it sometimes brings to the life of the sufferer are
numerous and often devastating.
‘Social’
The social
activities many sufferers previously enjoyed can be greatly reduced or even completely stopped. This could be for any one
of several reasons; the not wanting to spoil other peoples enjoyment, maybe because they can no longer keep up with
them; or not feel like contributing to the conversation.
One of the main reasons given for ‘Dropping Out’ is to avoid answering the question “What’s wrong
with you?” and trying to explain the condition, over and over again. Unfortunately because of these problems, people
may become isolated and lose friends.
‘Family’
Being
unable to become fully involved in family activities, maybe playing with ones children or grandchildren is restricted and
the feeling of guilt because of this. Avoiding family functions is sometimes considered an easier option than trying to explain
the facts about the condition and how they feel.
‘Economic’
The
economic impact caused by the condition can be immense, reduced employment or being unable to work at all and having to
rely on benefits, and the feeling of guilt this can bring about. The restrictions on what one or ones family are able
to afford through the reduction in income, perhaps having to forsake holidays, new clothes etc. all these problems can affect
ones self-esteem.
‘Personal’
The
overwhelming fear of the affected limb being more painful through contact, as it frequently is, can present many problems,
this may extend to the rejection of any type of physical contact including that of a partner. This fear can be especially
depressing when it prohibits a person playing with, or even cuddling their children or grandchildren etc.
‘Self Belief’
One
of the most often noted problem is a person’s own doubt as to what it is that they are actually suffering from. This
is hardly surprising, when there are so many conflicting theories being expressed as to its cause, the prognosis and above
all, the skepticism that some doctors have, to the actual existence of the condition.
Unfortunately, there still
exist people, qualified medical professionals, who for reasons best known to themselves, prefer to bury their head in the
sand, to completely ignore the overwhelming medical evidence that has been discovered with regard to the condition. Bearing
in mind all the problems the sufferer has to try to overcome, the affect on their social, financial, family and working
lives, and the sometimes non-acceptance of the actuality of the illness by their doctor, “There is little wonder
that depression becomes an integrated symptom of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy.”
DIAGNOSING DEPRESSION IN RSD/CRPS
(1)Feeling
depressed; sad, empty or tearful.
(2) Loss of interest in all or almost daily activities.
(3) Weight gain or loss, appetite is less or greater
than usual.
(4) Sleep problems
(5) Agitated or slowing down so that others notice.
(6) Tired and lacking energy
(7) Feeling worthless and excessively guilty
(8) Trouble concentrating or thinking clearly
(9) Suicidal thoughts.
‘SOME FACTS OR ASSUMPTIONS
WITH REGARD TO RSD/CRPS.’
(1) Not all cases of RSD/CRPS progress, sometimes the condition stabilizes and some
patients improve or make a full recovery, with or without treatment (fact).
The general consensus within the specialized
field on the condition is, that the earlier the condition is diagnosed and the appropriate treatments administered, the greater
is the chance of success, the general guideline being within the first 50 days of the onset of the symptoms (assumption).
(2)
It is a reasonable assumption that how the condition has behaved over a period of years, marks out how the condition
‘might’ behave in the future.
(3) The vast majority of RSD patients have a normal lifespan (fact).
(4)
Only a small percentage of RSD sufferers end up in a wheelchair permanently (fact).
(5) Although it is well
chronicled that many patients suffer from depression brought about by the symptoms of the condition, there is no evidence
that the suicide rate shows any higher proportion than any other section of society or groupings of specified illnesses (fact).
(6)
There is no evidence that the condition is or can be hereditary, although there are neuropathies, which are hereditary and
have a genetic basis, but these instances are very rare and there aren’t any reliable statistics available that indicate
RSD can be hereditary (fact).
(7) A vitamin deficiency is an assumption held by some within the medical fraternity
that contributes greatly to the development of the condition. Although many neuropathies can be attributed in some part to
certain vitamin deficiencies, the lack of such vitamins with regard to the acceleration of RSD has yet to be determined either
way, although lack of vitamin B12 (Thiamine) is known to damage the peripheral nerve system (fact).
