Treatments for CRPS

Hi mm19078 

I have crops in my right ankle and leg I have seen  physio and been given exerscises to do also I had a 6 week course of hydrotherapy, because I want to get better so badly I did a 100 reps of my excesses instead of 25 so I  didn't do myself any good.I now have to do less and rest 3  times a day.The hydrotherapy helped I think .Just waiting now to see what's next. Good luck with whatever you decide🌸

Hi I have crps in my right wrist following a break last summer. I'm surprised you haven't been referred to physio as a first option for treatment. I've had regular physio for about 10 months now, my hand is now where near as swollen as it was, but still have pain and can't make a fist, but can do more things now, it's not as useless as it was. Give it a try

I had physiotherapist from the start but the specialists there can't do anything for me as my range of movement are very good but I am lacking in strength and am always in allot of pain that's why I have been referred to the pain clinics specialist head physiotherapist as she can do more treatments I.e. acupuncture ect.. I just don't want to waste my time.

Thank you, sorry I misunderstood. I've gone from regular physio to pm physio who hasn't done much physio at all, seems to want to talk feelings. It seems each hospital follows there own plan rather than a recognised plan of action. No wonder this disease beats them. Living in hope! Please let me know how you get on

Hi, i have had CRPS in my left foot and limb for 4 years and have had physio for 3 and half of those. I cant believe it has been this long but at last my range of movement is so much improved and i have found that strength is also increasing and reduction in pain. From the research i have done it seems that the correct physio is key to gaining functionality again its just so hard to balance the exercise and weight bearing whilst not increasing your pain and that is all down to pacing. A referal to an Occupational Health Nurse can help with that providing they are aware of CRPS. Slow and gentle has worked for me and i have recently become able to come down stairs normally instead of bad leg first and when it was really bad i had to go up and downstairs on my backside. Obviously i had lots of other problems but ive used that as an example of how you can gain strenth it just might be a long haul but worth it. Good luck and remember to be kind to yourself.

In my opinion physio as it is not invasive might help and unless you have a really brutal physio (old school!) is worth a try .Often they know more than doctors as they see you on a weekly basis and have alot of experience with post op patients etc They spend more time with you than a doc 

Hi,

I've had CRPS for 3 years now. The first year was a dreadful and lonely experience.

In retrospect, I'm grateful for my GP for her rapid referrals to Neurologists and pain clinics.

One place I would STRONGLY recommend all CRPS sufferers to go is the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases in Bath. They have a specialist CRPS programme (2 weeks inpatient). Their team of doctors and nurses are fantastically professional. They CRPS team is headed by Professor Candy McCabe, and she is renowned for her studies and research on CRPS. My referral was made through my GP on the NHS. The clinic also accepts international referrals and I believe is costs £10,000 for the 2 week inpatient programme.

I agreed to enter this 2 week programme out of desperation and I had no conviction that it would help. I was also very anxious to be admitted to hospital for 2 weeks as an inpatient. Believe it or not, by the end of the programme, I was anxious from leaving hospital!

It was hugely beneficial and it has helped me fully understand the pain. I am managing much better now mentally, and I feel that I now have control over my pain rather than the opposite. I am still under their care and I am due to be re-admitted for another 2 week inpatient programme for the third time in less than a year. I feel that they are fully on top of my condition and they work tirelessly to improve my condition. I am so grateful for their continued input.

I would strongly recommend anybody with CRPS, no matter how early or late on, to push their GP's to make a referral for this fantastic specialist team. Most GP's have never heard of CRPS, never mind who they should turn to or refer you to.

Their website is: http://www.rnhrd.nhs.uk/page/79

I hope this helps anybody who has reached a dead end with their GP's or 'specialists'.

I see a physio, she has helped to regain some movment in my hand , but I really dread appointments as it is always painfull, but physio is a very important part of treatment from what I have read.