New here and looking for help with CRPS

New to this site. I have read Alan's book and currently reading Tamara's. For the last 2 years I have been into practicing mindfulness meditation and felt like I was in the calmest place I was in for years. Last Feb I had a very simple procedure with a nerve block performed on my right great toe. 2 days after, I developed excruciating pain, redness, swelling. 11 months later after 2 surgeries for what they thought was osteomyelitis, 8 months worth of anti-biotics, a saphenous venous ablation, finally a CRPS diagnosis in July, 40 hyperbaric treatment sessions, failed Sanexas and InterX treatments (neuromodulation), I'm in the worst condition yet. I'm a Firefighter/Paramedic who has stepped away from line duty to work an education/office job (for the time being) Every day is survival mode. I have pain in my foot and up my leg. Since the neuromodulation therapies, I have profound burning (sunburn) feeling through most of my body, especially at night. I have issues sleeping and digesting, my HR is erratic through the day, and I get super hot, then cold. I am normally a very active person and usually spend a lot of time in the gym. Now I'm down to walking short distances and stretching as even 15 min of yoga flares my entire body. Most of the literature I read about CRPS talks about terrible pain which I've had, but now my worst symptoms are the neurologic issues. I do practice some of the Mind/Body techniques, still meditate, and do somatic tracking. That tends to help the pain in my foot but my nervous system symptoms have gotten completely out of control. Anyone else have this type of presentation

 

@Lhotse
Welcome to the forum. So sorry to hear of your difficulties and pain. Yes, many of us have nervous systems totally out of control. Most of us, in fact. I have CRPS-like symptoms too. Over the past year the burning has greatly subsided as I am doing all in my power to soothe my nervous system. Other strange cramping sensations have subsided, too. Tamara’s book is a big inspiration to me.

Have you read anything by Claire Weekes? Hope and Help for Your Nerves is such a lifesaving book. It really lays out the issues of a disregulated nervous system and what to do about it. We swear by it here.

All TMS (CRPS included) is treated the same way. Explore repressed emotions (via John Sarno’s teachings. Try one of his books: The MindBody Prescription or The Divided Mind); and soothe the nervous system.

This forum offers two free highly recommended classes. The Structured Educational Program, and The Pain Recovery Program. Together, they give a great foundation for the TMS journey. Stick around here for support and tons of insight. Healing is possible. People prove it here every day. Hope you can feel some relief soon!

 

Diana, Thank you so much for the reply and input. I have been really working with different modalities to calm my system including cranio-sacral therapy, acupuncture, meditation, somatic tracking, etc. I will look into those other resources. Much appreciated!

 

That’s great! It all adds up.

 

Hi @Lhotse,

Check out the post by @Cactusflower in this thread:
https://www.tmswiki.org/forum/threads/sciatica-pain.28142/#post-146075
It covers that ever-important piece about taking the focus off the physical symptoms in a clear/succinct way:

This video interview with Tamara might be a nice supplement to reading her book:


Reading a book by Dr. Sarno is always a good suggestion, and there's a free program on this site.

Sorry for what you're going through. While it's completely life-altering (for now), there are so many folks with stories like this on this site--many have found a way out. Learn about TMS, look at what's going on in your life.
And, put a time limit on the effort to find someone who had exactly the symptoms you have. It can be a cruel trap that keeps us stuck.

Wishing you well--there's a great community here, and so much help!