Dealing with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), previously known as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome (RSD), is a chronic neuro-inflammatory disorder (Sebastian, 2011). This disorder is characterized by persistent, on-going pain and disability. According to the Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association (RSDA), up to two hundred thousand people in the United States are affected with the disorder every year (“Telltale Signs and Symptoms of CRPS/RSD,” n.d.). Although anyone can be diagnosed with this syndrome, it is most commonly seen in women versus men (3.5:1), and in individuals around age forty (“Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Fact Sheet,” 2013; Goebel, 2011). Unlike most syndromes, diseases, or other illnesses, there is no statistical data available for the mortality rates of CRPS since people do not die from the syndrome. However, those with CRPS may die due to the complications associated with CRPS on the various bodily organ systems including: the cardiac system, respiratory system, musculoskeletal system, endocrine system, urological system, and gastrointestinal system (Schwartzman, 2012).

In October 2007, a nine-year-old Ophelia Brown started experiencing extreme pain in both of her knees. After numerous hospital visits, X-rays and MRIs, she was given a “clean bill of health (cite)” by doctors. However in 2012, she was referred to a rheumatologist at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), where she was diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). CRPS is a neuropathic disorder that is caused by damage to the peripheral and central nervous systems, which then causes the pain to radiate through the limbs. Ophelia experiences “every type of pain”, according to her mother, Sheila Craig and this pain is treated with drugs and physiotherapy. Specifically, Ophelia takes anti-anxiety drugs and a muscle relaxant.

In second grade I was first diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Disorder, witch rendered me paralyzed for six months. CRPS is a nervous system disorder that causes stabbing, burning, constant, severe pain that can come on for no reason. It can cause spasms of muscles and in blood vessels, as well as cause emotional disorders from the trauma that it inflicts. For me, I was left with depression and anxiety over the unknown of when it would next return. I relapsed eighth grade and just last year, continuing through today. I am not shy over talking about the things that ail me, and, I think, my experiences give me more of a say than most to address Nancy Mairs’s essay than it does those who have yet to experience such setbacks in life.

Pain not only involves the physical reaction to damaged tissue, but also involves an emotional and cognitive response by the person experiencing the pain (Backer, 1994). A person's prior experience will influence how pain is managed. Pain is a signal that something is not

Pain is not just a symptom, but a specific problem that needs to be treated. Pain is a neurologic response to unpleasant stimuli. What is the gate control theory of pain? What are the classifications of pain? What are some ways to manage pain?

To most people, pain is a nuisance, but to others pain controls their life. The feeling discomforts us in ways that can sometimes seem almost imaginable. These feelings can lead to many different side effects if not dealt with or diagnosed. These effects can include depression, anxiety, and incredible amount of stress. The truth about pain is that it is vital to our existence. Without the nervous system responding to pain, we would have no idea if we were touching a hot stove, being stuck by a porcupine’s needles, or something else that could leave a lasting effect upon our bodies without us even knowing anything about it.

Complex regional pain syndrome (CPRS) formerly known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy is an autonomic and central nervous system disease that results in an individual’s experiencing chronic pain (Ferrillo, 2016). Pain usually happens in one or more generalized region of the extremities, such as the arms, hands, legs, or feet, but can also affect other parts of the body. Although the particular origin of the disease is undetermined, the majority of the time CRPS is caused by a significant trauma; such as a fracture, sprain, burn, cut, bruise, limb immobilization, or a surgical procedure (Ferrillo, 2016). CRPS stems from a neurological dysfunction that generates severe pain, mild or dramatic changes in skin color, temperature, and swelling in the affected area (National Institute of Neurological disorders and Stroke, 2015). There are two types of complex regional pain syndrome, type I is no apparent nerve injury and may it develop following a noxious event that may or may not have been traumatic. Types II develop after a nerve injury of the affected area (Carr, Cerda, & Fiala, 2016).

Jack Ma, one of the world's most influential businessmen, known for his philosophy of business once said, “Never give up. Today is hard, tomorrow will be worse, but the day after tomorrow will get better” (Jack Ma). This quote is my motto and has pushed me through tough times in my life. One major challenge in my life is living with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), as it affects me daily, yet CRPS has taught me several valuable lessons.

The manifestations of CRPS can impact the orchestration of occupational therapy services and treatment. It is often dependent on the specific factors of the client which may include their belief that they are powerless to managing their symptoms. They may have a diminished ability to maintain their attention to tasks, and become emotionally overwhelmed during occupational performance due to their increased sensitivity to the continuous pain that they experience (American Occupational Therapy Association [AOTA], 2014). Their temperament as well as their energy and drive will have likely declined since chronic pain often inhibits a the ability of one to gain restful sleep. Light touch, sensitivity to temperature and pressure, and pain tolerance

‘Pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage’ (International association for the study of pain 2014). Pain can be made up of complex and subjective experiences. The experience of pain is highly personal and private, and can not be directly observed or measured from one person to the next (Mac Lellan 2006). According to the agency for health care policy and research 1992, an individuals self-report of pain is the most reliable indicator of its presence. This is also supported by Mc Caffery’s definition in 1972, when he said ‘Pain is whatever the experiencing patient says it is, existing whenever he says it does’.

Chronic Pain is an interesting problem in society today. The exact cause of Chronic Pain is not the same in every patient. In fact most patients present with different symptoms and associated pathologies, such as the strong link with depression. Treatment of Chronic Pain is often performed a single practitioner whether that be a Medical Doctor, Chiropractor, Nutritionist, or an alternative health care professional. Chronic Pain is often extremely complex, because of this treatment needs to be multidimensional. Effective care of Chronic Pain requires the collective cooperation of health care professionals

She was told that she was a hypochondriac by doctors. By the time she finally got diagnosed it was too late for her to ever make a recovery. CRPS has isolated her from others. This happened because she is constantly in too much pain to go anywhere or do anything. CRPS for her has lead to depression, anxiety, fibromyalgia, and diabetic nerve pain. She lost many people that were important to her because they did not understand what she was going through. Many believed that she was and still is making up her condition. Lynn claims “The most difficult part about living with CRPS is not being able to do the things that you want to do both physically and mentally.” People do not understand the toll CRPS takes on your life because they can not see it. Most people do not believe things that they can not see. Lynn stated “If there was more awareness about CRPS then I more than likely would have been diagnosed earlier which would have given me a better chance of going into

The International Association for the Study of Pain defines pain as “an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage, or described in terms of such damage” (1979). Pain is actually the culprit behind warranting a visit to a physician office for many people (Besson, 1999). Notoriously unpleasant, pain could also pose a threat as both a psychological and economic burden (Phillips, 2006). Sometimes pain does happen without any damage of tissue or any likely diseased state. The reasons for such pain are poorly understood and the term used to describe such type of pain is “psychogenic pain”. Also, the loss of productivity and daily activity due to pain is also significant. Pain engulfs a trillion dollars of GDP for lost work time and disability payments (Melnikova, 2010). Untreated pain not only impacts a person suffering from pain but also impacts their whole family. A person’s quality of life is negatively impacted by pain and it diminishes their ability to concentrate, work, exercise, socialize, perform daily routines, and sleep. All of these negative impacts ultimately lead to much more severe behavioral effects such as depression, aggression, mood alterations, isolation, and loss of self-esteem, which pose a great threat to human society.

This paper is going to talk about how to deal with chronic pain. First of all, this paper will explain what chronic pain means by providing the foremost chronic pain encountered in life such as low back, joints, or other kinds. Next, this paper will cover why it is important to address conditions related to chronic pain, and will explore methods and strategies showing how to cope with continuing pain. Finally, this paper will share some predictable outcomes and a conclusion.

Pain is a basic mechanism in life that helps the body identify that something is wrong or dangerous. Without pain, the body would be severely damaged without realizing it. Pain can become an inconvenience when it spirals out of control; chronic pain, for example, leaves many miserable and unable to enjoy life to its fullest extent even with traditional medical intervention. Around 80% of people report chronic pain in their lifetime (Holtzman & Beggs, 2013). People afflicted by chronic back pain turn to modern medicine for relief, but even these alternatives are not always 100% effective.