Complex regional pain syndrome and its treatment with LDN

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), called reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome (RSDS) too, is a chronic pain syndrome in which the affected site receives high levels of nerve impulses. Specialists consider that CRPS happens as a consequence of dysfunction that occurs in the CNS or PNS.

CRPS is majorly common in individuals of ages between 20 to 35. The condition also can affect children. It occurs in women more frequently than men. CRPS cannot be completely cured.

What Causes Complex Regional Pain Syndrome?

CRPS mostly does not originate from a single cause; instead, it emerges from various reasons that generate similar symptoms. Some experts' opinions suggest that receptors of pain in the afflicted part of the body grow high responsiveness to catecholamines, which is a type of nervous system messengers. In injury-related CRPS, the condition might occur due to a triggering of the immune response, thus leading to the inflammatory signs of redness, temperature, and swelling in the injured area. According to this analysis, it is considered that CRPS might signify the disruption of the restorative process.

CRPS Symptoms

Indications and symptoms of CRPS comprise:

● A continuous sensation of burning or pulsating pain, normally in your arm, hand, leg, or foot.

● Sensitiveness to touch or cold.

● Inflammation of the painful area.

● Modifications in skin temperature, fluctuating between sweaty and cold.

● Differences in skin color, varying from blotchy and white to red or blue.

● Modifications in skin texture, the skin might become delicate, thin, or polished in the troubled area.

● Variations in nail and hair growth

● Stiffness, damage, and swelling of joints.

● Muscle spasms, tremblings, weakness, and degeneration (atrophy).

● Decreased capacity to move the affected body part.

Symptoms might fluctuate over time and differ from person to person. Discomfort, soreness, redness, notable fluctuations in temperature, and hypersensitivity (especially to cold and touch) normally occur first.

After some duration, the impaired limb can grow cold and pale. It might experience skin and nail modification including muscle spasms and cramps. Once these modifications happen, the syndrome is usually irreversible.

CRPS infrequently might spread from its originating point to somewhere else in your body, like your opposite limb.

In a few patients, indications and symptoms of CRPS disappear on their own. In others, they might continue for years. Treatment is expected to prove most efficient if begun early on the onset of the ailment.

Diagnosis of CRPS

There exists no particular diagnostic test to detect CRPS, however, testing can diagnose other conditions. Triple-phase bone scans are used to recognize modifications in the bone and circulation of blood. Some health professionals might apply a stimulus such as heat, cold, or touch to decide whether there is pain in a particular area.

Obtaining a confirmed diagnosis of CRPS might be challenging in the early onset of the disorder when signs are infrequent or mild. CRPS is diagnosed principally by observation of the symptoms mentioned below:

● The existence of an initial trauma

● A more-than-expected feeling of pain from a trauma

● A modification in the form of an affected area

● No additional cause of pain or changed appearance

Treatment of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Because CRPS has no cure, the aim of treatment is to alleviate painful symptoms linked with the disorder. Strategies used involve physical therapy, psychotherapy, and medicinal treatment, like topical analgesics, corticosteroids, narcotics, osteoporosis medicines, and antiseizure medications.

Other treatments involve:

● Sympathetic nerve blockage: These blocks are performed in various ways, and can give significant pain relief to some people. One type of block comprises placing an anesthetic with the spine to block the nerves of the sympathetic system directly.

● Surgical sympathectomy: This argumentative technique kills the nerves associated with CRPS. Some specialists consider it gives a positive result, while others believe it worsens CRPS. The procedure should be practiced solely on people experiencing dramatic pain and are relieved momentarily by selective sympathetic blocks.

● Spinal cord stimulation: This method involves the placement of electrodes next to the spinal cord, and offers pain relief for numerous people having the condition.

Treatment with LDN

Naltrexone which is an opioid antagonist has been used for a really long time in patients to help them overcome alcohol and opioid addiction. Though at doses 1/10th of those generally prescribed for the mentioned condition, an astonishing effect happens that promotes alleviating the pain. Although currently, not enough reliable clinical trials are present that support the use of low-dose naltrexone, we offer a case study outlining the result of compounded low-dose naltrexone that proved dramatical improvement in the patient's pain symptoms that did not respond to any other treatments.

Low-dose naltrexone (LDN) produces its effect on the nervous system to achieve its pain-relieving effect on overall and chronic pain such as neuropathic pain. Several studies show the immune-modulating impacts of LDN on chronic pain and pain that involves inflammation. LDN is supported by many doctors as a treatment choice for CPRS. Harbor Compounding Pharmacy can help you by preparing the right dose of Low Dose Naltrexone for you.