Wednesday 28 May

I have ben watching videos on the net about RSD/CRPS, it is quite depressing, terrifying in fact, people who have been severely incapacitated for years.  Because the pain is creaping up the arm, I am starting to be quite concerned. My scar is red and shiny, and very sore tonight; had shooting pains all day, tolerable but persistent. Skin very sensitive on scar and around wrist.

I have found this blog (One girl’s journey into CAM) relating somebody’s _successful_experience with acupuncture (CAM being Complementary Alternative Medicine). Have considered acupuncture but has only found two studies where acupuncture has registered positive results with crps; some publications mention the fact that because acupuncture is using needles, these could add more trauma to the already traumatised area so acupuncture could be risky.

I have an appointment with a musculoskeletal specialist next Tuesday so will wait for his advice and see which treatment he will recommend; probably a course of steroids, not too keen on these but we’ll see.

Thursday 15 May

Scar is not better, quite painful to the touch and swollen. Regular ‘electric’ pains are continuing, from wrist to elbow and within thumb.

Had an appointment with my surgeon and he diagnosed a ‘reactive scar’ and CRPS, and is referring me to musculoskeletal specialist; thinks I should have steroids to improve the condition.

Had a physio session; scar and hand massaged (burning pain improved after a few minutes) and asked to dribble with ball and throw it against wall, catching it with both hands. The only positive of the day was the improvement in the flexion and extension of the wrist (extension reached 55!); this is the result of a lot of work I did during the last week; I kept at it despite the increasing pain so was glad it had born fruit. It proved I can regain some flexibility, even at this late stage.