question

[Guest guest]

I have been going to ask the same question for a few days now but wasn't sure

if I was imagining what was happening. I am also nauseated all the time and

the pcp has just put me on maxalon 3 times a day. I am really miserable and

then yesterday I wacked my head on the top bunk and nearly laid myself out.

My head pain is bad as well as the rest of the head and neck pain. Any

suggestions would be appreciated. My pcp also said that I have been living in

pain for over 40 years and pain makes you sick in the stomach. warm regards

Ann in Brisbane Australia

terry wills wrote:

> Hi Everyone,

> I have a quick question. For the past couple of

> weeks, I've had a catch in my neck when I turn my head

> to the left. Have any of you had this and if so did

> you ever find out what it was? It sends a stab of pain

> when it happens and then it's fine. Thanks and God

> bless,Terry in Maine

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

Hey, I had this test done! I didn't know the name though.

I had it done to try and figure out if I had any problems with my lungs, or if I just had asthma instead.

The reason for it, was because I was having some real bad chest pains....and it was while I was pregnant.

Tonia

-------Original Message-------

Evaluation and Tests - Autonomic Testing

What is a Neurological Exam? | Electrodiagnostic | Quant Sensory Testing | Autonomic Testing | Nerve/Muscle Biopsy | Lumbar Puncture | Imaging

Autonomic Testing Autonomic tests measure how the systems in the body that are controlled by the autonomic nerves respond to stimulation. The data collected during testing will indicate if the autonomic nervous system is functioning as it should, or if nerve damage has occurred.

What is it?

The nervous system has three parts: motor, sensory and autonomic. The autonomic system manages all internal functions such as blood pressure, blood flow, and sweating. Autonomic tests are conducted to see if the autonomic nervous system is functioning normally.

Why do it?

Autonomic testing can help determine if a patient is suffering from certain diseases that attack the autonomic nervous system, or as a way to diagnose an illness, or source of pain.

How is it performed?

To see if a disease is affecting the autonomic nervous system, several tests are done to monitor blood pressure, blood flow, heart rate, skin temperature, and sweating. By measuring these functions, it is possible to discover whether or not the autonomic nervous system is functioning normally.

Tests to measure blood pressure and heart rate include the tilt table test, a deep breathing test and the Valsalva maneuver. The tilt table test requires that the patient lie on a table that is then raised. The deep breathing test requires the patient to take deep breaths for a minute. The Valsalva maneuver requires that the patient blow into a tube to increase pressure in the chest. While these simple tests are performed, blood pressure and heart rate are monitored.

The Quantitative Sudomotor Axon Reflex Test (QSART) described separately, is another autonomic test performed to measure sweating and skin temperature.

How will it feel?

All testing is non-invasive and painless.

I HOPE THIS HELPS

TAKE CARE

STACEY

____________________________________________________ IncrediMail - Email has finally evolved - Click Here

[Guest guest]

sandy. wish I could help but have never had that test done.Im from melbourne, Australia.. and am just trying to come to terms with this myself.

I can be contacted on

sabcha@...

if you have any new info please contact me.

best wishes.

sabi"Sandy T." wrote:

Hi Everyone,Thanks so much to all of you for the warm welcome. It is good to be able to talk to other people who know what I am going through. My Dr. took me off the neurotin since I couldn't walk straight on it. It really messed with my coordination.Well, my question is this; Has anyone else had autonomic testing done to diagnose RSD??? And if you did was it conclusive?? Mine is scheduled for Monday.Thanks for any feedback,Sandy T.

[Guest guest]

Sandi,

I have had RSD for 5yrs. My RSD anniversary is June 30th, 1999. I

dont even recall any doctors at that time even mentioning autonomic

testing for RSD. There are many different ways doctors use to " test "

for RSD and none of them are considered the exact right way of

diagnosing RSD. That in part makes it so hard for all of us. There

is no one test or all doctors who agree what test to them indicates

RSD.

Your medical records from the time you were injured including

negative ones from doctors who dont know what they were talking

about or had no idea of what RSD was actually helps prove your case.

The first doctor I saw did x-rays and told me there was nothing

wrong and sent me home with a scolding telling me I just couldnt

handle pain. My initial injury was in my right foot from an auto

accident. That in fact actually helped me in my case to prove that

it wasnt me that was crazy but the doctor had no experience with

anyone with RSD and therefore my symptoms were considered classic

complaints later on.

I dont know if anyone has seen on the news or not that the FDA is

cracking down on doctors and how they use Nuerontin. That medication

was initially prescribed only to people who suffered from seizures.

Doctors have been using it for different things and in high doses

not knowing what the side affects from that could lead to. In many

cases they have found that giving Nuerontin to a patient for RSD or

anything other than Seizures can be very dangerous.

My doctor only put me on a few hundred mgs. I see people on here

that take 6/10,000 mgs. I now consider it a dangerous drug when its

prescribed in that type of dosage.

I hope that you know that just because this one test is being done,

it may diagnose you with RSD but other types of test can be done or

may be done afterwards that your doctor would consider to be more

proof.

In other words, there is no one test that can give you the answer. I

hope you get the best medical care possible as I know how important

that is. You need to be on pain medication to have a better quality

of life. I know these meds are hard to take at first because they do

make you sleepy and have other side affects. Once you get used to

them, you should be able to function better mentally and physically.

You are in my thoughts and prayers,

Rhonda

> Hi Everyone,

> Thanks so much to all of you for the warm welcome. It is good to

be

> able to talk to other people who know what I am going through. My

> Dr. took me off the neurotin since I couldn't walk straight on

it.

> It really messed with my coordination.

> Well, my question is this; Has anyone else had autonomic testing

done

> to diagnose RSD??? And if you did was it conclusive?? Mine is

> scheduled for Monday.

> Thanks for any feedback,

> Sandy T.

[Guest guest]

Rhonda,

Thanks for the feedback. I really appreciate everything I can learn about RSD.

I know I am becoming " dependent " on the results from Monday's upcoming

autonomic

test as a way to get a positive answer on what is wrong with me. I have been

through so many let downs with other tests and Drs giving me the wrong diagnosis

since January. The fact is that I know I have something very wrong with my

arm. I am depressed about it and I can't concentrate on anything else. It

is affecting my quality of life. I go home every night from work and sleep

just to rest up for the next day. My work performance has suffered because

I have no interest anymore in trying to compete with the pain and swelling all

day. I actually fear I am going to lose my job before one of these Doctors

finds some objective results to give to the insurance company to take me out

of work. These are my fears AND why I really need some test to show why I have

chronic pain and swelling.

Thanks again & I look forward to any other advice you may have. What types of

other objective testing can be done for this? I have already had nerve

conductions

studies, MRIs, cortisone shots, trigger point injections, and physical therapy.

All to no avail.

Sandy T.

http://www.connecttime.net

[Guest guest]

Sandy,

I hear you about the typing - this is going to be my last e-mail for the night, even though I have so many more to go I can't do it after working. Anyway, I wanted to ask if you've had any blood work done? Also have they tested it for Carpal Tunnel? Do you know what he is going to do in order to test for RSD? I think we have all gone through the endless tests to finally come up with the diagnosis of RSD, it's not fun and I understand your frustration. Are you having the test done soon? Please hang in there, I'll be thinking of you and keep you in my prayers that someone is able to help you soon.

<hugs> Lori

[Guest guest]

Hi Rhonda,

Maybe I can help. I advise you to get a referral from your family doc to see a pain specialist at a pain clinic, if you haven't already. You may ask the pain clinic doc to do a series of nerve blocks or gangllion nerve blocks going to the affected area of your pain. These types of blocks take a series of about 3-4 different visits to see if you get any pain relief. If you do, then this is a very big indicator that you may have RSD.

I have been where you are, only my fight to find a diagnosis had been for 10 very long years through the mind-field of the most uneducated so-called medical professionals one could ever encounter. I am now too far gone for all early treatments for RSD for any hope of possible remission as I am in the extremely rare percentile of Stage 4 of this excruciating, horrible disease. I just hope and pray you take my advise and try this. Don't take no for an answer! In the end...we are ultimately responsible on how aggressively we persue treatment from the medical community who...most of the time...think we're just plain crazy drug seekers that are making all this up!

I finally got diagnosed, 6 months ago, in my 11th year now and have to get a Morphine Pump surgically implanted into my abdomen with a catheter running round my side and into my spinal fluid to release continual medication 24/7 for the rest of my life!

This doesn't have to happen to you if you can get a pain clinic to do these types of tests to narrow this thing down to what it is and what it isn't, then get the proper medical treatment. Afterall, half the pain is knowing you have an enemy...yet, it has no name to it! I really do understand what you feel. It's agonizing!

You touched my heart, sweetie! Have courage and fight for your rights and make them respect you!

Please, let me know your progress. I care about what happens to you. You are not alone. Take good care.

Gentle Hugs,

Donna

Thought for the Day: Although bear hugs hurt us, life without them would be...... un'bear'able! Twaddle wrote:

Rhonda,Thanks for the feedback. I really appreciate everything I can learn about RSD.I know I am becoming "dependent" on the results from Monday's upcoming autonomictest as a way to get a positive answer on what is wrong with me. I have beenthrough so many let downs with other tests and Drs giving me the wrong diagnosissince January. The fact is that I know I have something very wrong with myarm. I am depressed about it and I can't concentrate on anything else. Itis affecting my quality of life. I go home every night from work and sleepjust to rest up for the next day. My work performance has suffered becauseI have no interest anymore in trying to compete with the pain and swelling allday. I actually fear I am going to lose my job before one of these Doctorsfinds some objective results to

give to the insurance company to take me outof work. These are my fears AND why I really need some test to show why I havechronic pain and swelling.Thanks again & I look forward to any other advice you may have. What types ofother objective testing can be done for this? I have already had nerve conductionsstudies, MRIs, cortisone shots, trigger point injections, and physical therapy.All to no avail.Sandy T. http://www.connecttime.net

[Guest guest]

Sandy, this is s Momma, JoAnn again. When was diagnosed nearly 8

years ago it was done by fact that she was in pain way above normal for

injury to foot/leg, she could not stand on foot, color was bad, foot was

cold, she could not stand to have even a sheet on her foot, nor a very

slight and do mean very slight breeze on her foot (no ceiling fan at all),

touching even lightly just sent her to crying and is one tough lady as

far a being able to handle high levels of pain. So it was mostly that

combination of information that sent her to Physical Therapy and they

started her on water therapy in pool so she could learn to put foot down.

Took over 3 months before she could stand on crutches but when she did I

cried. They did alot of treatments on her and this place knew about rsd and

what to do and not to do. She was very blest by this, which was in Houston,

Texas. Do hope you get some help soon. Know for myself as I live near

Memphis, TN,. that there is a huge difference from one place to another on

doctors knowing anything about rsd or Physical Therapy knowing how to treat

it. I always phone first and ask to speak to nurse at doctors office and

see if they know what RSD is and if so then how many patients they have.

Then phone Physical Therapy place they would send you to and ask if they

know about it and what they do for treatments before go. Of course this

comes from the rotten learning that happens when all is new. Take care and

hope you find answers and help quickly.

s Momma

JoAnn

Re: Re: Question

> Rhonda,

> Thanks for the feedback. I really appreciate everything I can learn about

RSD.

> I know I am becoming " dependent " on the results from Monday's upcoming

autonomic

> test as a way to get a positive answer on what is wrong with me. > >

Sandy T.

> http://www.connecttime.net

>

>

>>

>

[Guest guest]

Teri,

I don't know if I missed you joining the group, I was MIA for a couple of weeks. So I wanted to welcome you to the group! I believe you asked about the SCS, I don't have one yet but a few people in here have probably helped you out with this already. Did anything happen to your arm to cause the RSD - an accident or something? I got RSD in my right knee after surgery last year, but it has now spread through my whole body. I might have a week treatment of IV with Lidocaine and Ketamine, I should find out the details on Friday. Where do you live and are you married, kids, etc? I look forward to getting to know you better and again, welcome.

<hugs> Lori

[Guest guest]

Teri,

I don't know if I missed you joining the group, I was MIA for a couple of weeks. So I wanted to welcome you to the group! I believe you asked about the SCS, I don't have one yet but a few people in here have probably helped you out with this already. Did anything happen to your arm to cause the RSD - an accident or something? I got RSD in my right knee after surgery last year, but it has now spread through my whole body. I might have a week treatment of IV with Lidocaine and Ketamine, I should find out the details on Friday. Where do you live and are you married, kids, etc? I look forward to getting to know you better and again, welcome.

<hugs> Lori

[Guest guest]

> Fawnee, & any others who've lost weight'

>

> Like you, I'm having a hard time creating a new body image for

> myself! I keep thinking that if I eat ANYTHING I'll wake up my

> old, fat self & all my efforts will be for naught.

>

>Barb, T2 in MI, not on meds since summer

>

>

>Yes Barb, I know exactly how you feel. I wake up every morning

(since May, anyway, feeling like a failure because I've gained

(regained, actually) 25 pounds, but as my sister reminded me last

night, I'm still 150 pounds less than I was 2 years ago. Which is

pretty damn good. But I still feel so anxious with the weight

issue, and since diabetes is so closely linked with food, it's a

double whammy.

gail

[Guest guest]

When I lost 70 lbs it took me a few months to realize the loss and then

I could not stop looking in mirrors. My family thought I was nuts

because I would stop at the store shop window and just be amazed..

Have fun....you will soon see a little Fawnee and then you will be

stopping at all mirrors to be In wonder..:-)

-----Original Message-----

From: Maureen Chesley

I have a question for all of those who have lost alot of weight on

discovering diagnosis... those of you who were officially " Obese " or 50

pounds or more overweight. You can answer me in private if you want to

if you don't want the other group members to know.

When do your eyes start understanding you've lost the weight? I mean, I

know I am thinner--but I still see a large person when I look in the

mirror. I can fit into some of my high school things now--like the prom

dress--but I still see fat. Anyone else have this trouble?

Fawnee

[Guest guest]

Maybe it's " phantom fat " like women who have lose a breast from

mastectomy, they have a " phantom breast " that feels like the breast

is still there.

You are still " seeing " yourself as fat simply because the brain has

not adjusted. Have you bought new clothes? Have you exercised or

done anything sporty, or danced? Perhaps the body has to " learn "

that it is thin before it will register you as a " thin person " in

it's image.

A good theory, anyway.

>

> When do your eyes start understanding you've lost the weight? I

mean, I know I am thinner--but I still see a large person when I look

in the mirror. I can fit into some of my high school things now--

like the prom dress--but I still see fat. Anyone else have this

trouble?

>

> Fawnee

>

>

> ---------------------------------

>

[Guest guest]

Maybe it's " phantom fat " like women who have lose a breast from

mastectomy, they have a " phantom breast " that feels like the breast

is still there.

You are still " seeing " yourself as fat simply because the brain has

not adjusted. Have you bought new clothes? Have you exercised or

done anything sporty, or danced? Perhaps the body has to " learn "

that it is thin before it will register you as a " thin person " in

it's image.

A good theory, anyway.

>

> When do your eyes start understanding you've lost the weight? I

mean, I know I am thinner--but I still see a large person when I look

in the mirror. I can fit into some of my high school things now--

like the prom dress--but I still see fat. Anyone else have this

trouble?

>

> Fawnee

>

>

> ---------------------------------

>

[Guest guest]

Virginia

I have the same problem. I'm now 170 and could lose more, but my

doctor says to slow down -- it's bad for the body to lose more than a

pound a week.

I am finding it easy, which never happened before. I consume about

1350-1550 calories a day. About 10-15% of those calories are fat

calories. There are about 100-150 gms. of carbs a day. It is mostly

chicken, turkey, fish, fruits & veggies, 1 or 2 cups skim milk, and a

little bread and cereal each day.

Janie

> Yes, I have the same problem. I'm still losing weight and I love

it and

> everyone is telling my I've lost too much already. I'm beginning

to worry

> about an eating disorder. It's nice to know I'm not alone in this.

> Unfortunately, I have no solution. If anyone does, I'd love to

hear it.

> Virginia

>

>

> >

[Guest guest]

Virginia

I have the same problem. I'm now 170 and could lose more, but my

doctor says to slow down -- it's bad for the body to lose more than a

pound a week.

I am finding it easy, which never happened before. I consume about

1350-1550 calories a day. About 10-15% of those calories are fat

calories. There are about 100-150 gms. of carbs a day. It is mostly

chicken, turkey, fish, fruits & veggies, 1 or 2 cups skim milk, and a

little bread and cereal each day.

Janie

> Yes, I have the same problem. I'm still losing weight and I love

it and

> everyone is telling my I've lost too much already. I'm beginning

to worry

> about an eating disorder. It's nice to know I'm not alone in this.

> Unfortunately, I have no solution. If anyone does, I'd love to

hear it.

> Virginia

>

>

> >

[Guest guest]

Soldiers who have lost arms and legs in battle report 'phantom pain' from the

missing limbs.

Re: question

Maybe it's " phantom fat " like women who have lose a breast from

mastectomy, they have a " phantom breast " that feels like the breast

is still there.

[Guest guest]

Soldiers who have lost arms and legs in battle report 'phantom pain' from the

missing limbs.

Re: question

Maybe it's " phantom fat " like women who have lose a breast from

mastectomy, they have a " phantom breast " that feels like the breast

is still there.

[Guest guest]

- ; OH MY GOD I was cracking up!!!!!! TOO FUNNY!!!! Best laugh

all day!

--

In GastricBypass-LOSERS , " "

wrote:

>

> Well, first they will lay you on a table, tape wires to your head,

> turn the machine on and your right leg will jerk, then your left, and

> then.....NO NO NO, I'm just kidding !!!!!!!!

>

>

[Guest guest]

- ; OH MY GOD I was cracking up!!!!!! TOO FUNNY!!!! Best laugh

all day!

--

In GastricBypass-LOSERS , " "

wrote:

>

> Well, first they will lay you on a table, tape wires to your head,

> turn the machine on and your right leg will jerk, then your left, and

> then.....NO NO NO, I'm just kidding !!!!!!!!

>

>

[Guest guest]

it wasent to me

> - ; OH MY GOD I was cracking up!!!!!! TOO FUNNY!!!! Best laugh

> all day!

>

> --

> In GastricBypass-LOSERS , " "

> wrote:

>>

>> Well, first they will lay you on a table, tape wires to your head,

>> turn the machine on and your right leg will jerk, then your left, and

>> then.....NO NO NO, I'm just kidding !!!!!!!!

>>

>>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Yeah I'm certain last week mt doctor told me! Do the the staples hurt?

> buy yourself a couple long body pillows so you can experiment on how to

> prop

> your body. Are you certian your having open surgery? Just keep on

> telling

> yourself the stapples and drainage tube come out soon..

> Mar

>

>

>>

>> Me too I always sleep on stomach my thing is I'm scared like a little

>> baby of sleeping on my back the few times I have I felt as though I

>> was

>> getting pinned down in the middle of the night! So I'm really scared

>> about that lol

>>

>> > I had open RNY in January and yes I had to sleep on my back. While I

>> > was in

>> > the hospital this was easy for me to do because they gave me

>> something

>> > to

>> > help me sleep. When I went home 5 days later it was a little more

>> > difficult

>> > because I went home with a drainage tube. I bought two long body

>> > pillows

>> > and kind of proped my body at an angle. I was so happy a few days

>> later

>> > when my doctor removed that tube so I could get a good nights sleep

>> > (I'm a

>> > stomach sleeper)

>> > Hope this helps,

>> > Marilynn

>> >

>> > On 7/16/06, xxdedexx@... <xxdedexx%40gmail.com> <

>> xxdedexx@... <xxdedexx%40gmail.com>> wrote:

>> >>

>> >> HI I HAVE A QUESTION FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE HAD THE SURGERY

>> OPEN?

>> >> HOW

>> >> WAS THE PAIN WHAT WAS IT LIKE AFTER? DID U HAVE TO SLEEP ON YOUR

>> BACK?

>> >> JUST IF GUYS COULD SHARE THE EXPEIRENCE WITH ME =) THANK YOU GUYS!

>> >> yim:oxoxdedeoxox

>> >>

>> >>

>> >

>> >

[Guest guest]

FYI.Not every surgeon uses Staples. Check with your docotor. Mines

says he uses stitching and glue, he said it hold better less

infection and pain from the staples being pulled.

I will know next week

> >> >>

> >> >> HI I HAVE A QUESTION FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE HAD THE

SURGERY

> >> OPEN?

> >> >> HOW

> >> >> WAS THE PAIN WHAT WAS IT LIKE AFTER? DID U HAVE TO SLEEP ON

YOUR

> >> BACK?

> >> >> JUST IF GUYS COULD SHARE THE EXPEIRENCE WITH ME =) THANK

YOU GUYS!

> >> >> yim:oxoxdedeoxox

> >> >>

> >> >>

> >> >

> >> >

[Guest guest]

Hi,

Well I'm not going to lie. The pain after was like nothing I have ever

experienced and like nothing I ever hope to again. I remember when I

woke up in recovery I honestly thought I was going to die because I

couldn't breathe (every breath hurt) but then they gave me the

morphine and I slept like a baby. I was kept pretty drugged up the

first 24hrs lol. I had the open RNY though so I have no idea how it

is for lap. Yes, I had to sleep on my back which I HATED but you

really have no choice. All I can say is that with anything, it gets

easier with time and was well worth it. I'd definetly do it again!

Take care,

Open RNY 1/10/05

310/250/150

>

> HI I HAVE A QUESTION FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE HAD THE SURGERY OPEN?

HOW

> WAS THE PAIN WHAT WAS IT LIKE AFTER? DID U HAVE TO SLEEP ON YOUR

BACK?

> JUST IF GUYS COULD SHARE THE EXPEIRENCE WITH ME =) THANK YOU GUYS!

> yim:oxoxdedeoxox

>

[Guest guest]

I didnt feel much for the first day or two because I had morphine too. The

stapples did hurt a bit coming out but the drain was worse. The doctor

looked like a magician pulling out scarfs from a hat while he was pulling

the drain out. For some reason though I seem to be loosing more weigh then

the ones who had the lap surgery in my support group. I don't know

why..though I do know Im more commited then some of them. One woman told me

she ate a regular ice cream sandwich. I would dump like crazy if I ate

that..

Namaste,

Mar

>

> Yeah I'm certain last week mt doctor told me! Do the the staples hurt?

>

>

> > buy yourself a couple long body pillows so you can experiment on how to

> > prop

> > your body. Are you certian your having open surgery? Just keep on

> > telling

> > yourself the stapples and drainage tube come out soon..

> > Mar

> >

> > On 7/17/06, xxdedexx@... <xxdedexx%40gmail.com> <

> xxdedexx@... <xxdedexx%40gmail.com>> wrote:

> >>

> >> Me too I always sleep on stomach my thing is I'm scared like a little

> >> baby of sleeping on my back the few times I have I felt as though I

> >> was

> >> getting pinned down in the middle of the night! So I'm really scared

> >> about that lol

> >>

> >> > I had open RNY in January and yes I had to sleep on my back. While I

> >> > was in

> >> > the hospital this was easy for me to do because they gave me

> >> something

> >> > to

> >> > help me sleep. When I went home 5 days later it was a little more

> >> > difficult

> >> > because I went home with a drainage tube. I bought two long body

> >> > pillows

> >> > and kind of proped my body at an angle. I was so happy a few days

> >> later

> >> > when my doctor removed that tube so I could get a good nights sleep

> >> > (I'm a

> >> > stomach sleeper)

> >> > Hope this helps,

> >> > Marilynn

> >> >

> >> > On 7/16/06, xxdedexx@...

<xxdedexx%40gmail.com><xxdedexx%40gmail.com> <

>

> >> xxdedexx@... <xxdedexx%40gmail.com> <xxdedexx%40gmail.com>>

> wrote:

> >> >>

> >> >> HI I HAVE A QUESTION FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE HAD THE SURGERY

> >> OPEN?

> >> >> HOW

> >> >> WAS THE PAIN WHAT WAS IT LIKE AFTER? DID U HAVE TO SLEEP ON YOUR

> >> BACK?

> >> >> JUST IF GUYS COULD SHARE THE EXPEIRENCE WITH ME =) THANK YOU GUYS!

> >> >> yim:oxoxdedeoxox

> >> >>

> >> >>

> >> >

> >> >