CRPS versus Small Fiber Neuropathy

[FeatherMe]

I have just been diagnosed with CRPS. I also have small fiber neuropathy. What are the differences? No testing was done to dx the CRPS. It was done by history and appearance. Obviously I have had it for a while in my right foot and now in my left, but there is no swelling in my left while there is considerable edema in my right. I am not happy about what I have read about RSD (CRPS) and what happens with a late dx. One article I read says rest and time makes it worse. Walking is very painful. Have been using crutches for four years and now I'm having chest wall problems and have been told to rest and stay off the crutches. Keeping my foot down is painful. I'm being sent to pain management but can't get an appt. until mid-August. My podiatrist has dismissed me. What do I do? I have a power chair. Do I invest in a ramp and a handicap ready vehicle?

[MG (Admin)]

CRPS usually results from some kind of trauma to the affected area...there are 2 types..one which happens after a big nerve gets squashed or cut for instance and the other type which can happen without any such nerve trauma.

I have just been diagnosed with CRPS. I also have small fiber neuropathy. (SFN) What are the differences?

So the CRPS defines the symptoms whilst small fiber neuropathy describes a mechanism (a cause of symptoms)...so they are not mutually exclusive and in fact it could be that if you have a SFN that this is in some way contributing to your CRPS.

What do I do? I have a power chair. Do I invest in a ramp and a handicap ready vehicle?

Well if the final diagnosis is in fact CRPS then you need to be treated in a center specializing in this...there are meds, exercises, nerve blocks and many other treatments for this.
In fact this syndrome is very rarely treated in neurology clinics and is almost exclusively treated in "pain clinics" .

I think that now that a diagnosis has been made you can be more optimistic that treatment will result in your improvement...so I would not take any drastic steps until you see how the treatment goes.

all the best

[FeatherMe]

I can't get into pain management until mid-August. I am renting a knee walker in hopes that staying off my foot totally for a period of time will calm things down. It's portable. I can leave it in the garage and use crutches to get to my chair. No ramp needed. No special vehicle. Driving is painful but it may be less so if not as irritated as it is now. Pool therapy is the best!

Thanks for your explanations.