CRPS: Initiation of Flashcards for Laterality

This is an email from a patient I sent 49 flashcards on Laterality for CRPS. The patient describes her initial response well. The first 30 days at three times per day are to be logged and sent to me every 10 days. This dramatically helps with the re-wiring process needed in CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome).

Right Foot or Left Foot?? Looks easy? Not if the Nerves are not sending the right signals back to the brain.

Hey Dr Blake:

I did get the flashcards. My husband wrote the correct answer on the back corner of each one, so if I'm doing it by myself I can check the answer and sort them into 2 piles of correct and incorrect answers, or whoever is working with me can do the same. I also downloaded a metronome app for my iphone, so I or the test giver can time 3 seconds accurately. As I get better we can increase the speed.

I got only 35 correct the first time and 37 the second time (we didn't get three sessions in yesterday). I did feel both feet tingling during and after each flash card session, which I take as a good sign that my brain is sorting out the connection to the feet.

I will do mirror therapy today as well, and see how that goes. 

What a strange disorder. I am worried that it's gone on too long and so I will never recover, but I know I shouldn't think that way.

Thank you again for your kindness and help. 

Kim (name changed)

Here is the Log that Kim is following:

Laterality Flashcards

Test: ______out of 49 (3 second holding of each photo)

                      Session 1                  Session 2                Session 3

Day 1:

Day 2:

Day 3:

Day 4:

Day 5:

Day 6:

Day 7:

Day 8:

Day 9:

Day 10:

                   Please fax or email to Dr Blake after 10 days

Day 11:

Day 12:

Day 13:

Day 14:

Day 15:

Day 16:

Day 17:

Day 18:

Day 19:

Day 20:

                   Please resend new results to Dr Blake

Day 21:

Day 22:

Day 23:

Day 24:

Day 25:

Day 26:

Day 27:

Day 28:

Day 29:

Day 30:

Dr Blake's Response: 

     Kim, Thank you for the great feedback. Here is the checklist I need you to fill out and email or fax back to make sure we are on the same page. God's speed with the Re-Wiring!! Rich Go through the checklist and put any thoughts on what you are doing right now to address each area. Some will be confusing. Thanks for all the articles you gave me. I will use them to update myself and my checklist, etc.

Patient: ________________          Date: ______________

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Checklist

    Identifying the Source of pain

     

     

    Mechanical Means of Breaking Pain Cycle

     

     

    Oral Medications to Break Pain Cycle

     

     

    Topical Medications/Applications to Break Pain Cycle

     

     

    Alternative

     

     

    Nutritional

     

     

    Rehabilitation of Limb Function

     

     

    Being Productive as possible

     

     

    Co morbidities

     

     

    Other