3 Patients, 3 Stories, 1 Challenging Disease: Examining Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Through the Patient’s Perspective
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a debilitating disease that is extremely difficult to treat. While it is common knowledge that CRPS is one of the most painful disease processes known to modern medicine, this barely scratches the surface of the morbidity and quality of life challenges that patients with this disease suffer. Also, each patient’s experience, symptomatology, and diagnosis journey IS different which further compounds this challenge. Some patients are limited by pain, some are limited by motor function, some are limited by sudomotor symptoms, some experience them all. Lastly, not all patients have success with the same treatment plan. In this program, we will hear the firsthand story of three patients who were diagnosed with CRPS. In their own words, you will hear their story, inciting event, symptoms, challenges, interactions with multiple medical professionals, and the three very different treatment plans that potentially changed the trajectory of their disease process. One who sought a primarily complimentary medicine path. One who sought a more traditional western medical path, and lastly, a patient who found relief with neuromodulation. Through this lens, we will review the current literature about what is effective for CRPS and which treatments may be most effective for the right patients. We will also discuss how to empower and motivate patients to find the correct treatment pathway for them.
Learning Objectives
- Review the literature behind effective treatments for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome including interventional, pharmaceutical, and alternative treatments.
- Examine three patient cases, including video descriptions of symptoms and the utilization of different care pathways to improve from Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.
- Discuss the pathophysiology behind Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and why different care pathways could be effective.
- Understand how Complex Regional Pain Syndrome affects quality of life, and more importantly, how variable and different that effect can be on different patients.
Available Credit
- 1.00 AANP
- 0.50 AANP Pharmacology Hours
- 1.00 ACCME (All Other)
- 1.00 MATE ACT credit
- 1.00 ACCME (MD/DO Only)
- 1.00 ACPE Pharmacy
- 1.00 ANCC
- 1.00 APA