Are you experiencing unexplained pain?

Annette Lambly-Robinson Reporter from Whangārei Leader

Are you suffering pain that other thinks you may be imagining?
Has an injury healed but the pain is so great you think you are going mad?
Would you like to be able to share with others this unexplained feeling ?
READ more then;

A Northland woman is warning people who are experiencing extreme pain for no apparent reason to seek advice because they may be suffering from complex regional pain syndrome.

In July Jill Ansell-Douglas fell in the hallway of her Whangarei home fracturing her wrist. She was taken to hospital by ambulance, her wrist was plastered and she was sent home. as was normal for this type of accident.

However for Ansell-Douglas the pain from what was essentially a simple facture became so intense she thought she was losing her mind.

"I was doing bizarre things like putting the milk in the oven and mixing my words. I thought I must have hit my head when I fell - even though I knew I hadn't.

"The pain kept ramping up rather than subsiding and while having my plaster changed I nearly passed out from just the vibration of the cutting tool.

"Friends and family kept telling me the pain was in my head. I started doubting my own sanity, and felt isolated."

"Normally I have a reasonably high pain tolerance - but I was confused, nauseous, sweating, had swelling, burning, shooting pains and an extreme sensitivity to touch, none of which were diminishing as time went on. I even tried ripping my plaster off in my sleep."

Once out of plaster, Ansell-Douglas found she couldn't move her hand or arm.

While x-rays revealed "nothing", painkillers and anti nausea pills were still having no effect.

She asked her doctor for a referral to a physiotherapist.

Hand therapist Julie Taylor believed her patient was suffering from complex regional pain syndrome and started treatment including craniosacral, mirror box and hand therapy which is starting to help.

CRPS is a long-term disorder of the nervous system and not easily diagnosed. was first recorded in the 19th century during the American Civil War.

The exact cause is unknown, but among other triggers, even relatively minor trauma to a body part may lead to CRPS.

As a result of her experience Ansell-Douglas is keen to help others gain support, and share resources and service providers' details. While there is a Kiwi CRPS website Ansel Douglas would like to set up a Northland support group.

"I'd like to set up a group, but am unsure on the format. It could be formal meet sessions or an online chat group. I'm keen to hear from others to discuss options. Please call me on 021 117 6622."