RSD PUZZLE #7
RSD AND PREGNANCY

"I have RSD. Is it safe to become pregnant?"

There are dozens of references in the literature regarding RSD and pregnancy.

There is no contraindication for an RSD victim to become pregnant. As a matter of fact, as is the case with some other neurologic illnesses such as multiple sclerosis and epilepsy, pregnancy may be beneficial in the management of the disease.

On the other hand, RSD may manifest itself for the first time during pregnancy. This does not imply that pregnancy causes RSD. If the patient already has had some form of nerve damage in the extremity then in the late stages of pregnancy due to inactivity and prolonged bed rest, a sub-clinical SMP (sympathetically mediated pain) can change into a full-blown picture of RSD. The high risk area for this complication is the hip area. This is especially true if the pregnant patient has a tendency to rest practically consistently on one side of the body. The hip that bears the brunt of the patient's weight for long hours or days can manifest the spread of RSD from the knee or ankle area.

The pregnant RSD patient has to remember to stay as active as possible especially in the last trimester. Exercise, heat massage and use of Epsom salt and hot water over the lower extremities especially the hips, are quite helpful.


H. Hooshmand, M.D.

I included some responses from some RSD'ers below: