Kempsey's Dean Harvey aiming to spread a message for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Awareness Month

The Sea Eagles shrine in his lounge room says it all - and he's rubbed shoulders with two of their best; Des Hasler and Geoff Toovey.

While another Manly premiership would be important for him, there's one priority that lists above that - awareness and acknowledgment of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).

Dean, 45, was first diagnosed with CRPS when he was 27, at John Hunter Hospital.

CRPS can be contracted by a number ways; including an operation, trauma and broken bones. Sometimes there is no known reason to contract it.

The syndrome can come on very suddenly with burning, throbbing, stiffness, numbness and muscle spasms.

Pain transfers from limb to limb, bruising, loss of motor skills and loss of muscle tone.

"The onset of CRPS can last up to 6 months," Dean said.

"I get it mainly, but not only, in my legs."

Dean is an active community member, participating in lawn bowls every Wednesday, Riding for the Disabled and has attended the Royal East Show twice.

However, when the affects of CRPS arrive, Dean's mobility in the community is limited. He cannot walk and is in a wheelchair for however long the episode lasts.

"You can't put a feather on his foot or leg - it's that much pain," Dean's mother Helen described.

Due to the families steep driveway, when he gets it, he cannot get his wheelchair out of the house to go anywhere.

With November being CRPS Awareness month, Dean wants to let more people know about this condition and what symptoms look like.

CRPS can be a controversial topic for some doctors, with Dean and his family experiencing difficulties with diagnosis.

He's been told he has diabetes, arthritis, gout and fluid among other things. However after repeated testing, they are all negative.

Dr Carol Booth was the local GP who suspected Dean might have CRPS.

"CRPS can be difficult to diagnose. It can occur after even minor injuries," she explained.

"One of the hallmarks of CRPS is that the severity of the pain may seem out of proportion to the injury, and the pain lasts longer than might be expected however, the condition has identifiable physical signs and symptoms.

"The cause of CRPS is not well understood but it's important to obtain a correct diagnosis because there are treatments, and early treatment can give the best chance for recovery.

"If there is doubt about the cause of ongoing pain, it may be best to seek referral to a Pain Specialist.

"It can be difficult to get an appointment with a specialist when you live on the Mid-North Coast, and seeing a specialist often means people have to travel.

"If the GP can contact a pain specialist to advise that a diagnosis of CRPS is suspected, then often pain specialists will try to offer early appointments."

The awareness month has run for 22 years, however Dean and Helen were only made aware of it this year.

"We want to get in contact with people who also suffer from it to create a support network," the family said.

"We want people to listen to what Dean is saying and take notice."

If people suspect they have CRPS the following website may be useful - https://crpsnetworkaustralia.org.au/information-for-new-patients/

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