Originally Posted by catra121

I have lots of "tricks" that I use to help with the pain and the biggest thing for me is really doing things to prevent worse pain.

I wear gloves and a scarf at work because I am VERY sensitive to cold and air movements. I have a little space heater in my office (even though I am not in it much) so that when I am in there it is toasty warm and I can take my gloves off to use the computer.

I also use a walker...and that honestly helps a lot not only for the things it helps me with physically (balance and pain and gives me a place to sit whenever I need to) but it also gives me a nice personal bubble. People rarely touch me and the walker is a big tip off for them that there's something going on with me health wise and makes people more cautious.

That said...every time I have to shake someone's hand I want to curl up in a corner and cry (I don't...but I want to) and there are always those people who want to slap you on the back or tap you or whatever (I have the RSD in my back too) and that is really hard to deal with. If it's someone who works there I try to calmly ask them not to do that and explain that it hurts. If it's a customer...I try not to say anything because it won't do any good (they didn't do it on purpose and I probably won't see them again).

I also keep my wrist braces, ankle braces, heating patches, lidocaine cream, and TENS unit with me in my purse so that if I need any of those things...they are there for me to use. My purse is gigantic...lol...but it hold everything I need to deal with flares and stuff while I am at work. The braces are mostly used to hold the heating patches in place and they protect me from "people" and give warning not to touch without me having to say anything.

The biggest thing is that I try to just act "normal" and still go about my business. I myself have come up with ways to accomplish all the tasks I need to...but they are different than what I did pre-RSD. My walker is honestly a godsend. I already mentioned some of the things it's good for but I also use it in my work too. My job involves a lot of carrying (merchandise, fixtures, paperwork, etc). Well...I can't carry things much and certainly can't walk and carry things...but I can set them on the seat of my walker or in the little bag under the seat. Helps with groceries too (hanging bags on the handles, setting a basket on the seat to make a make-shift shopping cart, etc).

I really find that having the walker, braces, etc. gives a visual to the people around me that they need to be careful. I need the walker for balance and pain...and it also helps me to perform tasks I couldn't otherwise perform...but it also makes it a lot easier to deal with people. Before my RSD spread and I was able to work without the walker (for a few months)...it was more difficult to deal with people and my needs.

It's a little hard to suck it up and not be self conscious about needing a walker when I am only 30 (27 when I started using it)...but it's SO worth it because my quality of life is so much better with it. I still have bad days...my job is very physical and even though I can last longer with the walker and do more...I still come home sometimes is a TON of pain. But I love my job and am emotionally in a much better place since returning to work and the job I love. I would be in less pain if I didn't work...but I wouldn't be as happy. It's a trade off...but it's worth it for me. If the scale ever tips and the pain is just too much to bear...then I will have to stop working. But I'll do everything I can to put that off as long as possible.