Adalaide,
So very sorry to hear about your long years of suffering & wish you did
not need to find us here. But WELCOME! This forum is just wonderful
for help, peer advice, support, venting & UNDERSTANDING!

I was pretty lucky to get dx'd. in about 5 wks. but my RSD/CRPS started out
visually dramatic. I haven't had a remission but I do get relief from nerve
blocks, meds etc.

To start off, read all you can but please try not to dwell on worst case scenarios. I don't know what part of the world/country you're in but there's
a great website RSDHope.org. There's so much good info. there.
A good pain management Dr. & physical therapist can provide many options to help so don't give up hope just because it's been 5 yrs.
Again I don't know where you're located but many of us have been lucky to
find P.M. Dr.'s knowledgable about RSD/CRPS.
Also there's a video I like on youtube (it's very long) by Dr. Pradeep Chopra.
He is giving a seminar about RSD and it's worth it even if you can only watch small segments at a time.
Try to hang in there and we're here for you!