Originally Posted by Marci B.

Hi I am new to the group and have had RSD/CRPS since 2006. I started showing symptoms in 2003 but didn't get diagnosed. I was in a bad car accident in 2003 and crushed my leg and ankle. After 13 surgeries, not only did it not fix my ligaments and tendons but caused severe nerve pain after a neuroma was removed in my leg. I have heard so many times that there is nothing else that can be done. Tried acupuncture and he wouldn't touch me. My orthopaedic doctor doesn't want to do anymore surgery after I got the RSD diagnosis even though I still have tendon and ligament problems. Found a place that performed the Ketamine injections and they won't touch me either because I went so long misdiagnosed. It is the only place I have been able to find in North Carolina. I also was told to just learn to live with it. They try to put me on strong pain meds and all this nerve medication but cannot take because of side effects. I also have a 6-year-old who I don't want to be drugged up and miss out on watching him grow up. I suffer a lot just so I don't miss any of the important milestones. Now that RSD is being talked about more, I have realized that I don't have to just live with it. I can learn how to not make it worse and how to try to be as comfortable as I can. I have been reading up on some things but still getting very frustrated with trying to figure out what to do. I have realized sitting too long is bad but being up on my ankle isn't good either. Trying to find that happy medium has been the hardest thing. I have had a big increase in muscle spasms and it goes all the way up to my knee. I do have a spinal stimulator that has really helped but doesn't take all the pain away. Some days I can't walk at all and both of my legs hurt so bad I feel like I have the flu. My brother and my parents don't understand and don't want to get educated so the only support I have is my husband and son. I haven't been able to find anything about the types of food you should stay away from or drinks that can make it trigger the RSD. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I walk around with my pants leg rolled up to my knee as diabetic socks even hurt when they are on my leg and foot. I wear slip on shoes because I have to be able to take them off quickly when the lightning strikes start. I only get about 4 hours of sleep and pretty much just take every day at a time as I hate thinking I have to go through another day like this. I think if I knew more what to do that would help me at least feel like I was doing all I can to help ease the pain. Any suggestions would be great. I just want to be the best mom and wife I can with the rest of my days here on earth. I am in my early 40's and just not ready to give up yet. I wish my parents and brother would try to help me more instead of making things worse for me. I will never forget when my brother told me I just needed to suck it up and learn to live with it. It broke my heart. Thanks for listening to me and giving me any advice you may have.