hi luthier. i have had rsd for almost five years too. from what i have read and experienced, symptoms can come and go but the pain is always there. and rsd can spread, stay localized or even go into remission and come back again at a later date. but when you have rsd you know it because of the specific electrical like, burning pain it causes and the affects it can have on ones body physically. i hope you don't have rsd but if you do i hope you can find a dr who can manage your pain for you. soft hugs my friend.