Hi JennyK38,

Hi Jennifer, So Sorry to hear about your injury at work and having RSD now. I had breast surgery, both tumors benign, but also got frozen shoulder following the surgery. My arm swelled up, followed by the frozen shoulder. It probably took 100 physical therapy treatments plus massage therapy to get full range of motion. Ortho Dr. wanted to operate, but said no. Shortly later, it moved to the oppposite shoulder and froze. Not so many treatments, got an earlier start. About 5 years from the surgery, was water skiing and pulled nerve in the left hand. Was misdiagnosed with arthritis and bad pain. Finally diagnosed with RSD and back to therapy. Left hand is permanent claw, Then right hand rsd then both feet and legs. full body plus trigeminal nerve pain and half my face. I have finally found a wonderful Dr. Have switched from neurotin (3200 mg to Lyrica 400 mg. The Lyrica is much better for me and lessens the nerve pain. Am on Ambien Cr for sleep. The Lorazepam helps with anxiety and two different blood pressure meds and two different anti-depressants that help with nerve pain. I used to have the electrical jolts bad and spasms. High blood pressure and then sudden drops. This disorder really affects so much of your life, memory, depression, sleep deprivation, energy level,the pain is unbearable . I had a tens unit too Jenny, Swimming is one of the best things that help me. I hate the weight gain from the meds, and the
exhausation from the meds and depression. I'm afraid to try to scale down, because I had a bad drop in pressure and passed out for over an hour. B/P
was 60/40 4 days in icu. I was able to drop down two vicodin a day because the Lyrica was more effective for me than neurotin. This forum and helped me too with the isolation and missing so much my old active life. It is a real adjustment in life and missing all the things we used to do. I try and be grateful for what things I have now, a husband that does so much-shopping, drug store, housework. etc. Our daughter is married-7 years now and just moved to Chicago. Life is full of change isn't it. I'm 59 and guess this has been with me for maybe 14 years. I have a good friend here in AZ with full body RSD from car accident. Jennifer, are you on SSDI, I read somewhere, it's easier to get now. If I every try, Ii'll use an attorney. Jennifer, hand in there, there is a lot of understanding and knowledge on this forum. Lots of encouragement, I'm trying to exercise more and loose weight. It's really hard emotionally to gain so much weight and not really have the energy to work out. I'm starting out slow and adding a minute or so a day.Please know we are all here for you. Sincerely, loretta jewell