Two years ago, I was scouring the Web to find anything about RSD and more specifically, about cures, since the local RSD specialist not only confirmed a diagnosis that I had RSD in my left foot/ankle, but informed me there was no cure for it. The pain was debilitating, beyond any pain I'd ever known physically;I couldn't bear to stand on that foot. I was looking for information and also for hope. I wanted to know that others do recover from this.

Two years and multiple doctors later, after physical therapies, water therapy, Tramadol, Lyrica, nerve blocks, weight training, psychologists, books by Dr. Seigel, hearing one specialist tell me there was hope and that it was possible I could get better (priceless words), special diet attempts, yoga, swimming, lots of prayer, and replaying the theme from Rocky, I am better. I don't know if it's remission or cure, but the cold sensation eventually disappeared, the feeling of walking on broken glass while someone pours scalding water on my my ankle has mostly subsided, the foot no longer looks like a bear's claw, it's also no longer blue on the bottom, I have weaned myself off the Tramadol (after many attempts and failures), am down to less than 75mg (from 300mgs) of Lyrica a day and am wanting to write this simply so someone else who is where I was two years ago can hear someone who has been there write what I longed to read: There is hope. Every persons body responds differently to the RSD experience, and although some doctors may tell you there is no cure, or that you were diagnosed late, or that the chances of you overcoming it are minimal, there is hope. I am much, much, much better and do believe there is hope.