I just wonder when it's not feasible to think that I will be one of the "cured" ones. I am improving and my RSD was caught within a week, which are supposed to be good indicators. I love ICU nursing, but it is tough on the body and I don't want to let it go. My being out of work for an extended time has made our family finances an absolute shambles (my hubby makes about 1/3 of what I did). This just has to go away and I now find that I am desperate-doing massage and desensitization to the point of tears, contrast baths all of the time, and pushing myself to spend more time walking and bending the effected knee. But, by the end of the day, it really hurts and I wonder if it will be for any good. I have worked my entire life to be a good ICU nurse (got my CCRN, got tons of experience in various places and specialties doing agency, am graduating in December with my BSN and was going to go into the nurse practitioner program, but is that a pipe dream now)? I bounce back and forth between "I'm going to be one of those lucky ones and do anything I can to change this" to "My life is destroyed and why put myself through the pain if this is chronic and will always be my disability." No doc will give you an answer as to chances. I swear, they know a prognosis for Ebola, but not this! I'm frustrated and have been calling all of my past contacts for some clue as it seems my PMR currently is without the balls to tell me the truth (if he even knows.)
Thanks to all who have been answering me. This crap isn't for cowards, but the support sure helps!
Lori Lee