Hi Cheryl,

It's great to see you have finally made it to the RSD forum, although I am so sorry that you have to be here!! Everyone is so nice and caring and I am sure they will be more than happy to help you and answer any questions that you may have so please, feel free to post about anything!!

I can't tell you how happy I am to hear that the nerve block worked for you - I had been following your story of the frozen shoulder on the MS forum and knew how bad your pain was so it was SO good to read a positive post and know that your pain went down to a more manageable level! I really hope that the nerve block helps you on Friday and that you get even more pain-relief - you are in my thoughts and please keep us updated when you can!!

When I was diagnosed with RSD, my doctor immediately did a nerve block (like the same day!) into my left foot (the leg with RSD) but unfortunately, I developed a major complication that left me in a wheelchair for over a year! My Pain Management Doctor didn't know that you should NEVER inject into an RSD limb unless you absolutely have to so he went ahead with the procedure and by that time, it was too late for me unfortunately and it was only after I had the nerve block and the complications started happening that my mum found an article on the internet stating NEVER to inject into an RSD limb unless it is absolutely nessacary (sp?)!!!]

At the time I was diagnosed and because of all of the complications I developed, I ended up staying in hospital for about 3 weeks and during that time I had LOTS of Physical Therapy and my Doctor put me on various medications to try and help me and relieve some of the pain! I was eventually discharged, still in a wheelchair and I then went 3 times a week for PT and to see my Doctors.

The most important thing to do is keep moving your limb - I KNOW it hurts but that is one of the things that will help you a lot in the long-run!!! I have Dystonia on top of the RSD (it's a complication of the RSD) and I haven't been able to move my leg for nearly 2 years now and am looking at going down the casting route now as nothing else has worked ... i'm not looking forward to it at all as I have read so many horrror stories about it!!

Also, unfortunately depression goes hand-in-hand with RSD (I know it certainly did for me!) so if you feel really down, please go and see a Psychologist and see if they can help you! At first, I really hated seeing my Psychologist as he was useless but I eventually found one that was really nice and she made a huge difference to my life and taught me different techniques to work through the pain etc.

I'm thinking about you and if you have any questions, you know where I am - I'm more than happy to help you if I can as I know how scary it can be dealing with such an awful condition! I wish you the best of luck with your nerve block tomorrow and please keep us updated when you are able to!!