I just wrote a brief intro on the general site. This seems to be difficult for me.

I was diagnosed with RSD in June, 2009 after 5 months of pain and terror. I initially thought I had injured my right knee while working out. That was in February. In March I visited my internist who wrote orders for PT and gave me names of several physical therapists. I guess I had about 5 sessions and continued to get progressively worse. By this time I was using a cane and experiencing pain and loss of ROM in both knees. I got a referral to an orthopod who found nothing on the X-rays, gave me an NSAID, and a shot of steriod. I was barely able to walk to the car and wasn't able to drive again until September, 2009. I saw the same doc for a follow up and although he seemed to dismiss me as a lunatic whose complaints were just somatic in nature, I somehow persuaded him to order an MRI of both knees. The MRI was essetially normal with a bit of chondromalacia and some cysts. The guy was now truly convinced that there was nothing physically wrong with me. I continued to get worse. My knees felt like they were being eaten with acid from the inside out. The more pain I experienced, the less I moved. My muscles began to atrophy in a relatively short period of time. I once again I visited my internist (someone I have seen for years and who knows me to be one who is rarely ill). She took me seriously and after seeing many specialists, undergoing a plethora of tests and a hospitalization I was diagnosed with RSD. I was now almost bedridden and needed help with basic things. With the help of friends, family, and some excellent health care givers (excluding the orthopod), I am once again functional. I am by no means pain free and I have flare ups. The flare ups do however seem to be less in frequency and duration.

I am thrilled to have found this site. I still sometimes can't believe this has happened to me and mourn my limitations. But I am truly thankful for the functionality I have regained and try not to take anything for granted. I hope I can find as well as provide some comfort.

To health.