The main thing about rsd is that everything else has been ruled out.

It's not unusual at all in the early days of rsd for the pain to come and go or to feel relatively mild. Everyone has a different pain threshhold which also plays a huge part in how they rate their pain. Some have a 10 pain right from the get go that never stops. Others, it comes and goes, as does the discoloration of the skin and swelling. I had swelling of my left knee and lower leg for the first 4-5 months. Once I began walking on my own again, the swelling disappeared. Since then, just over 6 yrs ago now, I only have minor swelling in my ankles and that's it. I've had my hands swell a couple of times but only because I seriously overdid it.

The ruling out of everything else is the reason why docs will have x-rays, mri's, emg's and bone scans done if they suspect rsd. Those along with the physical symptoms will confirm it. It's important the doc is knowledable about rsd and also don't have their head full of myths.

My pain was pretty bad right from the start but I had good days when the pain wasn't so bad. This up and down thing is what gets to many people. They expect rsd to be horrific pain and if they don't have it they think they don't have rsd. It's doesn't have to be that bad but as time goes on without treatment, it can become that way. RSD is a disorder with a lot of fluctuations of symptoms. A lot of things are "normal", and it's always a good idea to be sure it's not something else.

Hugs,

Karen