Originally Posted by jmac51

Hi Smoke,

Welcome to the group, there is a lot of information here, and the people are real friendly. I've had RSD for 4 yrs., it started in my right ankle, then spread up my right leg, over to my left ankle, up my left leg, into my lower back. Next it spread to my arms, so now I have full body.
Don't let anyone tell you, you are weak because you are taking pain meds. RSD is one of the most painful diseases rated on the McGill Pain Index, side by side with Cancer. I contracted RSD by 3 failed back surgeries, and I've been taking pain meds since March of 2006. I've taken them as prescribed, and I've been lucky to have a good Primary Care Physician that has treated RSD before, so she understood the disease, and I have read about every thing you can read on RSD, so we worked together treating it. She was not afraid to prescribe meds that were strong enough to make a difference. I'm seeing a Pain Management Doctor now, who gives me injections, and prescribes the pain meds. I'm happy with him so far, but he is really pushing an SCS, and I don't want one. As someone else mentioned, read every thing you can on RSD, so the Doctor's don't push you into something you don't want to do.

Good luck and God Bless,

jmac51