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Senior Member
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,090
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,090
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Smoke_666
Hi. New here, so if I screw up somehow, break etiquette, my apologies. My story is I guess 'normal'...? I was working for a blasting company and sprained my left knee quite badly. I was informed if I went on workers comp, I would be canned. Yeah, I know that's illegal, but I had to pay child support, and I am quite aware of who holds the upper hand in these things. Anyways, I continued working on percocet from August of '03 until December of that year, whereupon they used the three whole days I had missed all year as an excuse to fire me. Nice folks. Anyway, the pain never went away, just mellowed out. I took it easy, and twice in the past six years it went into remission. I was accused of being a junkie three times by docs. (There's nothing wrong with your leg! You're lying!) Well, the third time it went nutso, the pain level was off the chart. Five years after the initial injury, I was diagnosed with RSD. I thought, at the time, 'great, they have a name for it, it can be cured!' Wrong-o. I now have a great job, making $20 an hour, and I saw it slipping away, as I was informed I could not be on any meds stronger than ibuprofen. This luckily was not the case, and I'm currently working. Thank The Lord. I've tried all the new drugs, with horrid side effects. Currently, I'm on two 20mg oxy's, four 7.5mg percocet, three 15mg serax, three 350mg somas, three 5mg vicodin and 150mg of welbutrin per day. The oxy's are soon to be 40mg, (the vicodin is going bye bye) for the pain is still underwhelmed...I haven't had much in the way of space-cadetage, as it were, and am a functional member of society, with a 13 month old son, a 15 year old son, and a wonderful lady.
All in all, I consider myself blessed, my bum leg being my only issue. I am, however, looking for non-invasive treatment options, for I would prefer not to be tied to the pill bottle or treated like a pin cushion. Frankly, I joined this site to talk/type to people who have the same problem. I've not met a soul with it, and most folks have the opinion that I'm weak for not being able to just deal with the pain. They just don't understand. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks. |
Hi Smoke and Welcome,
Talking, typing, about our RSD is so comforting. It is very difficult for others to 'understand' what we are going thru. They love us, but how is possible to really understand when most of us before getting it had never even heard the words before. It's been 13 years for me and now full body. This forum has been wonderful for comfort and learning so much and a wonderful feeling of just hopefully being there for someone else.
Other things that I've tried that have kept me mobile is physical therapy, lots of it. Probably 150 and also massage therapy maybe 250. I had zero use of left shoulder-beginning of RSD and later right shouler and later left hand. Therapy gave me most of range of motion to both shoulders, arms and about half of left hand. At least can cut my own food now and type. Swimming, water therapy has been a life saver, saving the use of my feet when it hit my toes and they started turning up. Health clubs or YMCA could be options. Water needs to be 86 degrees. Cold water or ice is not good for us. I use music, candles, meditation, prayer, visualization for relaxation. animal shows, comedy. Anxiety is a large component to RSD. For me, my Dr. has me taking Lorazepam, an anti-anxiety med. I feel it is as helpful as pain med. He is a psychiatrist and when I went full body my neurologist suggested I see a psychiatrist and I am so glad that I did. Actually, for the past 5 years he has been my main Dr. He also is a Neurologist and Pharmacologist. so naturally he ismy pain mangagement Dr. and truly understands as he has had RSD patients before. He is building two clinics with HBOT and I'm very excited about trying HBOT. I've read about it and have some printed info from the RSDSA if you would like a copy, I'll fax it, mail it to you or anyone if you want to PM me with your address or fax. I attended the RSDSA annual meeting this year here in Arizona and talked to others. Hope this helps and again welcome and take care, loretta
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