Dear Smoke,

Sorry to hear that your RSD seems to be spreading. Mine has spread also. Along with the spread I've experienced intensifying pain as well, which gets worse, or "flares," when I do too much. This is common for most RSDers. The key is to find the right middle ground, where you are using your affected limb just enough.

The faster that you are treated with the right combo of meds, PT and other medical treatments the better your chances of minimizing your pain and possibly halting your spread. For me, my PT has been really helpful in keeping me sane - he believed in my pain when others didn't (and that was BIG) and has supported me while I fought WC for meds, doctors, treatments, etc. I now have really good docs in Boston at teaching hospitals that know their stuff, but it took me a while to get to where I am. For Loretta on this board, she has her combo neuro, physch and pharm (I think I got that right). You will notice that others on this board also have PM docs, or anesth, or rheum that treat them for their RSD, it depends on where you live and who specializes in what. Your best bet is to combine the care of your PCP (I really like mine, and he writes some of my scripts) with the very best docs you can find that are RSD knowledgeable - usually the best are going to be at teaching hospitals or really large medical centers.

This is the best advice that I got from this board when I first joined, so that is why it is the first thing I am telling you. Especially since your RSD is starting to spread.

Good luck, Sandy