Dear Stressedout and in pain,
I hear ya loud and clear. Unfortunately, I know exactly what you are going through now. I live near Phila, PA and the weather and humidity have been awful which is causing everyone I know much more pain...including me. You need to be comfortable that is your #1 priority. Make sure the A/C is on which will help with the humidity and heat. I like to give myself a time out. I go into my bedroom and turn all the lights off and make it as dark as possible with nothing on and I cry...and pray. I get it all out and then regroup myself and get back up in about 40 mins to an hour and keep moving on. It does help me to do this so maybe it will help you. We can only handle so much. Can your doctor prescribe one of the sleeping aids such as Ambien or Lunesta. I know I take Lunesta now and it helps a tiny bit with pain and also gives me a bit more sleep than usual. I know there is an over the counter supplement my neurologist told me to take it is called "Same." You can get it at Walgreens or any pharmacy. It contains something to relax you to help sleep, it helps with joint problems, and a mood help too. I had to stop them cause I was allergic to them but other people I know take them and it helps.

You are doing PT and that is good but be careful not to go overboard with it and cause yourself more pain. There is a fine line with this disease and if you cross it with anything you will be in more pain.

An you are NOT crazy. You are feeling real pain but most doctors and people only associate pain with your arm or leg falling off and even then can't understand the large amount of pain we deal with. You just have to stick up for yourself and tell them the way it is. I had court last week and had to represent myself!!! In all the pain I am in (full body RSD, Fibro, Rheum Arth, and Osteo for over 4 years now) and can hardly get out of bed and I had to represent myself. It did feel good to finally after so long have a judge listen to me. Hang onto hope and never give up but you must stand for yourself. I had doctors look at me funny and think I was faking too. I just tell them "May God bless you or someone you love with RSD like I have if only for a day and you would know the extreme pain I am in. There is a Magill pain index and you can tell your doc about it and show him there is no other pain higher than RSD pain. People just are ignorant and there is nothing you can do about them. Do you have a family doc you could see or call for help that knows you? Sometimes they can help. I will keep you in my prayers but try to laugh at one thing a day and pray if you can...they are the only two things that have gotten me through the day.
Have a better day today,
kathy d