Annie- you're suggestion of making it VERY obvious that they don't use your rsd arm during your upcoming surgery is a good one. My husband and I made sure that everyone involved with me when I had my c/section for Hannah 6 months ago, knew that they couldn't touch my right arm. I even had a printout put in my medical folder there, saying what RSD is, what meds I'm on and what they can/can't do. I told them that they didn't have to understand the reasons, they just had to accept that this is how it is and under no circumstances can they touch my right arm. I had it written on the board above my bed too (where it says "nil by mouth" etc) and that they can't even do a blood pressure cuff on that arm, let alone a needle.

Now when I have blood tests on my "good" arm, I do have the elma cream applied about 45minutes beforehand. Some people think I'm weird, but I know it helps deaden the pain signals and numb the area so its worth doing. I would be devastated if this spread to my left arm too, and really feel for those of you with rsd affecting both arms- I rely on my left arm and hand for so much.

x Kate