Shame we have to meet in such circumstances, but Alison (Ali12) is right. This forum is a great place for info and support, no better place around. I've had RSD since 2003 and until recently it stayed only in my left knee with some spikes of movement when it was overused, but it always returned to the same place. Lately it has been bothering my foot some, but I am only slightly concerned right now. I hope (and pray) that it will leave my foot alone and go back to my knee. Seems from what I've read that the spread is normally something that occurs in the first year, although, like anything in life, there are exceptions. I gotta say, it seems that as long as you don't just rest and sit around that it is less likely to spread and/or get worse. My saving grace, I believe, is the fact that I'm poor and HAD to work to pay child support and all the other bills of life. I just popped pain killers and went to work, and although it hurt like the deal, it didn't spread or get worse. Later, Smoke