Hi Court,
Depression is really a symptom of RSD. RSD is a neurological disorder and part of the brain that is affected is called the Limbic System. It controls our emotions like depression, short term memory skills, judgment, sometimes we grasp for words when we are talking with someone, and just stop and can't remember what the word was.
Depression really hits us when we grasp the enormity of RSD. We learn little by little and become overwhelmeed. Kinda like the stages of death. Grief or Loss of so many things, we don't even comprehend the various losses we have had or possibly will have. I hope you go into remission. You are at the very best time for that to happen. It happened to me for a year or more twice. I hadn't even been diagnosed at the time. It was in the 4th year that I was diagnosed with RSD and the beginning was breast surgery biopsy 4 years prior and got the symptoms immediately following the surgery.
Court, were you hurt at work? Even a small thing like twisting an ankle or bruising a toe? If so, have you applied for WC? I know you said you love your job and that is wonderful, but if you RSD doesn't go into remission , you may not be able to continue working.
Being calm and remaining calm is one of the best things you can do for your RSD body. Stress and you DO HAVE A Stressful schedule. is NOT GOOD for your condition. It can even keep you from going into remission. You may need to consider to see what you can cut back on?
This is a very expensive long term condition. The meds are expensive as well as pt and massage therapy. Speaking of meds-some of our meds call Weight Gain- I hate it. I'm struggling losing. I did aerobics, tennis 5 days a week,water skiing, snow skiing,
When I was diagnosed full body, generalized and also internal-my neuro suggested I see psychiatrist. It was the best thing I did. I didn't like his 2 references or even him for that matter so I looked in yellow pages-isn't that crazy. I saw someone and went for interview-He is a psychiatrist, neurologist and pharmacologist. He teaches, and also does trial studies for pharaceutical companies. I've been seeing him 6 years now. He just built 2 clinics and he put HBOT in both clinics. I'm going to go thru HBOT series this summer.
A woman was on the freeway here in Phoenix-two cars collided and ran into a metal fence. One of the poles became a missle and went into her windshield-took off part of her little finger and arm and impaled her shoulder into the seat. She had 18 operations. Her neuro-surgeon called my Dr. and asked if he would take her for the HBOT treatments. He said yes. She had frozen shoulder (which is what I first had) and in 9 treatments she was waving her hand in front of the local tv cameramen.
Court, when my parents died, I went into counseling for 2 years. I got a journal and did journaling a lot. It's very soothing, and brings out your emotions. You need a support system. Please visit us often as you like. RSDSA is great organization. Also rsd.rx is a sit with a wealth of information. Dr. Hooshmand is retired, but his site is still up to help us. The part of puzzles #1-146 is excellent They are questions with his answers.
Take good care of yourself. Your friend, loretta with soft hugs