Hi ... this is my first chat experience...the only thread I've ever used has been put through a needle...so I'll try! I've experienced sharp burning pain in foot - big toe joint with swelling for about 5 years... since spring of 09 the sharp pains and swell have alternately moved to joints in my wrist, thumb, ankle, elbow, and hip - which has become even worse than my toe. My MD who specializes in RSD think's it's rheumatoid arthritis and the RA doctor seems to be minimizing my pain and passing the buck back to the RSD doctor. I'm now scheduled for MRIs...any idea what the differentiating criteria would be between RA and RSD? The exrays indicated that the bones in my toe were rubbing together causing the sharp pain... no 'cushioning' ... and the RA doctor said it was probably not related to the other joint pains..... VERY FRUSTRATING. A cortisone shot in my hip today seems to hav been put in the wrong place and certainly isn't helping! Any info would be greatly appreciated! Psychl