Originally Posted by loretta

Hi Nanapickle, I'm sorry for your situation. It sounds like you are saying you were diagnosed 12 years ago following shoulder surgery. Rsd can calm down or even go into remission, then with new injury, surgery, or even an injection or blood draw, it can cause it to come out full blown.
It's always recommended to never have surgery after being diagnosed with RSD, unless life threatening. If absolutely necessary, there are preventive procedures, which RSD specialists work with the surgeon ahead of time.
It sounds like you are having symptoms of RSD arise following the surgery.
You definetly want a RSD Dr. to treat you. You can go to RSDSA.com and put in your zip code for close RSD Dr. or support group, A good site with lots of questions 146- and the Dr. answers is rsdrx.com Go to puzzzles list. Dr. Hooshmand spent 40 years in rsd and is now retired, but has his website up and also a referral to another Dr. in Florida.
Let us know how you are doing. When I was diagnosed in another state, I came back to Arizona and found good neurologist and good orthopedic dr. who had a physical therapy group that knew RSD. It's been 15 years and have use of both feet and one hand and 50% use of other hand. A couple years ago, my toes started curling up off the floor, my neuro gave me exercises to do everyday in the pool and after 4 months, they were touching the ground again. I'm very grateful to have full use of my feet. The one hand had wrong diagnosis and delay of pt treatment. For me, massage therapy was a lifesaver to my limbs and body. Also very important is desensitization.
Take care, one of your new friends, loretta with big soft hugs