Hello,

I know that it sometimes is easier said then done but I suggest that you put your mind towards hanging in there and not letting this beast get you down. You are young and have many good years in front of you. I am in my second very serious bout with RSD and day after day I struggle with staying positive but constantly remind myself that it took me seven years to adapt to living with the challenges of RSD but I eventually did. Now i am not saying that it going to take you seven years, you are young and can adapt or overcome this in a short amount of time or it may take longer, but remeber if you let up on being positive it WILL consume every bit of your life.

Ok the first time I went through this I got it from a very bad chemical burn and my leg was in extreme danger of being amputated, once we got the infections and sores to settle down they started me in room temperature pool therapy and hot tub treatments (the ins. company purchased the hot tub because of the open sores and I could not be in a public hot tub) many times the pain got worse or so it seemed and then eventually i was able to adapt to differant lifestyle changes as taking breaks while walking and elavating my leg when needed and many times still have to pamper the leg when needed after 12 years but I have been very lucky to not have a major episode in 4 1/2 years.

Now I am dealing with RSD in my right arm after a nerve transposition surgery and ulnar neuropathy and carpal tunnell in the left hand and many days I am having a very hard time with with this horrible condition but still remaining focussed to move forward.

Well it has taken me over an hour to type this but in the moments were I can I will get over to the computer and write to everyone and NiK you hang in there, REMEMBER: Positive in is Positive out - I am a football coach and I always tell my kids that Success comes in CANS -- Not CANT'S Something to think about in your struggles. And to everyone else on the board thank you for the support you have been providing to my wife, in almost all cases the spouse or signifigant other and family members suffer just as much as we do they just have a differant kind of pain and that pain is most often to the left side of their chest.

Everyone hang in with the fight and i will write when I can.

The Hubby