If you've got RSD, trust me - there's all sorts of ways to prove it, and sadly enough with some of the things you've listed in your posting, it sounds like you might be on this path, but don't assume the worst, but instead just try and work each problem as they arise. Those who claim you can't prove it, or that the doctor's don't know anything but that they do, are sadly enough not nearly as educated as they believe they are. The physical changes that takes place when you've got RSD can be rather alarming I'm afraid to admit.

After crushing some nerves from the waist down, I was diagnosed by the chief of orthopedics at MO State University Medical school 2 weeks after the accident. Never in my whole life have I wished someone could have been wrong. Within just 3 months my bone mass was down by 50% for example and the list just goes on and on from there.

From what I've learned firsthand and seen in others, it appears that RSD and the severity of it is more dependent upon the actual injury and resulting damage than just about anything else. For example if there's extensive neurological damage that's irreversible, that's when there's greater odds that it could progress further, but other injuries can also be equally as facilitating the progression of RSD. For those who are dealing with RSD over a sprain that will in time heal, the odds are so will the RSD in time. Most reports I've read state that around 90% of all RSD does actually burn itself out within the first 24 months, but it's more about the actual injury than the RSD that decides this. Sort of like, "what's feeding the fire?"

After loosing total usage of my left leg it was 7 years before we crossed hemisphere's over to my right. Within 24 months it had done around 80% of the total damage I had on my left leg. Wow did it spread and fast! Between narcotic tissue, infections, blood clots and loss of use, it eventually led to the amputation of my left leg high above the knee. I was scheduled for a duel above the knee operation, but I backed out the day before surgery. Only a month ago I was reminded we still need to take the right leg. It's a ride I never would have dreamed possible, but like all challenges in life - we do learn how to live with whatever changes come our way.

As long as you don't go shopping for problems that don't exist and you just keep working the problem to the best of your abilities with a great doctor as you go along, you'll do just fine. It's when you allow the RSD/injury to take over your entire life when there's the real damage but you're to smart a person to allow that to happen. Here's hoping only the best for your future, Bob.