Karen,

Keep the questions and concerns coming. Keep on researching and experimenting to find out what treatments and therapy works for you. Don't be afraid to question the professionals, as some are not as experienced with CRPS as you might think. Because of this, multiple opinions are highly recommended!

During and just after my diagnosis, I kept reading and reading, trying to understand, trying to see like you, if the doctors were missing something. Actually have to be a little careful that you don't over-analyze. And once I read just about everything on the internet (literally), I backed off as I was experiencing "paralysis by analysis"! And you do have to have a good eye for filtering out what doesn't apply to you and the really negative stuff.

Positive mental attitude is really important with CRPS. Easy to say, hard to do right?? And the mind/body connection cannot be over-emphasized. When you get sick of researching CRPS, start researching mind/body connection for some good therapies to try.

I am using a Health Coach from my insurance provider, available for people with chronic conditions. Below is a link from the University of MN that gives you great information on alternative therapies that can (along with conventional medicine of course) be very helpful. I have incorporated a few of them with great success.

http://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/

After clicking on this link, look at the bottom of the page HEALING PRACTICES A-Z

As for the understanding and acceptance part, coming to grips with CRPS has some similarities to the 5 stages of grief when you lose someone. Maybe not to the same extent, but the progression of feelings is similar for many; I know it certainly was for me.

Denial— "This can't be happening, not to me."

Anger—"Why me? It's not fair!"; "How can this happen to me?"; "Who is to blame?"

Bargaining—"I'll do anything to get this fixed!"

Depression—"I'm so sad, why bother with anything?"

Acceptance—"It's going to be okay."; "If I have this condition, I may as well learn how to best manage it and put forth my best effort in trying to improve".

Getting to the last stage of "acceptance" is your goal. And you WILL get there.