This IS an old post.

Sorry to say, I have continued to get worse with time.

Massage no longer helped so I stopped going. I do still see Dr. Dews once a year or so, but there is mot much she can do. She recommends ketamine, but I cannot afford what my insurance won't cover.

I now have peripheral neuropathy too. And, the neurologist thinks this has all gone to central pain syndrome. Who knows.

I was in a car accident in Nov. of 2009. I became much worse after that. The constant headaches I have had for over three years have become almost unbearable, yet no one can find a cause other than saying it is "just your RSD"

3 weeks after the accident my employer let me go from my job. After going back to all my doctors to see if there was anything else that could be done, I filed for disability. I got it with no lawyer, on first try, so that told me the time was right.

The last year I was working, I was training a young Border Collie to help me. She came out of a prison dog training program. I should say that before I was injured and got RSD, I showed dogs in obedience for 30 years, so I was a pretty good dog trainer. Josie was carefully selected, and at 6 months old, and growing up in the prison, she had a good foundation. Now nearly 3, she has become a great service dog for me. Training your own service dog is a lot if work! But having a service dog if you have RSD is great, and I would encourage anyone here to apply to a service dog program to see if you can get one. The wait is often several years.

Now that I am not working, life did not get easier. I have to be careful I don't just lay in bed all the time! I get to stiff! But, when the weather is bad, it is nice to think I don't ** have to** go out today, I can wait a few days if I need to.

It has been 11 years now. in some ways, the RSD is easier to live with. Those horrid electric shocks are not as bad. But, it is in every limb, in my face, my jaw, and these blasted headaches.

I think the worst thing though is living with the lack of concentration and loss of being able to learn things easily. I can't even keep bills paid (I do all I can by auto payment) or checkbook balanced. I used to love to read... Can't concentrate to enjoy a novel now.

Not much of an inspiration now, am I?

But, I plug along every day. My elderly Mom lives with me. I cook a meal for us each day. Might not be much...but we have to eat. Some days that is all I do. On good days I might do some dusting or go to the grocery or take my dog for a little walk.