Hi Diane and Welcome,
I have to say first off that after 23 years of this mess you deserve a medal!!! The second thing I have to say is that if I had $10 for every medical "professional" who told me something about rsd that they believed was true I would be a really rich person haha. Most of the medical profession seem to pick up tidbits of information from different people they talk to so some of the things they say are incorrect...like rsd doesn't spread ha that is a good one. I've had this for over 6 years now and it spread from one area to entire body within four months.

Also, I think you might need to find another doctor if this one is not working for you. Talk to some people around you and see if they know a good neurologist. You need to be honest and comfortable with your doctor and if you can't be then you need to move on. The doctor should be comfortable enough to be able to be compassionate and helpful to you. As far as a complete healing...well tell the doctor he/she doesn't have to worry about that one yet because to date rsd is not cured as you well know. Yes we can always pray and hold on to hope that it will go away but remission and less pain are always an option too. It is a whole journey we go on with this mess. Hang in there and talk to us here whenever you need to. I understand everyone around you not wanting to deal with us. I get that all the time. I have shut down in talking to family about it as they just do not get it nor do they want to. I have two amazing friends that I share stuff with about rsd and they get it. Funny thing is they live many states away from me but I get more support from them then the people that live near me. Go figure. Take care of yourself...and vent here for sure.
kathy d