Yep...emotional rollercoaster and sometimes that leads to snappishness. Pain can do that.

But I understand his feeling about not wanting to take meds. I recently went off all of mine and am going back on one at a time because I was having bad side effects. I don't like the idea of being on meds every day for the rest of my life...but then again I need to be able to function so it's really a balancing act.

Maybe what you and he could look into are some other methods of pain control and work on finding things that make him feel better (ie alternatives to medications). I have a TENS unit and it helps tremendously, as do heating pads, and physical therapy. Does he have any type of exercise routine or anything that he does proactively for the RSD? Other things to look at would be adjusting his diet. There's a list of foods that are good/bad for people with RSD that might help.

But in addition to finding those other things that help with the pain and function...it's also important to make sure that he finds things that he can do that bring him joy. I certainly CAN'T do a lot of the things that I used to...but I make sure to find time for the little things that I CAN do.

And I know this isn't necessarily the same for everyone...but for me one of the things that keeps me strong is my boyfriend and the fact that he treats me NORMAL. Our days don't revolve around what is wrong with me but instead he just acts like nothing is wrong with me. He does the little things to help me out, never asks or expects me to do things that I can't, and is supportive of whatever new things I am trying...but he doesn't treat me like I am broken and that makes me feel better...stronger. Every relationship is different and every person may need something different from a partner...but for me the sense of normal is important.

So even though you can't force him to go to the doctor...you can be supportive and help him with whatever he needs from you. Be understanding when he has bad moods...but don't be afraid to give him a piece of your mind too. Don't take what he says to heart in a bad mood...but don't let him get away with it either. Sometimes I have really bad, depressed days and my boyfriend lets me have A day...ONE day...and then he says, "Snap out of it tiny" and does whatever he has to to help me do it. I might get angry about something and he'll just raise an eyebrow and say, "Are you done?" and then we move on. And when I'm being particularly ridiculous he just rolls his eyes and keeps talking to me like normal until I settle down.

Those of us with RSD who have our lovely mood swings know that it's the pain talking when we act this way and we get over it. The worst is if we feel like we actually hurt someone we care about. My boyfriend understands this, so we get through it. Not that I think I've ever been hurtful...just get annoyed or upset about stupid things sometimes...irrationally. He actually laughed when I lost it on my mom a few times over something stupid like her bringing me Jello, already opened, with a spoon in it, that I didn't want. He said it was hilarious because I never got upset over the stuff that should get me upset...it was always the most stupid thing possible. She did not take it as well as he does (but then she doesn't deal with it every day like my boyfriend does), so then I would have to apologize when I came to my senses.

Anyway...sorry to go off track...just want to let you know that you are not alone...and some of the ways that my BF deals with my nonsense.