Too young? CHILDREN get this thing. I got it when I was 25. This guys does not know what he is talking about. It's worth seeing the other doctor I guess but if he is just as uninformed about RSD then I would find a new doctor ASAP if you can. I don't know what the work comp laws are in your particular state regarding seeing another doctor but I would try to get on that as quickly as possible...especially as it seems to be spreading to other areas. I'm not sure if it is RSD and I don't know if you have any of the other RSD symptoms besides the pain. But if you think there is a chance that this is what you have then it would be worthwhile to get yourself checked out by someone who KNOWS what they are talking about.

It's fairly common for doctors to not know much about RSD. It's a very confusing, complicated thing (not saying I think it is a good excuse just saying that reality is that most of us have run into misinformed doctors who say things that are completely WRONG about RSD and you need to run away fast from those doctors).

I don't think that there is much evidence (though someone will pop in and prove me wrong if I am) that RSD runs in families. At least...many of us have it with no history in the family. But because RSD is so complex and odd...not well understood at all...it is certainly possible that we all have it in our families but without that inciting event that kick starts it that it never manifests itself in the rest of the family. No one even really understands WHY RSD pops up after certain injuries. I sprained my left ankle the year before I got the sprain that caused the RSD...why didn't it start then? Why did it choose to start after this second sprain a year later in my ankle...but not my neck even though I sprained that at the same time? Why did it spread after the lumbar sympathetic block I had last year but not the one I have the year before?

But, doesn't mean that even if it isn't related to genetics two people in the same family COULDN'T have RSD. Maybe if you have us more info about your symptoms besides the pain we could give you some advice. But more importantly, if you really suspect RSD then you need to get to a doctor who knows about it...not this yahoo who thinks it has anything to do with age.

We're here for you. Please feel free to ask any questions, or even just to vent. This is a great place for that. I am very sorry to hear about what you are going through and while I hope that you do not, in fact, have RSD...if you do then it is really important for you to get quick treatment to try to get it into remission. The longer you wait...the harder that is. If you need to get a work comp attorney so that you can get the medical treatment you need, then do it. This is nothing to mess around with. If they have another explanation for the pain and can treat it, then great. But if it ends up being RSD you do not want to wait 6 months, a year, 2 years, etc to get a diagnosis.