I'm so sorry...17 years...that's a long time to look for answers. Last year my RSD spread and I KNEW that it was spread but HOPED that it wasn't and that there was something else causing these new problems. When it was "official" that it was RSD I was very sad but at the same time felt happy to know what to do for it. Same thing with the initial diagnosis...all this time spent bouncing from one doc to the next with no explanation for some of my symptoms. Then a doc says RSD...I look it up...and it is EXACTLY what I have. All my wacky symptoms explained. Sucks to have it but since it responds to very different treatments than many other conditions it's good to really know what it is so you can start working on finding effective treatments (and stop doing the things that are making it worse like immobilization, icing, etc).

If you cannot work then long term disability is a good option for you I think. If you just got the diagnosis then you really don't know what treatments you will respond to and how well or poorly they will work for you. Long term disability would give you the chance to try out those treatments and then assess the realities of whether you can return to work or not. Don't let your desire to return to work stop you from using the benefits you have at your disposal to focus on your health and getting better. I hated being off work last year but I needed that time to get my health under control and to try different treatments and go through physical therapy so that I COULD return to work. If I went back too soon I have no doubt that I would have been in a cycle of going back for a few months, then needing to be off, then going back, then needing to be off. That situation is not good for anything because you never get yourself in good enough shape to be 100% at work and they can't rely on you at work and count on your ability to be there and do the job. Better to take the time you need to go through all the treatments you have to and then at the end of it be realistic about whether you can or cannot go back to work.

Take care of yourself. Welcome to the group and if you have any questions, need any support, or even if you just want to vent feel free to do so here. We are all here for you.