It sure does..

Hi Cozyc, thanks for sharing your story. Your story is the song of RSD/CRPS that so many of us know all too well. It sounds like you have been doing all that you can to try and work through the trials of doctors, lawyers, therapy and a med combo that will work for you. And at the end of the day, when you’ve done all that you can, rest on that. We have a saying around our house when we look at a pile of dirty dishes, laundry, bills, etc. that need doing; thank God there’s always tomorrow.

I was very much a; I’ll do that myself, kind of gal and still try to be as much as I am able, but after almost 10 years of this horrible condition I have learned that we all need each other, and I am forced now to ask for help. That has got to be one of the worst aspects about CRPS for me. My mind says we’re going to do this, and this and that, and my body says your nuts! Even if I attempt to achieve the this and that, my body will soon scream; did you not hear me the first time?? I still wrestle with when to stop when trying to be superwoman. There is a fine line between doing and doing too much.

Grieving for my former self has also been a journey. One that is getting better with time, but a journey that is not completely over. As the disease continues to progress there always seems to be yet even more adjustments to be made to my to do list. It’s hard not to get mad and cry over what has been taken from you. But I’m learning that in the end, the emotional instability only makes for more painful days. Again, I am still working on reconciling this in my mind. It’s far easier said than done.

I have not had to deal with workers comp, but I can tell you that finding the right docs and med combo (because the meds too always seem to need adjusting for one reason or another) is horrendous at best with or without WC. Finding a doc who will actually listen and respond accordingly… I am still working to find this combination. So sorry that you seemed to have had a doc you liked and now can no longer see him/her. That is devastating for sure.

I recently got some very sexy leg braces. It was the first time that I had an outward signal to others that something was amiss with me. I can remember being in the ER once and telling the triage nurse, if you could look inside and see what I feel, everyone here would freak out! It is VERY frustrating that it is invisible and silent to others, while inside you’re screaming. I find that if I start to tell someone ALL the things I feel, as I’m listening to myself say the words, I know they must be thinking; wow she’s a hypochondriac. If they only knew how very real ALL this CRPS stuff really is.

I too had back surgery. Discectomy L5 S1 and awoke from surgery with CRPS II. That day changed my life forever.

I wish I had some magic words of wisdom that would make this better for you. All I know to say is don’t give up. You’ve found a really great site with lots of us here going through the same thing. I personally find comfort in that. In knowing I have a place to go to chat with others who truly get it, and try to learn from their experiences and advice.

I hope you’re feeling better soon hon! xx