Hi ... this is my first chat experience...the only thread I've ever used has been put through a needle...so I'll try! I've experienced sharp burning pain in foot - big toe joint with swelling for about 5 years... since spring of 09 the sharp pains and swell have alternately moved to joints in my wrist, thumb, ankle, elbow, and hip - which has become even worse than my toe. My MD who specializes in RSD think's it's rheumatoid arthritis and the RA doctor seems to be minimizing my pain and passing the buck back to the RSD doctor. I'm now scheduled for MRIs...any idea what the differentiating criteria would be between RA and RSD? The exrays indicated that the bones in my toe were rubbing together causing the sharp pain... no 'cushioning' ... and the RA doctor said it was probably not related to the other joint pains..... VERY FRUSTRATING. A cortisone shot in my hip today seems to hav been put in the wrong place and certainly isn't helping! Any info would be greatly appreciated! Psychl

Hi psychl and welcome to Neuro Talk. Here is the link to our RSD forum

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum21.html

This is a great place to share information, get support and make friends.
I'm glad you have joined us.

Hi and Welcome:

You've been give the correct forum to go to. But you also have to visit our other forums. We have fun, nice topics and friendly folk here. We all live with pain in one form or another, and we reach out and help each other. I put my mind on other matters and in MY case, I sprout. I grow most of my food right in my kitchen. It's a fun hobby and it keeps me from concentrating too much on my pain. Works wonders.

So again, a hearty welcome and I hope you find your answers here on Neurotalks.

Melody

Welcome to NT

Just a few thoughts...

Have you tried Lidoderm 5% patches, to put on your skin to directly numb that area. You numb me and I'll move My surgeon also made my insurance pay for DMSO or DSMO (horse linement) $20. He told me to shower, use linement for 12 hours and then shower and place Lidoderm patch on that place. THe linement opens up the pores to allow better inductions of the Lidoderm.

What about the Osteobiflex stuff, for joints.

There's lots of friendly people who will love to share their experiences with you.

I just wanted to say welcome to Neuro Talk!! Glad you found us! You have been given some good info to get started...feel free to explore and post where ever you feel!!