Hi, my name is Jen and I have read posts on this site for a long time and finally decided to join. I have had RSD since May 2009 when I broke my left ankle, tore tendons & ligaments (my 55 lb dog accidentally knocked me off balance when I was walking down the stairs in my house). I was fortunate that I was at a PM Dr's office 2 weeks after my break. I had no idea what RSD was, and thought he was wrong when he was disgnosisng me. I just thought I needed time to heal. I half heartedly did what the Dr said. I was still working 70 hrs a week and figured I was slow to heal because I wasn't resting enough. I was very fortunate that although I had no idea what RSD was, I ended up being referred to one of the best RSD Drs in the country, who practices at the Hospital for Special Surgery in NYC. He is amazing. A year to the day after I met the PM Dr, I woke up and thought I had re-broken my foot. I had the orthopedist X-ray & CT it, but everything was negative. The ortho said, "This is RSD". I had my 1st lumbar sympathetic block the next day (5/17/2010). I got no relief from any blocks -- and I had many -- until 10/25/2010 when I had a popliteal block (behind knee). Long story short, I was given improper discharge instructions from the hospital and re-broke the same ankle (much worse) as I was leaving the hospital and going home from the popliteal block. I haven't worked since that day (10/25/2010). The 2nd break caused the RSD to get expotentionally worse, and spread throughout my left leg. An epidural catheter in 2/2011 caused the RSD to spread to my lower back, pelvis, hips and right leg. My partner, who was driving, and I were rear-ended by a "distracted" (texting) driver 12/18/2011, while we were stopped at a red light. She hit our car going 40 mph and totaled our car. Thankfully my partner wasn't hurt, but the whiplash and soft tissue injuries I suffered have caused my RSD to spread to my upper body. My RSD has caused significant central nervous system involvement. I am really at a low point now. I developed spastic torticollis 3 weeks ago (neck bent over so left ear touching left shoulder) and had Botox injections to help Wednesday (4/11/2012). Now I'm miserable. The shots have caused a major flare. My PM Dr said the injections could "make things worse before they get better" and I am just struggling with this regression. For me, if I have a flare (2 steps back), I never return to where I was before, but only get back to 1 step ahead -- still 1 step behind where I was when I started. I should add that I have tried just about every treatment, and everything has only made things worse. I even went to the Chronic Pain Management Rehabilitation Program at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. There were 12 members of my cohort that started the program with me, and only 4 who graduated. I was 1 of the 4 people who finished. I have done ketamine infusions (twice, 5 day, inpatient, central line), lidocaine infusion (inpatient, 5 day, central line), more blocks than I can count, PT, meds, biofeedback, etc. My PM Dr here in NYC at Hospital for Special Surgery and the Dr at Drexel who specializes in RSD, -- can we use Dr's names ? -- both recommend a ketamine coma at this point. I am leery of this, for a variety reasons. I feel like I have lost my life. Its not just the pain, but the financial stress, the medical conditions I now have because of RSD, the psychological implications, the strain on relationships, the effectused being "differently abled" now, etc. Up until 10/25/2010, I was working 70 hrs a week, had a wonderful career and thriving private practice. I was a socially active person, involved in charities, an active member of my church, and had an avid social life. Now, I wear custom made ear plugs when I leave the house because I can't tolerate noise/ sound. I only leave the house to go to medical appointments (although I do go to gym everyday, except during this torticollis spell), because I feel like if I am going to be in pain, at least at home I can control my environment and be "as comfortable in my discomfort" as possible. Thank you for letting me get this all out. I guess part of all of this is my grandmother died 6 weeks ago. She and I were really close. Although she did not raise me, she was more of a mother to me than my biological mother is. I lived for my grandmother. With her, I always knew everything would be ok. Now I don't feel that way. And I feel everythIng is pointless. Thanks for listening/ reading.

Welcome to NT!

Thank you for that introduction! I'm so sorry you are battling this very frustrating condition like many of us. The good thing about it is that we are all able to come here and support one another. People here are very caring and understanding.
Come on over to the RSD forum and you'll get good feedback from friendly folks who comprehend what this is doing to your quality of life.
Here's the shortcut link to get you there:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/fo...aysprune=&f=21

Make yourself at home here. It'll be nice getting to know you.
It's great to have you!

Rae

Hello and welcome to NeuroTalk. Happy to see you have come to be with us. Here are a great number of dear friends to listen when you are in need of ears. You will find out we are supportive and relaxing place. Looks like Rae has gotten you started. One of the other forum that might assist you is the following:

Coping with Grief & Loss:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum51.html

Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Darlene

Rae,
Thanks for your welcome. I am new to posting on forums; is there a way I can post my intro with the other RSD intros? Specifically, copy what I wrote and paste it as a new post? Thanks again!
Be well,
Jen