Roll Call!!!!!
 

Hello Guys Kimmie is back!

I woudl love to hear from all my Old buddys and hear from New Friends.
Can we ntroduce are selfs. I'll start

Hey guys

its Kimmie here don't know if you rember me I don't post alott mostly
just watch.

I was ina head on collision car accident.
(L) Carpultunnel surgerys x 2
(R) Carpultunnel surgery x3
I have had 2 surgerys on the (R) side scalemenectomy, 1st rib resection "98"
I have had 3 surgerys in my (L) side 1st rib resection, scalenectomy, 1st rib resection Jan. "99" 7 months later. removel of Bone spure, redue
sympathectomy witch was very very painfull I don't recomend it., "2003"

BAck fusion surgery ALIF "2004" digenitive disc. L45-S1
I also had to have a Pota-Cath placed because when they go to draw blood they don't get any. Do's any one else have the same thing.???

I have Thoracic Outlet Syndrome sence 1997
I only had RSD sence 2003

Kimmie

Here Goes!
 

My real name is Mark and I can't spell :p

Will be 43 the 14th of October

I love running naked as often as I can. Why? Because I can barely walk. If I can run I'm gonna do it as often as I can!!! Plus I love being naked!!!!

I am a Airline Human Resources/Personnel Director (I just lost my job because of my RSD/CRPS)

I was in a head on car collision on 30 June 2000 at 1:38pm. It was her fault but I lost my law suit because she had a great deal of money and my lawyer sucked. Oh well!!!

I was diagnosed with RSD/CRPS shortly after the accident following my first surgery.

Have had four hand surgeries, Two spinal surgeries and a spinal cord stimulator implant installed. (Makes me sound like a car don't it)?!.

None of the surgeries helped I suffer from the worst case of pain you can imagine from the top of my head to the bottom of my feet 24 hours a day 7 days a weeks. I take tons and tons of very colorful pills like the colors in Crayola Coloring Boxes.

I was recently diagnosed with Peripheral Neropathy of my legs and feet just to add insult to injury!!!!

I love everyone on here even if I do not know you. And if you get out of line I'll sick some of the women on ya! :D

That's it in a nutshell. Chin Up!!!!

Mark :)

Happy B-Day Mark!
 

Hello

Happy B-Day its my Birthday also October 14,1971

cool!

kimmie

Hello fellow Libras: Happy birthdays Kimmie and Mark. My grandson's birthday is October 9, my brother in law's is the 10th, mine is the 11th, and my son's anniversary is the 12th. My sister celebrated her birthday the 2nd and my nephew's is the 3rd. My family inhales a lot of candle smoke and eats a lot of cake in October.:D

Now the requested profile:

I will officiallly become a Senior Citizen next week. Whoo Hoo!!!
( It will be OK for me to be cantankerous and outspoken. I can't help it.
I am a Senior Citizen and nobody can do a thing about it.)

I have two grown sons and four grandchildren.

I live with three dogs and one cat. I am going to weave a rug out of pet hair as soon as I can find a loom real cheap.

I used to be a shoe person. (You ladies can relate.) I had many pairs and loved wearing heels. Now I have only one pair of ugly black oxfords that I can wear. No more business suits either, just loose fitting polyester pants with wide legs to accommodate my brace. I really look the part of the "little old lady".

I love the outdoors and go outside as much as I can. I live in a rural area and have deer, possums, racoons, and so forth in my yard every day. I am not too happy with the squirrel that has taken up residence in my attic, though.

I am so glad I have met the wonderful people on this forum. Being able to come here has helped me through many rough parts on this RSD road. Finding people who really do understand what we feel is a blessing.

Regards, Lil

Hello I am flippnout lol I have found this sight and other helpful in learning about my conditions.
I have three wonderful kids, 2 boys and a girl who care about daddy and want my pain to go away so I do not have to see doctors anymore. They worry so much when I haft to go see my docs I tell them it is ok, they think now I might haft to stay in the Hospital for awhile again like with surgery for my tos and sympathectomy.
I was hurt at work and had shoulder surgery for impringments, bone spurs and a mumford. Still had pain wich kept getting worse as time went on could not use my right could not lift my arm above chest, was told by WC docs nothing wrong, making it seem like it was all in my head, as I just kept hurting told by them go back to work.
I couldnt and would not let them push me around so I found my own docs to help me a well known Nuero Vasc, a well known Ortho, and pain managment doc, I'm lucky to live close to a great teaching Hospital. I had test run for CRPS found out I had it in shoulder and arm, also I had TOS.
Had surgery 21 days ago for TOS and for a sympathectomy both done at same time. I feel my RSD has spread to chest and hand and feet now doc says wait a few more weeks to heal it is nerves still aggravated from surgery, mean while orderd blood work and a doppler to be done.
So mine is a ongoing story I am happy to find this site and meet all of you.
I have a long road ahead of me to recovery doc says and I agree,but at least I have other who know my pain. I would use my name but stuck in WC world so it just flippnout saying HI!

Hello
 

Hi to all! My gosh did I miss the advice and knowledge I received in the past. I posted in the past as Tiff16. I didn't post a lot as I felt I didn't have anything to offer. But perhaps if nothing else you will know I am here for any support I can give. And maybe a laugh or two in the process...
Try to make it a short profile:
I am 33 years old, I am married with one dog, work as a secretary until 12/1, then my job will not let me work anymore. I am trying to file disability through work. We will see what happens with that.
I have not officially been diagnosed with RSD but at the pain clinic I am going to they have said, "Looks like RSD... It is RSD... If I had to diagnose I would definately say RSD". So I ask is it RSD and they say "We only treat pain here, we do not diagnose". So I kinda stuck in limbo. I have had one surgery on my left elbow (ulnar nerve) and two on my right elbow. I recentely found out they cut a nerve in the last surgery which was 8/2006. That surgery was after plenty of ice and casting.
Now I am worse then ever. I believe it has spread to my left elbow, both wrists and hands and my right foot. I do have many of the symptoms of RSD but trying to get a diagnosis is so hard where we live and with the insurance that we have.
I am just trying to hang in there, keep my sense of humor and stay strong.
You definately don't know what you have until it's gone. I always felt so much support from you all and you understand what I am going through. It is so hard to try to make others understand. My husband really tries but he just can't and he knows he can't. It hurts him so that I am in so much pain and he can't make it better. I tell him just being together, close, him listening and trying to understand is all I ask for.
Well, so much for the short post, huh? OK, so I babble sometimes... If you have made it to the end of this post I congratulalte you! And thank you!!
Hope everyone has as happy a day as possible!!

welcome old and new
 

well, i'm 38, married, and thanks to my employer I still work. I work for a Trinity Hospice, no longer as a field nurse, i'm in the office now, on the phone with Dr.s all day (but it's still something to keep my mind of my problems). Dx in 93 after a patient with alzheimer's hit me with a cane to my right knee. Now have RSD total right side, left side from hip to toes. Working on my 3rd spinal pump and 5th SCS. I make by on the theory that laughter is the best medicine, and in my line of work you have to believe that. I've been a member here since 2000, under Dolphin and foreverdolphin. The advice you've given over the years has been wonderful, but more then that, i've always had a shoulder to cry on here. Not that I need it very often, but it's nice to know there are people in this boat with me. I truely care for all of you.

I missed everyone also
 

Im glad to be back in touch with everyone, and the caring informative site is alive once again. :)

I will squish 6 and a half years into a few paragraphs I hope.

I was the Marketing Director for a casino, and at the time also interim Food & Beverage Director, and interim Network Administrator. I loved my job tremendously, and worked long hours holding down all 3 positions. They kept promising replacements, but it was ok with me that they were dragging their heels because I had complete control of every marketing event that I could dream up. It meant success was a sure bet when I controlled the main departments that counted when it came to pulling off an event.

RSD started for me when a doctor, or someone under a doctor accidentally blocked the femoral artery in my right leg. It was blocked for 8 days before I had surgery to remove the clot they put in my leg following an angiogram. I was deemed healthy as a horse, except for the little piece that got away, and lodged itself in the top part of the calf.

They couldnt recover the clot, but told me leaving it wouldnt be as bad as going after it. Doctors wouldnt believe there was anything wrong with my leg, but sent me for back surgery in 2003, but the neurosurgeon came in and said that they couldnt find anything wrong with my back, but have I ever heard of RSD?

Then the tests really began, all showing dead nerves, and muscles in the right leg, and so far the pain is crazy. I started complaining that the pain was in my shoulder now also, but the doc didnt care at all. This summer I realized I could put pressure on the shin bone with my finger, and leave a dent that would last 2 to 3 days. The doctor freaked when I showed her. :eek: She took blood and urine samples, and put me in physical therapy immediately.

The PT guys have only hurt me worse so far, but I will stay at it for a while more, but be more vocal about what I will or will not do. Also have had some of what I thought were heart related issues, but also turned out to be RSD.

I applied for SSI/SSDI about 3 years ago I think, and am now at the appeals council level waiting on their decision. If it wasnt for some people on this forum I truly wouldnt be here right now. They talked me out of suicide, and have also helped me out financially. They truly are blessings to me, and I pray special blessings for them daily.

Let's see, I started posting somewhere in 2003 I think, and I feel like everyone is family, and man it is good to see all of ya!

Love
Allen

A little about me......
 

Hi all,

Good idea, introducing ourselves.

I joined BT after I broke my left arm/wrist tripping over my dog, slipping on wet greenery and landing on the sharp edge of a step in a typhoon in June 2004. Later they found I also broke 2 ribs and a couple of hand bones too. This came soon after wrenching my left thumb out of its socket, never quite went back in.

So, distal radius fracture with ulnar styloid avulsion, emplastered for 7 weeks. One week after the cast was on, my wrist, ulnar-side, started being seriously painful in just one spot (near the styloid). Cast was changed twice, docs said well, you know, broken bones are sore...Began physio the day after the cast was removed, exercises, electric stimulation,hydrothingy, all that stuff and the ulnar just became more unbearable.

They started ice therapy and kabooom! instantly what had been agony became unbearable agony....the hyperesthesia started like a glove of horribly alive pain, whole hand blew up, went bright red and so now I'm officially an RSD sufferer.

In the past year, though, the RSD arm has kind of plateau'd but I've got problems now in my right arm. After all the tests, including MRI, I'm diagnosed with cervical spondylosis and spinal stenosis C4 - C6. Still not sure if the right hand pain is RSD spread, repetitive strain thingy or resulting from pinched nerve. Next doc's appt end of October, may learn more.

Yes, I'm an penniless artist, live alone, (my partner, a doctor, died 5 years ago -where are these people when you need them! :D ) in Hong Kong with my beagle (my best friend). I live now on an outlying island, very pretty and wild, lovely beach, great walking - nothing like anyone would ever imagine HK. Work from home so don't need to brave the highrise hell too often. Lived in HK 25 years and love the place. Great mixture of people; lots of Americans, Europeans, Australians, Japanese - everything, but mostly 98% Chinese. Originally a Brit, I lived in HK as a young child, moved back at about 30, no intentions of living anywhere else.

My saviours after RSD hit were you wonderful people. Throughout the whole ordeal, you have been unfailingly helpful and given such clear commom-sense advice that I trust you more than the doc's. I don't know what I'd ever have done without you.

I'd just like to take this opportunity to say a very big *THANK YOU*, thank you to *ALL* of you.

take care and all the best :)

Hi Everyone! :p

I'm Kate, I'm 28 but am another October birthday girl, as I'll be 29 on the 29th :D

I'm a mum of 4 kids- 3 girls, Bailey- 8, Liv (Olivia)- 6 and Hannah- 4 months. And a 4 year old son called Dayne. I'm studying an HR course so that one day, if my rsd lets me I can get a good job.

My rsd started in my right arm 6 years ago, from nerve damage during a blood test. Then it spread to my right leg in Jan this year after a White-Tailed Spider bite. :eek:

I've had breaks from my RSD thanks to ketamine infusions (3x low dose, 7 day awake ones) but am now back on meds again. My rsd is very out of control right now, spreading and changing quickly- I've had heaps of new symptoms in new areas just since mid August when my last infusion was unsuccessful.

My hubby is my carer, we've been together for about 11 years and I'd be lost without him! :rolleyes:

I live in Melbourne, Australia- home of an amazing RSD DR so I'm very lucky there- and grew up in England, moving here when I was 13.

So thats me! :p

Hi, everyone.

My user name is Miss Irie (was the same on BT1) and I'm 42 years old -- soon to be 43. I'm married to a wonderful man and have a black lab I adore who keeps me constant company. I have one grown daughter who is herself married and recently blessed our family with a baby boy, Xander.

I live in Burlington, Ontario. I developed RSD after knee surgery to repair my ACL in September 2003. I haven't been able to work since Dec '03. I qualified for CPP Disability benefits on my first application and I also receive LTD benefit payments through insurance coverage with my employer. While I remain on the company books I have been unable to go back to my job (which I absolutely loved) as an Executive Assistant to the President of a telcom company.

I have been progressively going down hill with my RSD battle. It has spread (originally just my left leg) to my right leg and right shoulder. I find it nearly impossible to get around anymore. I require a cane to walk and I have a scooter I use when my pain levels are intolerable. I love my scooter but it is only a light duty machine and I won't be able to use it once winter comes. For now I'm speeding around on it and it has been fantastic to be able to get out of the house!

I live in a wonderful house which my husband and I bought in November 2005. We're first-time home buyers and I couldn't be more thrilled! We used to be avid power boaters but I had to give that up. We just sold our cruiser a month ago. I thought it would be really sad giving this up after 11 years, but it has actually given hubby and I a chance to spend more time together doing other things. It was time to let go for both of us and we're talking about joining a trivia club, card club, etc. to keep us busy over the winter months.

Although I have lots of physical challenges I am doing OK. I have a positive attitude and have realistic expectations of what I can accomplish. I am blessed with a loving husband and very supportive family which has made things much easier for me. I've also been fortunate to have a terrific family doctor and a pain specialist who is extremely knowledgeable and kind. I'm investigating photon therapy at the moment as the specialist thinks this might help me improve my mobility.

Cheers,
Catherine

introduction - new member
 

Hi to all fellow RSD friends,
I have been reading on the old forum but was unable to participate as I really got confused trying to log on. We changed providers and everything got mixed up. Nevertheless, now I am able to finally post and reply.
I am so happy to have this forum to read daily. You are all to be admired for suffering through this miserable condition.
I have RSD, Fibromyalgia and Meralgia Paresthetica. The story of it all is too extensive to explain. It started as facial pain from a dental procedure which stretched my masseter muscles (1984). Over time it has spread throughout my entire body: face, neck, fulll back, arms, hands, knees, feet, etc. I am in constant pain almost everywhere and take no pain meds as they do not work. I tried about 25 or so at highest doses possible - including morphine, ketamine. I saw Dr. Schwartzman for possible IV Ketamine but was not a candidate as mine is so severe and had it for so long. Tried alternative therapies which only made me worse (acupuncture, cold laser, etc.) I can not have any invasive procedures(morphine pumps) as they trigger it off even worse. I was forced to retire from my job as a Reading Specialist(which I loved). Unable to walk any distance - just house to car -use carts in stores. Have a wonderful husband and adult mixed lab dog.
Today is a beautiful sunny day in PA. Oh how I wish I could get out and walk my dog and enjoy the day. Unfortunately the pain is so bad and my legs are just aching so much. I haven't walked even a block in almost 5 years since it hit my lower back and also got the Mer. Par. An epidural triggered it off ithe RSD and FM in my lower back in 2002. Spread everywhere after that.
Well - my hands are really aching now.
My best to all. I look forward to hearing from any fellow sufferers.
Sydney

Sydney, Sydney, Sydney
 

Thank you for pointing out that we all should be admired, however it seems you too are carrying around only half the world's neurological problems on your own back. So let us take a moment to admire you!!!!. Also let us say welcome, take a load off your feet and join our humble little abode!!!! Chin Up!!!!

Mark :)

hi there
 

I'm Mike (fmicheal) as before from Santa Monica CA.

I'm the father of two boys (13 and 9) and an attorney who hasn't been able to work since 1993, following a bilateral injury to my legs at the gym, two years earlier.

I just posted on long piece under a thread Roz put up, looking for me, but in a nutshell, I'm off to Johns Hopkins next week in an attempt to get a full neuro-immunological workup of whats going on with me. So we shall see.

In the meantine I have good days and bad days, and know that most of the time I am probably in less pain than most, but then there was last Friday when I felt like I was being pounded by a Catagory 5 hurricane. Funny how that works. It's like the old line from Monty Python:

NOBODY expects the Spanish Inquisition!

love to all,

Mike

Mike I'm afraid we must now poke you with the soft cushions. JK and good luck. Hopkins is the best I hear.

Thanks Joselita for pointing me in the right direction. I don't know what's been going on so forgive me while I get back up to speed. All I know is that forum has been down.

I'm doing great... well I guess you know me better than that. I am sweating out a breast biopsy. I'm sure it's nothing, but still, waiting on that phone call is no fun.

Other than that life is great. My pump is still working well.

Glad I found you all. I'll have to catch up on my reading

Love to all
Coleen H

Sure is good to be back. My story: January of 2001, had a snowboarding accident and fractured L1, L2, L4, L5. In Oct. 2003, had cervical spinal fusion C5-C6 with graft and hardware. About six months after surgery, C4 and C7 started slipping and became unstable. Doctors did not want to do multi-level fusion so we tried some comfort measures, a series of epidurals and facet injections with no relief. In September of 2005, had bilateral C4-C5Radio-frequency Ablation and within eight hours of procedure, ended up in hospital with RSD in neck, shoulder, upper left arm, and back. About two months ago it spread to my mouth, including lips, tongue and teeth. For over twenty years worked as a RN in Neonatal ICU. I have been disabled since Sept of 2005. raising 5 children on my own. Hanging in there as best I can. It is so good to have our RSD family getting back together, what great support. Take Care Darla

Benign!
 

Got the lab results and the breast biopsy is benign. We are very relieved. Have a great day!!
Coleen

That is great news, Coleen. What a weight off your mind. Been through the same thing myself - not fun, that waiting on results.
Take care and rest up if you can,
all the best :)

I'm Annie. Married with two kids (6 & 7). Diagnosed with CRPS type II almost a year ago after a venipuncture injury to my radial nerve that occurred while donating blood in early 2005. Original symptoms were in my right forearm, but spread in late 2005 to right shoulder and right side of face/head. I'm very fortunate in that I don't have a severe case, and most pain is controlled by anticonvulsants ~2/3 of the time. No swelling, little redness, but have contracture of right hand, major cold & wind sensitivity, moderate touch sensitivity, deep bone aches, burning, periodic muscle twitching in arm, etc.. Able to work, although concentration significantly affected by meds & irritability during flare-ups. Am a scientist and need dexterity in my hand to do technical work. Because my symptoms worsened & spread last winter, and are very much affected by cold, I'm nervous about the onset of cold weather this year (live in Wisconsin). Consider myself extremely lucky it's not worse at this point.

Hello, I am Jules
 

I just found you all - I am from the other BT..before the crash.

I first had RSD in 2001 after a fracture in my right foot, it gradually went away over 4 years. Then, came back when I twisted my shoulder at a PT evaluation. This time, it is much worse. It was staying put for a while, but seems to be on the move now. It has moved to my other shoulder, down my back. Am also feeling pain in a toe in my good foot. That would mean all 4 quadrants. Not good. :mad:

This week, I go to see a new doc, 3 hours away. He was in the same pain management office as Stanton Hicks for a few years, so perhaps he will know something about RSD.

My Pain Doc now does OK, and my family doc has been a real trouper. Neuro is trying, but doesn't really KNOW RSD so I don't trust what he wants to try, and I turn it down, which frustrates him. But it's MY body, ya know? Yes, you do know!

Would give the world for more than 4 hours sleep a day!

Was good to have the old BT back, but even better when someone on there mentioned this place --- and to find all the "old" friends here!!! Like coming home!

Jules

Hi Flippinout
 

Is there anyway I can contact you or you contact me. We have such a similar situation & would love to talk to you.
I am not disclosing who I am online either, and I notice you won't receive private messages. If you can't do this I certainly understand and respect your privacy. :)

Hope

Hi I'm Kathy. Late again as usual...
 

if I arrive on time my family gets very worried. :P

I am 48 now, am a RSD warrior since 1995. I severed the tips off my long and ring finger on my left hand in Nov. 1994 using a wood joiner. Diagnosed at UKMC in March 1995. Have had several blocks and bunches of different meds and pt. Am on just meds now, but more likely will be seeing pain management again as the rsd is in my left shoulder. I am tougher than rsd but it does knock me down at times.

I am getting back on my feet after separation and soon to be divorce.
My children are Ann, 27 and her new husband Dale, my son Dougie, 24 and Morgan, newlyweds as well! My son Darin,24 (Dougie's twin btw) is doing well, he's an up and coming web builder and business wiz. No grandchildren yet, :( but soon I hope! :)

I am a woodcarver too and love my horses.

So that's me.
Kathy