When does it end?
 

I was diagnosed with RSD in May (officially). I am very thankful I felt to keep looking for a dr. to help me and I got blocks relatively early (April..symptoms started in Dec) They have helped overall with the sensitivity and the burning. I still get it just not as often and not as bad. (thankfully!) I still have the pain, etc.

I just feel like things just keep happening! ugh. We came to WA state for vacation because my parents had their 50th and ALL my siblings and their kids were coming (8 of us..plus our kids! 43 people!) We came on a wing and prayer that the $ would work out. sigh.

*We are still fighting with the ins over our a/c units that were damaged in a hail storm last Oct.
*Our rental also needs new roof and a/c from the same storm.
*The pool filter went out at the rental
*The GCFI circuit went out and our deep freeze stopped...EVERYTHING in there is gone! hundreds of dollars of food...that I have been using to subsidize our food budget. (because of medical bills)
*I have to have my gallbladder taken out (this Thurs!) and I am stressed about RSD spread.
*Arizona Dept of Revenue didn't note that we were making payments on a tax bill from a few years ago...they took all but $300 of dh's paycheck 2 paychecks ago. They also took $600 this last time.
*Our CPA was SUPPOSED to be negotiating with the IRS (same tax year) hasn't been...so WE had to figure it all out. ESp. why the bill was $3000 off from what it SHOULD be. sigh.
*Yesterday I came out of walmart and my car wouldn't start. It would turn over but not keep going. It ended up being towed to the dealership in town (we are in a small town visiting my parents). Thankfully we have a lot of friends here so we know we are being well taken care of. sigh. BUT we are still waiting to hear what is wrong and how much it will cost. We HAVE to have the suburban...to get home (to Arizona, school starts Aug 15th) and it is the only car that fits our whole family. (6 children)
*The TV in the suburban went out. (imagine a 28 hr drive with no movies for the youngest 3..ages 9.7. 4)
*My oldest is really pushing all the rules...sigh. He is 17.

I just want to sit and cry. I wonder what state I would be in if I wasn't already on an antidepressant...and the occasional anxiety meds. Will this ever stop?! I just feel like things are caving in on me. On top of dealing with fears of spread from the surgery and the last few days have not been good days pain wise. =(

Sorry, I guess I just needed to vent to someone. =(

J

Hi J,
You can vent here anytime you want...that is what we are here for. Sounds like you have alot on your plate...and six kids. You are a saint!! You will survive it all. You just need time to regroup. I took some timeout last night for myself as I could not handle it all either. I usually go in my bedroom and shut everything off and keep it quiet so I can cry it all out and pray and then get up and do what has to be done. It is just life with rsd and you must take some time out for yourself to recharge. I am a mom of one son and I found out that in order for us parents to take care of anyone else we must take care of ourself first. I found that praying and laughing alot help me get through the day. I have a really great girlfriend that supports me from afar and that helps alot.

You will survive the 28 hour drive. Maybe the kids can play games like who finds the first certain license plate or car or color or whatever you can think of. I travelled cross country four times (CA to PA and back again) years ago when they had no tv's in cars and it was tough so I know your pain. My son was 2 and by the time I got to AZ he would not even get in his car booster seat again. We could not take him out in the car for close to a month haha. I can suggest safety scissors, tape, a stapler, and lots of construction paper. I can make a mean jet out of paper now. Kids love to make things and be creative. Kid CD's help (I had to use tape cassettes back in the good old days haha). Maybe one of the kids can read to the others and you can look for some audio books. They do have them for free at the library. Maybe you could get some where your parents are and mail them back to them from AZ. It may help the trip be easier for you. Take care and best of luck. I know it is one thing after another...I've been dealing with it for years and it is really hard most of the time but hang in there.
kathy d

J,
Sorry you are having such a rough time. Thank goodness for these sites that allow us to come and vent to others that understand our frustrations. It is ten times more frustrating with each little even while pain is screaming in your head. Please come vent as much as you need. Wish you best of luck.

Wow, sounds like my life. It's always something. We lost our home and 6 dogs (I trained, bred & showed dogs) in a house fire a yr ago. It's been hell plus trying to cope w/RSD. I have a scs and it just seems like everyone thinks I'm cured. Ugh! It helps but doesn't take it all away nor cure it. It also has it's own problems. We are so broke it's not funny. I'm on unemployment but they keep screwing that up. Who'd hire me anyway, my hands are useless (RSD left hand up arm past elbow and tip of right index finger, and now tendonitis right hand from over compensating). I'm contemplating filing for SS Dissability. I spend alot of time crying and can't imagine what I'd be like without the anti-deppresant. These drugs have cause almost a 40lb weight gain....I'm miserable over that. Just can't get it off.

I've got 3 kids, they are teens now but we drove to 1/2 way cross the country 5 yrs ago. No TV in the back and we had 2 dogs with us so the kids all had to sit next to each other. The Crackel Barrell store had CD books that you can rent and return at a differant location. They were great. The kids each picked one and we listened to a book through the car stereo. Stores also sell car game/ entertainment kits. We bought a bunch of things for the kids in a gift bag and surprised them a bit after we started on our trip (coloring books, MadLibs, crayons, play doh (I was worried about this in the car but it wasn't a problem), a snack and drink etc). The kids were great and really you can do any age level.

Hang in there, we have to stick together because the rest of the world just doesn't get it.

I give so much credit to the moms and dad who have rsd. I can't even imagine how hard it is to be a parent through this. Have a hard time dealing with myself.
I can relate to a lot of struggles outside the RSD but that of course impact us worse. I always say it takes all my mental strength to fight the rsd that add more and it just becomes so much. I try to take 1 day at a time but it is hard.
I think today is your surgery so wishing you safe surgery and recovery. Are you having this still on vacation? When do you go home? Maybe you can go to the dollar store and pick up some items to take on the car ride home? I know not the same as the movies but may help. I hope your 17 year old comes around. Have you talked to him about his behavior? I hope your money struggles also gets better.
I wish I could help more. Just that I hear your fears,struggles,and emotions. All I can say for myself is I am trying to stay in the day or even hour to not worry or get ahead of myself. Easier said then done I do know.

Parenting Stress
 

Being a parent, and all the various stresses that come along with parenting, definitely add to the stress and pain level. Sometimes just the natural loudness that comes from having children in the house is unbearable. I always try and close my eyes, taking very deep breaths, and focus on the pain. Always trying to conquer the pain.
I hope your surgery went well, and your car journey goes smoothly. Let us know how you are doing.