Hi Cindy,

I know that stress, good or bad can throw me into a tailspin. Just the day spent on seeing my doctor (I look forward to it), or just being too busy, will throw me into a flare the next day.

Or,, as my wife used to say "I can control you with your pain".. she meant that all she needed to do was say something mean, or start an argument, and I'd be in bed.

I've currently got a lot on my schedule, and I've been "down" all week. Sleeping mostly, not feeling well at all. I get myself psyched out, about having so much to do, and I get nothing done....
I think too, that having this for 26 years, is finally beating me up....

I hate to say that.

It's a tough row to hoe.

Pete
asb

26 years OMG! I feel so badly for you. I have had this for 8 years but 26? I'm not sure I can make it that long. I truly admire your spirit.

GoJo,

No reason to feel badly for me! I'm alive.
I'm not doing what I'd like to be doing, or what I planned for my life, but, You know how to make God laugh, right?
Make plans.

So, I got into some deep prayer last night, (didn't sleep a wink), and, asked forgiveness, for where I haven't lived up to his word, and asked for guidance on the rest of my life.
I'm 53 now. Got the injury @ 27.
After that, I ran two business's, but more with a "Think Hard" aim, rather than work hard as much.
Invested in lots of education. I really enjoyed marketing (which is, afterall, EVERYTHING that you do in business).
In 98' another accident, which really bumped up the RSD and TOS, but, herniated four discs, but mostly, a tbi, brain hemorrhage.

I was very well insured, and besides this head injury giving wife #2 her chance to rob me and my family blind, my attorneys screwed up, and missed a filing date.
Now, my life is filled with Legal Malpractice (Nice switch, huh?), and a dirty divorce.

So, God will give me some direction. I have all the faith in the world.

Nice to meetcha, GoJo.

(Nice truck in your Avatar)!

Pete
asb

Hi Cindi,,
I think that any stress will cause a flare due to the mental stress of planning,or excitment of knowing that your going to have a good time I believe the mental stress..good or bad , kicks up a flare,,I do know that a bad flare comes from when we get emotionally upset with calmalities,,thats a alot more of a strain mentally which is my opion of why it sends a worse flare,,,,I do notice that the excitment of sex doesnt seem to infleme a flare,,but the good sensation may also just be blocking out the pain,,that i over look,,
And GoJo,,It eveident that the party being blown oof and knowing you were going to have a good time,and then told youve got to be up by 3am to go to work is a bummer,,[bad stress,which ,hello flare,,,but the activity seems to help[physiacl work] to calm the affected limb down ,although sometimes that backfires and im in pain for a week,,but I know that in my case ive got to keep moving,,i want to keep my legs providing that the Lord lets me,,,
And pete,,your a tough old bird,,God will give you strenght for you have ask him for it,,
Im Glad that you in prayer with the Lord he does answer prayers exspecially after youve ask for forgiveness,,what humility,,I commend you,,,Look what he did for david in his broken and contrite heart in psalms 51,,,,and your right,as Gods word says,,A man may put in his heart of what he thinks he will do or wants to do,,but God guides his steps,,,,,,,,,My hat is off to all three of you and May the Lord bless you both,,,youve got my prayers,,,,,,,bobber

So, basically Bobber, I can blame my flare this weekend on a Mountaineer win AND the four turnovers in the game... LOL!!! I have just been flaring off and on since I started working on the internet again. I did get one of my stories approved and I was paid so I am officially a freelance writer. It is something that I have always wanted since I was a little girl. I have to build up my income as my stories get better, but it pays approximately $6 an hour right now. Not bad for sitting on my butt. So, this is good stress and my leg and arm are talking to me.

Have a great week everyone!!
Cindi

Hi Cindi,

For me good stress and bad stress have the same affect for my flairs. I Just returned from a trip to the Shenandoah Mountains. I had a wonderful time just me and my husband. The change in altitude bothered me but my body adjusted (I live in OH GO BUCKS!!). My RSD is fullbody with some organ involment. My burning skin loved the cold air in the mornings. The pain in my arms and legs at night reminded me of my RSD. The mountain views were calming and peaceful.

When I am going to do something that causes what I call good stress. Example: I am the ninth child of 10 I have the most room at my house for Thanksgiving. I use skelaxin, I will start taking it twice a day for about 5 days before turkey day. I will clean a little each day leading up to the big turkey day my family members will all bring a side dish. Last year I had 47 people for dinner. What I'm trying to say is I have learned to plan. I know I have RSD and I know I want to have my family for Thanksgiving. What can I do to lessen the chances of an awful flair.

Just like for my trip to VA I took skelaxin 2 days before we started the 9 hour car ride to keep my muscles from getting too tight from sitting in the car. Last night on they way home we stopped in downtown Morganstown W VA for dinner.

As people who live with RSD when we do certain things in life we need to ask ourself how much pain are we willing to live with as a result of our choice. However, sometimes my pain will flair for no reason at all. Sometimes we can control what makes it flair and sometimes we can't. Feel free to PM me if you want to talk.

Take care,
Sherrie

Sherrie, from when I first arrived here,
You have been one of my Champions!

Keep on, Keepin' on!

love to ya,

Pete

Pete,

It is a beautiful thing to have such great faith. I know sometimes I wonder why God gave my daughter this path in life. I often ask him why, because she's just a kid. Keep your faith, I couldn't imagine my life without it.

Sandy

Hi Sandy,

I can understand as a parent why you would question why God allows your daughter to deal with RSD. As christians we will still face difficult times in our lives our faith is tested and God wants us to lean on him. I believe we learn something from every situationin in our life. Your daughter and you are a wittness for Christ through how you deal with the complications in your life from RSD. You both are touching lives in ways you may never know. God promises us in Philippians 4:4 - 7 he will supply our needs.

I know this sounds crazy I believe my RSD is an answer to prayer. My prayer was Lord slow my life down so I can work for you. RSD put the breaks on my life (it's full body) I was a busy mom with my kids and husband, worked full time, took care of my house and was in a second 4 year term as a school board member. I woke up one night from a sound sleep (it was rare to sleep in the beginning of this journey) and the Holy Spirit reminded me if God brings you to it he will see you through it. I have awful days and it's during these times I lean on my Lord and Saviour more than I do on the good days.

Remember if he brings us to it he will see us through. He promisies a peace of mind that passes all understanding and he has never failed me.
PM me if you need to talk.

Take care,
Sherrie