I have only been dx'd about 7 months ago, so feel free to ask anything and If we know or think we may know< we will answer u!! Have a good day!1

Jacqueline, We have some thngs in common. I had tos surgery w/ sympanthectomy 20 yrs. ago , for 15 yrs I called the rsd "my nerve damage" The surgery gave me back the use of my arm and alot of the pain was gone. I had other injuries that kept me "couch ridden" for several yrs. I have dealt with alot of your symptoms and have gotten relief with some and learned to live with others. Did you have surgery under both arms? Do you sweat at all? Do you do any jerking?I also had problems with PT and different exercises I've tried over the years. Scar tissue can be a huge side effect that effects everyone different and cause it's own problems. The best thing I did was see a massage therapist. She was very experienced and had a school. She taught me more about my body than anyone. We end up with scar tissue simular to someone who has had a mastectomy. between the frozen muscles(neck back right leg) and s car tissue I had alot of spasms, pain, jerking, toxin build up. you also get referred pain ( a tight muscle pinches a nerve causing something else to hurt) I saw her 3 times aweek for several years. It was painful and I was nauseated afterwards( release of toxins) i even drained thru a place in my back and one in my arm. My body couldn't get rid of all the toxins. It was months before I would let her touch my arm and I cried alot but I got better. The other thing I did was see a chiropractor she recommended .Someone on here spoke about using an applicator or what they call the "grostic technique". I was shocked the jerking I had done for 4 yrs almost completely stopped, my colon , interstitual cytistist( i didn't know alot of people had problems with this) back spasms were greatly improved. I have run out of room. email me Would love to talk of skins problelms Denise

Hello all,

Here is a short version of my story. I had knee surgery 10/07, long painful recovery not going as well as anyone had hoped finally diagnosed with CRPS 01/09. Have been going for treatment since then hoping for the best also learning as much as I can. One of the most difficult part for me thus far is family who do not comprehend my pain therefore are not very supportive. Luckily my Mother and Step Father have been amazingly supportive to me. My Mother is who actually found this site for me! I have already read through the survival kit thread, found it very helpful. Wish you all a pain free holiday weekend!

Welcome crpslouisa! You are not alone in dealing with family who doesn't understand. My wife has RSD and it the oldest of 8 siblings. Only one out of the bunch keeps in contact with my wife. All I can say is flood them with as much information about RSD as you can.

I'm new here....on my birthday last summer I was holding a ladder for my hubby to trim a split tree limb hanging over our power lines...bad idea. He fell off the ladder and as I worried about him getting hurt, I held the ladder as long as I could...it finally came down and with a crack it hit my anke knocking me to the ground. I knew I was hurt badly...and on my birthday. This wasnt an regular ladder, it's one of those metal extension ladders. So, I got up and hobble into the house, knowing it was bad. I refused treamtent that day and went out for lunch carrying an icepack with me. The next morning I couldnt stand. Went to the urgicare, they took an xray and put me in a aircast. It wasnt better in the week they said it would be, went back they knew something was differant. Send me to an ortho and he said it looked terrible...nice hu? He sat over me, pulled off the air cast and said. THAT'S NOT GOOD...just what you want to hear. He couldnt touch the bruised area it was like he was ripping my skin off. He mentioned RSD and said to goto PT...went to PT and for a week and a half was in horrible pain at the hands of the therapist. She knew something was wrong, sent me back to the doctor and they ordered an MRI, it showed a torn tendon...great. This time it's now about 3 months after the injury. Went to a new foot surgeon, he was nice. He first thought RSD but said he needed to fix the tendon, I had a special brace made to get me through the holidays and then have surgery. I did, woke up in the recovery room in horrible pain. the nurse said it wasnt possible he injected my ankle with something to block the pain...I ended up getting morphine and was still in pain...well got sent home. This was just a surgery center and not a hosptial. I got home with my cast on and was just feeling like I wanted to die. Hubby couldnt understand why i hurt so much, why the pain meds didnt help...I couldnt put my foot down without crying. Well came time to cut my cast off and I told the doc it felt like my skin was tearing off my ankle...it wasnt the tendon, it was RSD. So, I rehab from that, in a wheel chair since I cant walk. Finally i was sent to see a nureologist who did a nerve test to diagnos RSD, great. HE refers me to the Cleveland Clinic Pain center...now I am currently having these nerve blocks that seem to basically do nothing....I am at the end of my line. I just dont know how much more I can take.

thanks for listening.

Hang in there heartbeatmom! The Cleveland clinic has a good reputation, I believe. If I were you I'd look into Ketamine infusions. Since you are in the early stages of RSD the infusions may help you and possibly put you into a remission. The earlier the better.

Welcome to the boards, heartbeatmom! I am so sorry that you went through this and are going through this, but please hang in there. We know what it is and we're all here for you if you need us!

thanks.

i have never heard of Ketamine infusions...what are those? I am having the lumar injections with no relief. I was injured last august and it's been a nightmare ever since.

heartbeatmom, here are several links that will explain.
http://www.rsdhope.org/ShowPage.asp?PAGE_ID=82
http://www.rsdhealthcare.org/index.html
http://www.rsdfoundation.org/en/Ketamine_Treatment.html
http://www.rsdhope.org/Showpage.asp?...1&PGCT_ID=4210
http://www.rsds.org/3/treatment/ketamine.html

i, too, fell at wk in 4/08 & broke left wrist. came out of cast w/RSD. i see a PM dr, psychologist, OT ea. wk, orthoped. - & neurologist, as i have epilepsy, too! the "mess" has crept up my arm 2 shoulder 2 left should. blade! i take 1500mg neurontin, celebrex (hurts 2 type), & all my seizure meds. just saw my foot dr today as i thought my plantar fasc. was acting up...... oh no, he thinks it's worse than that! burning pain & knife pain in foot - all of the left foot. i know my worker's comp is gonna die! i've been blessed, tho. i've been home over yr & receive my salary. my family is great - my husb. is an angel! i know God has a plan 4 me..... i try 2 think every day: if i get up & have a pulse, God has a purpose 4 me that day! hope u hang in there!