Kim, You have my sympathy. I remeber vividly that same thing. I loved my job so much & was in total denial that this thing was some doctors srew up & would be fixed or go away & I would go on with my life. When I lost my job I even went to college online for a year because this thing was not going to beat me. I fainally had to give up when I got my SCS & this monster spread on me. There was no more denial. I am hre if you want to talk. I still miss my job so much it makes me cry. Its not an easy thing to let go of. Especially when you love it. I am so sorry this has happened to you.

I got that routine letter too informing me that I was no longer employed......I forget if it was at one year or 1.5 years after the date of my injury.

It feels like another smack in the face along the WC journey. Not to be a bigger downer, but if you are dealing with RSD the likelyhood of making it back to that job was probably a minimal chance anyway.......

Hopefully, you will be able to find some treatment that works for you and makes life a little easier once again.

Gentle hugs

Hello Kim,

I'm so sorry you have to go through all of this. It's not enough we go through the complications of living with RSD. When we deal with employers, WC and insensative doctors it only makes us more anxious and our pain is worse.

I remember when I got past denial. It scared me when I understood and accepted I have RSD. That's when I took long term disability leave from my job, it was very hard. Leaving my job was close to mourning the loss of someone I deeply cared for. It took me almost 5 years after being diagnosed before I accepted my condition.
I was miserable during that 5 years. I was determined to keep my life as normal as possible. I was going to work through the pain and keep anyone from knowing how awful I felt. Most of the time I failed at that attempt. It was very difficult to hide the awful pain that this condition brings. The harder I tried the more anxiety I put on myself thus the more I suffered from pain. My RSD started in my right shoulder and arm and is now full body with some organ involment.

I am going on 9 years with RSD the last 3 I have not worked. I miss my job and think of it often. I talk to a couple of my old co workers and good friends via e-mail.

Losing your job is another phase of this illness that we are forced to deal with. Some of us RSD'ers on here are lucky and still work. I pray they continue to have the strength to get through their days. It's a prayer I have for everyone on this forum.

Keep your head up and know that you are not alone. Don't let RSD define you as a person. This fight isn't for the weak and it brings out the fighter in us all.

Good luck in your search for a doctor that has the knowledge to help you. I pray you find the wisdom you need to deal with your employer and WC.

Take care of yourself,
Sherrie