Hey. I am sorry you are facing this. When I first developed this pain condition I had no injury and did not have all the signs of RSD. I do have RSD with another condition PN. It is very key to see some one who works with RSD a lot. I agree about the pain doc. My neuro after I was dx with PN stated he felt I also had RSD but did not know that much about it other then the meds which are used for both. I se you are from MI where I am from. I traveled to Ohio but also saw some docs in MI. I am from Oakland County but if you want I am here and can try to help you. I have seen basically every specialty from reumos,endos,neuro,multiple pain doc. Its been a long road with a lot of opinions. Hang in there

Hi everyone, I just got back from my family doctor and he said that it looks like RSD. He is getting my medical records from my knee specialist and then sending me to a pain management doctor. So I can find out for sure that I have RSD and be able to manage it. I can't get the injections in my back because of my back problems, so I have to find a different way to manage the RSD. I hope that there is a different way to manage it. I'm starting to get scared about this RSD, I hope that I can manage it so it does not get bad. I think I'm getting closer to finding out what is wrong with my leg, if I have RSD or not.

Thanks,
Ruby

Ruby,

I have just started going through this as well and reading up on everything I can find. It IS scary, but everything that I have been able to find about people having success overcoming the condition (not meaning they are pain free but meaning that they regain function and the ability to do a lot of things) is keeping a positive attitude. Don't let your fear get in the way of recovery, but I am scared to death of all the what-ifs. But I try to be rational (most of the time) and talk myself down when I find myself focusing on my fears instead of taking it one step at a time and working towards the best result possible...whatever that might be. Sorry that you are going through this and I will be sending my wishes your way that you do not have RSD.

Ruby,just a thought for you. When I first found out that I had RSD. I had a Dr. do an EMG. This way you can see how far your's has progressed. Or maybe you already know where you are with this? I also wanted to welcome you to this wonderfull and caring group here! Breezy55

I go see a new knee specialist on Feb.3. I will find out what that doctor has to say. I hope that it is good news. I don't know were I am with this RSD or if I even have it. That is what I'm trying to find out. I'm almost thinking of saying forget about finding out, because it costs to much money. Sorry I'm not in a good mood tonight. My leg is just killing tonight. It has been hurting all day today. I don't think the doctors are going to do any test on my leg. The doctors have not even talked about any tests. My family doctor thinks that I have RSD too. I will talk to you guy tomorrow. that is if I can get on the net tomorrow. I have to work all day tomorrow.

Bye
Ruby

Hi Ruby, I'm so sorry you are here under these circumstances, but it will be a blessing to you. There is a wealth of accumulated knowledge and compassion, and kindness here. It does sound like RSD-you don't have to have all the symptoms. I had a nuclear med test to confirm RSD in hand. That was 4 years after getting RSD following surgery. After 9 years, I have had a wonderful neuro, psych. & pharmacologist the past 6 years. The combination of meds have helped tremendously.
There is a website rsdrx.com that is so good. Under puzzles-there are 146 puzzles or questions with his answers. Very good.
My Dr. built 2 clinics and put HBOT in both of them. I'm going to have Hyperbar Oxygen Chamber Treatment. It increase oxygen. RSD does several things. Raises Blood Pressure, Lowers Blood Pressure. Alternates the Immune System, Effects circulation ,body temperture, inflammation is increased. RSD can go into mouth, ears, eyes, Besure and check out these areas and take precautions before going for treatment. Physical Therapy can be a lifesaver. I have had this 15 years and am fully mobile except for 1 hand-delayed treatment.
When I was diagnosed my sports injury orthopedic Dr. ordered a Tens Unit for me. I did therapy at home everyday to keep mobile and desensitize.
Take several bowls with cotton balls, coffee grounds, sugar, rice, beans, popcorn kernals, etc to desensitize hands. Physical Therapy saved me from being crippled. Massage Therapy was not fun, but also saved my mobility.
Water Therapy 86 degree water is very helpful- No Ice
Staying Calm is so important, nice music,Visualization, Prayer, Meditation,
Reading, candles, Listening to ocean music, the rain, water falls, can put a person in a peaceful state of mind.
Counseling helped me a lot-I'm in my 6th year. I'm so grateful for this avenue of help. I had 2 plus years of psychologist after my parents died. In this matter, a psychiatrist that also is a neurologist, and pharmacologist has been a great combination. I had difficulty sleeping, and he included me in a 200 person trial study. I sleep 10 hrs now and it has helped so much. I was able to lower my pain meds.
Please feel free to rant, cry, share your pain, both psysical and emotional wenever you feel like it.
You can go to RSDSA and put in your zip code and get the closest support group meeting. I have found them very helpful and informative. You can get connections thru the friends there. They have an annual meeting in Feb-Mar and very informative. It was here in Arizona last year and I attended.
Biofeedback is another form of help some people use. Surgery is something that most people run from. That's how I got RSD.
There are prominent RSD Drs. in the country and some people fly to see a good Dr. I knew I was misdiagnosed, but had no idea what I had, so I flew 3 states away to a sports injury group I knew famous athletes went to. Took 1 minute for him to look at my hand and tell me what was wrong. Followed up by tests at hospital. It's worth the $ to get on the right road and receive the proper help.
Take care, and welcome again-you are with wonderful caring people. Your friend, loretta with soft hugs

I'm just getting depressed about my leg. It hurts to sit in a chair or lay my knee on the bed to sleep. I do taxes for my job and it is hard to think about what I am doing when my leg hurts so bad from sitting in the chair and getting up and down to get the paper work. Then I have to stand on my leg when I go outside to smoke. About half way through a 6 hour work day, I just want to use my crutches because of the pain in my leg. And the pain pills does not help for very long. What type of job can you do with RSD. I'm starting to think I need a job that I can just sit all day long and not have to get up very much. Do any of you work? And what type of job do you work at? How long does it take before you can't work anymore? I will talk to you later.

Thanks,
Ruby

Everyone is different with work. I know some people who had to take years off at the start then found the right treatment and went back and others who worked at the start to not in the future. I still think you need to get in to a pain doc/anestesolgist asap. The proper treatment as soon as possible is important. Also you stated smoking and that is horrible for rsd. Though I know it is hard to stop I encourage you to try. Hang in there and try to take 1 day at a time

I go in to see a new knee specialist on Feb. 3 at 9:30 in the morning. I hope that this doctor can tell me if I have RSD. I'm going to try and get a job that I can sit down for most of the time. I'm thinking about becoming an accountant. And I'm going to go through Michigan Works Rehabation to have them help me get a job. Wish me luck on this new doctor. I will talk to you later.

Ruby

Please be open minded about "shots in the back".... when you go to see a pain management doctor, they will probably want to do a lumbar sympthetic block. It is often used as a diagnostic tool for RSD.

When my RSD traveled to my shoulder, I had a couple of these blocks, done in the neck. They were really no problem.