I know we are not suppose to be stressed, or depressed, cuz it aids the RSD or something.. but I AM!!

I am just grasping the fact that I have RSD! I hurt all the time!
Its really quite scary!!

I was working at a gym called The Little Gym, and teaching kids from 4 months to 12 years gymnastics, cheerleading, sports skills, and karate, and I absolutely loved it!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now I am having to cut my hours down to one class a week, and I got a 2nd job at a hospital on the weekends, 6am to 6pm!! AH! learning new jobs is so nerve racking until u get use to it and i absolutely hate CHANGEE

Iam a full time student and go to school from 11:30-5:15 Tuesdays and Thursdays. Plus I need study time!!!

I am trying to fit in physical therapy, and massage therapy..

I am doing that four f's diet, and frankly, I use to eat mexican food and all kinds of junk, and I am hungry ALLLL the time nowww!!!!! AAHH!!!

And on top of all that, my boyfriend who I turn to about everything, is leaving next Tuesday for the army reserves, and I won't be even tlaking to him for 6 months!!

AHHH!! someone help!! how do i stay unstressed with all this!

Hi Court,
Depression is really a symptom of RSD. RSD is a neurological disorder and part of the brain that is affected is called the Limbic System. It controls our emotions like depression, short term memory skills, judgment, sometimes we grasp for words when we are talking with someone, and just stop and can't remember what the word was.
Depression really hits us when we grasp the enormity of RSD. We learn little by little and become overwhelmeed. Kinda like the stages of death. Grief or Loss of so many things, we don't even comprehend the various losses we have had or possibly will have. I hope you go into remission. You are at the very best time for that to happen. It happened to me for a year or more twice. I hadn't even been diagnosed at the time. It was in the 4th year that I was diagnosed with RSD and the beginning was breast surgery biopsy 4 years prior and got the symptoms immediately following the surgery.
Court, were you hurt at work? Even a small thing like twisting an ankle or bruising a toe? If so, have you applied for WC? I know you said you love your job and that is wonderful, but if you RSD doesn't go into remission , you may not be able to continue working.
Being calm and remaining calm is one of the best things you can do for your RSD body. Stress and you DO HAVE A Stressful schedule. is NOT GOOD for your condition. It can even keep you from going into remission. You may need to consider to see what you can cut back on?
This is a very expensive long term condition. The meds are expensive as well as pt and massage therapy. Speaking of meds-some of our meds call Weight Gain- I hate it. I'm struggling losing. I did aerobics, tennis 5 days a week,water skiing, snow skiing,
When I was diagnosed full body, generalized and also internal-my neuro suggested I see psychiatrist. It was the best thing I did. I didn't like his 2 references or even him for that matter so I looked in yellow pages-isn't that crazy. I saw someone and went for interview-He is a psychiatrist, neurologist and pharmacologist. He teaches, and also does trial studies for pharaceutical companies. I've been seeing him 6 years now. He just built 2 clinics and he put HBOT in both clinics. I'm going to go thru HBOT series this summer.
A woman was on the freeway here in Phoenix-two cars collided and ran into a metal fence. One of the poles became a missle and went into her windshield-took off part of her little finger and arm and impaled her shoulder into the seat. She had 18 operations. Her neuro-surgeon called my Dr. and asked if he would take her for the HBOT treatments. He said yes. She had frozen shoulder (which is what I first had) and in 9 treatments she was waving her hand in front of the local tv cameramen.
Court, when my parents died, I went into counseling for 2 years. I got a journal and did journaling a lot. It's very soothing, and brings out your emotions. You need a support system. Please visit us often as you like. RSDSA is great organization. Also rsd.rx is a sit with a wealth of information. Dr. Hooshmand is retired, but his site is still up to help us. The part of puzzles #1-146 is excellent They are questions with his answers.
Take good care of yourself. Your friend, loretta with soft hugs

thanks louretta,
i didnt injure myself at work, i injured myself when i was in gymanstics long ago, but i think i actuallygot the RSD after amajor surgery in '06... and i am just being diagnosed with it.

I know i have a really busy schedule, but i HAVE to finish school, and i need a job,i know i might have to quit the gym, but i have to grasp that!!

UGHHHH...

court
Sounds like your a high spirited girl..and that your still pretty mobile,,,my wife is in school so I know how you feel,,Sounds like you and your boyfriend have a strong relationship,,,so while he is busy protecting our country[thank him for us] and you will be busy finishing scholl,,,both you guys will be socking away some cash,,,With you already enjoying working out,,I think you will be ok , and before you know it he will be back home,,,,you have God watching over him and you both,,,,,

Many of us have been there. So sorry you are suffering..it is big shock when you are diagnosed with RSD. I totally understand where you are coming from - I have spent a lot of time just like you, in shock and pain and confusion. You are not alone in your reaction.

I started "Mindfulness" training with a psychologist and it helped a bit. FMichael has also posted a lot of info on this topic. There are sites at the UMass and the U of Calif that have some information on the subject. There are also some great books - the one I read was "The Mindfulness Solution to Pain" by Dr. Jackie Gardner-Nix. I periodically re-read some parts of it at night.

Here are the links:

http://www.umassmed.edu/Content.aspx...d&itemid=41254

http://health.ucsd.edu/specialties/p...mbsr/audio.htm

Please take care and try to relax. Live one day at a time. I hope that the mindfulness links above will help you to chill a little, since stress is not at all good for us.

Give my thanks to your boyfriend also, I grew up in a military family and have great respect for anyone that chooses to serve his country. We are a stronger family and better kids for what we learned from my father because of his service to the armed forces!!

Keep in touch, we are here for you, XOXOX Sandy

Hiya Court,
I'm not sure depression is the right term for what you're going through. Depressed people usually aren't so busy, or able to stay so.
You say you hate change.

I suggest you work on "changing" that attitude. Look forward to change, make it a game, a new store to visit, whatever you need to do to enjoy it, Because, Change is the only Constant, in life!

Be Well!

Pete
asb

Hi Court, I understand your need to finish school and have a job, insurance that comes with a job.You were like me-I had surgery and symptoms of RSD immediately following the surgery. I did have pt, but it was four years later that I was diagnosed with RSD.
Like I mentioned before, we need a multi-faceted support system. Are allowed to communicate with yout boyfriend while he is in training? When my son in law got a job where he would be got 3 days a week, I bought him and my daughter computers with internal cameras, where they can see each other as they talk to each other in the evening. That's been really nice for them. Costco has reasonable prices...
Have you checked into taking some classes over the internet that would apply credits toward your degree? That would be wonderful. Hope the best for you, loretta with soft hugs

Hey Court...
KS here..I love the notes everyone shared already..I want to say... take one day at a time as RSD is very over whelming... kepp your mind ope for the future and remember...this..your fellings do not fall on deaf ears as we all feel these feelings... exact feelings..often.. but when you do..think aboutthe love in your heart..that will never change and be resilant as life is still a gift.. heck..poeple here have heard we woe lately since being home from my job... please take everydayas it comes and lean on us..we care about you.. AND many thanks to your boyfriend for his efforts on our behalf!!!

Rest easy and know that it is okay to cry....

soft hugz..KS

Thanks for all of the lifting words!!!

Bobber- I try to be a high spirited girl, but sometimes now I feel like I am always gloomy!!!! I am pretty mobile.. I hurt, but, all my life I have been told to " suck it up" so I do!!! I have however, had times where I am basically bed bound, and have lost a few jobs from it!!! Which I pray every day won't happen again!!

Pete- Dang, kinda harsh eh?? lol You are so right tho, change is a definite constant!!! It just freaks me out, but I will try and start looking at it form a differnt stand point!

Louretta- The first 10 weeks of his training we can only write letters to eachother, but after that we will be able to talk, Im just not sure how much! I will also be able to go see him after those first 10 week, cuz he will graduate basic training then, but it will be very brief!!! I havent really looked into online classes, I don't feel like I would be as dedicated to the class if I didnt have a teacher infornt of me, you know!!But that definitely, might be something to consider!

I will give my b/f thanks from you all!
THANKS!
Courtney