ulcers are caused by bacteria, not virus......

This has really touched a nerve but I am glad people are talking. You all are inferring all kinds of wrong nformation from my post which I understand because of the tendancy to be defensive. I NEVER said support groups are wrong! I never said I don't support the idea. I did say for every support group you go to try to balance it with another interest. I am not accusing, singling out or denegrating anyone. If you notice I include myself in all of the pitfalls I talk about. Please really read the words and don't try to assign tone, we rarely ever do that correctly. Frogga, I happen to think you are a great example of keeping balance.

Being understood as a way of coping illustrates my point. That is the way in which you have made it work. You have found commerades in arms and that is how you spin it to to work and not kill you.

Where you are getting the wonder woman notion I have no idea. I spent 9 yrs being flown across country working with an intensive therapist and pain team on learning to live with this due to the severity of my condition. I do not need to pit my pain experience against anyone elses because it doesn't matter "who hurts the worst" You have done to me exactly what you claim to hate whe doctors do to you. You have be littled my experience as not as "bad" as the rest of you. I am only trying to expose another side of the coin that helped me find a little emotional peace. I have to imagine some else could benefit.

MommyjenppI am sorry for your RSD.

Perhaps . are you trying to say "focus on the things that you CAN do, and try to incorporate other people into your life, even if it is exploring a web-site about an activity that you can no longer do, but STILL interests you, rather than being in such despair and pain that it is tempting to isolate yourself from the outside world, in SPITE of the RSD?"

Brokenwings

Hello pabb: I know that ulcers are caused by bacteria and not a virus but did not catch the mistake until after I posted and was too lazy to change it. By the way, I make mistakes with what word to use quite frequently now. Last week my neighbor cleared the snow from my driveway and I called him and thanked him for mowing it for me. Regards, Lil

Mommyjen: Quote:"Sometimes the incentive to get better disappears because without the conditon we wouldn't know who we are or how others would know us."
That sounds pretty straightforward to me or have I somehow miscontrued your sentence?
Yes, it does matter what the doctor calls it because s/he will manage your case accordingly. You are in pain? No meds for you, just try to relax.
The people on this board are supportive, caring people trying to help each other deal with our reality. No one here is trying to get the trophy for being in the most pain for the longest time. We just want to help each other. Regards, Lil

Mommyjen--Also, i would like to add: There are MANY people on this Forum who have had RSD for a long time; for others, they have just gotten diagnosed with it, or have had in for a year or two.

ACCEPTING and ADAPTING to ANY serious injury or disease, such as RSD takes TIME, and every individual handles it in a DIFFERENT way. Just because something is "different" does not mean that it is WRONG.

In addition, although I am relatively new to this site, there are ALSO numerous discussions of HOBBIES or other INTERESTS that people here on this forum have been engaging in, or EXPLORING. We are SHARING with each other OTHER POSITIVE activites that we have found that we are ABLE to engage in, in SPITE of the RSD, and hope that the information may be of use to others.

Unfortunately, some of the individuals on this Forum have PERMANENT impairments, either from actual damage to their ulnar nerves, sciatic, nerves,thoracic complex, etc., in ADDITION to their RSD. Even IF the RSD was CURED, they would STILL be left with a disability UNRELATED to the RSD.

Nine years is a LONG time to adapt, and it is wonderful that you have a found a way to do so for YOU, given the severity of your condition.

For others, they are just beginning to find ways that works for THEM, and their UNIQUE circumstances.

There is no "right" or "wrong", just DIFFERENT.

Brokenwings

You should definately not stay with a Dr your uncomfortable with...

ALSO - Mommyjen - First a question: Has anyone ever doubted your condition or pretty much called you a liar?

Until you have it happen to you and someone accuses you of something like Munchausen OR your are faced with family or friends who are disbelievers OR a Dr who thinks its "all in your head" you have no idea what it feels like to be attacked like that. You question yourself, your doctors, your sanity, and your character is attacked. To top it all off and this is probably the worst - Good quality medical treatment is delayed or never done at all. It is a horrible position to be put into.

So, It DOES matter what people think. How else can you get adequate treatment?! How will you be treated by others out in public? Will your physical needs be met? (Pillows for your arm at the family birthday party...Special seating at the restaurant for you to have a little more room for your leg...A ride to the Dr because you are feeling miserable that day...these are just a few examples)

RSD is something you cant see....Like I said - Do they attack, judge or question people who have Arthritis? MS? Epilepsy? Lupus? Diabetes? NO they don't because they have found the cause, root of the problem or you can physically see the issue. Why do they do this with RSD?!!? It has been MORE then proven that RSD is NOT a psychological disorder....yet their are still these ding-dongs out there who keep on trying to put of off as someone being "dramatic", "faking", "lying", "has a pre-disposed disposition" - It makes me want to GAG!!!

People who have this condition need to have compassionate, caring people around them. Understanding people who will work with them for a positive outcome. A Dr who wants to say "it's all in their head" is nothing but a thorn in the patience side and will do nothing but bring them down. Thats why it's important to have a Dr who is knowledgeable, understanding, compassionate, listens, wants to work with the patient for the best possible outcome and one who BELIEVES the patient.

My husband and I have talked about this often....He can not wait for the day he can go back to work. It has killed him to have to rely on me for financial support. He has always been a proud individual, one who provided for his family. He wants it back that way....He stays positive even tho this is our 2nd round with RSD (which was a major shock - we never thought it would occur from this surgery on his arm). He is preparing to go back to school, as he realizes the use of his arms could be limited, he will probably never go back to his previous work and he does not know how long this will last...We keep hoping for the same results as his leg - Where he is not completely pain free but is at least functional. He is not homebound, and even when it hurts like h*ll when he's having to take pain meds just to function, he still volunteers/works with the youth in the area in two different things, he attends church, goes shopping, and goes to our kids school functions, etc. RSD has not and will not completely take over his life.

He does not wallow around in self-pity - He works hard at his physical therapy, does his home exercises, is taking action to ensure the best results for his future, and remains as positive as possible. Some days it's tough - but he does it because thats the type of "pre-disposed personality or disposition" he has.....

I have such respect and compassion for your husband. He is trying to do the dance and believe me it will serve him so well. You sound like you walk right beside him. My husband is like that. I too miss what I wanted to do for work but I havae found a way to have my dream job! I sell antiques literally from my bed! LOL I started the whole thing with 100.00 and now I have a house full of interesting fun things and a prorfit each month. That kind of activity for my mind is crucial. RSD can;t get near my business. That is where I find the me who isfighting the pain and medications. I can be bright and funny and I can be successful every day. I pray your huband finds that place. Walk beside him and I can ever help in an way just ask.