Burning pain is an indicator for RSD and while intensity is of course a major factor, burning pain is generally considered one of the most painful types of pain. Awkward sounding, but...

Do you feel as if your RSD is possibly going into remission? Or just that it is being managed well by meds?

Just to clarify, this was a doc that was representing WC's interests? If yes, they can behave truly as "hired guns" in the worst of circumstances. I recently had a conversation with a QME (a doc that supposed to be unbiased towards either side) and he related a story about being approached by a WC doc that was looking for a new partner. It would have been big money, but he couldn't stomach what the job really entailed--doing everything in his power to prevent treatment for every injured worker he would have seen, regardless of the veracity of their claim and urgency of their need for treatment. Again, every state's WC system is different.

Lit Love
My pain started in my ankle, went to my toes and engulf the top of the foot. It is now cold, not as painful in the calf to the knee. Since Sept. it is starting to burn and painful in my left ankle as well as a feeling of running ice water in my left hand and forearm, with no pain. (but that is how I knew something was definetly wrong with my right foot.
Yes, this was the wc doc. Not mine. Mine has been great, very supportive. My atty. doc agreed on the RSD dx, as well as the dr. who first diagnosised me and the 2 that work for my employer. So thats 5. Wow!

When I started feeling severe chronic RSD pain in August 2001, I received no effective pain treatment. I was crying and screaming so loudly that the alarm of my house would go off and the dogs would bark their heads off. Result: the cops would come (I guess a neighbor called them). At that time, I was in a wheelchair (my left leg had not touched the floor for many months and if I tried to stand on that leg, I would just fall), so I could not go out to talk to the cops (there were four steps to go in or out of the house). The cops sometimes would try to come in to help me, but with an electric gate they could not open manually, and with my two dogs (a pitbull and a German shepherd), they had a hard enough time doing so. However, I thank them for all they did for me. I found cops to be nicer than many, many doctors. I would also sometimes get violent towards myself (for example, I would hit my RSD knee). No one ever knew about this, because I did not want to be locked up in a psychiatric hospital as a 5150, even though I had friends who went through that experience and told me it was quite easy to escape. Months or years later, I learned to hide my pain because no doctor believed me, so I thought: "Why show them I am in pain if they do not believe me?"

I learned from my experience not to judge people's pain according to their appearance and actions. Some people show their pain and some do not. I like the proverb that says: "Do not judge a book by its cover."

It seems that the face of an RSD patient is stoic. We do not complain about our pain, nor burden other people about it other than to maybe say I am just having a bad day. It appears to me that people who have the mildest pain complain the most.

As far as the handicap placard, I am the person you all love to hate. I have RSD in my upper extremity, shoulder and neck--going on over nine years now. I do walk with a small limp from the bi-lateral bone grafts taken from both hips to patch my arm back together. I also have extreme fatigue, migraines and often very high pain levels. As it stands now, I have to drive about 25 minutes to even get groceries, and many times that placard means the difference between one errand or two. So yeah, when I hop out of my car, it is a really good day for me and I am trying to get a lot done, so please don't judge me. Lisa

In all honesty...knowing what I know now about RSD and chronic pain...I don't judge anyone that I see using the Handicap spaces. I know a lot of people DO use them illegally...but I save my harsh words for the people I KNOW do it (like my mom tried to do on a number of occassions).

I waited 2 years before applying for a handicap placard and honestly I was shocked when the doctor checked the Permanent box on the application. What a kick in the teeth...but honestly it's what I really needed. I figure if I don't need it on a certain day, I won't use it, but when I DO need it then I have it. Everyone needs to act according to their own conscience with this and know their own limitations. I cringe at the idea of going into a big box store because even if I am feeling "good" when I get there...by the time I get to where I am going and come pack out I will be huffing and puffing, incredibly slow, etc.

As far as getting a cane or wheelchair...I strongly recommend to use whatever will keep you moving and living your life. The dangers of a wheelchair of course are that you won't actually be walking and standing, and therefore not using those parts of your body which can make the RSD and recovery much, much harder. Sometimes you don't have a choice...I was in a wheelchair for months because I couldn't stand or walk (because of pain, poor balance, and other stuff). The amount of physical therapy it has taken just to get me walking a little bit has been extensive.

Now I am using a rollator (4 wheeled walker with a seat), and I like it a lot (it's pink and I intend to decorate it for the holidays). It keeps me moving (and is less painful because it's not FULL weight bearing), gives me a place to sit when I need it (which is still often), and gives me a way to carry things with me so I am not so helpless when I am by myself. I, of course, hope to eventually be able to walk around again without it, but for the time being at least I am able to walk and get around the house and occassionally go out (when someone can drive me), while still doing the physical therapy exercises that are full weight bearing and designed to get me functioning better and better. The only real negative with the rollator is that because I now have RSD in my hands they always get bright red and swollen (and oh...the PAIN) if I walk for too long (because that's when I push on them more)...but when I weigh that against the freedom to move around...freedom wins every time.

So my advice is to find out what is best for you in terms of a walking assistant. If you want something that you can get all decked out...then go for it...whatever makes you smile. If walking with a cane, walker, rollabout, or even using a wheelchair will allow you the freedom to live your life and get a greater sense of normalcy (ie...lessen the pain enough to make this possible) then you should seriously consider getting one. There are a lot of rental companies out there, so if you're not sure what would be the most helpful you could try out the different things for a week and see what is best. Or if there are people who have one laying around that they are not using then you could borrow just to try. It's definitely worth it if you can get some semblance of a normal life back with it.

Kitty,
Thanks for your honesty. I found with the cold weather coming in the increase in pain, that I am back to the emotional rollercoaster. I punched my thigh and thought this sucks. It just sucks!
I hate what my life has become. I want to work, I want to go to the store on my own. I don't want to plan things around taking a pill.

Alt,
I feel the same way. This sucks!
I so much want to do the things before this monster happened. I used to drive a semi. I can't even drive a car now. My house is in need of repairs that I used to be able to do. I used to run around with my dog outside, can't do that anymore. Hell, I can't even mow my lawn cause of my balance and only one hand. That's the hard part. Knowing what you used to do and thinking of your now limitations.
Somehow we just need to realize that we're in this mess and at least we have the courage to go on. I guess it's time to make the lemonade!...

Jimbo,
Lemonade? I quite drinking years ago, but I think that lemonade best have some whiskey. lol

Cronic pain makes you look old. You don't sleep well, and it is a weight you carry on your shoulders day in and day out. I am gratefull I am treated for pain and am on a medicine that helps me cope so I can have a good quality of life. I feel so helpless when I read the posts of those who do get medicine, but even that does not help them with their quality of life. That is what it comes down to. I hope those who have cronic pain, can find the help they need. I will be 60 this next month. I look older than I should because of all my health conditions. I hope your pain is less each day. ginnie

Alt,
Ha ha ha,
A glass or two of good ole Jack wouldn't hurt....