Most of us develop other problems especially arthritis and mental issues. I believe osteoporosis comes around eventually in most cases. I believe we need to fight this disease constantly with everything we have but must accept the symptoms. Fighting it, for me, largely means identifying the triggers and avoiding them. It means finding the few things that help and incorporating them into our lives. It means being always on the look out for new weapons to fight the monster. It means experimenting and observing to see things that make life easier and more livable. For me it means trying not to worry and to monitor my medications.

I'll probably always feel I'm standing on the edge of a precipice until the day I fall off or am pushed off. Perhaps I'm wrong though; the doctor tells me that I should expect a normal lifetime. The doctor doesn't experience the things I do and communicating the symptoms to people is almost impossible when I hardly understand them myself. I'd have never understood if someone had told me.

I am so glad someone posted about this becauze I was just about to.

I am 22... and totally 10000% rsd triggers other things. It messes up the brain so bad over time I believe and have had quite a few new ones pop up.

I am going to see a new doctor to figure out what else is going wrong. Its like it never ends. so frustrating.

So hard to just hang in here right now. Its so depressing having this, and my favorite day of the year New Years I layed in my bed and watched tv. The thought of going out in this pain is beyond me. Trying so hard not to become part of the statistic, but setriously... its so frustrating.

OMG, I thought I was going bonkers here. Thank you so much for posting this thread! I too feel like I am getting other health problems from this monster. I know for a fact I have gotten some type of dermatitis that comes and goes, but it lasts for months at a time and itches like all get out. My body looks like a battle field. I also bruise very easily now, literally for no reason at all. Of course the doctor's blame it on other things. I take as little medication as possible with no narcotics, I have to long to go without adding medication induced problems. I will know when and if I have to add medication to deal with pain. Right now, I fight the pain pretty well and maybe my RSD/CRPS isn't that bad, who knows. My body scares me, I used to know how to read my body and now I don't. I feel like a hypocondriac (sp.)

I have joined a gym to walk on the treadmill some, to get out of the house and not dwell on the condition (it is in my hands/wrists). I try to do what the dr.'s tell me, but they do not live the physical or mental nightmare. For me, sometimes the mental nightmare is worse because it plays games with me, the physical is there for real, I know that and feel that every minute!

Sorry to rant, just frustrated like all of you!!

Sonny,
I have the same crap happening to me. I itch all over especially on the arm which all this RSD stuff started. I bruise easily too. My skin on the left side of my face is flaky like dandruff.
I suspected it being from RSD and now it's confirmed...

OMG Jimbo,

Not that I am happy in any way that you have the exact same thing, believe me, but PHEWWWW! Man, people look at me like I have fleas or something. Somebody actually asked me if my dog had fleas!! I was like, Yea, I bought a $2500 English Bulldog and I'm gonna let him get fleas! (It is someone that knows me too!...Idiot)

I have little red bumps around my wrists/hands, where the RSD is and then it is in the joints of my arms, legs and on my torso and unfortunately under my breasts...which doesn't look great when I have to itch! lol. Unbelievable. It keeps me up at night.

For the dandruff, flaky skin...try extra virgin Coconut Oil or even olive oil really. The coconut oil comes in a wax form and has to be melted, but it melts when rubbed in hands. It is great for cooking, body (I just put it in my hair and on my face 30 munites ago after my shower) Has a million uses. Google it!! It doesn't leave an oily residue either and smells good! You can get that online or at a vitamin store! Or Olive oil is good too! Extra virgin, more natural.

I am in the process of researching more natural herbs/supplements to try for this RSD and it's wonderful side kicks that want to join in, othewise I will be a pharmacy before I know it and won't know my own name!!

I got the red bumps and itching once my RSD spread to the new areas (arms, neck, hands, etc) and my doctor said that it is caused by the inflammation (which is the result of the RSD). That comes and goes...much like many other RSD symptoms...but boy when it comes I feel like I am going to lose it. When you are sensitive to the touch AND you itch like crazy...that is a terrible combo.

Catra,

I just replied to Jimbo about this darn itchy thing and was trying to add your qoute to it too, but I have no idea how to do multiple people's qoute's! Anyhow...my reply was meant for both of you, since you both have the red bumpy itch! Sorry!!!

Sonny,
I read your response to my post and I guess we and Catra are in the same ugly boat together scrambling for life preservers. I hope we can find some relief soon...

I do have some other weird stuff. I had my gall bladder go bad when I was 17...5 years after getting RSD. So that got removed. I had gestational diabetes with my second child....which happened to be at the same time my RSD decided to flare. I got some weird itchy infection on the tops of my feet. I had it for 2 years before I found an antifungal that killed it. First it was fungal, then they decided it was psoriasis, then we went back to fungal. Anyway, I think that RSD DOES cause other stuff.