Yeah...definitely don't get rid of the arm. I know the thinking is that you will be pain free if you get rid of it but that's not how it works with RSD. I know you have other issues with the arm above and beyond the RSD...but RSD pain is such that even if you cut off the limb with RSD the pain is still there. I tend to explain it to others (those without RSD who just ask casually about it) as there's really technically nothing wrong with my ankle (just as an example) but rather it is my nervous system that is damaged so even though the initial injury in the ankle healed, I'm still getting pain signals saying it hurts. Even if you chop it off...still gonna get those pain signals...and probably worse because you have just caused your body MORE trauma which of course flares the RSD. If there was even a remote chance...50/50 of cutting the limb off working I bet most of us would try it after everything else has failed...but it just doesn't work at all and it does no good to think that way. I know there are stories of people who completely and totally lost use of the limb for YEARS and they are able to get it back once they find a treatment that works for them and the right doctor....so don't give up hope.

Thanks. I have been trying for almost 2 years to get to a pain doctor to get some relief and i call doctors almost daily to see if they will see me without workers comp approval first. Finally found 1 that will, and when they see my history of meds, won't be no mis-use of drugs lol, maybe drinking too much though! right now that's the only way i get any temporary relief and sometimes sleep 6 hours or more.

Don't stop in your search for a compassionate pain doctor. When My current pain doc. failed to listen to me, I went back to the doctor I knew the best PCPand had HIM call my pain specialist and intervene. I got the relief. Sometimes you have to go all out, to get what you need to help. fight for it! ginnie

Thank You for the kind words I wish I had seen them sooner I live up in Sp[ringfield Oregon ,have a beautiful apartment on housing (no daughtersd step daughters or grandaughters live with me ,I never had m\my own apartment wow I think 3rd floor is highest . I finally got my RSD dxed while at the Nut House at UCLA (for being a faker claiming i hurt like on fire )well a German Neurosurgeon came by gave me lots of tests so after 8 yrears of being called every derogitory name in 1968 oh wekll I guess I did hurt . By then I had Fibrositis recently RA but tryinng Remicade . Anyway I would like to talk to you Ginnie and anyone else my addy is rsder@comcast.net .This was the first non E Group RSD Center I ever saw and to me it remains thee best we all are different so the pain hurts us differently ,you wouldnt believe my difference (no its not that Im a dog that uses Dragon Natural Speak )
People hurt then they get angryu because I wrote something aftter being up 3 days that was misunderstood(just Hypothetical) but still I cant take much negativity but if you wan t to say hi at my e mail or here ,wow kit would be a cherished gift. (I wrote a poem for hhere once but no one read it didnt bother to even say it was awful. I just try tpo be careful
But I hope all lof you are getting all you need if I can ever help /or read my poem I cant find it )
I wish all of you peace and love ADDY IS rsder at gmail dot com
GH rsdno
Gemntle Hug