I am determined to get my crps into remission as I'm sure all of you are.

Question- IF I can achieve remission (I should be determined/positive and say "When I achieve remission") is this disease considered a life long illness? For example- will I always need to be careful with future injuries and surgeries. I know that crps is considered to be progressive & incurable.

Would you liken crps' remission to cancer's remission and thus, need to be followed for a period of time and then after a number of years, all is good?. Or would you consider this something that follows you throughout one's life?

Thanks again to everyone for their knowledge and support.

Hi Reluctant! I was first diagnosed with RSD in the right side of my face back in 1992. With aggressive treatment, I went into remission for 13 years. During that 13 years, I had a few very minor flares that were controlled with medication. In 2005, I had a pretty major flare that took a little longer to deal with. In 2009, I hurt my right hand and it came back with a vengeance. Now, in addition to my face, I also have it in both hands, left arm, left leg and possibly my right foot (a newer injury there).

Of course, not every injury will result in the end of remission or a spread. Everyone is different...this is just my story. I didn't remain with doctors during remission, there was no need. I only sought out and needed medical treatment when I had the major flare and then now (since 2009).

I did not realize in 1992 what RSD really was, no one did. I was the first case they (UVA) had ever seen or heard of with it in the face. I just wish I had known that it was incurable and would be with me for the rest of my life...I would not have settled that law suit out of court for such a piddly amount. But even being more knowledgeable about it would not have prevented the injury that caused the revenge of it back in 2009.

Nanc