I can definitely relate to the sitting driving you nuts. I definitely went through that last year when I couldn't stand or walk at all. I couldn't drive...I felt trapped. Just be honest with your doctor about everything. Even if the IME doc says you can work, that doesn't mean your treating doctor will. This is where a good lawyer will be important.

Also...have you considered (or do you have) a handicap parking placard? It might be a good idea. I waited a long time before getting one because I was so worried that I would be taking a handicap parking place from someone who REALLY needed it...but then I realized that I REALLY needed it. I figure that if I am having a better day or reach the point where I don't need then I just won't use it. Doesn't really help with the DRIVING itself but it can make parking less of a hassle...and every little bit helps. I don't know what the laws are in your state but I know in Illinois you don't have to worry about meters or time limits on parking spaces if you have the placard. It would be worth looking into if you don't already have one.

Unfortunately, I am very sensitive to noise and vibration. I had to wait outside the other day while at my doc's office because they were running the copying machine AND even worse, a fellow patient was playing some very loud, very jarring game, on her cell phone. Outside, the wind did not make my arm any happier, so I sat in my car that was luckily right in front of the office. There was a time, when I was level 8-10 pain all day, every day, that that would have sent me into a massive flare. Tears would likely have been involved. ;)
The environment had started elevating me from a level 3, to the 5-6 range. Anywhere in public, including almost all offices, just have a level of noise and vibration that is intolerable for me to be in.

MANY of those with RSD are so severely disabled that work is not an option.
If driving one day for five minutes sets you off, what happens the next day? Are you having to recover from the day before? Those who are healthy have made the claim to me on occassion that they would work regardless of their health. That's because we'd all LIKE to believe we have that control over our health.

And there ARE RSD patients who do learn to adapt and work. BUT, getting you safely and comfortably to work is step one. You MUST discuss this with your doc. It exacerbates my pain to drive, but also to be driven. If you're the same, it might be unrealistic to return to work. It took me YEARS to accept that I wasn't going to go into remission and return to work, or even figure out some way to adapt to a new career. I delayed my SSDI approval because I wanted to work so much, that I just wasn't honest with myself.

Maybe, you need to try getting up and leaving the house for 8 hours a few days in a row to see how your body responds. Go to the library or a Starbucks and just sit and read. Note what the drive does each day, if your fare worse on day 2, and then day 3, etc. Or go try and sit through a few movies at the theatre, or walk through the park, but it needs to include getting up at your regular work hour and a commute...

Good luck!

Once again thanks guys I appreciate it.

I actually just asked the pain mgmt dr for handicap sticker. He signed for 3 months I went to DMV the other day to find out that they dont give them that I had to mail in, so I mailed it yesterday. Hopefully I get soon.

Im trying to move around more, sometimes my days are bad that I just want to sit but Ive been trying to give incentive to myself. Right now I am focusing on a fundraiser I am doing by my house for RSD. So thats been moving me forwards. just been really hard the last few weeks. Sometimes when I walk I feel alittle better but then i get other pain (not rsd) in foot so I have to sit.

So we see. I called 2 Dr's today to make appointment. The first one didnt take workers comp and the second one needs to verify before making an appointment, they never called back so I return the call tmw and if not I'll call this other dr that I got recommended too. So one day at a time right?

That's right...take each day as it comes...but also have a plan in place for the future. Plans may change but I find that they help me to keep the focus and I have to be flexible and realize that many times the mind is willing but the body is not.

With any kind of activity I think it's important to remember to work on an equal amount of rest and activity. Even when I was doing my physical therapy every day throughout the day I made sure to rest in between. My progress was better and I avoided (as much as possible) overdoing things and setting myself back. I started with 10-15 minutes of activity with at least half and hour of rest (sometimes more). As my stamina and endurace improved I gradually worked my way up to longer periods of activity and short periods of needed rest. This also helps to avoid the other aches and pains you can get in your body due to your reduced activity. As you slowly work you way up in activity levels your body can slowly adjust to the longer periods on your feet and stuff.

Remember that if you need to sit down and rest for a little while that this is okay. What you don't want to do is allow yourself to get into a cycle where you are not moving at all...that's the real danger. Better to spread out that activity throughout the day with rest periods than to do a 2 hour marathon of activity in one shot and then be down for the rest of the day or even multiple days. Test your limits and know what you can handle. Set that baseline and then work on improving over time, setting goals for yourself.

That was the best part of my physical therapy. I had a wonderful therapist who came to the house and she did an amazing job helping me set and reach goals...gradually increasing the difficulty of the exercises so that I kept moving forward but never overdid it and experienced a setback. When I went to the outpatient physical therapy several years ago I think the experience was not as good because they tried to force too much too fast without the gradual progression. The focus with the at home therapy was on the gradual progression and on the exercises I was doing not just IN therapy but also outside of it.

Dear Breaker
 

I really cannot add to the great responces you received. Be your own best advocate, as you know your body, better than anyone else. Do all the homework like has been suggested to you. The education is your friend, and the best way to reach your doctors for help. Don't give up, or be pushed into a therapy you do not want. There will always be people on NT to be there for you as you go through this pain. You are not alone, and I care too. I live with a different kind of pain, and I do have compassion for what you are experiencing. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. ginnie

so as I understand it. you are really afraid that you cannot return to work with all your restrictions, if so you are probably right. you do know your body best. workers comp atty,s usually deal with disability as well. mine are in bayshore bohemia area. if you want ...shoot me a private mssge . as far as transportation to dr,s appt.'s pt procedures. if you cannot drive to them (if this is comp) they must provide transportation. and if you can drive you must keep a record of mileage for reimbursement . in NEWYORK worker comp. is responsible for your transportation to and from medical appts. (up to reasonable extents). Do not concern your self with (what will people think) it does not really matter. each person has different limits. you could very well be past yours as I exceeded mine when they pulled me from work. you have a real pain with real concerns. safety for your self and for others, amount of pain you put yourself through amount of stress you can go through. these all differ between people, healthy as well. and having RSD is not healthy or well.

Ketamine infusions have changed my life. Dr. Hertz offers ketamine in Manhattan at St.Luke's Rooosevelt and accepts most insurances. Check out the Ketamine Klub on FB for more info. Good Luck!!