My name is Betsy. I am 56 years old. I have had RSD since 2007. It was caused by out of code stairs at a resturant. The injury was to my left foot. The injury left me with RSD and unable to have surgery. Little would I know that years later I would be saying I wish I'd never heard of RSD. I now have it full body. I think back to what I felt like with no intenese burning and such horrible pain thats unbearable.

I am hoping to tell all of you about my journey hoping that something I say or do helps you. I have been through alot of treatments and medications. They have all not helped or little help and never last. I have never had a drink, a cigarette, or a cup of coffee. So the thought of many types of medications was hard for me. I have read 100's of blogs. It took me time to decide to join but I'm glad I am here. I know RSD is hard to diganois. Lucky for me I had a triple phase bone scan that showed that I had RSD. I have had a long journey.

I don't know where to start. Maybe where I am now.I am going through Ketamine Infusion Therapy. I am going through this as an outpatient. I am just about to have my 16th infusion since last August. I am anxious to tell you more.Please let me know what you are doing with your treatments?

Hi Betsy. I'm so sorry to hear all that you are goimg through. This is a wonderful forum which has quite literally been a lifesaver for me. It helps so much to talk to others who know what it is like to live with this monster day in and day out. We all have different stories but also so many things that are the same and it feels good to know that I am not alone (though I honestly wish that no one had to live with this mess).

Currently I am doing tDCS treatments and am very happy with the treatment. Other than the success that I have seen with it, what I am most happy about with this treatment is that it is not invasive and after experiencing spread from a lumbar sympathetic block this is very important to me. It has allowed me to return to a more normal life with less pain (though it's still there all the time day in and day out...but less) and more sleep.

I'm not taking much in the way of meds after a bad reaction to some last year. So all I am using now are clonidine patches and lidoderm patches. Plus epsom salt baths, TENS, ultrasound, physical therapy, and tDCS. I need to use a walker to walk now since the RSD spread to my whole upper body (started in my left ankle) and my balance went all wonky.

How have the Ketamine Infusions been working for you? I've heard good things but the doctor in my area who offers them is out of network and they are too expensive so I never got to do them (not that I would at this point anyway after the spread...but I looked into it before). I hope you are getting some relief from the Ketamine. Best of luck and if you need anything, whether it's a advice or just to vent, please don't hesitate to post. There are so many wonderful, supportive people here.

Hi Betsy,

Welcome to the forum. I am glad you decided to join us. Like many others the forum has litterly been a lifesaver for me also. I have rsd in the right foot and left foot has the burning pain. I got rsd from a fall at work in 09. I have done lsb's and had a failed stimulator trial. Now I am in on pain patchs and not sure what my next step will be because wc is delaying me returning to my dr.

I also have been interested in ketamine, although my dr. does not perform and does not recommend. Please let us know how you are doing with the ketamine.

in the meantime, feel free to rant, rave, participate, etc.

hi very glad to see you joined us. like the others I too find this and other forums like it as a life saver. I was injured in 2009 and was dx,positively with RSD over a year and a half later. it started in right foot, knee, hip and is now in both legs groin, left arm parts of lumbar back and right arm , surgical scars, and part of my head. my treatments were lumbers blocks, steroid injections, spinal taps, epidurals, PT, psychotherapy, percicept, amrix, elavil, vimovo, lyrica. .. tried neurontin, vicodin, vico pro fin, napralan, tylenol with codeine, vicodin with codeine. I have yet to find anything to help with the pain, but I have started aqua therapy with high hopes.... other than RSD i suffer multiple disc herniations in c.spine lumbar, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, Migrains. asthma, annulAR tear l4-l5. nerve impingement in c6-c7. ... ok out of breath now.. I am not new to pain but can vouch that RSD so far IS THE WORST. dealing with it creates many challenges, and issues, not being able to work, or do my hobbies. play with my kids. etc. still learning coping skills . but this site and forum is my rock.. . I hope that this forum serves you just as well.