That's awesome you came back to share, BFF. I think what happens a lot of times is that the people who get better don't want to remember what ground zero was like.

In another year that 4's a 1

I am so very happy to hear that you are still doing well.

I agree that the best thing (for me anyway) is learning what your limits are and living within those limits. I still push myself to always surpass those limits and gradually I see improvement over time...but being realistic and honest with myself about what I can and cannot do has greatly improved my ability to function throughout the day at a "normal" level.

I also think that over time...we adjust how we perceive the pain. For me...what I would classify a pain level of 6 at today probably would have been a 12 before I had RSD. As you go through this nasty disorder I think you really alter your idea of what real pain is because (at least for me) I could not even imagine what this sort of pain would feel like prior to experiencing it. As time went on...I learned new meanings for a 10 on the pain scale and then what I USED to think was a 10 wasn't nearly so bad. I've definitely learned to cope with pain over these past 5 years (feels like it's been forever).

It's really the combination of those two things (plus a great support system at home and a lot of things in my life that are really wonderful) that make living a more "normal" life possible in spite of the RSD. Don't get me wrong...this is not the life I would ever have pictured for myself and the pain flat out sucks...but there's a lot that I am grateful for.

I'm so glad you continue to get better and I hope you reach your goal of returning to work full time.

Well said catra

Bram.

If I push past the pain to even do something as mundane as finish grocery shopping it leaves me in that level of pain for three to four days , I have actually collapsed because of this before. It is horrid and so so painful, it doesn't help movement at all but maybe that's because its nearly my entire leg? weight baring and all that? Maybe the benefits of extreme use is individual as we are?

Pushing to that point is NOT a good idea. It took me months and months of gradual increased movement (constant...but starting with very very basic stuff that was not weight bearing at all). I still walk with a walker...primarily because even though I can do a little walking without it...it is a HUGE strain on my leg to be full weight bearing. I cannot last very long at all if I don't use the walker. But WITH it...I can be on my feet for a full 9+ hour shift at work. I'm only 30...27 when I started using the walker...so it does feel strange to need it...but it allows me to live a more normal life.

But even with that said...we are ALL different. The key is learning our own limits and pushing just enough to continue improving but not so much to set us back. I've had many setbacks and bad flare ups over the past few years since it spread from just my left ankle to my left knee and entire upper body from waist to neck including both arms and hands. No matter how you slice it...there just isn't a quick easy one size fits all approach to treatment of RSD/CRPS.

That's how my boyfriend is...he can definitely see it in my eyes when the pain flares up.

I actually find that the walker is pretty well received by strangers. I guess because they think why would I use it if I didn't need it? What I also like about it is that it's a seat (it's the kind with 4 wheels and seat) and it has a basket to carry things too. I find it takes a lot more weight off my bad leg than the cane does. I like always having a seat with me so that no matter where I am or what I am doing, I can sit if I have to. I've also been know to sort of kneel my bad leg onto the walker if I am standing still so there's no weight on it at all...all is on my good leg...but it's comfortable because I have something to "set" the bad leg on so it's not just hanging there.

I also use the walker for balance...mine is terrible. I just fall...completely out of no where I just fall to one side and end up on the ground. That's scary...but the walker has been great and I haven't taken a tumble while using it. If I feel like I'm starting to tip I hit the breaks and either wait until I am steady or sit down on the seat. That walker is really the best thing I have gotten since this darn thing decided to spread to most of my body. I literally could not function "normally" without it.

I Have the sudden loss of balance to , just for no reason at all it seems. I mostly do arm windmills and catch something so i don't fall. I have fallen and will in the future to. Thus the cane! lol.
I can see the walker being received better because lets face it canes were once a fashion item , walkers never have been and for a young lady to use it she must need it.

Ditto on the balance Catra and Lynn. Reminds me of the odd day in my youth when I really did have a skinful and could barely stand. When you go, you just go. It's really weird and unsettling.

I've been fairly lucky in that our house is quite small, and there's usually a wall or a bit of furniture to clutch when it happens. If I do go out, I usually have someone with me now, and if I lurch they can catch my arm. I often wonder what people think!

Catra, the walker sounds like a great plan, and if I'm honest it would solve a lot of going out issues for me. But just yet I can't bring myself to do it. Ours is a small town and everyone talks and comments, particularly the older folk, who can be very judgemental and cruel. I know it's daft, I mean I used a wheelchair for over a year. I suppose I've associated a walker with old people, and I know that's unfair and stupid of me. I know better about these things now...

Maybe it's time. It would give me more freedom, and that's what it's all about.

Thanks for the discussion. As always, I learn such a lot from everyone here.

Bram.

you and I both, I have thought about it several times but I just don't feel that bad yet, even with all my issues i walk relatively fast sort of ... I guess not Dave my fiancee is correcting me over my shoulder. I had seen one of these and thought long about it but I had worries about putting pressure on it that way so i tried to just stand like that with my knee on a bench... it might help some but not really.
http://www.medline.com/product/Gener...6#.UzvRDVdGmpo