I feel like that with doctors sometimes too Renee....

I saw my pain doc once and she said "well, it's good to see you're looking really well. Everything must be going well. That's good isn't it." Well. I just burst into tears then and there, think she was quite shocked. When I'd got control again I told her that I had a good gameface now, and I was getting pretty good at looking 'OK'. It means nothing. I like to think it is similar to the old adage about swans....looking all serene above the water, paddling fast underneath... I said, "I'm in pain all the time. I'm exhausted. I've got kids and a job. I work hard to look half normal. Congratulate that if you want to, but don't make the mistake of thinking that because I appear ok I'm not suffering the same as usual." I was nice about it, but she's never said it again.

My GP never comments on how I look, but he has various expressions of doubt, disbelief and boredom that he uses during appointments. He doesn't know anything about CRPS, and hasn't tried to. Grr. Oh for that mile in someone else's shoes...:

Bram.

I'm so sorry you went through that Bram. Your pain dr shouldn't have said that to you and brought you to tears. I'm proud of you for standing up for yourself though. I wish I had. But I will tell my pm dr what the np said. I don't know if it will make a difference, but I'll feel better telling them how she made me feel and how wrong she was to say what she did. Just like your pain dr telling you that you're looking well. It doesn't mean you feel well. One of my brothers has stomach cancer and you couldn't tell that he has it by looking at him, but he's in constant pain from chemo and radiation treatments and surgeries. I don't say to him that since he looks okay he must feel okay. Of course not. Because I know how much pain he is in and what he's been through. So why do people think that because rsd people look okay that they feel okay? It's just wrong and I don't get it. It makes me so mad. And my gp is clueless too to rsd and hasn't bothered looking it up. (I have to give him a brochure too.) I get looks from him sometimes too of doubt, disbelief and boredom. I do like and trust him more then my other drs though. He still listens to me and tries to help me. And then every now and then I have some of my drs sqeeze my rsd hand and see how I move it (as if I am faking it and that they have to test me by doing this to make sure I'm not). And being that I'm so numb sometimes from pain pills, if I don't feel anything, it doesn't prove anything. It's so insulting! Oh well, as I've heard someone tell me once, "you can't fix stupid." And IMO some people are stupid when it comes to understanding rsd. (Not All Mind You, Just Some.)

I'm so sorry to hear you are going through this. Hang in there. I'll be praying you get some rest tonight!

I completely understand about others not know what you are going through. My kids are grown, but they can be judgmental and insensitive when it comes to the house. But do they offer to help??? Of course not. Ha! People get so wrapped up in their own lives that they forget to stop and encourage others that are in pain or deal with illness, etc. I don't know what I would have done all these years if it weren't for my church family. Also, when you are in pain and upset, your baby can sense your moods. Maybe if you can take a deep breathe before picking up the baby and trying to calm your mood, it might help the baby's too. Can't hurt to try. I have been walking with a cane or a couple years now because my RSD has caused severe osteoarthritis in both hips, but my pm dr says no to surgery. It is difficult when you are having a flare, every step hurts etc. We can all have our times to rant and complain, but that is what we are here for is to encourage and listen to each other. Keep your head up and try to smile.....that'll make really wonder what's up with you. Lol! Take care and soft hugs. Suz
*admin edit* Take care all!