I live about 20 mins from Pawtucket. Is he a specialist? Thank you

Wanted to second the use of Vitamin C (especially Vit C with Rose Hips). When I first got RSD I "felt" it travelling from my right leg, to my entire upper left side. We know the feeling - like the limb isn't "ours" anymore. Then the pain starts.

As part of my regimen to combat this, I would take 1000 mg hourly to bowel tolerance. It is a proven powerful antioxidant that boosts the immune sytem. I still use Vit C anytime I feel something "coming on," and it has worked for me every time. (knock on wood right)

The other aspect that I think prevented spread from happening early on was my consistent use of DMSO on the RSD limb, and taking NAC orally (N acetyl cysteine 600mg 3x daily - following the Dutch protocol), both of which are highly potent free radical scavengers.

Vit C & NAC can be scooped up at any health store. DMSO is a bit more complicated but other threads around here go into some more detail on it.


This has not been proven, but I believe that the primary cause of spread is excessive free radical damage. Poor bloodflow caused by inflammation results in further damage to the effected area, plus a diminished ability of the cells to remove free radicals generated during their normal metabolic process. The original area of damage then produces an excess of free radicals that are free to travel throughout the body and become trapped in small capillaries (typically in other limbs.)

The Dutch treatment** concept is simple: eliminate free radicals at the source using DMSO. Free radicals that make it out of the injury site are eliminated by NAC.

Stopping free radical damaged caused by necrotic tissue (dead cells):

1) Reduces inflammation
2) Improves circulation*
3) Gives the body time to heal itself

*Exercise also improves circulation, but we want to make sure we aren't spreading free radicals and damaging other limbs. This is why overaggressive PT done too early in the process often results in "spreading" of RSD!

**Like anything else, this particular protocol is obviously more effective the earlier RSD is caught.**

Stephie -I was so scared when I first started feeling the spread. The difficulty swallowing, vision problems, coordination issues - I went through the same. I could feel "fear" in my hands and fingers. Ugh.

You're getting great input from this site. Not saying you have RSD or not - that's up to you and your doctor(s) to decide. You said you'd welcome any and all info - Just wanted to give you my perspective, for what it's worth

(Special shout out to SM who helped me guide me to this information. If you ever read this I'm eternally grateful )

Just wanted to support the above commentary if anyone's interested in reading further:

1) 2002 DMSO/NAC study http://www.rsds.org/pdfsall/treatmen...ee-radical.pdf
2) Summary page of Dutch research/findings http://www.rsds.org/pdfsall/treatmen...ee-radical.pdf

Hi Steph,

I'm in Mass too, Marshfield. Where are you ?

So many of your symptoms sound identical to mine.

I developed TOS with a work injury. That unmanaged pain developed into RSD and occipital neuralgia. Somewhere along the line, fibromyalgia with many "itises" joined the mix.

I can't write much now, but wanted to make sure that someone mentioned looking up TOS (Thanks Jo !) as well as RSD and to try to get the PT to focus on myofascial release to help manage the tight muscles and fascia to try to get some relief and ROM back before getting into working with weights, which too often is the primary focus in PT appts and can do more damage if this does turn out to be a TOS +/- RSD issue.

I hope tht you find some relief soon.