Originally Posted by visioniosiv

Burnbabyburn:

Gotta second Jenna on everything above. What a great post from someone with tangible (unfortunately)experience!

(Non-medical professional disclaimer applies to all of the following):

RSD doesn't magically transfer to new sites via the nervous system going haywire; it transfers via free radicals in the bloodstream. The trauma from surgery causes tons of inflammation locally to the surgical site.... and what's inflammation? Swelling and increased bloodflow in response to a trauma!

Supplementing with antioxidants/free radical scavengers (like Vitamin C as Jenna mentions above) before and after is a very, very good idea. Other options include NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine), Vitamin E, grape seed extract, and many many others. (VicC is a former poster here for whom I have muchos respect who swore by grape seed extract.)

I don't need to caution anyone about the dangers of supplementation without guidance of a doctor/medical professional, but like many of us here, I'm very "disappointed" (understatement) by the lack of support out there from the medical establishment.

I've personally supplemented with Vitamin C and NAC. 600 mg 3x a day of NAC for 90 days when I first got RSD, and I cycle Vitamin C on and off now as a regular supplement to support my immune system. The general warning in super-dosing Vitamin C is that it can result in kidney stones. There is mixed research on that. It's never happened in my experience.

Another thing Jenna mentioned was avoiding processed food - she's right on point there too! Bigtime unpaired electrons (free radicals) result from processed food, artificial sweeteners, etc etc.

Last but not least - the mental part. Always easier said than done but being confident that you are doing the right thing for you is the most valuable tool you have.