Hellyearsao! My name is Tracy and I am new to this community or any as far as that goes. I have never done anything like this before. I was diagnosed with rsd in 2005, but got hurt in 2002. It took all the doctors 3 years to finally diagnose me with rsd. I sustained a severe twist to my dominant hand, which is my left hand, and have had pain ever since. I worked from April of 2002 until October 2003 when I brought permanent restrictions in under worker compensation and that was the day they said see ya! I worked at that place for about 7 years. That is all I knew how to do was factory work. It was a tough deal for me to go through. It still is a struggle for me. I am only 34 years old and feel my life has been turned completely upside down. I am married and have one daughter. I have no one that I can talk to about this because they don't understand. I have been dealing with this pain for so long and know that I have to for the rest of my life, but it is not easy. It has spread up into my shoulder and has started in my right hand. There are some days I wish I could just rip my left arm off and be done with it, but I know that won't help. There are also days I wish I could just die, but I know I have an 11 year old daughter that needs me so I will never go through with it. It is just very hard to deal with.

screwballpookie

Welcome!

I'm also somewhat new, but it's really the best place for you to go because all of us are dealing with pain from RSD. All of us understand how horrible this is.

I received RSD from surgery done in 04. I was just diagnosed in February of this year. It's very frustrating when there's nothing they can do.

Tell us more! What kind of therapy are you on or have had results from? What medications? Are they helping?

Welcome, glad you found us here. I have benefited greatly from reading posts and searching when I have questions. When that doesn't help and I need a kind word, I post and get much support. I hope you find that here also.

I have been implanted with a spinal cord stimulator in December 2006 and am currently taking trazadone 50 mg at night for sleep. I am also being weened off of cymbalta 60 mg once a day since I have been implanted with the stimulator. I have one week left of 30 mg cymbalta and I will be done taking that. I started my stimulator at .80 in December and have had to turn it up to 1.10-1.20. I can't leave it on 1.20 constantly because I get a burning feeling in my arm. The doctors had me go through about 8 months of physical therapy with little success. I just live a day to day life with pain even though some days I just wish I could go back in time and change what happened. I know I can't, but it sure would be nice. It has turned my life completely upside down. I can't go out and do everything I use to do and that is a very hard thing to live with.

screwballpookie

hi ya "screwballpookie"..Love your "user name" Tracy! Sounds like we have something in common.. except my RSD is in my right hand. I use this one all the time, or I used too. I had carpal tunnal surgery and as a result from the CT got this beast RSD We are all here for you, as we know the wanting "somone" to cut off your arm, the draining, awful chronic terriable pain this can cause. I too would like to welcome you here. Thank God for this board, it is a life saver! Love and gentle hugs, Tracy love, Desi

How do you make it through everyday without giving up? Some days I don't even feel like doing anything,just sitting around being lazy. Is that normal? Yes I have had this disease for about 5 years but just found out I had it about 2 years ago. I am reading books about rsd even though the doctor reccomends that I don't. I feel that the more I know the less surprised I will be if something new happens and the less likely I will be to shove myself back into depression. Am I thinking right or am I just crazy? Also thanks !

Tracy

Hey... I know exactly what you mean.. for starters... I am new to all this too, but thought I would see who might be out here too. I have had RSD for 4 years, now it is all over my body. I truly understand what you feel. Just remember that there are many people out here that know what you are going through. Just reach out when you need someone...

take care...