Joan, thanks. It's always nice to be agreed with!

Ada, I agree that research is important. We certainly need more of it, and more monetary resources as well! Unfortunately, the point I attempted to make was that nothing is really known about ANY disease. RSD is no different in that respect. There is little to no concrete knowledge about the actual mechanisms of just about every non-infectious disease known to man.

I personally think that the key lies in further genetic research. The problem with RSD (and many other disorders, again excepting infectious diseases and also confirmed genetic disorders that can be pinpointed to an actual chromosome) is that because we have no concrete pathophysiological knowledge, this syndrome is most likely caused by different processes in different people. Because of that, any research into treatment is likely to have the same effect as always---some respond, some don't.

Of course, more research into treatment is always a good thing. The more possible treatments that are found, the more likely that more people will be helped. The issue is that until they've identified the direct causes of RSD (and, as I said, there will be more than one), there will not be treatment available to help everybody. It will be a trial-and-error process until doctors can test for and pinpoint a specific problem.

It all sounds kind of frustrating (it is) and depressing. However, there IS research going on. The RSDSA sponsors some, and along with RSDHope is financing research into mitochondrial DNA in RSD patients. Also, the International Research Foundation for RSD (founded by doctors who have been on the RSDSA's advisory board) funds research. I've also read many announcements for clinical trials, which may turn out to help some people.

The problem is that RSD is complex (hence the name "complex regional pain syndrome"), and research takes time. Plus, it's entirely possible that we're not technologically advanced enough yet to figure this out. I have to believe that we're getting somewhere though!

For instance, when I first got RSD in 1994, it was the norm for people to go years without a diagnosis. Now, most people (but unfortunately not all) only seem to go a few months. That's still not acceptable, but it's better. Also, back in the day, there were many more doctors who were convinced that RSD was a psychological problem. Now, Dr. Oaklander's research has disproved that, and there are many more doctors who have learned about this disease.

Again, it's still not a good situation, but it's slowly improving. I only hope it continues to do so, and I believe it will.

-Betsy