well, i'm 38, married, and thanks to my employer I still work. I work for a Trinity Hospice, no longer as a field nurse, i'm in the office now, on the phone with Dr.s all day (but it's still something to keep my mind of my problems). Dx in 93 after a patient with alzheimer's hit me with a cane to my right knee. Now have RSD total right side, left side from hip to toes. Working on my 3rd spinal pump and 5th SCS. I make by on the theory that laughter is the best medicine, and in my line of work you have to believe that. I've been a member here since 2000, under Dolphin and foreverdolphin. The advice you've given over the years has been wonderful, but more then that, i've always had a shoulder to cry on here. Not that I need it very often, but it's nice to know there are people in this boat with me. I truely care for all of you.

Im glad to be back in touch with everyone, and the caring informative site is alive once again.

I will squish 6 and a half years into a few paragraphs I hope.

I was the Marketing Director for a casino, and at the time also interim Food & Beverage Director, and interim Network Administrator. I loved my job tremendously, and worked long hours holding down all 3 positions. They kept promising replacements, but it was ok with me that they were dragging their heels because I had complete control of every marketing event that I could dream up. It meant success was a sure bet when I controlled the main departments that counted when it came to pulling off an event.

RSD started for me when a doctor, or someone under a doctor accidentally blocked the femoral artery in my right leg. It was blocked for 8 days before I had surgery to remove the clot they put in my leg following an angiogram. I was deemed healthy as a horse, except for the little piece that got away, and lodged itself in the top part of the calf.

They couldnt recover the clot, but told me leaving it wouldnt be as bad as going after it. Doctors wouldnt believe there was anything wrong with my leg, but sent me for back surgery in 2003, but the neurosurgeon came in and said that they couldnt find anything wrong with my back, but have I ever heard of RSD?

Then the tests really began, all showing dead nerves, and muscles in the right leg, and so far the pain is crazy. I started complaining that the pain was in my shoulder now also, but the doc didnt care at all. This summer I realized I could put pressure on the shin bone with my finger, and leave a dent that would last 2 to 3 days. The doctor freaked when I showed her. She took blood and urine samples, and put me in physical therapy immediately.

The PT guys have only hurt me worse so far, but I will stay at it for a while more, but be more vocal about what I will or will not do. Also have had some of what I thought were heart related issues, but also turned out to be RSD.

I applied for SSI/SSDI about 3 years ago I think, and am now at the appeals council level waiting on their decision. If it wasnt for some people on this forum I truly wouldnt be here right now. They talked me out of suicide, and have also helped me out financially. They truly are blessings to me, and I pray special blessings for them daily.

Let's see, I started posting somewhere in 2003 I think, and I feel like everyone is family, and man it is good to see all of ya!

Love
Allen

I was diagnosed with CRPS type I and II in October of 2002. This was after two failed carpul tunnel surgeries on my right had (which were done three weeks apart) in Feb of 2002. I complained for 8 months and told to "live with the pain" by several docs.

I finally found the worlds most compassionate pain doc in late September of 2002 who immediately started doing upper body blocks. 17 of the from October 2002 to February 2003.

Feb 03 I had the trial SCS implanted (still working at that time too - I was a network engineer). It worked wonders and I really wanted off the Oxycontin! May 2003, the perm SCS was implanted, and I soon was weaned off all the pain drugs and the nightmare Neurontin.

In Oct of 2003, I was "laid off". I won't go down that road right now. I found BT in Feb of 2003, and everyone was so nice (still are! ). I knew then that I was not alone with this RSD.

Here I am now, moved to the Western WA area (from TX) over two years ago, and I have had a wonderful job (software developer) since I moved here. I divorced my rotten husband in TX in 2004 before I moved here. I soon met a wonderful, understanding man, here in WA, and we have been engaged for the past year.

My RSD is still pretty much in remission. I have only used 20% of my battery life in the past 3 1/2 years, and I am going strong. I cannot walk long distances (due to two squished discs - L3-L4 and L2-L3 - another story), but I seem to hold my own when we venture out to Mt. St. Helens or just the mountains surrounding this wonderful area. I only turn on my SCS when I have RSD knocking at my door. Which, for now, is only about once or twice a week.

Oops, sorry, this turned into a long post

BTW - I will be setting up the Christmas card exchange again this year.....in the next couple of weeks

((((( gentle hugs to all )))))

Shanin

Hi all,

Good idea, introducing ourselves.

I joined BT after I broke my left arm/wrist tripping over my dog, slipping on wet greenery and landing on the sharp edge of a step in a typhoon in June 2004. Later they found I also broke 2 ribs and a couple of hand bones too. This came soon after wrenching my left thumb out of its socket, never quite went back in.

So, distal radius fracture with ulnar styloid avulsion, emplastered for 7 weeks. One week after the cast was on, my wrist, ulnar-side, started being seriously painful in just one spot (near the styloid). Cast was changed twice, docs said well, you know, broken bones are sore...Began physio the day after the cast was removed, exercises, electric stimulation,hydrothingy, all that stuff and the ulnar just became more unbearable.

They started ice therapy and kabooom! instantly what had been agony became unbearable agony....the hyperesthesia started like a glove of horribly alive pain, whole hand blew up, went bright red and so now I'm officially an RSD sufferer.

In the past year, though, the RSD arm has kind of plateau'd but I've got problems now in my right arm. After all the tests, including MRI, I'm diagnosed with cervical spondylosis and spinal stenosis C4 - C6. Still not sure if the right hand pain is RSD spread, repetitive strain thingy or resulting from pinched nerve. Next doc's appt end of October, may learn more.

Yes, I'm an penniless artist, live alone, (my partner, a doctor, died 5 years ago -where are these people when you need them! ) in Hong Kong with my beagle (my best friend). I live now on an outlying island, very pretty and wild, lovely beach, great walking - nothing like anyone would ever imagine HK. Work from home so don't need to brave the highrise hell too often. Lived in HK 25 years and love the place. Great mixture of people; lots of Americans, Europeans, Australians, Japanese - everything, but mostly 98% Chinese. Originally a Brit, I lived in HK as a young child, moved back at about 30, no intentions of living anywhere else.

My saviours after RSD hit were you wonderful people. Throughout the whole ordeal, you have been unfailingly helpful and given such clear commom-sense advice that I trust you more than the doc's. I don't know what I'd ever have done without you.

I'd just like to take this opportunity to say a very big *THANK YOU*, thank you to *ALL* of you.

take care and all the best

Hi Everyone!

I'm Kate, I'm 28 but am another October birthday girl, as I'll be 29 on the 29th

I'm a mum of 4 kids- 3 girls, Bailey- 8, Liv (Olivia)- 6 and Hannah- 4 months. And a 4 year old son called Dayne. I'm studying an HR course so that one day, if my rsd lets me I can get a good job.

My rsd started in my right arm 6 years ago, from nerve damage during a blood test. Then it spread to my right leg in Jan this year after a White-Tailed Spider bite.

I've had breaks from my RSD thanks to ketamine infusions (3x low dose, 7 day awake ones) but am now back on meds again. My rsd is very out of control right now, spreading and changing quickly- I've had heaps of new symptoms in new areas just since mid August when my last infusion was unsuccessful.

My hubby is my carer, we've been together for about 11 years and I'd be lost without him!

I live in Melbourne, Australia- home of an amazing RSD DR so I'm very lucky there- and grew up in England, moving here when I was 13.

So thats me!

Hi, everyone.

My user name is Miss Irie (was the same on BT1) and I'm 42 years old -- soon to be 43. I'm married to a wonderful man and have a black lab I adore who keeps me constant company. I have one grown daughter who is herself married and recently blessed our family with a baby boy, Xander.

I live in Burlington, Ontario. I developed RSD after knee surgery to repair my ACL in September 2003. I haven't been able to work since Dec '03. I qualified for CPP Disability benefits on my first application and I also receive LTD benefit payments through insurance coverage with my employer. While I remain on the company books I have been unable to go back to my job (which I absolutely loved) as an Executive Assistant to the President of a telcom company.

I have been progressively going down hill with my RSD battle. It has spread (originally just my left leg) to my right leg and right shoulder. I find it nearly impossible to get around anymore. I require a cane to walk and I have a scooter I use when my pain levels are intolerable. I love my scooter but it is only a light duty machine and I won't be able to use it once winter comes. For now I'm speeding around on it and it has been fantastic to be able to get out of the house!

I live in a wonderful house which my husband and I bought in November 2005. We're first-time home buyers and I couldn't be more thrilled! We used to be avid power boaters but I had to give that up. We just sold our cruiser a month ago. I thought it would be really sad giving this up after 11 years, but it has actually given hubby and I a chance to spend more time together doing other things. It was time to let go for both of us and we're talking about joining a trivia club, card club, etc. to keep us busy over the winter months.

Although I have lots of physical challenges I am doing OK. I have a positive attitude and have realistic expectations of what I can accomplish. I am blessed with a loving husband and very supportive family which has made things much easier for me. I've also been fortunate to have a terrific family doctor and a pain specialist who is extremely knowledgeable and kind. I'm investigating photon therapy at the moment as the specialist thinks this might help me improve my mobility.

Cheers,
Catherine

Hi to all fellow RSD friends,
I have been reading on the old forum but was unable to participate as I really got confused trying to log on. We changed providers and everything got mixed up. Nevertheless, now I am able to finally post and reply.
I am so happy to have this forum to read daily. You are all to be admired for suffering through this miserable condition.
I have RSD, Fibromyalgia and Meralgia Paresthetica. The story of it all is too extensive to explain. It started as facial pain from a dental procedure which stretched my masseter muscles (1984). Over time it has spread throughout my entire body: face, neck, fulll back, arms, hands, knees, feet, etc. I am in constant pain almost everywhere and take no pain meds as they do not work. I tried about 25 or so at highest doses possible - including morphine, ketamine. I saw Dr. Schwartzman for possible IV Ketamine but was not a candidate as mine is so severe and had it for so long. Tried alternative therapies which only made me worse (acupuncture, cold laser, etc.) I can not have any invasive procedures(morphine pumps) as they trigger it off even worse. I was forced to retire from my job as a Reading Specialist(which I loved). Unable to walk any distance - just house to car -use carts in stores. Have a wonderful husband and adult mixed lab dog.
Today is a beautiful sunny day in PA. Oh how I wish I could get out and walk my dog and enjoy the day. Unfortunately the pain is so bad and my legs are just aching so much. I haven't walked even a block in almost 5 years since it hit my lower back and also got the Mer. Par. An epidural triggered it off ithe RSD and FM in my lower back in 2002. Spread everywhere after that.
Well - my hands are really aching now.
My best to all. I look forward to hearing from any fellow sufferers.
Sydney

Thank you for pointing out that we all should be admired, however it seems you too are carrying around only half the world's neurological problems on your own back. So let us take a moment to admire you!!!!. Also let us say welcome, take a load off your feet and join our humble little abode!!!! Chin Up!!!!

Mark

I'm Mike (fmicheal) as before from Santa Monica CA.

I'm the father of two boys (13 and 9) and an attorney who hasn't been able to work since 1993, following a bilateral injury to my legs at the gym, two years earlier.

I just posted on long piece under a thread Roz put up, looking for me, but in a nutshell, I'm off to Johns Hopkins next week in an attempt to get a full neuro-immunological workup of whats going on with me. So we shall see.

In the meantine I have good days and bad days, and know that most of the time I am probably in less pain than most, but then there was last Friday when I felt like I was being pounded by a Catagory 5 hurricane. Funny how that works. It's like the old line from Monty Python:

NOBODY expects the Spanish Inquisition!

love to all,

Mike

Is there anyway I can contact you or you contact me. We have such a similar situation & would love to talk to you.
I am not disclosing who I am online either, and I notice you won't receive private messages. If you can't do this I certainly understand and respect your privacy.

Hope