RSD causes arthritis.

My doctor told me I was "remarkably arthritis free" when I first got RSD and especially so for someone of my age who did so much physical work. I started getting just little bouts of arthritis three years later. Now I get huge flairs where walking is very problematical but it usually doesn't last long.

I've found that cod liver oil seems to work wonders. I take it in the evening a couple hours after my last meal whenever the arthritis flares. For the first few months I needed it nearly every day but now it's just once or twice a week. If you rinse your mouth out with salt first and chase this FOOD with water it's really not so bad. I've come to almost like it.

The drugs for arthritis have provided very limited relief so I'm still looking for one that works. These drugs are pain killers since there's nothing that can be done now for the disease itself. I find the arthritis far less limiting than the RSD so far almost all the time.

Hi. My issue is in the inner ankle/foot. Very painful. Anyhow did you have an mri done lately? For me when my pain is high nothing can touch that area. I mean no socks or even lidocain patches. It does feel the best keep my leg up a little. What part of your ankle and foot exact? You said it just happened and I know with my other leg I had a flare up that lasted and still comes and goes but it just all of sudden happened. I hope you get answers and relief

Hi daniella! I did have a sonogram of my left leg to rule out any blood clots. I haven't had an MRI since Feb.2007. My ankle and foot is about where yours hurts. My legs are killing me too so much. I am always hogging our bath tub, as the warm water is a blessing!! I can't stay in there forever, but as soon as I get out of the tub and my feet hit the floor, I have to sit down in our bathroom covered toilet seat, then hang on to the sink, door, then walk out and it seems like I have walked a mile or more.
I too hope that I get answers and relief too. If not, I want to talk to my doctor about going to Cleveland hospital and have a darn assessement. watch the blood tests come back normal. I still kinda feel it's RSD why oh why am I having this feeling that it is?? Please someone tell me?? I am sick of all these tests, blood work, 8 steliate Ganglion blocks that never worked, physical therapy, I was not allowed to do that anymore, as I kept on getting flairs from it!! I don't know what the matter is with me! I am so sorry for rambling on. I will pray for you, to get what you need ,done daniella! Is that your name? If so, I love it! take care of you!!~Love, Desi(Diane) wish my name was Diana!! that's the least of my troubles though! LOL

No. My real name is Gina. I like Daniella too. Anyhow what are you going to Cleveland Clinic for? I ask cause I did part of there pain clinic day program and saw an anestesolgist there. I wish I had more answer and relief for you but I am in the same horrible boat as you. I am in so much pain right now in a horrible falre up. Hang in there.

Hello again! My doctor wanted me to go in there and have the SCS(Spinal cord stimulator) put in.(This was my old doc). Well, my new doc. told me to hang in there, he will let me know what's what. I also told him I'm scared of having that done. well, I guess I will read about it some more, I asked a lot of friends on here who had the SCS put in and some liked, loved, hated it. So, we shall see. I also think that I should talk to a real good RSD Dr. up in Cleveland, as I heard there are some who can talk to me about where I'm at right now with this beast of a disease. I live only 45 min. away, As I live in Ohio. Gina, are you taking anything for the pain that your in?? If you are and it is not helping, ask for a stronger pain med. Thanks for writing me back, I can be such a baby LOL You hang in there too, Gina!~Love, Desi

Hi. First if I don't respond again it is because I am moving back to Ca and won't have a computer. Not being rude. First you are not a baby. I do understand though cause sometimes with my mom I know I act like one. I think being in pain and so much unknown can do that to a person. It is like we just want comfort. Yea I have been on so many meds with no relief. It is like my brain does not process. I used to live in MI and why I went to the CC. I made it through 4 days of the day program and then thought I would die in pain so I saw the anastesolgist at CC who wanted to do the catheter. Then went to ucla who wanted to do the scs. All the different approaches and different opinions make things even more confusing. You hang in there too.

Oh Desi, I really feel for you. Having been to all kinds of docs and having all kinds of tests done for my legs and nothing significant found that would cause the pain & swelling for me, I do hope that they can find something that can be treated. (I know that sounds bad that I hope they find something but I mean I hope they find something that they can fixed versus it being RSD) It was very difficult for me to accept the RSD diagnosis (I guess I was in denial) & my PM kept sending me to specialists. I don't think my swelling is nearly as bad as yours is. Personally, I won't consider the SCS & my PM doesn't even bring it up anymore. Don't know whether it's because I'm scared, in denial or still hope that something else less invasive will come up. I did start the fenzian treatments Monday. I have hope with that.
Please keep us informed as to what the test results are.
Hugs & prayers,
Linmarie

Hi there Imahotep! Oh wow!! the first sentence of your post says RSD causes arthritis! I never knew this?? makes sense though, after thinking about it!! cod liver oil? can you get those in capsule forms at GNC stores(Health stores?)I am taking fish oil. I am on Fentanyl 75MCGfor the pain, and tylenol #3 or 2 tramadols for the break through pain. The pain is still there, I wonder what it would be like if I took nothing for pain?? "A HUGE OUCH" on that! what meds are you on? Well, take care and thank you for this eye opener about RSD causing arthritis!! ~Love, Desi