Hi Lisa,

Nope, no major damage. But I did have a lot of sticks and leaves and a few big branches lying around. One small log ended up in my pool. Overall, not too bad. I feel sorry for the ones without power; I know over in Ohio all the generators have been bought up in certain areas. The same thing happened when the tornado earlier this spring came too close for comfort. The addition just two minutes from me was without power for days on end and people couldn't find enough generators.

Anyway, your neck pain COULD be contributing to the arm pain. Especially, since there is an issue with C5/C6 which can refer pain to your arms. I know what the NS suggested but maybe you could talk with a pain doc first. I think I would go so far as to talk to Dr. N. again. I really would. Only because I know he is good.

You make me laugh about the caffeine. But it is true. When I reduced it to almost nill, the neuropathic pain really lightened up. But hey, with all the stress I have had the last two months I started drinking iced tea again and too much of it. But I was only drinking it to stay alert enough to deal with all these contractors coming and going while working on my kitchen and pool. I am telling you I had to watch them like a hawk! So, no naps for me. Anyway, I will get back to where I was pretty soon here.

Hi Tina, I wrote a long message to you last night, but it didn't go thru. Lost It. Anyway, I wanted to tell you what an encouragement you were to me. I haven't been fighting, and I want to and need to. I've withdrawn into staying home most of the time. I do have bad bad headaches, pain, low energy,insomnia, and am on a lot of meds. But I'm going to get out, I'm determined. I also mentioned our daughter is a court reporter and has done deposition for a lady with rsd involved in a malpractice suit. Have you ever consulted an malpractice attorney. rsd can be a long road, expensive, and some cannot continue to work. I do feel you were wrongfully fired. You were injured at work and there are definetly laws regarding your employment. It's a long story, but my mother died at 46 because of neglience of a Dr. We won a large settlement in trial. A lot of attorneys don't charge anything unless collect. It's not my business, but a lot of us have ended up on the short end because of not knowing or even not thinking we had the emotional energy to go thru with a suit. I do know there usually is a 2 year statue of limitations in most states from when you were diagnosed, (not the injury itself) I have never had the blocks, please let me know how the second one goes you had Monday. Take care, Loretta

Hi everyone,

I am sorry I did not post before now. I had my 3rd block yesterday and I feel pretty good. I was having a little pain after PT yesterday afternoon, but most of that has eased up. Thank goodness. It is amazing how much energy you feel like you have when you are not in pain.

Loretta - I was hurt on the job, but not at the job I was let go from, but my attorney is aware of this and I don't really see him until next month. I will keep you all posted on what he says.

My determination, I am told by my doctor and my Physcial therapist, is the reason my RSD has not progressed as far as some. Like I said, most of my determination is not necessarily by choice. There have been very many days I did not want to get up, go anywhere or talk to anyone, because I hurt so much, but not having a choice, makes you have to make a choice. I also have 3 grandchildren and I do not get to see them very much because they live far away, but when they come into town, I just get on their level, on the floor, an play away...pain or no pain, they don't know about it, why should they have to do without Nana playing with them. I don't get to wrestle with them, but that is what their dads can do.

I have noticed that alot of times if I type something long, I get kicked out when i try to send it. So when I get typed what I want to type I highlight it all and copy it before I try to send it. That way if I get booted out, then I can log back in and just paste it as a reply.

Well,

I had the 4th block yesterday. Kind of a weird day. They had to try 4 times to get the IV in, the numbing medicine would not work and they blew out 2 veins and one time it was in and when the doctor started to push the anesthesia in, it blew a big bubble in my arm, now I have a 4 inch bruise from that along with the 4 puncture holes for the IV, a big bruise on my neck and a sore throat. I do not think 4 was my lucky number that day. Glad that day is over with.

The blocks seemed to have helped with the burning and the pain I had going down my arm into my hand. They last a little longer each time I go to get one. So we will see on Friday what the doctor thinks about the blocks.

I do have a problem with physical therapy....because my arm has not been moved around very much, even though I have been going to PT off and on for 3 years now and trying to the routines at home, after I go to PT, I have a lot of muscle, tendon and ligament pain. This goes from around my shoulder blade, scapular region, now my rib cage is getting involved and in my upper arm and shoulder, along with the headaches I get, it just really takes it out of me. I still am not sleeping very good at night.

I have tried to tell this doctor that I need some kind of meds to help with these other things and he said he wanted to wait and see if the blocks took care of it....well, I still had some muscle relaxers left and some Ultram ER and have had to take them. I can only take so much pain and Tylenol just ain't doing it for me. All it is doing is tearing up my stomach.

I emailed a letter to the nurse that has been the go between for me and the insurance company and told her what was going on and she said WE could talk to the doctor about it together on Friday. She used to work for him and apparently knows him pretty good, so I am hoping she can get him to understand how I am feeling. He seems to be a nice doctor, but sometimes, I am not sure he hears me. I know you all know how that feels.

I do not want to have to change doctors again, I am so sick of having to explain everything all over and then truing to find one that knows how to treat the RSD is very difficult. This doctor said the blocks would get rid of the RSD...does anyone know if this is anything close to the truth, or if it will just help with moving?

Thanks for everything you all, it is nice to have someone to talk to about all this.

Tina